French Quarter in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Original Old Absinthe Bar

Est. 1806

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 1, 2012

1. Original Old Absinthe Bar Marker

Inscription. A tradition in the french quarters. This is the bar known to travelers the world over. From it came the famous absinthe drip. The bar where Jean E Pierre LaFitte, Andrew Jackson, Mark Twain and other celebrities were served. If it could talk what stories the bar would tell of a thousand gone nights crowded into history.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 29° 57.324′ N, 90° 4.105′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the French Quarter. It is at the intersection of Bourbon Street, on the right when traveling east on Bourbon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Bourbon Street, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Absinthe House Patrons (a few steps from this marker); Edison Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Conway’s Court (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rillieux – Waldhorn House (about 400 feet away); These Three Townhouses (about 400 feet away); Bank of Louisiana

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(about 500 feet away); Edgar Degas House (about 500 feet away); The Birthplace of “Dixie” (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Also see . . .
1. Old Absinthe House. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Old Absinthe House. Website homepage:
"...The Old Absinthe House has a legacy following its every heartbeat", this historic building was built in 1807. Originally the building was used as an importing firm, then converted to a "corner grocery" of food, tobacco and fine Spanish liquor. In 1874, mixologist Cayetano Ferrer created a drink consisting of absinthe — the “Old Absinthe House Frappe”. The popularity of this venomous green concoction consequently resulted in the coffee house being renamed “Absinthe Room,” and thus a legend was born! (Submitted on April 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Absinthe Drip:
It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (a.k.a. "grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet

Original Old Absinthe Bar Notables image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 1, 2012

2. Original Old Absinthe Bar Notables

Established 1807
Jean LaFitte · Andrew Jackson · Diamond Jim Moran · Tony Moran · Jimmy Moran Jr. · Yousef Salem Al Adwan Jober T · Joseph Secreto · Marquis de La Fayette · Alexis Grand Duke of all Russias · Jenny Lind · William Makepeace Thackeray · Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard · Gen. Robert E. Lee · Jefferson Davis · Walt Whitman · P.T. Barnum · Oscar Wilde · Lafcadio Hearn · Mark Twain · O. Henry · Buffalo Bill Cody · Theodore Roosevelt · Enrico Caruso · Sarah Bernhardt · Victor Herbert · John L. Sullivan · William Howard Taft · Knute Rockne · Sir Thomas Lipton · John D. Rockefeller · Babe Ruth · Gen. John J. Pershing · Franklin D. Roosevelt

fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as "la fée verte" (the green fairy).
Absinthe Drip:
Ingredients:
•2 oz absinthe or substitute
•1 sugar cube
•club soda

Preparation:
1.Pour absinthe into a mixing glass half filled with crushed ice.
2.Place the sugar cube on top of the ice.
3.Very slowly drip club soda on the sugar cube until it is completely dissolved.
4.Mix well.
5.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

— Submitted April 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Original Old Absinthe Bar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud

3. Original Old Absinthe Bar and Marker

Photographed by Pat Filippone, November 12, 2012

4. Original Old Absinthe Bar Marker

<i>The Old Absinthe House, New Orleans, La.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

5. The Old Absinthe House, New Orleans, La.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,601 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on June 29, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. 5. submitted on February 21, 2015.