November 12, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAT O'BRIEN'S CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF HAVING FUN

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Pat O'Brien's Bar, a New Orleans icon and home of the world-famous Pat O'Brien's Hurricane®, announces its 65th anniversary on Thursday, December 3 at the historic 18th-century French Quarter building that has been home to the establishment since 1942.

Helping the popular bar celebrate will be the employees who have made Pat O'Brien's a great "Have Fun!" spot for six-and-a-half decades. Pat O'Brien's boasts having more than 20 employees who have worked for the company for more than 20 years. President and owner George D. Oechsner, III confirms that much of Pat O'Brien's success is due to the dedication and loyalty of its 200-plus employees.  

Pat O'Brien's anniversary celebration will encompass the multiple-concept entertainment facility, and will include rolled-back prices and a block party featuring live music on St. Peter Street.

The company's executives will also host a VIP event that day which will take place in the Briars Suite, the establishment's private party quarters. Officials from Pat O'Brien's Cancun (opened in 1991) and Universal Studios CityWalk®, home of Pat O'Brien's Orlando (scheduled to open this year), are expected to be in attendance for the event.

In addition to Cancun and Orlando, further franchise expansion is progressing, said Oechsner, who also stated that growth for his 65-year-old entertainment, bar and restaurant concept is part of the business plan for the next five years. He had previously noted that the company is targeting markets including Las Vegas, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, San Antonio and San Diego, and said that future franchising announcements may be expected in early 1999.