Louisiana Daily Photo via rl reeves jr
A buddy of mine’s mom was a barmaid at New Orleans legendary Dew Drop Inn. She was working the night that Joe Tex played and the famously irascible musician took a shine to her; soon enough they hit the road. I can’t imagine how many other tales have been born at this old joint.
As late as 2005 you could get a room for a week at the boardinghouse upstairs for $59. The barroom had already been shuttered for 35 years. The old Dew Drop was opened in 1939, and enjoyed a 30 plus year run before owner Frank Painia’s shut it down in 1970.
The Painia family sold it last year and the new owners have vowed to breathe life into the old gal.
