If you live in or have spent any time in New Orleans recently, this has probably happened to you. You’re driving around town, or you walk out of a bar or restaurant, and you’re suddenly confronted by a huge bunch of people on bikes. The bikes are all decorated and lit up like neon signs and these people seem to be having the best time ever.

This is not a bunch of random friends. It’s a group of people organized by a company called Bike Rite. Bike Rite provides the bikes, the music, the route, and the party. It’s a whole lot of fun and a growing and successful business.

Co-founder of Bike Rite, Nick Reed, is Peter Ricchiuti’s lunch guest. 

So is Dennis Pearse.

Dennis is General Manager of The Roosevelt Hotel. The Roosevelt is one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels in the city. It’s also the home of the legendary locals’ watering hole, the Sazerac Bar, and the city’s most celebrated cabaret venue, the Blue Room.

Tourists and locals meet, at Commander’s Palace on this edition of Out to Lunch.

Photos by Alison Moon.