[UPDATED with new laws!
] Just six days to Mardi Gras, guys! We'll be giving you a roundup of some great city specials, but for now here's a tidbit for any ladies who are going to be in the East Village on Tuesday (where else would you rather be?!!). We recently received a flyer from Ninth Ward advertising a "flash 'em and cash 'em" special for the fairer sex on Mardi Gras, and spokesman Dean Maroulakos told us, "They are keeping the French Quarter tradition alive, but instead of just beads for flashing, participants get free drinks." But as Mike Smith at the State Liquor Authority told us, "That's against our policy."
For the moment, let's just put aside the fact that in New Orleans you could be dressed in a turtleneck and still be supplied with free drinks and pelted with beads, sometimes from the very same parade float. This "French Quarter tradition" just comes from the Spring Breakers who don't understand how the holiday works. We've asked the SLA to clarify just what policies this violates. We already knew that unlimited drink specials are illegal in the state, and supplying someone with free drinks simply because of their anatomy could be akin to supplying them drinks for nothing. Women are allowed to be topless in the state so we doubt it's an issue of modesty.
If anything, this extreme version of Ladies' Night could just be discriminatory for men? Where are their drinks for showing a little sack? Or could it be in their interest to ignore the struggle for gender equality, what with all these insecure topless women getting free booze? Somehow we doubt the male clientele at Ninth Ward would object. Sorry to ruin the "fun," you guys.
[UPDATE] "ABC Law Section 106 (6-a): No retail licensee for on-premises consumption shall suffer or permit any person to appear on licensed premises in such manner or attire as to expose to view any portion of the pubic area, anus, vulva or genitals, or any simulation thereof, nor shall suffer or permit any female to appear on licensed premises in such manner or attire as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of the areola, or any simulation thereof." So much for all those Vulva Thursday specials!
