Alabama

We recently set out to visit the oldest tavern in Alabama, our 39th state in our quest to visit the oldest tavern in all 50 states. The Thrillist web page that we follow lists T.P. Crockmeir's as Alabama’s oldest bar, while other sources claim The Peerless Saloon should have the title…so of course, we had to visit both. We felt the Peerless should hold the crown. Established in 1899, it still has much of its 19th century charm and decor. Our Peerless bartender, Courtnie, took great care of us. Besides serving us up cold Cahaba Blonde beers and delicious hot appetizers, she also took the time to give us a tour and a history of the place. Courtnie explained that the Peerless was part brothel back in the day, and the madam, Lucinda, (who was shot and killed at the top of the steps) still looks down on the bar’s patrons. And naturally, there are the ghost stories…plain and simple it’s a great old bar!

The next day we drove down to Mobile to hit T.P. Crockmeir's. We were very impressed with Mobile and we had a fun time at Crockmeir's. As we entered the bar we noticed lots of folks in small groups wearing matching colorful outfits. It turned out that the Price is Right was doing a show in the theater just across the street called Saenger, and excited attendees were doing their pre-gaming at Crockmeir's. The enthusiastic customers fantasizing of hearing their names called followed by “come on down” made for a fun atmosphere. Sophia, behind the bar, graciously kept our cocktail glasses full, as well as those of our newfound contestant friends. Mobile seemed like a cool place to visit with its fun watering holes and Mardi Gras feel (which actually originated in Mobile and not New Orleans). It felt a little like New Orleans but without all the noise, grime, and voodoo stuff :-)

Speaking of New Orleans, we couldn’t head back to Annapolis without an overnight in the Big Easy. We stayed at the Historic Streetcar Inn which kept us clear of the French Quarter hubbub, but we still had easy access there via the streetcar stop just outside the Inn. We will certainly stay again at the charming and economically priced Inn the next time we’re in town. By the way, next door to the Inn is U Pizza. The place had awesome pizza and great sandwiches, but Anna behind the counter was amazing! She was so sharp, pleasant, and enthusiastic, that we assumed she was the owner. What a valuable employee. Speaking of amazing employees, we also encountered Isabelle at Favela Chic on Frenchmen Street. Isabelle was tres cool and very funny. Both of these employees were worth their weight in beads…I mean…gold!

Just a couple more footnotes from our New Orleans one-nighter.

* While we were there Taylor Swift came to town for three nights at the Superdome. As you can imagine we were up to our eyeballs in Swifties and Swiftmania :-)

* We like Frenchmen Street better than Bourbon Street. It’s a little less crazy and there is a great local crafts marketplace there.

* Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is in the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, and it is the oldest bar in Louisiana. Lafitte’s is grimy and busy, and it sure looks old, but it has great drinks and is our favorite place to have a Sazerac or Hurricane while in Nola.