Stormin’ of the Sazerac
The annual Stormin’ of the Sazerac was Sept. 20, celebrating the women who bravely stormed the infamous Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel in 1949.
Each year on Sept. 20, women dress in 40’s garb and gather at the Blue Room in the Roosevelt to enjoy drinks and crown a new Reigning Spirit of the Sazerac, an award that highlights a specific woman in the community who does right and creates positivity throughout her own community.
This tradition is a newer one starting in the late 2000’s. It became a way to remember the women who stood up for what they wanted. Today’s women believe in the same idea- equality for all, but before there could be alcoholic equality, there were a few bumps in the road.
For 13 years, the prohibition of alcohol plagued America and stole the dreams of a party they always wanted. Speakeasies and illegal consumption of spirits created a rebellious attitude towards authority. Some would say that this attitude ended when prohibition did in 1933, but they were wrong. Years would pass and social culture would change.
The social norm at this time in New Orleans was to not allow women in bars even though they could legally drink. In fact, the only time women could get a drink at a bar was on Mardi Gras day. This was because Mardi Gras was the only day of the year where there was an abundance of sin. On any other day, a lone woman in a bar was seen as a prostitute. Women’s rights were fought for in the early 1900’s, but not completely enforced in New Orleans.
Roughly five years after the end of prohibition, The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans would open its first bar they called, “The Main Bar.” Seymour Weiss, the owner of the Roosevelt, constructed and designed the bar himself. It fits the art style of old New Orleans, with beautiful art and paneled walnut surrounding the bar. Its mesmerizing curves set the highest standard for bars across the city.
This elegant bar attracted many celebrities and was the favored spot of former Governor Huey P. Long. “Long would come to the main bar and order his favorite drink, a Ramos Gin Fizz,” said lead bartender Michael Sanchez, “All while holding meetings throughout the day.”
With the help of Long, the Main Bar was a huge success and Weiss had to open up a second bar to accommodate the needs of his consumers. He wanted to call this bar “The Sazerac Bar”.
The Sazerac is a cocktail almost as old as America itself and is a staple of New Orleans culture and tradition. It is a unique blend of Rye Whiskey, bitters and herbsaint, and it is most definitely not for the weak-minded.
In 1949, Weiss approached the Sazerac company with an offer to buy the rights to the name “Sazerac”. They accepted and he began construction on his newly claimed bar; however, it wasn’t going to be easy for him.
At this time bars flooded New Orleans, making it hard for some to stay afloat. Weiss needed an idea to grab the attention of the papers. He thought of the one constant with bars in the city, no women were allowed.
For his new bar, he planned to allow women, an idea that some thought was absurd. He selected a few women to stand in front of the bar and pose for pictures as he talked to the media, but his plan was challenged by the other women.
As he was talking to the media, women from around the bar stormed in and demanded they be served, as it was their right. The bartenders served them and Weiss got the headline he wanted.
The “stormers” made national news and forever changed the social norms in bars across America.
To honor these women, an award is presented. The Reigning Spirit of the Sazerac award is given out every year to the woman who makes the most noise in their community. It is not an award that is given to just anybody, the winner must hold strong values and have the ability to change lives.
Last year, the Reigning Spirit of the Sazerac award was given to Margaret Orr, a meteorologist for WDSU in New Orleans. Orr attended this year’s ceremonies and gave a brief speech about Cokie Roberts and powerful women in New Orleans. Orr said, “New Orleans continues to set the highest standard for professional women in any industry.”
This years Reigning Spirit of the Sazerac was Megan Bonavita. She is the President of the Dress for Success Foundation, a charity that donates professional outfits to the less fortunate. “The goal of Dress For Success is to donate a week’s worth of professional clothes to increase the chances of getting an interview, and later the job.” said Bonavita, “we encourage all of you to donate and be a part of this movement.”
She began the donation bidding at $500 which was immediately taken by two women dressed as Pan-Am flight attendants, who later won best dressed.
After the bidding was over, Bonavita talked about why she is so passionate about Dress for Success. “It’s just something that I think everybody can relate to. It’s hard to get out of a bad spot when you don’t have the necessary tools to do so. With Dress for Success, we can give those less fortunate women those tools so they won’t be stuck in that vicious cycle.”
After the Reigning Spirit was crowned, a second line approached and began to lead the women into the Sazerac Bar as Bonavita lead them.
The doors opened and the celebration began, roughly 250 women danced their way to the bar, with the cameras rolling and tourists watching in amazement. They brought back the spirit of the women who stood up for what they wanted, and they brought back the true spirit of the Sazerac.
