Vendredi

by April Siese

Leave your pitchforks at home and break out the vintage wear instead. This Friday, September 28 marks the 63rd anniversary of the Stormin' of the Sazerac, the day that women were allowed at the famouos Sazerac Bar year-round. Before the bar had been purchased by Seymour Weiss, the previous two incarnates had only allowed women into the establishment during Mardi Gras, on Fat Tuesday only.

“Seymour Weiss purchased it when it was on 300 Carondelet and he put a lot of press behind it. He brought in an architect that designed it in a modern deco fashion, but the big catch was allowing women," said Roosevelt Hotel food and beverage director Marc Ernst.

The Sazerac opened under Weiss' ownership in 1949 and as Ernst says, “this event recreates the opening day of the bar.”

On Friday, a reception is set for 3 p.m., but there's also a Ladies Only Luncheon at 1 p.m. Women attending the luncheon are encouraged to dress in 1940's attire, as there will be a costume contest with prizes. There will also be a fashion show, courtesy of vintage clothing store RetroActive. This event definitely caters to ladies; in-house spa Guerlain Spas is even offering lip makeovers to recreate that bright red hue synonymous with 1940's fashion.

Guests are, of course, encouraged to drink Sazerac. In addition to the Sazerac's signature eponymous cocktail and the fabled Ramos Gin Fizz, a standby of Gov. Huey P. Long, there will be four specialty cocktails honoring the department stores that dotted Canal street in the 1940's, back when it was the mecca of shopping.

“Part of the ladies who stormed the bar came from department stores. The general manager of the Sazerac called the models of all the big department stores on Canal at that time to invite them know about the opening. We have four signature drinks that honor them.” says Ernst.

The Krauss Cocktail is named after the now defunct department store on Canal and Basin, now apartments. The Gottschalks Glamour, honors Gottschalks, a department store that was the place to buy a dress in the 1940's. There's also the DH Holmes, now home of the Hyatt's French Quarter hotel, and the Maison Blanche which officially became the Ritz-Carlton back in 2000.

For more information on the Roosevelt Hotel and the Sazerac Bar, visit their website. Happy Stormin'!