Turning a Historic Spot Into a Lifelong Dream: Bywater Brew Pub

My client, local attorney Nahum Laventhal, was on the hunt for a great building to house his lifelong dream – a brew pub that would fulfill a family legacy after his 38-year law career in New Orleans. The story goes like this: in 1937, Nahum’s grandfather, owner of Leo’s Bar & Grill in Brooklyn, passed away when Nahum’s father was in his first semester of law school at Harvard. Because his father quit law school to move home and run the bar, Nahum feels like his own life now has come full circle — and he’s thrilled to be a lawyer running a bar.

The Right Zoning & The Right Building

Having looked at other buildings with other agents who didn’t understand zoning, Nahum turned to me – and I found him the right spot (with the correct zoning!) and even helped find the perfect lender for the deal. A two-story, 105-year old building at the corner of Royal and Montegut Streets in the Bywater, this renovated beauty contains an awful lot of history. Starting out as the World Bottling Company (maker of Dr. Nut, Ignatius Reilly’s drink of choice), it went on to become a garment factory, then Studio Inferno, and today houses Nahum’s beautiful brew pub featuring local art by artists who work right upstairs. Taking time to lovingly renovate the space, Nahum paid homage to its history by reusing everything he could in the process.

Offering Its Own Beer, a Viet-Cajun Menu, and a Gorgeous Space

Now a full-scale brewery, full-service bar, and gastropub — BBP brews twelve of its own beers on site, thanks to Brewmaster Sonny Day (with rave reviews from Eater New Orleans and Google), serves a delicious Viet-Cajun menu by noteworthy Chef Anh Luu, and offers gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as reservations, pickup, and delivery. A family affair operated by locals (Nahum runs the place with his multi-talented son, Dylan – and Nahum, Dylan, and Anh are all Ben Franklin High School alums), BPP features an awesome, fully-vaxxed staff that can’t wait to see you. Special note: they’ll be canning some of their own beers soon, but you can buy a keg to take home now. Seriously, check this place out. It’s a gem!

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Photo credit: Josh Hailey Studio