Tujague's bar is in storage, not the garbage
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The stand-up bar at Tujague's is seen in this archival photo when it was located at 823 Decatur St. The inset photo shows what the interior looked like on Monday. Photos: "Tujague's Cookbook" courtesy of the restaurant; courtesy of P. Craven
The historic stand-up wooden bar from one of New Orleans' oldest restaurants has been placed into storage while construction crews renovate the building that once was its home, according to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.
Why it matters: The local rumor mill was in full force on social media after photos surfaced showing the interior of the former Tujague's building totally gutted.
What he said: Developer Mike Motwani, who owns the building, told NOLA.com reporter Ian McNulty that "everything is in storage," including the bar, plaster back bar and the mirror it framed.
- The bar was assumed to have been tossed in the trash after photos of an empty building shell and construction dumpster made the rounds online.
Context: Tujague's originally opened in 1856 at 811 Decatur St., but moved to 823 Decatur St. in 1914, McNulty previously reported.
- The bar is credited with the invention of the minty Grasshopper cocktail and whiskey punch.
Friction point: Tujague's was forced to relocate in 2020 after the building was sold to the Motwani family and lease renewal negotiations sputtered, McNulty reported.
- The wood bar features were left behind because it was assumed they were too delicate to make the journey. "We're really disappointed we can't bring the bar," owner Mark Latter said at the time.
- Tujague's opened at 429 Decatur St. about 3.5 years ago, and Latter hasn't been in the former space since then, a representative confirmed to Axios New Orleans on Tuesday. He had no comment on the fate of the old bar.
Between the lines: Motwani is among the largest property owners and developers in downtown New Orleans, known most frequently for his T-shirt shops scattered throughout the French Quarter.
- His projects have run into opposition from preservationists before, which meant folks were quick to believe social media rumors about a beloved piece of New Orleans architecture unceremoniously removed from one of his buildings and tossed into a trash heap.
- Gene Keenan, who is seen sadly waving in one of the photos shared on Facebook's "Ain't There (dere) No More" group, is among the skeptics.
- He and his wife spotted construction crews demoing the former Tujague's building on Sunday. The space "was completely gutted down to the floors and walls," he tells Axios New Orleans, but he didn't see the mirror or obvious parts of the bar in the dumpster.
What's next: Motwani told McNulty that he doesn't have another tenant locked in for the former Tujague's space in the 800 block of Decatur, but "it will definitely be a restaurant."
- Previously, Voodoo Doughnut was trying to open a location there, and it's unclear if it is still in the mix. Representatives did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday.
Need a drink after all that? Us too.
- Tujague's has a new $18.56 brunch menu to get you started. See details.
