Each year, the annual Tales of the Cocktail conference applauds various spirit professionals and establishments at the “Spirited Awards,” recognizing the best talent in the beverage industry worldwide. On Saturday, July 20, 2019, Napoleon House – the celebrated century-old New Orleans French Quarter classic – was honored with the first-ever Timeless American Award and lauded as a bar that is “a pillar in its community” and has “provided a benchmark for the industry.”
Rich in history and tradition, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group’s beloved landmark on the corner of Chartres and St. Louis streets exemplifies the culture of the Crescent City through its classic cocktails, captivating atmosphere, and a connection to locals and visitors alike. Napoleon House’s Timeless American Award spotlights the enduring locale as “both welcoming and familiar, but also respected as an institution that has encouraged the culture and growth of other establishments…. [It embodies] the culture and warmth of the city… and a certain compelling quality that makes it truly resonate within its community.”
Ralph Brennan has kept Napoleon House true to its original state since accepting stewardship of the famed establishment in 2014. The deeply patinated walls, uneven tile floors, and old wooden bar hollowed by countless signature Pimm’s Cups speak to its many decades of service. Napoleon House offers refuge to all who enter and is an essential cornerstone of the hospitality industry within New Orleans.
As Napoleon Bonaparte himself once said, “Victory belongs to the most persevering;” and, indeed, Napoleon House continues to be victorious in the New Orleans community and beyond.
