Samuel`s Blind Pelican in New Orleans

First off, this review is when they still served food. Apparently they no longer do that...gee I can’t imagine why...How is this place still in business? My husband and I went for lunch one day. After ordering the club with NO MAYO, they brought the sandwich with extra mayo. My husband, who doesn’t like to make a scene or put people out, sent it back. Then the second sandwich came out sans mayo but the bread was still frozen in the middle. So he sent it back again and was like forget it, we are leaving. They assured him third time would be correct. Fine, he agreed. So while waiting for the third sandwich we both watched a server eat two fries off of a plate and then bring it to a table. We were shocked. We didn’t even skip a beat. We grabbed our sh** and left.

This is a beautiful, amazing bar. I really don't want to leave a negative review, but I feel that I have to for the moment. The entire reason why I came to the bar, besides proximity, is their happy hour special for oysters. When I found out that they were out of food for the entire Memorial Day weekend, possibly longer, I turned around before even entering. I gave them another chance as a bar the next day, and I was pleased but not astounded. I don't give super negative or positive reviews unless I have a real reason to, or I know it'll really affect overall ratings. That being said, the ambiance and atmosphere of this place deserves another star at least, but this inconvenience had to be noted. Love y'all.

This place would get a 5 star on the nights they were busy, and actually waited on people, and didn't 'forget' about tables, drinks orders. Or worse, wait until after 8 to get your order, so you wouldn't get the oyster special. I see it was closed due to management issues (shocking). Here's hoping they get their act together by the time I am there next month.

Don't seem to be able to handle keeping the kitchen open on a regular basis. Have gone all the way across town several times to find the kitchen closed or the oyster happy hour cancelled with no notice online.Phone number appears to be disconnected.

NO FOOD. Loved the website. Shame on me for not reading the latest reviews. The only food they have is oysters. The top of their beer menu says "Kitchen Closed". We left another place to come here to eat.

We stumbled upon the Blind Pelican during our second trip to NOLA and instantly loved it. This place is a "must-do" for all of our annual visits. In fact, we are hoping to host our rehearsal dinner here in May of 2018. I highly recommend getting here well ahead of the happy hour...but it is SO worth the wait. I'm not sure what the negative reviews in here were expecting, but I assume most have never had a job working in a casual restaurant. Or maybe they thought they were going to Commander's Palace (which I keep meaning to go to, but always end up here)...The atmosphere is open, and the staff will treat you like you've been coming every day for years. So if you need something, ask for it! They're busy. It's not fine dining. It's not a restaurant you need to dress up to go to. But it's affordable. It's beyond friendly. Best of all....it's delicious.

Waited 10 minutes at the bar and no one noticed me. I left. Blind seems to be an appropriate adjective for this place.

This place is closed. Went tonight for the killer happy hour oysters & drinks had before a year ago but instead arrived to shuttered doors, no lights, closed establishment. 3 stars are for the prior 5 star experience.

I will update this review when the restaurant is actually fully open. They currently have the bar open, and are selling raw oysters.Most of the beer on tap isn't available, because the beer lines need to be cleaned from their long close. However, if your looking for cheap raw oysters this happy hour cannot be beat, and the bloody Mary is delicious. 4-8 3$ for a dozen

The best thing is as of 12/31/18 they are back open. Just rode the trolley over there just to see, they were closed in November when we were here. So happy to be able to go back. Great beer and oysters.

The Blind Pelican was a non starter. We wanted beer, food and atmosphere. We would've settled for the first two, but when we were told there was NO FOOD, only raw oysters, we turned around and walked out. To be fair, I probably shouldn't rate an establishment I didn't spend time in, but honestly, in my opinion, any place that advertises a menu, a FULL menu and then had NO FOOD at 6:30 at night, deserves a one star rating. We expected much more from an establishment in New Orleans on the beginning edge of Mardi Gras. I'm almost sorry I won't be able to judge them fairly, they looked interesting, but I will not be back

Looked awesome from outside but was very disappointed inside. Didn't have food options other than raw oysters and more than half the beer were out of stock. Seems like Management issues were making the joint problematic. Gave it 2 stars because I enjoyed the outdoor deck.

What a disappointment. We went there specifically because the website had a chargrilled oyster happy hour special. When we finally got service, she took our order and informed us the website isn’t current. After paying $6 for a can of beer (during a weekday happy hour no less) there was a “mix up” with our order. What a waste of a perfect location on St. Charles in a really neat old Victorian house.

Awesome place in the garden district!! A little bit of a wait.. (at least on the night we were there) but well worth it.. happy hour 4pm to 8pm half off oysters was the best. Next time in New Orleans we will be going back

A very busy establishment. If there is a line at the hostess table at bottom of stairs, please go up and look at bar area. If there is seating there, grab it. The food is fantastic and the waiters and waitresses are great. We had Jennifer and she was actually running to keep customers happy. If you don't like the hustle and bustle than don't go or come to New Orleans. It's a very people busy place. Thank you Blind Pelican, you made our last night perfect!!

Great place for cheap oysters and drinks! Seems like they might have stopped serving food since the last time I went but I remember having a few of their fried foods and everything was pretty decent. I especially loved their outdoor seating.

Giving 3 stars because this spot was amazing when they were serving food. It’s been several weeks with no food and the service has declined. It’s just a totally different atmosphere. Hope you guys bounce back soon, we miss it!

We came here late one night during MG'19. You could tell that the place was going thru some management changes. They only had oysters but the beer was cold and the staff was tired but cool to talk to. Give these guys a try when you in the area.

While I'm likely to only visit during happy hour in the future, I have to say that it is a little pricey otherwise. The service was acceptable, but not great. The food was pretty good, but nothing exciting. Happy hour offers a great deal on oysters, cooked or raw but that's the only real reason to visit.

Rudest bartender I've ever encountered. Claimed to be the manager, too. This place has a lot of character and potential. I ordered a $4 happy hour well whiskey drink and was charged for an $8 American Honey (what?). My girl ordered a $4 happy hour tequila and got charged for a $6 vodka. But the overcharging was not the biggest issue, it was the attitude. Should have sat with one of the servers instead. They seemed really nice.

The bar tenders here were so friendly. The chips and salsa were made fresh and a delicious snack. The atmosphere is so great. Love the palms hiding the house and deck from the street.

We Googled oyster happy hours. Lady at the bar is a new owner which she let us know by saying she had, "just taken over this hole" (not said nicely). Oyster happy hour was an incredible deal and they were delicious! We got charged full price for our happy hour well drinks that should have been $4. The new owner has a horrible attitude and needs to get a handle on the place. It's a gorgeous place and beautiful atmosphere. We would have enjoyed it way better if we had sat at a table on the outside deck where the servers had a way more pleasant attitude.

This place is closed even though Google and their website don't show it. Don't show up!

Came for oysters and happy hour drinks. They had no chargrilled oysters (they said kitchen was closed) and most of their selection of drinks they advertised on their website was unavailable... Wine was served in a plastic cup. Waitress apparently forgot about our order because 45 minutes after asking for oysters we realized everyone around us was getting rounds after rounds while we got finished with our drinks and still had no oysters on our table... Overall was very unpleasant and I wouldn't go back.

Can’t go wrong with 25 cent oysters! It was nice that this isn’t in the busy hub of the French quarter and we went on a Thursday at 4pm so it wasn’t too packed either. Service was great and the price is very reasonable for drinks as well.Will def come back!

The 25 cent oyster Happy Hour from 4 to 8 pm is awesome! Food is decent bar fare, and the fried green tomato appetizer is really good. Fun, loud, fast paced bar scene. Has outdoor patio and veranda seating as well. The servers work really hard here and yet keep a cheerful demeanor.

PLACE IS CLOSED. had a great time there last year though. Hopefully it comes back strong. Looks like they’re doing something with construction. Nothing on the website shows this.

At 2:45am the service was fast, fun, and friendly! Charbroiled oysters were awesome! The best I've had in my city by far! Great atmosphere! Good pricing. The buffalo wings were just right. Not at all dry or too "vinegary". Everything was very fresh and well prepared! My new spot!

Short trip to New Orleans with my lady. This spot caught our eye driving by because it looks like a place to spend a minute. John the Bartender made this trip meaningful in its own right. Southern hospitality included, I've never had a bartender make more meaningful beer recommendations, let us taste the options, and made us feel like regulars. Please visit, you'll know what I mean.

CLOSED PERMANENTLY. Took a cab ride there to find out. No cabs for the return ride.

Was recommended this place by a local, but pretty disappointed overall. Was able to get the raw oysters, but ordered the chargrilled oysters, and after waiting about 45 minutes came to find out that they were out and never got them. Was offered free drink but didn't get. Paid and left. Atmosphere seemed good, but service was slow and lacking.

Can't beat the price for the oyster happy hour. We got there a little early to avoid the crowds. The raw oysters are really good. The broiled oysters are solid. Beer selection is okay but nothing special. Staff was fine, though they like to disappear for a while(though it's understandable. They were busy).

Pretty disgusting bar with flies everywhere, bartenders always act far too busy to help you, foul mouths, and seem pissed off to be there, slow to serve. Stacy wiped the head off my beer with her fingers, kisses the locals for tips. Cheap oysters and that’s about all you’re getting here - owner is always there at the bar putting beers down the hatch instead of making sure the place is run well. One star because it’s the minimum, second star because oysters are .25 at happy hour. -1 star because it takes an hour for oysters or food during happy hour... with a half empty bar. Avoid unless you’re looking for a hot mess of a bar. Previous bartenders talk trash on the place. Much better places to find yourself. Recently written up for cleanliness.

I'm 85% sure they served us refried fries from the Burger King across the street. Same fry shapes, tastes, consistency, etc. It just seemed a little crispier, perhaps due to refrying. Now, I like Burger King as much as the next guy, but I wasn't expecting nor trying to eat Burger King fries at that particular time/place.

Good value especially for happy hour! Would I go back again? Maybe. Oysters weren't as flavourful and crawfish a tad small.

Best oyster happy hour ever. We ate prob 10 dozens in the course of a few days. Would go back to NOLA just for that

Came in for their advertised happy hour. The server informed us that the new owners aren’t doing happy hour for now. Then change your website!

Terrible service. Long waits for food, some food never came. Automatic gratuity of 20% included on a party of 5 or more, which we weren’t told before hand. Normally I tip well but the service was awful. When we tried to contest it they made my friend cry. It’s the best happy hour price but the raw oysters are warm and they spilled the oyster water on me and didn’t acknowledge it. There are plenty of other awesome restaurants in NOLA so don’t waste your time here.

Walked in during a parade around 10 pm. Bartender was very nice. We said we wanted oysters and asked if it was possible to get them charbroiled. The bartender asked the cook if he could make them to which he responded yes like it was no problem. He brought them out and basically slammed them on the table and threw the fork down with it. The bread was burnt to a crisp and the oysters were basically just cooked, not even seasoned. I don't think he even used butter. We were very shocked and dissapointed in this experience. It felt like this act was done intentionally from the way everything was cooked to how it was delivered to the table. This guy needs an attitude adjustment.

$3 for a dozen of oysters from 4-8 every day of the week!!! (With the purchase of an adult beverage /dozen) Need I say more! Great mixed crowd as well. If you don't live in close proximity to great oysters such as myself. Go get great oysters at a great price!

Website said bar was open. We went there and there was a table blocking the doorway. We went in and asked if they were open. The worker freaked out and kicked us out telling us they were closed and that’s why the table was there. Apparently a table in front of the door is the new closed sign. Could have politely told us they were closed and we would have happily went somewhere else. Very rude

I’m not a fan of oysters but the char grilled oysters were actually pretty good. The main attraction is the craw fish boil though. Incredible pricing for tons of food seasoned to perfection with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. If you are in the garden district or even the French quarter it’s worth planning on having dinner here you won’t be disappointed!

This is not the bar you are looking for !! That one went bust and the new owners are not quite ready yet. I wish them good luck but the website etc is for an old business that is no longer here. Badly printed menus and half the food not available and very slow staff is what we got

Happy hour is unbeatable, however get there early as they are typically packed. Oysters on half shell either raw or broiled is an exceptionally good value. When you order a pour of whiskey it is a nice larger pour. Inside the bar is lively with an elevated noise level. Not a place for quiet dining although they have outside seating which admittedly I have used and may be more peaceful.

The Blind Pelican is aptly named. We were seated after being told it would be 45 minutes on the raw oysters. No problem! We will have a few drinks and wait...nope, after 49 minutes they still had not taken our drink order. So, we decided to leave.

Loved the staff. The owner steve was charming and friendly and when my order was colder than I liked he fixed it immediately. Great prices. Had a lot off taps down like 8 I think. But they worked around it we found a beer that I liked and all was good. Thanks for a Great dinner.

Informative and attentive waiter, efficient service and very friendly... Is what i would have said if i was on the table to the right.Our server was slow, unhelpful, ignored me several times when i asked questions and had us waiting for half an hour for our food without informing us of progress or even checking on us. I would have liked to try the food as it did look nice on the tables around us but sadly, we never got a chance.I would have liked to try again for the food but the service really put me off which is a shame.

Super happy hour oyster specials. Daily 4-8 PM $.25 oysters with an adult beverage purchase! Best deal in town and the oysters are delicious! Kitchen is still under renovation, but the hope is to have it up and running by the first or second week of January.

They told us it would be a 45 minute wait when we got there. At the end of 45 minutes they said 20-30 minutes more max...We waited for a total of 2 hours. When I saw a table big enough to seat the 7 of us - they gave it to another party. I asked why they did that and didn’t really get an answer. We were a bachelor party - though not rowdy in the slightest. I think they just didn’t want to serve us so they just kept making us wait. Really a terrible move, would have preferred they told us 2 hours when they got there so we could’ve left. We got oysters a few minutes down the road.