Johnny White's is the best dive bar in the world. All of New Orleans are regulars. Some may come everyday, some once a week, some once a month, but when you walk in, you'll know someone or they'll soon be there.\r
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I've gone back after 1, 2, 5, 10 years and nothing had changed. If I didn't see anyone I remembered, the bartender would remember them and know what happened to them or when they would be in. In most cases at least one of the bartenders would have been there when I was last there.\r
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The reason why everybody adopts Johnny White's as some kind of home-office-gathering place is dependability.\r
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1. In a lifetime of living in or going back to New Orleans, the one thing that you can count on still being there is Johnny White's. Businesses change or go broke all the time in the Quarter but Johnny White's just keep on trucking along.\r
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2. There are no doors. If that doesn't tell you they're open all the time then you weren't there during Hurricane Katrina. It was the only bar that rode it out open.\r
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3. $3 for a 20 oz. draft - during Mardi Gras!! Are you kidding? All, count them, all bars and restaurants double their prices at Mardi Gras. Not Johnnys.\r
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4. Pictures and doodads going back 30+ years decorate all the walls. This shows there have been many regulars for many years and many of them, long gone, still come back when they can.\r
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5. Then there's the absolute best view of life passing by in the Quarter out the always open doors. They also give the impression that anyone is welcome, anytime.\r
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I'm going back to Mardi Gras this year. When I wheel into the French Quarter, the first place I will go will be Johnny White's. Maybe I'll see you there.
Pros: Staff, Prices, Regulars, Historical Pictures, Atmosphere, Location
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