Welcome, lushes, to a multi-part mini series diving into the Tales of the Cocktail event! Tales of the Cocktail is an annual trade conference, festival, and gathering of cocktail and spirits industry professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana, and this year, Chrissy was lucky enough to attend – as an official media member! Talk about a Boozy Blondes dream come true!
Every summer representatives of the global beverage industry meet to celebrate and advance the innovations shaping this industry. They cover everything from wellness, sustainability, history and emerging trends. You can find everyone here from new Indie brands to well-known heavy hitters!
This year (2024) marked the 22nd year of Tales of the Cocktail. From July 21 – 26, 2024, representatives from 52 countries hosted 400 unique events showcasing 290 brands! How do you choose what to taste, where to go or who to meet? It’s a mystery how Chrissy narrowed down her schedule, but tune in over the next few months, because you’ll get a behind the scenes listen as to how things shaped up for her. It was a lot of work sampling spirits, interviewing legends, absorbing industry education and of course attending some badass boozy parties!
The girls are so excited to share this mini series with you – and be sure to keep an eye out for the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail dates which will be released this fall!
It’s already August – this year is flying by! The Boozy Blondes have been busy, and in this episode they are giving you a look into the future of what’s to come through the remainder of the year.
The DOE is Chrissy’s version of a Pimm’s cup – she used a shot of Pimm’s, lemon juice, and club soda mixed with a tea concoction she made with strawberries and cucumbers. It’s so refreshing and a great summer drink!
Jumping right in, the girls recall where their travels took them so far in 2024 and rattle off all the places still on their calendars! You can expect to learn more about these places in future episodes, and the girls hope you have some of these destinations scheduled for your upcoming travel plans!
One major event where Chrissy is representing the Boozy Blondes is Tales of the Cocktail, held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. This has been a bucket list event for Chrissy, and in the Season 2 Wrap Up (Episode 048) she listed this as an event she hoped to attend in Season 3 – and she made it happen!
The other major event mentioned in this episode is the upcoming “Boozy Blondes Abroad” trip! The girls are jetting to Italy for the Thanksgiving holiday this year! Episodes from this trip will release in Season 4, but make sure to follow the girls on Instagram for sneak peeks of their travels in the Eternal City!
After spending a week in Rome, Molly will head back to the states while Chrissy embarks on another transatlantic Virgin Voyage! This definitely means listeners can expect a Booze Cruise Volume 3 episode in Season 4! (Have you listened to Booze Cruise Vol. 1Episode 013 and Booze Cruise Vol. 2Episode 043? The girls share great tips about preparing and making the most out of your cruising expedition!)
With great domestic travels on deck as well, the Boozy Blondes are preparing valuable content for you for Season 4! The girls are so grateful to have you join them on this boozy venture and hope they continue to provide tips and tricks to make your travels more enjoyable – and boozier!
In season 2 of the podcast, the Boozy Blondes announced they were asked to be the official bloggers of the 2023 Palatka Craft Beer Festival presented by the Palatka Rotary Club! (Episode 049) Now, with the 2024 Palatka Beer Fest approaching, the girls recap their experience last year and give listeners tips of what to expect, what to bring and what made this beer festival stand out!
The DOE for the episode is Untitled Art Cotton Candy IPA. If you know the Boozy Blondes, you know they love cotton candy – especially in boozy liquid form! This 6.3% hazy is packaged in the cutest, feminine can and tastes just like cotton candy! The girls love it!
The Palatka Craft Beer Festival is an annual event hosted by the Palatka Rotary Club at Riverfront Park every November. About 20 vendor booth attend, sharing unlimited tastings of their delicious craft beer with attendees! Adjacent to the park is a Hampton Inn, so the girls packed up the Boozy bros and Chrissy’s parents and settled into home base. The festival was right across the street!
The event offers two ticket options – general admission and VIP. With only $20 separating the two options ($45 for GA, $65 for VIP), it was an easy decision to go VIP. VIP ticket holders were allowed entry an hour early, we had a private VIP tent with complimentary food, and we were given a free Palatka Craft Beer Fest t-shirt! The event kicked off at noon for VIP ticket holders or 1pm for GA.
The extra hour gave the girls time to chat with the representatives on site and take their time enjoying the different beers. When the clock struck 1:00, the festival got slammed! It’s a very popular event so that extra hour was a great perk!
There were about 20 breweries/vendors on site for the event, and the girls were lucky (and quick enough) to hit almost all of them! Be sure to listen to this episode to hear about what the girls sampled including the stand outs from the day.
Following the festival the fun continued! The girls and their crew sat down for a meal at Velchoff’s, then wandered over to Azalea City Brewing for more drinks, card games and music! (by the way, you can learn all about Azalea City in Episode 035 in an interview with owner Andrea Canover – listen here!) By the time they left Azalea, they were hungry again, so they ventured through the streets of Palatka until they stumbled on Angel’s Dining Car, Florida’s Oldest Diner! Here Chrissy ordered her third burger of the day. And that put the exclamation point on our Palatka adventure – we took those burgers to go and ate them back at the hotel before calling it a night.
Azalea City Velchoff’s burgerAngel’s Dining CarAngel’s Dining Car – Florida’s Oldest Diner
Be sure to keep an eye out for the 2024 Palatka Craft Beer Festival – coming soon!
The Boozy Blondes recently spent some time apart on different trips and meet up in this Happy Hour episode to dish about all the must-see’s they saw while apart! From Auburn, Alabama and Waco, Texas to The Florida Keys, tune in to this episode to hear about the hidden gems you can find in these random spots.
Molly took a trip to Auburn, Alabama, and found some great spots on and off campus to check out! On campus she loved Oz, Avondale and Walt’s on the Roof.
Oz is a speakeasy nestled behind the Italian Restaurant Il Forno, but if you can find the secret entrance around back, it feels much more speakeasy and underground. The fireplace is your way inside where the mixologists are mixing up some pretty fabulous cocktails. The address is “Somewhere over the rainbow, Auburn, Alabama,” and it’s open from 6pm – 1am every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Or so they say. There is a light outside of the secret entrance, and if it’s on, game on! You can enter! Be sure to follow them on Instagram!
The Avondale Bar and Taproom was one of the first bars Molly ever visited in Auburn, and it’s got speakeasy vibes due to the secret staircase leading upstairs to the bar. This bar is an alternative to traditional college bars with plenty of soft seating where you can overlook campus. It’s “A Responsible Bar for Responsible People” and also shares “All Who Are Thirsty Are Welcome.” Follow them on Instagram to drool over the beautiful hand-crafted cocktails.
Another great spot overlooking campus is Walt’s on the Roof. It’s a rooftop bar above the Laurel Hotel and Spa. Try to make reservations because it was difficult to get in when Molly went. This spot is beautiful and surrounded by a garden where the crops are harvested for the restaurant downstairs (1856, which is a culinary school). Walt’s offers rooftop yoga, Thursday Champagne Garden, Garden Grill Sundays, and so much more, so be sure to follow them on Instagram!
Next door to Auburn is the cute town of Opelika, Alabama. Opelika has two great breweries and standout distillery.
Red Clay Brewing Company was founded by three friends and the brewery represents them: their history and the South they love and call home; “red clay” is native to this area of the south. One of Molly’s all time favorite beers is brewed here called Skinny Dippin’, a 5% Lemony Tea Sour. They also have fantastic pizza!
Resting Pulse Brewing Company strives to be a space where you can find your “resting pulse” and relax and enjoy great beers and food. The owners gave it this name to also represent their history in healthcare. Molly tried A LOT of beers when she visited, and they have a fantastic offering. Just like their neighbors, Red Clay, Resting Pulse has great pizza!
John Emerald Distilling Company is across from Red Clay and offers tours, cocktails and bottle sales inside! They offer whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for specials and beautiful, drool-worthy pictures of their craft cocktails!
After Auburn, Molly traveled to Waco, Texas. Waco is home to six breweries, all within a mile and a half of each other, and the first was Bare Arms Brewing Company, which opened in 2015. Appropriately, this was the first brewery Molly visited in Waco.
She ordered a flight here in the cutest cog flight board which holds six beers. Bare Arms also has a pretty extensive food menu, so it’s a great place to hang out for a while. They “honor those that roll up their sleeves, bare arms, work hard, and perfect their craft,” thus their name.
Bare Arms is open 7 days/week and host a lot of events, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the fun!
The other brewery Molly visited was Southern Roots Brewing Company. Another great space with awesome beers and delicious food! This brewery was founded in 2018, years after the owners started brewing beer for friends and family.
When Molly was here there were about 15 beers on tap (she had a flight, of course) and she enjoyed the pizza of the month. In May it was alfredo, pesto, tomato, arugula, chicken and balsamic drizzle (and bacon which she kept off her pie). Southern Roots is open and airy with a courtyard out back. They host live music and fun events so follow them on Instagram.
While Molly was running around these southern cities, Chrissy went as far south as possible – The Florida Keys! In this episode, she breaks down the best spots for beer, cocktails, food and music. She even shares a special hidden gem she’s discovered on the way to Key West!
BEER
Islamorada Brewing – Chrissy always makes a pit stop here on her way to Key West. In addition to their great beer, they have a food truck, awesome merch, and a full liquor bar. Islamorada was at Croctoberfest when the girls went, so you can hear more about them in Episode 044! Listen here!
Bearded Lady – This place hosts great guest taps! It has a funky, eclectic vibe and has a great Instagram account!
Sunset Pier – You can’t visit Key West without catching a gorgeous sunset – grab a spot to enjoy drinks here during sunset
El Meson de Pepe – enjoy mojitos just 90 miles from Cuba! This place also has great live music
Southernmost Beach Resort – If you’re lucky enough to score a cabana rental here, your day of drinking just got a whole lot boujee-er!
Saint Hotel – Burgundy BarGeneral HorseplayPapa Pilar DistilleryNine One FiveKey West First Legal RumSalute!Dante’sSunset PierSouthernmost Beach Resort
FOOD
The Café – Amazing Key lime pie, and also vegan options
Robert is Here – this elevated food stand serves smoothies, guac, salsa, produce, and more! It opened in 1959, by a 6 year old little boy named Robert to help sell his family’s produce. It’s still going strong and everyone from Presidents to celebrities stop by!
While these destinations are not always the easiest to get to, they offer great options for fellow boozers out there! Have you visited any of these spots before? Share your opinions and photos with the girls! DM them on Instagram or send them an email!
On May 4, 2024, the St. Augustine Craft Brewers’ Festival celebrated its 5th Anniversary at the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida! This is basically a Boozy Blonde’s playground and the girls recap the event in this episode so you can plan for the 2025 fest!
The festival offers three different ticket types: General Admission, VIP and Designated Driver:
General: (850)available, 1pm entry time, access to food trucks, live music and unlimited tastings – tasting glass provided by Ice Mule Coolers
VIP: (100) available, get you early entry (12pm), private bathrooms, an air-conditioned pavilion and catering provided by Meehan’s Irish Pub, a local favorite. You get guaranteed parking and a private beer station plus access to everything listed in general admission ticket description.
Designated Driver tickets: all proceeds benefit Epic Behavioral Healthcare, a non-profit specializing in the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders
There were almost 30 breweries on site at this event! The girls grabbed their tasting glass and tasting glass necklace (courtesy of Fishardy Fishing Carters) and took off running towards the closest brewery. They almost hit them all!
Dog Rose Brewing Co | hear Chrissy interview owner Courtney Murr in this episode who is also the Festival Director! Dog Rose is located in St. Augustine, Florida.
Ancient City Brewing| Another hometown brewery with two locations – one downtown and one over by the St. Augustine outlets. You can hear more about Ancient City in Episode 003.
Ruby Beach Brewing | Located in downtown Jacksonville, the girls stopped here before a Jags game in 2023.
Hourglass Brewing | The girls interviewed Ashley aka FloridaHopMama in Season 2, and she gifted them a collaboration beer from here Episode 029. At the festival, Chrissy drank Macro-Dose and it was 19.2%! Molly had the Margs on Deck – a crushable summer gose with black sea salt, coriander, lime and blue agave nectar (6.4%).
Pareidolia Brewing | The blondes were so excited to meet owners Pete and Lynn! This brewery is located in Sebastian, Florida, so about 2 hours south of St. Augustine, and the girls recap their visit in Episode 020. At the festival Molly tried the Citra Surfer, Citra forward juicy IPA with notes of grapefruit and Chrissy had the Don’t Be Blue…Berry a 5.3% wheat beer, with blueberries obviously.
Cask | Cask was there – Cowford Ale Sharing Klub. This is a group open to all who are of legal drinking age and who wish to learn and share information about home brewing. They have monthly meetings at local breweries to share and sample their homebrews and even host their own competitions. The girls met some of the members at the Palatka Beer Fest in November 2023.
Cueni Brewing Co | Cueni is in Dunedin, Florida, and if you visit their taproom, you’ll see they have the best flight boards!
Fishweir Brewing Company | The girls love Fishweir. They stopped there on their first leg of the Jax Ale Trail (Episode 006)! Molly drank the Kush Terpene Hazy (with no THC) and Chrissy enjoyed the Gatorade Seltzer.
Reve Brewing Co | Reve is another Jacksonville brewery, and at the festival the blondes met the owner Eric who is also a brewer and Mike, another brewer and his wife Jennifer. They brought two beers to the festival: Light Into Ashes (6.2% hazy IPA) and Far Side of Fantasy (6% sour with cherry, lime and lactose).
Alcatraz Brewing | The girls were too late to sample their beer! So sad. They sold out quickly – another reason to get the VIP tickets. That extra hour really helps to give you a jump on all the tastings.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co | The girls visited Ivanhoe in Orlando, Florida, not too long ago – October 2023 and loved it! At the festival they came armed with four beers – Joyland (7% American IPA), Park Hopp’r, a 5% pilsner, Halftoberfest, a 5.42% Vienna lager and Guavacation, a 4% berliner weisse beer with guava and raspberry.
First Magnitude Brewing Co | The girls both had the Anastasia Sour here – it had the prettiest can! It was a sour beer with raspberry, hibiscus and vanilla. First Magnitude is out of Gainesville, Florida.
Old Coast Ales | This is another St. Augustine brewery you can hear more about in Episode 003. The girls love hanging out here and love Osprey Tacos next door too!
Bog Brewing Co | And Bog was also there rounding out the St. Augustine breweries! You can hear more about Bog in Episode 003.
3 Mavins Brewing | They are based out of South Florida and use simple clean ingredients in their beer like honey, agave nectar and maple syrup. They brought their Amber Lager (6.2%), Encore Session IPA (4.7%) and the Pink Lady (5.5% pale ale).
Southern Swells Brewing Co | The girls visited Southern Swells on leg 3 of the Jax Ale Trail and you can hear all the details about this brewery in Episode 050!
Southern Philosophy Brewing Co | The Boozy Blondes really connected with Gallagher and Nicole at Southern Philosophy. They are located in western Georgia, and the girls really wish they were closer! They brought four beers with them: The Lagoon (4.1% lactose free sour conditioned on coconut with pineapple, clue curacao, Sicilian lemon, lime and tangerine puree), Cinco de Mustache (5.5% Mexican lager), Chipotle Smoked Porter (6.5%) and Sowega Honey Haze (8.3% IPA).
INK Factory | Another favorite of ours – you can hear all about Ink Factory in Episode 050 Jax Ale Trail Volume 3, including the amazing burger from Hard Pressed that was on site when we went. They had two beers at the festival – Surfadelic, a hazy pale ale and Triple Whip Volume 7, a smoothie sour with pineapple, mango, key lime and white chocolate!
Azalea City | Another Boozy Blondes favorite, out of Palatka, Florida. Molly had one of her faves, Fresh Squeeze Hazy IPA, and Chrissy had the Irish Coffee Stout. You can hear from Azalea City’s owner Andrea Canover in a behind the scenes interview Episode 035.
Dees Brothers Brewery | The girls were so excited to see Dees Brothers at the festival! They are located in Sanford, Florida, and the girls had just been there a couple weeks before the festival for Sanford’s Mini Masters event. And you can hear bout Dees Brothers in Episode 034 Sanford Breweries and Bars). Dees Brothers is a great brewery with amazing beer and equally amazing food. They brought Thunder & Lightning (7% American IPA), Dees Bier (5.6% Hefeweizen), Lakeside Pilsner (5.2% Czech style pilsner) and Aquadnauts (10% Belgian-style Quad).
De Bine Brewing Co | The blondes loved Zak. Zak is the head brewer and operations manager and De Bine which is located in Palm Harbor, Florida. They brought four beers with them: Safety Glasses (5% hazy IPA), Czechered Past (5.1% pilsner), Fire the Cannons (5.4% Red Ale) and Wappy Sprayberry (Mixed Berry Wheat 6-ish%).
Aardwolf Brewing Co | Aardwolf is another downtown Jacksonville brewery! They brought some Star Wars themed beers with them for the event – Princess Leia Cake (vanilla and lemon hazy IPA), The Power of the Darkside (Empire stout with coconut, banana and peanut butter), C3Pilso (just beer) and This is the Way (pistachio coconut sour).
Whew! Be sure to start looking for tickets in March 2025. This beer festival lives up to the hype. It’s in a beautiful location and hosts A TON of amazing breweries serving up great craft brews! Don’t miss it!
The Boozy Blondes are still taking you through one of their favorite cities, New Orleans, and this week they are sharing some hidden gems in the city. While some may be more popular now, if you find yourself off of Bourbon Street, you can dive into the Crescent City culture and take in the “locals” experience.
For the DOE, the girls chose Happy Thursday, a fizz-free spiked refresher with a variety of flavors like Black Cherry and Mango Passionfruit. At just 4.4% they are crushable choice, especially on a warm day – or a day talking about the hot and humid Big Easy!
To start this journey the girls begin at one hole-iest of hole in the walls they can think of: Coop’s Place. Coop’s Place in the heart of the French Quarter on Decatur Street. This 1983 staple hasn’t updated much since they opened and their slogan is “Where the not-so-elite meet to eat.” It’s a fantastic no-frills watering hole with down home prices where you can experience the true taste of New Orleans while sucking down an ice cold beer straight from the bottle. When you visit, be sure to go all in with the sampler platter. But definitely bring some tissues along, because it’s so spicey, your eyes and nose will most definitely be leaking!
From here, the blondes take you to one of their all time faves, Bacchanal’s Wine Bar. This place is definitely one of a kind. It’s part wine cellar, part grocery store, part restaurant, part jazz club and part backyard party. It’s known for its charcuterie boards, and you can browse the huge selection of wine, then take a bottle with you to the courtyard tables where you can enjoy the live music. They also have a treehouse bar that serves some pretty great cocktails.
Bacchanal is strictly 21 and up, and they don’t do reservations. They have Happy Hour and free wine tastings on certain days of the week, they also offer a wine club, gift cards, and a full menu for dine in or take out, plus they have live music every day. Be sure to follow them to keep up with all the great happenings at this (not so much anymore) hidden gem.
Apple Barrel Bar is up next on the list, the smallest bar in New Orleans! Don’t let that fool you. They know how to pack in big fun. Located below the beloved Adolfo’s Restaurant in one of Frenchmen Street’s historic buildings, restaurant owners Adolfo and Kim had their first date at Apple Barrel in 1990. The bar still holds true to their vintage 90s charm with classic cocktails, cold beer and great bands. The girls have a great time every time they venture in!
Apple Barrel is 21 and up only, and cash only. Remember that – cash only! They have live music 7 nights a week and you can check out the band schedule on their website.
Pro tip…if you go Thursday thru Monday, you can hit up the Frenchman Street Art Market next door to Apple Barrel.
No trip to New Orleans is complete for the Boozy Blondes without paying their respects at a favorite local haunt (literally), Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This bar is located on the corner of Bourbon & St. Philips in the French Quarter. Named after the famed privateer turned pirate, Jean Laffite who may have once hid out here, the establishment is one of the oldest buildings used as a bar in the United States, dating all the way back to 1722!
Today you can find a full liquor bar and lively atmosphere in the dimly lit historic space that transports you back in time. With indoor and outdoor seating, and late night piano music, this bar is a must stop on our list.
The next bar is nestled inside the amazing World War II Museum, American Sector. Their slogan is “Freedom tastes better here,” and they’re open to the public without requiring admission to the museum 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm.
There are two entrances, one on Magazine Street and one on Poeyfarre Street, or you can enter through the museum like the girls did. They mix up patriotic themed cocktails, and the food is really good too.
The American Sector Bar & Restaurant offers reservations online and they even cater and host events in their private dining room. If you have the time, pay a visit to the World War II Museum; it will not disappoint.
Another hidden gem on the list is Backspace Bar & Kitchen. This tiny, cozy, eclectic bar on Chartres Street has brick walls, an old fireplace, some soft seating and bar seating. The drink prices might be some of the best in the French Quarter with $2 PBRs and $3 lite beers. And they have a killer selection of local brews and a great comfort food menu. They offer different daily specials, happy hours and seasonal items follow them on Instagram to stay connected and informed.
Those bars wrap up the hidden gems the Boozy Blondes have enjoyed together. Chrissy has explored many more over the years and takes listeners through an eclectic collection of local haunts and boujee bars around the Crescent City:
Napoleon House in the French Quarter on Chartres Street. Built in 1797 this place offers an unbeatable French Creole ambiance. They’re famous for their Pimm’s Cup & Muffuletta. Go for lunch for some excellent Happy Hour specials in a gorgeous historic building.
Effervescence on North Rampart StreetGorgeous upscale champagne bar, great food. Hit up happy hour b/c it can be pricey. Cutest web address – Nolabubbles.com!
The Country Club on Louisa Street in the Bywater.This boujee old mansion/turned restaurant has a pool, which is key in the hot summer months. You can get a pool pass for the day for around $20 and enjoy great cocktails and food poolside or inside if that’s more your speed. They also do Drag Brunch on Saturdays. Pool is 21 and up only.
Arnaud’s – Richelieu Bar One of the oldest bars in NOLA, this speakeasy-esque bar specializes in obscure creole cocktails made with lost recipes from a bygone era. Ask a server to take you to the Richelieu Bar. If it’s open you might get the bartender to share the history, ghost stories and all, on your visit.
Turkey & Wolf Funkiest 80s throwback nostalgic bar/restaurant with concoctions you could never dream up on an acid trip. Must try: The fried bologna sandwich. They have wine, beer, canned boozy beverages and cocktails.
Hot Tin Rooftop & Bayou Bar on St. Charles This 1940s artist loft penthouse/turned rooftop bar in Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District, with great view of the city and craft cocktails. Don’t miss the historic Bayou Bar downstairs too.
Pluck Wine Bar Located on Girod Street in the Warehouse District, Pluck offers upscale wine in a casual environment, welcoming all price points of world-class wine away from the tourist crowds. They have a food menu as well. Don’t miss the addicting Plucky popcorn!
Elysian Bar Find this sister restaurant to Bacchanal in the Peter & Paul Hotel in the Marigny. It’s located inside an old church rectory. This place has it all: café, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and the space is divided into so many beautiful little parlors, atriums, courtyards and gardens. Chrissy’s favorite is the iconic Jewel Box Bar. Snag a seat at the bar and experience true mixologists at work. Their cocktails & James Beard nominated menu are excellent.
Bar Marilou This tiny, boujee, speakeasy on Carondelet Street serves up out of this world cocktail concoctions, hosts live jazz and even does High Tea with cocktails served in teapots on certain days. Definitely make reservations!
Vessel – in Mid City on Iberville. One block off the Canal Street Trolley stop. It’s inside a 1914 church where the ceiling is modeled after a ship’s hull. “Vessel” is more than just a name; all drinks are served in the proper vessels they were intended to be served in. Pro Tip: Make a reservation for happy hour and enjoy the happy hour food and drink menu.
Cane & Table Cane & Table serves some of the most unique Cajun-Cuban influenced tiki cocktails in the world. Named one of the “Five Best New Cocktail Bars in America” by Bon Appétit, Cane & Table offers an outstanding cocktail menu with an extensive collection of unique & obscure liquor. Amazing food too!
Jewel of the South This classy southern tavern won Tales of the Cocktail Spirit award for best cocktails in 2022. It is also listed as one of the top 50 bars in North America; the cocktail menu is out of this world! With inventive and world class techniques blending ingredients and flavors you won’t find anywhere else, these cocktails are truly unforgettable. Chrissy still dreams of the Carrot Colada cocktail she had there.
Which of these hidden gems have you visited? Share your thoughts with the Boozy Blondes! Send them an email or DM them on Instagram!
Welcome back, lushes! Today the Boozy Blondes are taking you on a tour of the brewery scene in the Crescent City! They have visited 10 breweries over the years and are giving you a behind the scenes look on this audio tour through NOLA.
The DOE is Birthday Stache Sour from Port Orleans Brewing (one of the breweries on this 10-stop journey)! This is a 7.4% sour over-loaded with birthday cake and raspberries.
Keep reading to learn about all the breweries the blondes visited:
Brewery Saint X | “With a sleek interior, an excellent menu, and lots of beer to try out, this is great for a date night, pre-gaming, or just exploring the latest in New Orleans’ culinary scene.” This brewery opened in March 2023 and is located at the Girod & Loyola. It’s a state of the art brewery, bar and restaurant that captures the innovative spirit and history of craft beer alongside a robust wine list, cocktail program and food menu. The BBQ restaurant on site is Devil Moon BBQ offering quite the selection of smoked meats and, of course, Mac & Cheese.
Molly drank Blueblood Fruited Sour (5%) aged on massive amounts of blueberry and blackberry purée then finished with cacao nibs. Chrissy had the Sunny Shine sour, also 5% brewed with a tangy, juicy blend of citrus fruit (2 types of oranges tangerines and lemon) and a touch of Madagascar vanilla beans to balance out the acidity.
Saint X is within walking distance to the Superdome and Smoothie King Center. They offer pregame zones for you and your party to reserve: Loyola Porches or Devil Moon Beer Garden for $75 and $65 per person respectively for 3 hours. Follow them on Instagram!
Urban South | Urban South is housed in a giant warehouse with bright colors and long German beer hall style tables everywhere. It is the largest brewery by volume in New Orleans, and the second-largest in Louisiana. It is dog friendly and you can expect to find a food truck outside.
Chrissy drank the Rocket Pop gose (5.2% blue raspberry, cherry and lime sour) while Molly sampled around with a flight: Polyjuice Potion (5% Smoothie sour with cherry, raspberry, blackberry & black currant), Oh The Humidity (6.6% sour with cantaloupe and mango), Balancing Sheep (7.5% rum-aged, glutton free pineapple, coconut cream and tangy lime sour)
In addition to their beers, they make hard seltzers – and CBD infused hard seltzers. They also have a tap room in Houston and a sister company, Perfect Plain in Pensacola, Fl. You can join their Flight Club and be sure to follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the fun events! (This is Chrissy’s favorite brewery in New Orleans!)
Port Orleans Brewing Co | This dog friendly brewery in uptown NOLA offers great food and cold beer, hosting tons of events and nightly specials like AVO TACO Tuesday’s and Wing Wednesdays and crawfish boils on Saturdays! AVO Taco is the restaurant on site.
Molly got a flight again here. 3-Day Weekend Summer ale (4.5% blend of 1/3 sour base with 2/3 traditional ale with hibiscus and lime), In a Jiffy (6% peanut butter and plum jelly sour) and Fruit Punch Tart Ale (6% sour). Chrissy drank the Birthday Stache Sour (the DOE) since it was her birthday!
NOLA Brewing & Pizza Company | Located in Irish Channel, NOLA Brewing opened its doors in 2009. They were the first to produce craft beer in the city after Dixie Brewing closed their facility in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Today, NOLA brewing & Pizza Co, now offers wine, liquor, and champagne in addition to their craft beer. What’s unique about this brewery is the full bar, onsite pizza kitchen and large event space. They have 20 beers on tap, NYC style pizza, Buffalo Wings, heroes, and salads. And it’s dog friendly outside.
Miel Brewing | Miel Brewing opened in 2016 donning murals everywhere and while they don’t have a kitchen, there’s usually a food truck on site. They are dog friendly, and Chrissy loves the creative beer concoctions here with gummies or cereal toppers! Follow them on Instagram to drool over the beers and keep up to date with all their fun events!
Brieux Carre Brewing Company | This is Chrissy’s second favorite brewery in the city. It’s located on Decatur and Frenchman with indoor and outdoor seating, a small beer garden out back, and a bar snack menu. It’s also dog-friendly outside. They do an annual membership for locals call the Brieuxminatiwhere members get great beer deals all year long. But in the summer they do “Summer of Suds” memberships, where you get a 20oz beer mug and 1 free beer everyday from June 1st to Aug 31st for only $50!
Parleaux Beer Lab | They opened in 2017 as a destination neighborhood taproom and brewery. They make high quality, small batch, locally produced beers inspired by iconic beer styles. They normally have 14 beers on tap, they also have house made sparkling water, N/A Beer, Mocktails, a small selection of sodas, and juice boxes.
Parleaux has an incredible beer garden and they channel the funky spirit and playfulness of New Orleans. The inside is small but super welcoming. It’s family and dog-friendly. They don’t have a kitchen but they have bar snacks and food trucks. Follow them on Instagram to find out what beer they are serving and what events are happening!
Second Line Brewing | Second Line Brewing was founded in 2014 by a group of friends wanting adventure and the chance to share the joys of craft beer with their community. The brewery is a great space to host a large event. They can accommodate 200 people between the indoor and outdoor seating areas. They are family and dog friendly and host a great assortment of pop up food trucks. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the daily fun!
The Courtyard Brewery | The Courtyard Brewery is a family-owned nano-brewery with experimental brews made in-house and a wide selection of craft beer from around the world. With 25 beers on taps they have something for everyone. The Courtyard Brewery hosts tons of community events like live music, trivia, and food trucks. Follow them on Instagram and you’ll be drooling over beer, ice cream and burger pics!
Faubourg Brewing | What started as Dixie Brewing in 1907 is now Faubourg (fow·boo·er) Brewing Co. — and it’s been a part of the New Orleans story for 115 years and counting! The 80,000 square foot facility sits on 14 acres and boasts an outdoor brew park with picnic tables, the great lawn, a beer garden and 2 story taproom. The outdoor area features a 9-hole disc golf course, three bocce ball courts, corn hole and yard games. It’s dog-friendly and Parish Third, the brewery restaurant is on-site open on Thursdays and Sundays.
That concludes the 10-brewery tour on this episode of the Boozy Blondes podcast! Have you been to these watering holes? Message the girls which is your favorite on Instagram!
Settle in, lushes. The Boozy Blondes are about to take you on a “jazz parade” through the Crescent City – New Orleans, Louisiana! This is Chrissy’s favorite city in the country, and admittedly, Molly has warmed up to it over the years. In this episode the girls take you on a tour around town, dropping it at different hotel bars to listen to some great jazz music! Chrissy dubbed this tour a jazz parade, hence the episode title. (There is no traditional parade referenced at all!)
The DOE is a New Orleans classic – Romas Gin Fizz. This drink is delicious but very labor-intensive. It combines gin, citrus, simple syrup, egg whites, heavy cream, orange flower water and club soda. The original recipe called for 12 minutes of shaking! (Molly thanks Chrissy for all her hard work making this masterpiece!)
The parade started at the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons. Chrissy drank an espresso martini, Molly and Phil had the World’s Fair Fizz (gin, lemon, wildflower honey, egg white, butterfly pea flower tea and Champagne), and Rainer enjoyed a glass of Reposado. This is a fairly new bar which seats 85. Visit the website for special events and experiences like “celebrate like a local” and “Oysters Take Flight.”
The second stop was not at a hotel, but at the Mahogany Jazz Hall. The bar offers live jazz music 7 nights a week! The bar is very small and intimate and hosts pop-up Burlesque shows. This place also serves Absinthe in the traditional French style!
Next on the parade was the Sazerac Bar in the Grand Roosevelt Hotel. Each one in group ordered the New Orleans classic Sazerac. The bar is very small and doesn’t offer reservations, so it can be tricky to get a table here. If you visit, ask to speak with Russ Bergeron, the mixologist/historian on site. He helped reopen the Sazerac Bar following Hurricane Katrina. Fun fact – they serve about 40,000 Sazeracs each year!
The group moved on to the Davenport Lounge in the Ritz Carlton from here. This was definitely a group favorite! The lounge is named after its resident musician Jeremy Davenport and his band. The piano bar lounge is the perfect place to listen to favorite sing-a-longs, sip craft cocktails and enjoy mouth-watering munchies! Chrissy drank an Aperol Spritz and Molly sipped on Prosecco.
The final stop on the parade was the Polo Club at Windsor Court Hotel. It’s another great place for food, cocktails and live music. The ambiance is reminiscent of of a private English club boasting an aristocratic charm and the old fashioneds are fantastic!
These five stops were perfect for a night out sampling hand crafted cocktails, New Orleans classics and delicious light bites. This sampling is a tiny piece of all the jazz clubs NOLA has to offer, but it was a great start for the Boozy Blondes! Do you have a favorite jazz bar in New Orleans? Share it with the girls!
The Boozy Blondes love magic. If you listened to Episode 054 | Nashville, Part 2 – House of Cards, you heard them gush about just how much they love it! In this episode the girls fill you in on all you need to know to see an amazing magic and mind-reading experience hidden right in their backyard!
The girls each have a different DOE. Molly is drinking a Blood Orange Creamsicle (learn how to make it here or beg Chrissy to do it for you!) and since Chrissy smashed her Creamsicle before recording, she opted for a mimosa. Both great morning drinks!
Bill and Rebecca Abbott are your hosts at the Magic Hideaway in the Casa Monica Hotel in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Bill Abbott is an entrepreneur, magician and showman. He has performed over 5000 shows in 11 countries and is the creator of magical illusions seen on America’s Got Talent, Good Morning America and The Steve Harvey Show! Before his residency, he and his wife Rebecca frequently visited St. Augustine, and a few years ago they decided to make this beautiful city their home and opened the Magic Hideaway in the Casa Monica.
There are two shows on Saturday nights starting at 6pm or 8:30pm. The experience lasts two hours and tickets are $125 per person. With your ticket, you get
Complimentary cocktail
One-on-one magic with Bill in the Cobalt Lounge before the main show
Hour long magic and mind-reading show in the intimate Magic Hideaway room
Post show photo and autograph opportunity with Bill
The first hour is cocktail hour and one-on-one magic with Bill, then the second hour is the performance in the Magic Hideaway. When the girls arrived they were greeted by Rebecca who performed a magic trick for them. She escorted the girls to their cocktail table in the Cobalt Lounge, and a server came over to take their order. Before the show you can order food and drinks here, but the girls just enjoyed a drink. Pro-tip: order an additional drink before you enter the Magic Hideaway for the main performance. Once it starts, you can’t leave. Do this at least 20 minutes before the main show start time.
Bill performs magic tricks for each table during the cocktail hour and engages with the attendees. Before going into the Magic Hideaway he gathers everyone together for a group trick. Photography is allowed during the cocktail hour, but not during the main performance (the Boozy Blondes had an exception because of the podcast).
Rebecca leads each group to their assigned tables inside the Magic Hideaway right before the show. The room is small and intimate, so there isn’t a bad seat. The performance is about 60 minutes and is interactive. Be prepared to be involved – the girls both participated in multiple tricks! Because of the small group size, almost everyone, if not everyone, was involved at some point during the performance.
The girls don’t want to give any spoilers, so you’ll have to visit for yourself. Be sure to get your pictures with Bill following the show; it feels like a red carpet moment! The Boozy Blondes had an amazing evening and would definitely go back for another show. They were lucky enough to have a few minutes to interview Bill and Rebecca after the show, so be sure to tune in to this episode to hear what they have to say about the best magic tricks and how they ended up in St. Augustine, Florida!
Here’s a recap of what to remember:
Dress to impress. The Casa Monica is swanky, and this is an opportunity to sparkle and shine!
Remember photography is only allowed during the cocktail hour.
Order an extra drink before you go into the Magic Hideaway room.
Share your thoughts and photos with the girls at boozyblondespodcast@gmail.com if you attend, and when you check in, be sure to let Rebecca know the Boozy Blondes sent you!
Just when we all thought the Nashville run was over, the girls actually returned to Nashville and have more fun tips and tricks to share with you! While the original 3-part Nashville series was airing, the Boozy Blondes were back in Nashville checking out new honky tonks, creating new adventures and of course, visiting some favorites from the first three parts. Tune in to listen to the fun and for tips on your next trip to Music City!
The DOE is Georgia Aviation, a lavender gin ready to drink cocktail from Moonrise Distillery in Clayton, Georgia. Chrissy picked this up for Molly during her time in Georgia, because Molly loves gin and lavender!
So this bonus trip was technically a work trip for both the girls, but they managed to squeeze in the fun every chance they got – sometimes independently, and sometimes together. This blog entry will map out the spots they hit so it’s easy for you to read more them and plan for your next trip!
SATURDAY
Renaissance Nashville Hotel | located behind Fifith + Broadway, this hotel is in one of the best locations in the heart of downtown. The girls checked in Saturday night and had dinner and drinks at the Bridge Bar on the third floor. The bartenders mixed some great cocktails and the musician was great! And it was much safer here, just an elevator ride away from their room as opposed to braving the crowds outside! (The blondes hate to admit it, but they are getting old.)
SUNDAY
The Twelve Thirty Club | just steps away from the hotel on Broadway, The Twelve Thirty Club has three levels: the honky tonk, the supper club and the rooftop. There is also an honorary membership program that offers access to a members lounge and exclusive privileges. About 8 of us met for brunch on the first floor, the honky tonk level, and had a great meal and heard great music! Music starts at 11AM on Sundays during brunch.
Drusie & Darr in The Hermitage | this classic, historic hotel is a staple in Nashville. Chrissy went here to work and enjoyed espresso martinis and a black garlic and truffle pizza. Be sure to check out one of the world’s most Instagrammable bathrooms while you are here!
Little Fib | Located on the main level of the Renaissance Hotel, Little Fib became Chrissy’s home (office) away from home (office). Her daily routine included her laptop, Aperol Spritzes and Nashville Hot Chicken Soup.
Ember’s Ski Lodge | This ski-themed bar was pretty unique to find in the heart of Nashville, but Chrissy loved the Apres ski specials and shot-skis!
Black Rabbit | Chrissy made it here in Printers Alley during Happy Hour. You can enjoy music, craft cocktails and great eats in the 100 year old building full of Prohibiton era vibes!
Sinatra Bar & Lounge | About a block from Black Rabbit, this is a popular spot! Reservations are highly recommended no matter what time of day. Also be sure to visit the website and check out the dress code. Sinatra’s boasts an intimate and elevated dining experience serving some of Frank’s faves!
General Jackson Showboat | This three hour river tour takes guests up the Cumberland River with beautiful views of the neon lights of Broadway. Board over by Opreyland and enjoy food, drinks and entertainment during your time on board.
Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar | Located in Printers Alley, the spirit of New Orleans is at the forefront of everything here! From the wrought-iron balconies, Cajun & Creole food, cold beer, and signature cocktails like the Big Easy Hurricane, you’re transported to another Boozy Blondes’ favorite city!
TUESDAY
Ryman Auditorium | Called “Music’s Most Iconic Stage,” Chrissy caught a jazz musician outside of the Ryman then took time to visit the gift shop. Pro tip – visit the gift shop and get a coupon for a tour of the Ryman.
Boqueria | Located in Assembly Food Hall at Fifth + Broadway, this tapas bar has locations around the country. Chrissy enjoyed wine and some Spanish small plates.
Friends in Low Places | One of Nashville’s newest Honky Tonk’s Garth Brooks opened this bar in early March of 2024. This bar has four levels including the rooftop “Oasis” complete with palm trees!
WEDNESDAY
Casa Rosa | “Tacos, tequila and tufted pink booths” – Miranda Lambert’s Cantina on Broadway is adorable! The girls enjoyed dinner at this “little taste of Texas in Tennessee.” They say everything is bigger in Texas and this is definitely true for the food portions! There was a band on the first floor, and the restaurant is on the second floor – there are four floors total here.
Pins Mechanical | Another Boozy Blondes fave! You can hear all about it in Episode 053 | Nashville Part 1 – Honky Tonks (listen here)! This time the girls tried their skills at duck pin bowling and it was a hit! They ran around the bar playing all their favorite games like pinball, garbage can beer pong and skee ball. And of course, they took turns going down the slide!
EXTRA
Earlier this year the girls visited The Graduate Hotel and had brunch at White Limozeen, a Dolly Parton themed bar. They didn’t mention it in any other episode, but they wanted to let you lushes know how adorable it is! It’s covered in pink – definitely gives Casa Rosa a run for its money! Inside is mostly soft seating and the outside patio has a larger than life statue of Dolly’s head!
The girls love Nashville so much, and there is so much to explore here! Hopefully there will be Part 5 in the near future, because the girls already miss the Music City! Share your pictures with them if you’ve been to any of the above mentioned places (boozyblondespodcast@gmail.com) or send them a message on Instagram them know where else they should visit in this amazing city! Cheers!
Boozy Blondes 