New Orleans bars, restaurants and even Bourbon Street must alter operations amid pandemic

Bourbon Street Hotspot Sues North Carolina Bar Over Drink Trademarks

Tourist-filled Bourbon Street hotspot Tropical Isle has filed suit against a New Orleans-themed bar and restaurant in Wilmington, NC. The popular French Quarter establishment accuses Bourbon Street Wilmington of breach of contracts and trademark infringement, claiming that the bar ripped off two of its most famous cocktails: the Grenade and the Hand Grenade.

A labeled hand grenade cup from Tropical Isle. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

A labeled hand grenade cup from Tropical Isle. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

The Charlotte Business Journal reports that the complaint claims Bourbon Street Wilmington purchased large quantities of Tropical Isle’s Hand Grenade mix and labeled cups via its online store a few years ago. According to Tropical Isle, the North Carolina bar then sold the drinks as its own, resulting in a cease-and-desist letter.

The current lawsuit claims that a settlement agreement was eventually reached between the two establishments in 2013, with Bourbon Street Wilmington agreeing to cease using the trademarked names and pay back revenue from its infringing sales.

However, Tropical Isle says that it recently found out Bourbon Street Wilmington is violating the agreement by selling an alcoholic beverage under the “Grenade” moniker (as of Tuesday, the drink is listed on the bar’s Facebook page). Consequently, it now accuses the company of trademark infringement, trademark counterfeiting, trademark dilution, unfair competition and breach of contract. Tropical Isle is now demanding the drink profits, along with money for damages and court costs.