Traditionally, the Painkiller, the Zombie and the Mai Tai are the territory of West Coast cocktail bars, but Polynesian culture will soon enter the South beginning with Louisiana drinking haven, New Orleans. The French Quarter, already bursting at the seams with drinking options, will be gaining a serious tiki bar this fall for those wishing to break up Pimm’s Cup and French 75 tedium with a tropical (possibly flaming) cocktail.
The Times-Picayune announces that tiki expert and restauranteur, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, is working to open an establishment called Latitude 29 (named for New Orleans’ latitudinal location) in the Bienville Hotel. New Orleans industry veterans Steve Yamada and Chris Shortall are leading the tropical drinks and Asian-inspired food program at what seems to be shaping up as a legit tiki bar destination. [The Times-Picayune] [Photo: Gabi Porter]