In a recent trip to New Orleans, my wife and I found that Bourbon Street, once the capital of genuinely wonderful smarm in the deep south, this place where dudes went to get away from their wives, has, despite this classic old sign, become a version of Times Square lite. What was once so flavorful about this liquor mall has been swept away. In its place are crowds unsteady from too many Hand Grenades, whose major ingredient is Everclear 100 proof alcohol. What was once low down has become low rent. Admittedly, Bourbon was never a cultural mecca unless you consider going blind from booze to be an artform, but damn all the great cheesiness, like this sign, has been wiped away in favor of a Bourbon Street of shoulder to shoulder crowds, drunk on hooch slushies and entirely too many kids in strollers!
