The Old Absinthe House is a bar in New Orleans's French Quarter, located in a two-story building at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville. The building was erected in 1806 as a dry goods store. In 1815, a saloon was established in the first floor called Aleix's Coffee House, which became The Absinthe House in 1874. It was first called "the Old Absinthe House" in about 1890. The building and the bar survived Prohibition, and has recently undergone substantial restoration. It continues as a popular tourist attraction and functional bar to this date.
Historical rumor has it that in 1814, Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte planned the defense of New Orleans against the British in the bar. Lafitte's ghost allegedly still haunts the building to this day. A number of celebrities have also visited the bar in the last two centuries.
Old Absinthe House in "Must and Shall"[]
In August 1942, FBS Neil Michaels visited the Original Absinthe House as part of an investigation into an uprising against the United States. He was given contact information by the stripper, Lucy. The following night, the Original Absinthe House was burned to the ground as a warning to anyone who helped Michaels or the federals in their investigation. Lucy was among the dead.
Literary Comment[]
The name "Original Absinthe House" is apparently unique to "Must and Shall."
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