Stephanie Blake (R) mixes a hurricane while tending bar at Johnny White's Sport Bar & Grill
© AFP/File Jim Watson

NEW ORLEANS (AFP) - "We never close," proudly reads a sign inside the bar.

The bar is located on a corner of Bourbon Street, in the city's tourist district. It is a small establishment with several bar stools but no tables.

Johnny White's prepared for Hurricane Gustav -- which touched just west of New Orleans early Monday as a Category Two storm -- by hammering planks of wood over its doors.

But one door was left open wide enough so that locals thirsty for a drink could find refuge.

When Katrina struck in 2005 Johnny White's remained open -- despite the widespread flooding, the looting, the general chaos, and even despite having no running water or electricity.

Fast forward to 2008: bartender Stephanie Blake said that she served 2,000 people on Sunday as Gustav barreled towards New Orleans and Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a complete evacuation.

"All the people were in good moods and positive," Blake told AFP. "It's been like Mardi Gras," she said, referring to the famous city carnival. "I'm scared to see how much I rang up today."

Kelly, who did not give her last name, is a long-time customer who spent the night at Johnny White's when Katrina struck.

A woman enjoys a drink at the bar that never closes, Johnny White's Sport Bar & Gril
© AFP/File Jim Watson

"Here you never get flooded," said Kelly. "This is the highest area in the city -- that's why the old city was built here 300 years ago."

"We stayed here in Katrina, it was fun. Then we had to leave because of the problems and tragedy everywhere," she said.

Another customer chimed in. "No problem here, we're safe," said Mark, who seemed to have been sitting at the bar for hours. Mark wore a military jacket and never stopped petting the small dog sitting on his lap.

On one bar wall there is a mural of boxing great Muhammed Ali. Pictures of fake dollars illustrate the background of the bar. Pictures of customers and friends are attached to the roof.

Chelsea Leighton took a swig of his drink and plunked coins into the bar's electronic poker machine.

"If you come tomorrow I'll be right here," he said. "I think I'm going to die so I might as well spend my money because it's no good."

Leighton said he was new to hurricanes. "I've never been through this before and I'm just going with the flow," he said.

©AFP