Erin Rose

Erin Rose is a narrow, no-frills dive bar at 811 Conti Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, a short walk from Bourbon Street but far from its showier venues. It is best known for the frozen Irish coffee, a slushy, sweet blend of coffee, whiskey and cream that has become one of the most talked-about drinks in the Quarter and is the usual first order for visitors. Beyond that, the menu is deliberately plain: beer, shots, well drinks and simple mixed drinks, with prices among the lowest in the neighbourhood, commonly in the single-digit to low-teens range in US dollars. The room is long and dark with a bar down one side, a pool table or small seating area in places, and walls covered in memorabilia, and the layout means that on busy nights it fills to standing room only. The crowd is a mix of locals, bartenders finishing shifts, visitors who have heard about the Irish coffee, and a regular afternoon group, and dress is entirely casual. The age range is adult, with most patrons in their twenties to sixties, and the atmosphere is friendly, loud and unpretentious rather than exclusive. A po-boy counter has operated from the back of the bar, which makes it a handy place for a late sandwich alongside a drink, though visitors should check what is currently on offer. Music is typically jukebox or recorded, with no cover charge, no stage and no live bands. Hours run daily and open late, and the bar has a reputation as a place that stays active when quieter venues have closed, with the busiest period after dinner and on weekend nights. There are no reservations and no bottle service; seats and standing spots are claimed on arrival. Drinks can usually be taken outside in plastic cups, as in the rest of the Quarter. Its location near Royal and Bourbon Streets makes it an easy stop between more famous bars and restaurants on Conti Street.