Pat O'Briens is the place to sample a hurricane in New Orleans. It is divided into three seperate venues, the regular bar area, the piano bar and the courtyard (where the gift shop is located). We sat in the piano bar. Two pianos are set up on the stage facing each other. We listened to four different piano players, all good. They played the normal piano bar play list of sing alongs and got the crowd involved pretty well. There were several groups of singles as well as couples and a bachelor/bachelorette party going on. A good stop for fun, just off Bourbon Street.

They have very good food. I highly recommend the Hurricane. It is a must and has several different bars to hang out at. There is a very nice piano bar. They have a great and friendly staff, and it is right on Bourbon.

This is a typical place where you can find businessmen coming for a drink after a hard convention day sitting next to a guy in his 20's on holidays with friends.

Basically, it has two sectors, an open one in the back and a "bar" at the front. In the open-air area, you can have the famous Hurricane while you look at the fire-water fountain and then buy a souvenir in the gift shop. In the bar, you can just sit and listen to a live performer in a quieter space. It is a really nice place you must visit.

I think it’s against the law to leave New Orleans without having had a hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s. I didn’t want to get arrested, or buck a trend, so I headed off to the famous establishment to partake of this famous drink.

It was about 9pm on a Saturday night and the place was already hoppin’. The courtyard was filled with revelers – many in St. Patrick’s Day garb – and most were already drunk. But they weren’t an obnoxious kind of drunk, which surprised me. My friend and I sauntered straight up to the bar and ordered our drink. It was served to us in a "to-go" cup, which I’ve only seen in a few cities in the US. (Basically, there are no open container laws in New Orleans, but you can’t take the drink out of the restaurant in a glass container.) I was a bit disappointed, because I wanted mine in the real hurricane glass. So, I paid an extra $3 (the drink was $8) to take the hurricane glass home with me (now THAT was interesting - getting it on the plane and home without breaking it.). I think the first sip killed any taste buds I had – it was pretty strong. After a few more sips, it started to taste good. Heck, it was a tradition, right? Needless to say, I couldn’t finish it – but my friend made sure not to waste any.

While all of this liquoring up was going on, a nice couple seated at one of the patio tables left and gave us their seats. We sat there for a good hour talking, listening to the music, watching the fire fountain (see the photo), and people-watching (this is a great place for it.) When we left, we paid it forward and offered our seats to another standing couple.

This is one of those things that you just have to do to have a full New Orleans experience. I thought it was quite fun, but I was a bit buzzed, so I’m sure that clouded my judgment.

This is well worth the price, but don't get suckered into buying the glasses -- it seems like a great idea at the time, but then you get home and wonder what to do with them! We like to go in the late afternoon and sit beside the fountain. At sunset, they light the fountain -- yes, fire and water! It can be romatic or rowdy -- whatever you want it to be. We've met complete strangers from all over the world here and become friends! You haven't experienced all there is in New Orleans until you've been here.