Shout out to my girl Ericka S. for putting me onto the legendary hand grenade!
I would totally give this place 5 stars if I liked the drink more than I did! Â It wasn't bad, the flavor was actually good (fruity) but damn was it sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Â I could actually throw a few more "ee's" in there, but I think you get the point ;)
Regardless, it is a necessary stop in NoLa and most likely you will get f'd up off of just one. Â Unless you have "a drinking problem" and if so, this is a good one to have ;)
One thing everyone needs to know about bars in New Orleans and especially in and around Bourbon St. is quick service. Bars can get so crowded that people usually like to grab their drinks on the go, especially since they allow you to walk around the streets with drink in hand. There are over 50 bars within walking distance, so it's more fun to just bar hop. Having said that, I went here for Mardi Gras this year and we stopped by the famous Tropical Isle for their signature drink The Hand Grenade. A sweet/sour mixed cocktail served in their iconic neon green plastic bottle in a shape of a hand grenade. I would say the drink is just ok, but I'm not a mixed drink/cocktail kind of person. I'm a shooter. The bartenders are very quick here, we weren't even in here for more than 10 minutes.
Review Source:If you want to end up shit-faced in New Orleans, this is your one stop shop. Their hand grenades are some of the strongest alcoholic beverages I've ever had. If you actually want to remember your night, I would suggest drinking no more than 3. Anything more and you'll unknowingly end up on Girls Gone Wild.
Review Source:I was told, when in Nawlins, one must walk Bourbon Street with an infamous Hand Grenade...wha?!? Yes, I am referring to that neon green drink with the long neck and sinister smiling face on the base.
Went up to the to-go window (still boggled by the open container law not existing here...we're not in DC anymore Toto) and cued up two hand grenades. They were really very good for the first 5 sips, however, as our group made our way to Harrah's casino you could see the sickeningly sweet drink start to take it's effect. By the time you get to the bottom of this huge and strong libation, wow, you are in sugar overload. I recommend you share with someone because taking on all this alcohol and sweet makes you feel like you need a carb heavy meal and a nap similar to what a hibernating bear takes haha.
This was my first drink of the weekend and this was before I realized that all the bars in New Orleans have a house specialty drink similar to this in that they all taste the same. They are overly sweet and very very unforgiving (lots of alcohol).
...Alas, I would recommend when in Rome (or NOLA), do as the locals do and partake in this drink. I had a blast walking, talking, and getting hammered with my besties.
My buddy and I travel to New Orleans every year and Tropical Isle is always the starting point for the daily festivities. What can I say, we always have had a good there and since we're creatures of habit, see no reason to change it up.
As for the hand grenade, there is no denying its sweetness. But don't let anyone convince you that there's nothing to them. They use grain alcohol, which if you're not familiar with, is about as close to pure alcohol as you can get. And when you mix it in a concoction like they do here, you can barely taste it!
So with that being said, if you visit, definitely come check it out. And if you value keeping your meal down in your stomach, keep it to one hand grenade. You'll thank me!
PS. Try a "shark attack". It's a riot!
Live music was nice to have. We tried the hand grenade and margaritas. Hand Grenade: EXTREMELY sweet, like give you diabetes sweet. The margarita had WAY too much triple sec in it for my wife. We ended up swapping drinks. They could turn the volume down on the live music a bit, we were in the back, farthest away from it, and still couldn't hear ourselves talk.
Review Source:I guess I am going to add to the hype, yes go get a Hand Grenade!
So what do I really think? Well I think this place is over-hyped, overly touristy, and frankly their Hand Grenades are just as terrible as the Hurricanes, except the Hurricanes have more alcohol and the Hand Grenades will give you diabetes.
But that's not really why you come to a place like this, right? You come here to hang out, have fun, and get ridiculously drunk with your friends. For that, this place is PERFECT. It's a sort of run down kind of "refreshed" dive bar where the colors are crazy, the lights are disco and the employees are lackluster. The drinks are overrated and over the top and the prices match such! Thus you must come here for the company.
I had a fantastic time here with friends from out of town and although we didn't get plastered on these hand grenades (let's face it, it's like 25 oz of slushy with 2 oz shots maybe...) we had a fun time listening to the live "band" of one and enjoying the NOLA atmosphere. Well worth it!
Came here for the Hand Grenade, aww yeah. It was the first drink I got when I came to NOLA! The bouncer was nice, as was the bartender, though it was a pain getting carded. 24 years old and apparently I still look like a minor, ugh.
I didn't stay long once I got my drink. The inner area looked decent, though I don't think I'd really want to hang out there. It was convenient that you could walk inside and the bar was to your left. No having to navigate around people just standing around.
As for the Hand Grenade itself, is it worth the hype? It was my favorite drink I got while in NOLA. I wish I didn't get it in slushie form, though, because helloooooo pineapple-super-secret-recipe brain freeze!
I never got another Hand Grenade after the first night, but that's because I started going to different bars to collect all the different plastic cups. There was a jester, a rat, an alligator, and some other random crap that I ended up just throwing out before going back home lol. Wish I kept the Hand Grenade cup, though. That thing was cool.
You can not be visiting NOLA without getting a Hand Grenade from Tropical Isle.
"New Orleans Most Powerful Drink"
This pretty strong but tasty drink is put into a cute souvenir grenade bong-like container that's pretty iconic for the French Quarters.
I didn't really hang at the bar after purchasing the drink. Since NOLA is a place where you can freely drink on the streets, you can just get your drink & then roam around to enjoy the French Quarters instead.
Cheers to that :)
Stopped here for the sole purpose of buying the hand grenade drink in the tall plastic cups that you see everyone walking around the French quarter with. Â The drink is $8 and will knock you out! Â One was enough for me and probably for most any person with a high tolerance level. Â I would not suggest consuming even 2 of these unless your calendar is free the next day. Â Don't do it!
Review Source:Come for the bar tending staff and the delicious Hand Grenades, chill music and tropical vibe! We wandered in one Thursday afternoon about 2. The bar tending staff was super friendly, professional, happy, friendly, made us very happy and welcome. So we stayed. We went through a lot of drinks, enjoyed the live music, and what a great way to spend the afternoon.
Review Source:This was a comfortable place with OK music and a pretty decent upstairs area with knock hockey and a balcony. Also, Jimmy Buffet's hat and flip flop, if you could give two $hits about that.
Folks I was with said the hand grenades were gross; I wasn't going anywhere near one. Still, this was a fun place to stop in.
HAND GRENADE! That's all you pretty much need to know when you come here. There are a couple locations around the French Quarter, and when we came to party the night before the Super Bowl, this was our go-to place for drinks. Hand grenades (which is the popular drink in the French Quarter) was $8.00/each. It comes in a long plastic cup which is filed with crushed ice and the drink, plus a little toy grenade to top it off. The bars can get pretty packed at times, so just be patient. Once you order, they pretty much give you the drinks instantly.
A little fun addition is that they have baskets hanging from the ceiling where you can throw your grenades into. After a couple drinks, this seemed fun so I tried it but missed and almost hit someone in the head. *oops* I'd recommend doing that if you have good aim - otherwise someone might get upset that you threw a plastic grenade at their face :)
At least there was Cajun music and the band actually could sing. My vote for best on Bourbon St.! Now don't get me wrong, it is disgustingly dirty and don't even think about going to the bathroom here - you may end up in an ER. BUT, this was GREAT music and so happy for the EXCELLENT BAND!
Review Source:Tropical Isle is actually not that bad. OK. I said it. A touristy bar in the French Quarter is not horrendous.
Tropical Isle has been around since I have been old enough to go to bars, and is world renowned for their signature drink. I have no idea if the hand grenade is actually the strongest drink in new Orleans, but I doubt it. I do know that you shouldn't drink one unless you are a tourist. The plastic cup is an easy way to spot the non locals in a crowd.
What Tropical Isle does have that isn't bad is the upstairs bar/balcony. There is music there most nights, plus you can go outside and laugh at the weirdos on Bourbon.
While I wont go out of my way to visit, if in the quarter, Tropical Isle is better than most other tourist bars.
All I really have to say about Tropical Isle is their specialty drink. The Hand Grenade. This thing can seriously mess you up. One is good but two.. two is simply trying to get to another level. It's a definite creeper and will set on you before you know it. Walking around Bourbon Street during the day on Lundi Gras, the day before Fat Tuesday or also known as Mardi Gras. We looked up to the sky and there was a one engine propeller plane flying around with a long sign hanging behind it that said DRINK HAND GRENADES. FRENCH QUARTERS. TROPICAL ISLE. Great way to advertise ONE drink. So we went off to Tropical Isle and grabbed the drink. It was delicious, unfortunately I couldn't tell what the flavor was because of how strong the drink was.
You know the drink is very popular when you walk along Bourbon street and see Hand Grenade containers everywhere. A bunch of green plastic containers literally EVERYWHERE.
Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA. Daiquiri headquarters of the world.
As we walked up and down the strip each night, we noticed this place always had some of the best bands. Â Mostly classic rock....the band that was playing when we finally stopped in here was excellent with a lead guitarist who was just absolutely ripping it up on the guitar. Â It's also really cool the way they have the band propped up on a stage behind the bar.
I guess you are required to try their famous "grenade", but I thought it was way too sweet and I'm not sure about their claim of being the "strongest drink". Â Still we had a fun experience here and I'd go back to this place next time I'm in NOLA.
So during my college days one of my friends had a crazy group of Welshmen decide to come and visit NOLA. Â "Ahhh I hope your ready for us as you yanks can't drink worth a damn compared to us Welsh" said one of the lads as we picked them up at the airport. Â I looked slowly back at him and replied, "oh really now I think I've got the perfect place to test that theory." Â So off to Bourbon Street and Tropical Isle I took them. Â I pointed up to the sign they have posted where it described the record for consuming Hand Grenades was 11 and the Welsh lads all looked at each other and laughed and said, "what that's all we will knock that out in no time!" Â So as they were about midway finished with their fourth Hand Grenade the whining began, "so what time are we going home now it does seem to be getting a bit late and we had a long flight you know." Â I looked back at them coldly and said, "I thought you were going to drink us under the table and it seems I'm on #5 while y'all are still on #4?" Â A few more minutes pass by and the Welsh begin to turn greenish and suddenly one of them vomits all over the floor and in quick fashion the rest of them all take turns running to the bathroom to yak. Â They didn't want to do much for the rest of their trip but eat. Â
On another occasion I drove down from Ole Miss during Mardi Gras and met some folks I knew and one girl comes running up to me with her Hand Grenade proudly in hand as she began to hug me and suddenly unleashed massive amounts of green hand grenade infused vomit all over my brown Doc Martin Oxfords. Â I used to think Doc Martin's were impervious to most damage but the vomit hand grenade mixture ate the polish completely off my shoes. Â
On another road trip from college we ended up drinking Hand Grenades and Horny Gators and all seemed fine until on the ride home the idiot in the front passenger seat decides he needs to vomit. Â The dumb ass sticks his head out facing forward against the wind as I'm sitting in the back seat punching him in the back of the neck and head yelling for him to turn his head to face behind the car. Â When the vomit is unleashed it all comes pouring back splattering the entire interior of the car along with my entire face and body. Â
Tip: Don't drink more than 4 hand grenades or you might get stupid and then vomit everywhere. Â Don't be "that" person!
The large hand grenade ($8) was definitely worth it. Â My friend told me to try that drink when I came over to NOLA. Â Sure there were other places that sold this drink but I insisted to come to this particular location which meant going through the entire length of Bourbon Street where all the action was; in addition, where the majority of people were walking. Â I really enjoyed the drink and it was sweet. Â I couldn't taste the alcohol so that was good. Â The large came in a neon green cup with a grenade-shaped base. Â This was a small bar and all I saw was neon green everywhere. Â We didn't stay in the bar because we wanted to try some other drinks. Â The staff here were friendly and service was pretty quick. Â
I recommend the large hand grenade drink!
As if one touristy cocktail wasn't enough, a Hand Grenade completed my boozy tour of the French Quarter. Â Tropical Isle is the birthplace of the drink, so it was a logical watering hole to target.
*booom!* (grenade sounds)
It seems unfair to review Tropical Isle as a bar, since I got my drink to go and launched back into Bourbon Street as quickly as possible. Â I can say, however, that the service was exceptionally fast, polite, and an efficient I-give-you-my-money-you-give-me-a-neon-green-Âshaft-of-liver-juice transaction.
I opted for a Hand Grenade on the rocks, which tasted like a whole lotta alcohol masked somewhat by the sweet notes of melon liquor. Â It was...potently refreshing and, for someone who doesn't usually like sweet cocktails, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Â Hokey or not, it's a French Quarter must-do and certainly something I'd opt for again (and again) (and also, likely: again). Â
Yelp note: the plastic container (complete with green plastic grenade) makes for a good NOLA keepsake. Â Nothing says "I'll be productive this Monday, boss!" like drinking water at your desk out of bar paraphernalia that you transported back to your hometown after a weekend away. Â Don't mind the jealous stares from colleagues.
Rule 3: Don't "Google" the recipe for the TI Hand-grenade
just drink one.
and then a few more.
note: don't slam them down, the plastic will shatter pretty easily (although, they DID give my poor buddy a new one... if only they realized he (a) did not NEED another, and (b) had already almost finished the first one before going all "Hulk-smash" on it)
very refreshing on hot days while waiting in line for nearby food establishments too.
classy ones especially.
:-)
[Out-of-towner Review]
A huge, touristy extra potent midori sour! Well, that's my take on the flavor at least.... Frozen or on the rocks, you get to pick your poison.
Yes its very cliche to get a hand grenade, but I love cliche's when I'm on vacation. So sue me, you have to try everything once, right?!? Make sure you stop by this location, this is the OG...there are many impostors out there...they even over you $250 if you can find a place selling knockoff hand grenades.
This place has the craziest stuff going on inside. Everything is neon green, almost yellow-ish, to match their hand grenade theme. They have huge sculpture things hanging from every available space in here. Its almost indescribable, you have to see it for yourself.
Poor grenades get a bad wrap from those Jersey Shore jerks ;)
By the time we made it to Tropical Isle for their signature "Hand Grenade," we were in full tourist mode, complete with multicolored beads swinging from our necks. Â We stopped in before the place became packed with people just like us - tourists in need of a "Hand Grenade" fix. Â The security guy standing in the doorway was really nice and we chatted for a few moments about general New Orleans tourist questions, "Wow, we are really allowed to bring this alcoholic beverage on to the street?!" Â All of this as the crappy cover band played Pink Floyd and unintentionally pushed us toward our next destination. Â
The "Hand Grenade" as a drink is actually not bad, but like most liquor based drinks on Bourbon Street, it could have been a bit stronger. Â Another case of watered down alcohol. Â But for what the drink lacks in alcohol content, it makes up in presentation, as the drink is served in - you guessed it - a plastic cup in the shape of an actual hand grenade. Â Ridiculous to the point of actually being pretty cool.
*Barf*
Bourbon urine is green because of these foul sweet azz drinks. Â The "strongest on Bourbon St." is a joke.
I drank 2 of these in an hour and didn't get a buzz on.
The only cool thing about this is the souvenir cup. Â Oh, except that they won't let you bring it in to any other bars....so actually, not cool.
Hell yes! Home of the Hand Grenade!
Really, that's all I remember about this place. But 8 bucks will get you the amazing Hand Grenade, "New Orleans' Most Powerful Drink," which is like 5 drinks in one, but smooth. Plus, if you can hold onto it throughout the night, you get a cool grenade-shaped souvenir cup.
One of the many amazing bars lining Bourbon Street.
How are the TWO hand grenades that I bought the same price as the THREE that my sister's bf bought? Yeah, ya heard me. Perhaps she was sweet on Eric. I didn't realize this 'til we all got our drinks and headed outside.
HG are kinda a must down Bourbon street - even though they're so damn sugary, tart and full of cals. But the good news is that Holly S tipped me off to their "skinny hand grenades." Less sugar.
No trip to Bourbon Street in NOLA would be complete without at least a couple of Grenades. Served in a tall plastic green, grenade shaped container, the things really do go down easy and get the party started. It was the perfect starter drink(s) all three nights of our visit.
I'll admit, after reading everyone else's reviews and hearing first hand grenade experience, I actually expected them to be a bit more powerful. That was a good thing though, trust me!
IMO, this location is the best of them all but a grenade is a grenade.
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