My fabulous Bartender of the Month needs no introduction. He is a cornerstone of our city. His infectious smile lights up a room whether it is him or his sassy sister Felicia Phillips. I am talking about none other than Philip Anthony who works at the Corner Pocket. I am honored to call him friend and to have been his co-Grand Marshal of Southern Decadence 2016, along with Jeffrey Palmquist and Derek Penton.
Originally from Texas, Philip was drawn to New Orleans from an early age. On family summer vacations, his father would always take a detour off the highway when passing thru New Orleans to “drive us down Bourbon Street while telling us stories about his friends in the music industry such as Harry James and NOLA’s own Pete Fountain. I vividly remember him saying to us as we drove past the swinging legs, ‘You are too young to do anything except look out the window right now…but when you are grown you can come back and really experience the French Quarter.’ Little did he know how much I would end up experiencing and in such a huge way.”
Philip has worked at the Corner Pocket for five years, and before that four fabulous years at GrandPre’s. Back in Texas, he spent another 15 plus years behind the bar, so he is no stranger to the industry. He is kind, quick-witted and the ultimate professional both in and out of drag. He is normally Philip behind the bar and Felicia behind the DJ podium and on the stage. He treats his regulars like gold which is why he is so popular during his daytime shifts and also a main contributing factor to a packed bar at his shows such as New Meat Night on Fridays and Zingo one Sundays.
He also is quite proficient in cocktail making. He makes a unique and delicious version of a Jolly Rancher shot using vodka, watermelon schnapps, sour mix and a splash of Sprite. Vodka drinks are what he likes when he goes out, which is the same as me. He says with a sly smile, “Although I have been known to partake in both the demon rum…and gin that makes you sin! Currently I’m stuck on Deep Eddy Orange presses.” His biggest pet peeve with customers is also drink related. “I hate when people ask me to make Hand Grenades!”
He does have a crowd of regulars during his happy hours at the Corner Pocket. “What I like about being a bartender is mainly getting to talk with visitors from all over the world and since I work the day shift, I usually have the time to really share the info on all the great things about the city,” he explains. He goes on to say his best attribute is his wicked sense of humor, which I can attest to.
When asked what is the weirdest or craziest thing he has seen working behind the bar in NOLA, his answer was pretty spot on: “That is a list that could fill a whole article by itself! But I will say, while working at GrandPre’s, the first time I got to experience Miss Love in person is in the top 5!” In case people do not know who Miss Love is, you are missing out on one of the true characters of New Orleans. Dressed all in pink in the same unwashed outfit every Southern Decadence, Miss Love comes out and makes the rounds with her fabulously wicked tongue.
Philip has played a major part of the gay community in New Orleans since his arrival. In addition to being Southern Decadence Grand Marshal 2016, he has King Cake Queen 26, Grand Reveler 4 of the Krewe of Rue Royal Revelers,Winter Queen 2021 of Winter Wonderland, and, back in Texas, he was Miss Gay Golden Triangle and Miss Gay Beaumont. Something that many people do not know about Philip is that during his school days in theater, he was known for being able to do both really good impersonations as well as multiple dialects, which, as a kid who was constantly bullied, became his super power and literally ended the harassment.
You can find Philip working behind the bar from noon till seven Tues-Thurs and as Felicia Phillips, his alter ego at New Meat Night on Friday, Boys Dancing on the Bar Saturday night and Zingo on Sundays. The Corner Pocket is located at 940 St. Louis Street in the French Quarter.
