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“Tales of The Cocktail”

Tales 2023 Blogging From TheEdge of Madness and Heat Exhaustion

While Tales has always been at the end of July, a historically hot time in New Orleans, I have never encountered temperature outside like this!
Heat index has been the far side of 100 degrees all week, and this is the first time i have encountered the term “Dangerously Humid in a weather report .
Luckily most of the venues are air conditioned but only the drunk,mad dogs ,and the tourists go out in the midday sun-or anytime the sun is up down here .Even the night is a challenge.

Despite all this Tales has, by all accounts, been a success so far this year with robust attendance.

There is a plethora of workshops this year. With the regime change a few years ago the content and focus of the workshops have changed a bit with a lot of new more shall I say political, lifestyle , and health topics than previous Tales of years past.
There are a great deal of workshops and seminars on health and wellness in the bar tending community, identity, and political issues , environmental and sustainability issues in the trade and generally a more holistic approach to our trade.

Unfortunately our media accreditation did not cover many of those workshops so we instead concentrated on the numerous and various tastings that would could get into.

It’s 4 AM at Tales

Went to the shaker and barware symposium at the Museum of the American Cocktail which was a lot of fun and very informative. For the full batch of pictures please go to our flickr page for some of the photos of the barware and the people doing the presentations. On the way back Johnathan Forester and I realized we must go to Meyers hat shop – about 15 minutes before they normally close. After much discussion we end up buying some hats.This for me is a stellar event. I ever can find a hat that fits me. Ever.We got to talk to Mr Meyer himself and get fitted out with some outstanding hats. (more…)

Tales Day 2

 Up early Kahlua Coffee Bar and Cocktails at 8:30 AM followed by Breakfast at the media room compliments of Oxley Gin.Potato cakes, scones , ham scrambled eggs. Great Irish cheese also – Just not quite up to solid food today and so early.
Hanging with the Minister of Rum. Wireless network at Monteleone is not working at all it seems- going with a cellular modem to get a signal out.
Tried the Oxley Gin- Interesting but not overly impressed. Also they never seem to answer inquiries so I doubt if we will ever get to review them formally.

Outlaw Blogging At Tales Day 1

Got in Early and promptly took up residence at the Carousel.3 drinks later (Sazerac, Veiux Carre and a Manhattan) then off to d.b.a for a tasting of small, artisanal spirits.
Some real stand outs from Haus Alpenz. Also a aged grappa that was quite a revelation.
Then off to the Alibi for the Bloggers in exile anti reception. Alibi has outstanding gumbo by the way as we had that for a quick dinner after meeting up with some PR people. Afterwards we went to the Drambuie Rusty Nail event at the Roosevelt which was lightly attended.
I think everyone went to the Cointreau Burlesque Show.

Alibi Lounge July 20th (Day 1 of Tales)

Bar at the Alibi
This is the scene from the Alibi Lounge (815 Iberville) . The Alibi is my second home or base during Tales each year. Contrary to popular belief, I do take a hotel room and do not actually live at the Alibi itself during Tales. I do go to my hotel about twice a day to shower, change clothes, and on rare occasions lie down. It has many advantages over a number of other bars or even the media room for a writer ( or anyone else) who needs a good ( notice I didn’t say nice) place to drink, eat, and hangout with friends at all hours and not be bothered. (more…)

We Will Be Outlaw Blogging at Tales

I will be blogging at Tales of the Cocktail. No, I am not part of the club that does it. I tried a number of times to become part of it and gave up. Including last year when I was supposed to be a “Guest Blogger” but they never bothered to acknowledge or publish my dispatches or answer my emails as to why not.
I will be an outlaw ( as in beyond/outside the law/rules/society/organization). In the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson and William Burroughs I will attempt to report on what is going on without dressing it up or making it pretty and more acceptable. I will continue to be the “Contaminating Antiauthoritarian Element”.

“We Don’t Have Things Like This In The Third World” III

“Tales crowd is doing its best to kill the night and greet the morning” Around 6 Am or so some stripper from a local club (sorry won’t say which) tried selling my English mate some methedrine (his accent marked him as not from around there and unlikely as law enforcement ). (more…)

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