November 20, 2003

For Immediate Release

Contact: Shelly Waguespack
504-582-6908

On Wednesday, December 3, Pat O’Brien’s, the famous hot spot in the French Quarter, celebrates its 70th anniversary with the best block party on the planet! In honor of New Orleanians, the 700 block of St. Peter Street will be closed at 4pm to begin set up for the festivities. At 8pm the local favorite Bucktown Allstars will perform on the street and there will be incredible drink specials, such as $1.50 Hurricanes, .50 mixed drinks and beer, to show Pat O‘s gratitude for 70 great years in New Orleans. Santa will be spreading good cheer and handing out Hurricane flavored birthday cake along with some goodies. Pat O’s Courtyard Restaurant will be offering food specials such as Muffalettas, Cancun shrimp and Pat O’s famous hot wings for $3. There will also be a special commemorative Hurricane glass to mark the occasion.

“This Block party is our way of giving back to the New Orleans community.” Said Shelly Oechsner Waguespack, a Vice President of Pat O’Brien’s. “We are truly grateful for all of those people who have supported Pat O’Brien’s throughout the years. We owe a great deal to them for our tremendous success and look forward to many more decades of Having Fun! “

In addition to their gratitude to the community, Pat O’Brien’s will also take this opportunity to appreciate the 8th district Police Department in the Vieux Carre. Pat O’s will be selling raffle tickets to win a beautiful party for 75 people in Pat O’Brien’s Briars Suite overlooking Bourbon. The Party includes open premium bar and elegant food for 3 hours. All raffle proceeds will go directly to the 8th district Police.

Pat O’Brien’s Bar dates back to the days of prohibition in the 1930’s. Pat O’Brien’s operated a speakeasy in New Orleans, whose doors open only to those who knew the password “Storm’s Brewin.” When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Mr. O’Brien moved his now legal drinking establishment to a location in the 600 block of St. Peter. In 1942, Pat O’Brien’s Bar moved to the present address at 718 St. Peter.

A few changes have happened in New Orleans since those days, such as the addition of Pat O’s Courtyard Restaurant, the Briars Suite and Pat O’s on the River in Jax Brewery. The folks at Pat O’Brien’s recognized the growth and need in the New Orleans market for local expansion. “Growth beyond 718 St. Peter was a necessity”, says owner George “Sonny” Oechsner. “The market was demanding private venues and we reacted.” In 1989 Pat O’Brien’s purchased the building at 624 as a private party facility. In 1996 Pat O’Brien’s Courtyard Restaurant made its debut. Oechsner goes on to say, “New Orleans has been evolving into a more family oriented destination. The Courtyard Restaurant allows customers to enjoy great food and ambiance, with out excluding anyone because of age.”

Outside New Orleans, Pat O’Brien’s first franchise opened in Cancun, Mexico in 1991. The next accomplishment was the opening of Pat O’Brien’s in Orlando Universal CityWalk in 1999. Memphis was the third franchise in 2002 and, most recently, Pat O’s opened in San Antonio. All locations will be participating in some capacity in this exciting historic event on December 3, 2003.

For more information, please contact Shelly Waguespack, Vice President of Administration Pat O’Brien’s Bar, Inc. or Corporate Assistant Christi Gaudet .
main office 504-525-4823
direct line 504-582-6908
admin@patobriens.com
fax 504-588-2864
cell 504-289-5574
www.patobriens.com