I love hearing stories about people who come to NOLA for a certain reason, fall in love with the city, and end up returning or staying.
That is certainly true of July’s Bartender of the Month Sam Stone (what a great soap opera name) of the Bourbon Pub and Parade. He’s from Denver, Colorado, and moved to New Orleans in 2010 to attend Tulane graduating in 2014 with a Business Degree.
After graduating, Sam moved to Chicago to work as a management consultant for a Fortune 500 company. Not cut out for the corporate 9-5 lifestyle, Sam became an airline blogger (one of his main passions) — and a group fitness instructor, yoga teacher, and studio manager. He then returned in 2022. New Orleans was one of his favorite cities to visit as a kid, and he always knew he would end up back here someday.
Fairly new to the Bourbon Pub, Sam started in March 2023 as a bouncer and progressed to bartender during Mardi Gras 2024. The Pub is his first bartending gig and he is killing it. He has a wonderful following of locals and visitors, winning them over with his charm.
One cannot tell Sam is new behind the bar, because he makes things look so easy. He is quick to get guests their drinks and efficient. He also makes great classic cocktails, especially the Hurricane. Nowadays, lots of places have their own recipe for this New Orleans drink, but Sam’s twist is unique and delicious. It includes 1 oz. of Aperol and two dashes of bitters, cutting some of the sugary sweetness of the grenadine. He also makes a great Skinny Margarita with Espolón Tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, a pinch of salt, and an orange wedge instead of triple sec.
Sam claims his ease of speaking with people from all walks of life as one of his best assets, as well as his height which makes it easy for him to reach for a bottle. He is a tall drink of cool water for the eyes especially on these hot summer days in New Orleans.
One of the craziest/funniest things he has experienced during his short time behind the bar is when a customer has a very specific drink recipe and they want you to make it their way… and then they tell you they don’t like the way it tastes.
“I also recently had a customer order a Diet Coke and then pull out two airplane-size mini-bottles of Bacardi from her purse. I had to explain that our bar is not BYOB. The person who brings their own alcohol to a bar is a new kind of stupid. If you cannot afford to drink, stay home or shake your money maker and get someone to buy you a cocktail.”
Sam says, “What I love about being a bartender at the Pub is we have a great mix of tourists and local customers – plus tons of cute guys. The Pub has been a New Orleans gay icon for 50 years, I’m honored to continue its legacy. Any bar can serve drinks, but few can match the sense of community created by the Pub.”
Although not a big drinker himself, when he does go out, Sam enjoys a summertime Aperol Spritz or an ice-cold Paradise Park beer from Urban South. But he loves to make Hurricanes especially for first-time tourists, “It really gets them excited about our amazing city.”
I always ask bartenders what their pet peeves are as a learning lesson for us patrons. Sam explains, “My pet peeve is when a customer grabs a lemon or lime slice from the fruit tray without asking. Or worse – a handful of orange slices to snack on. It’s gross – and I have no idea where your hands have been.”
A man of many talents and skills, Sam is an avid skier, champion rower, certified yoga teacher and group fitness instructor.
“I’m also the world’s proudest cat dad of Morty, my six-year-old Canadian Sphynx.”
If you want to check out Sam at the Bourbon Pub (located at 801 Bourbon Street), his normal shifts are Monday 12 – 7pm, Tuesday 5pm – 1am, Friday 7pm – 2am, and sometimes on Sundays.
