Episode 196: Booze News – The Stormin' of the Sazerac

Louisiana Insider

One evening in 1949, a group of women stormed into the lobby of the majestic Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. They headed straight to the bar and demanded to be served Sazeracs, the house specialty and a New Orleans legendary cocktail. What else could the bartender do? A round of Sazeracs for everyone? The geo-social implication of the event was that prior to that night, women were not allowed in that bar, except – of course – for Mardi Gras Day. But now another barrier was broken. The hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing Cam Rinard joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with Producer Kelly Massicot, to talk about to the annual re-creation of the event now known as “Stormin’ of the Sazerac.” The Roosevelt, by the way, had been a favorite hangout for Gov. Huey Long, who enjoyed the bar. The hotel was managed by Long crony Seymour Weiss. That may or may not have anything to do with the “storming” but it does show that there was a lot of colorful history at the hotel. Listen and learn more.