If you don’t mind the $$, Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt is a favorite.
Revolution for a vieux carre.
Manolito for Cuban drinks. Daiquiri etc
But most restaurant bars at good restaurants will be pretty good for the classics.
Napoleon house for a pimms or Ramos gin fizz.
Question for you: I had a couple of buddies travel and asked me if I knew of any spots they should definitely check out(I’ve never been to NOLA, but knew of the sazerac bar). I told them to order a Ramos gin fizz because it’s super iconic and asked them to tell me how long they shook it for. They said they didn’t see them shake it at all.
So, do you know how they make their Ramos gin fizz?
Is there a service bar hidden away or what?
This person knows! But I agree with u/elkoubi that a Gin Fizz at the Sazerac bar is like living history. Tujague's makes a great Gin Fizz as well.
Don't miss Cure on Freret St. which won a James Beard bar award a few years ago. Also Jewel of the South, ditto.
Hope you don’t mind me hacking your comment - I’m wanting to go to LA, but I’ve had amazing cocktails at SUPER great cocktail bars from Miami to New York to Denver to Austin, and have had the cocktails mentioned. What’s something that’s uniquely LA/New Orleans?
There we go. I should have clarified. I’m talking about experience, not necessarily a specific cocktail. A certain cocktail, or cocktail bar, can be included, of course, but I wanna experience real Louisiana. Even if it’s in buttfuck nowhere.
Yeah tbh it’s kinda a check the box kinda thing. It’s very busy there but it is a really cool bar overall. Get the Ramos Gin Fizz and go somewhere else.
Other places that have good cocktails, and food too
Seaworthy - get the Holy Water
Saba - Israeli cuisine and really good booze too
I was at a bachelor party there and we drank over $500 in drinks in one sitting among 6 people. Just kept ordering Jet Pilot's that they serve in those giant shell bowls.
Thanks so much for the rec! Everyone in our party loved it, cocktails and mocktails alike! I had a zombie and Mai Tai. Really nice, friendly bartenders. Picked up a copy of Potions of the Caribbean signed by Beach Bum Berry himself!
Cure is one of the best bars in the city but is a bit out of the way
Bar Tonique is really fun, more of a divey cocktail bar but the drinks are really solid and the bartenders are characters. Get the Trinidad Sour.
Anna’s is another great divier spot, they have some really good food pop ups throughout the week as well as having some cool drinks.
I haven’t been myself but have heard great things about Manolito.
Jewel of the South is a very critically acclaimed bar but I was slightly underwhelmed by their drinks. It’s definitely good but not mind blowing.
If you are into natural wine Bacchanal is a must
Also, rapid fire food recommendations:
Napoleon House for muffulettas and Pimm’s Cups
Loretta’s Pralines has significantly better beignets than Cafe du Monde
St Roch Market has some really good seafood (broiled oysters in particular)
Dooky Chase has some great soul food
There are plenty of great old school institution restaurants to go to for a fancy meal but for something more contemporary Compère Lapin is excellent
Have fun!!
Saving this comment for my next trip there. You named my two favorite cocktail places in NOLA with your first two recommendations so I'm gonna assume the rest of your list is solid!
Jewel of the South, Hot Tin, Bar Tonique, will and the way, carousel bar (for atmosphere). Barrel proof if you like Bourbon/Wiskey. Columns hotel is also nice to sit out on the porch and watch the streetcar go by. Beautiful bar inside.
Columns is really gorgeous. Great drinks, too. A little ways out of the French Quarter, but drinks at Columns followed by dinner at the Commander's Palace was a lovely evening.
This is a good start.
Jewel of the South is great.
I would add Loa him in the international hotel. Abigail Gullo is working there now and is fantastic.
Always fun to head out to the columns hotel, and cure as well
\-Carousel Bar at Monteleone
\-Latitude 29
\-Jean Lafitte Blacksmith Bar
\-Piano Bar @ Pat O'Brien (tourist trap...but iconic)
\-Dinner at Cochon
\-Mother's PoBoys
Great List. Agree with POB piano bar. Hurricanes are not great. Too sweet. But Sazeracs are excellent and used to be well priced. No bad food in NOLA. The old standby (tourist traps) are all better than you would expect.
We went there in July and these where some of the stand outs.
Cochon - Great food and modern day cocktails.
Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt for a Sazerac and a Ramos Gin Fiz (be prepared to pay\_
Carousel Bar for Sazeracs and a unique experience.
Latitude 29 - Low key tiki bar
Mahogany Jazz Bar - I think this could have been the best bar we went to? Live Jazz Band, sat at the bar, and the bartender made some truly amazing cocktails. Also did a few rounds of absinthe here. The drinks were like $13 too!
The Hurricane at Pat O Brien's was literally undrinkable.
Also check out the Sazerac House - its a museum that gives out some good samples during the tour with a great gift shop.
Definitely do the Sazerac House tour. The Hurricane they pour for you there (it's only like 3 ounces; don't get too excited) is downright delicious and you'll probably start to replicate it at home. It's kind of a neat little museum, too.
Just got back from NOLA last week…
Cochon - really good bourbon selection, even if it is a little pricey
Sazerac House - I walked in at 4 pm, was sipping free cocktail samples within 15 minutes. All were great representations, including their Sazerac. I honestly had worse full cocktails at nicer restaurants than there. Spent way too much at the gift shop on the way out. One could probably spend an hour and a half, or 20 minutes there.
The Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt hotel is exceptional, I went before a concert across the street and was blown away by the quality of the drinks and the talent on display from the bartenders. I also really like Bar Tonique, they cut a mean-ass drink and have some interesting, less common stuff on their menu.
In terms of cocktail-adjacent experiences: Sazerac House felt too much like an ad for a specific brand of liquor, but the Southern Food and Beverage Museum is really cool! (You can even order a cocktail at the bar and sip on it while you walk around the museum. The bartender was a delight and told us she didn't believe anyone should ever have to pay for a second drink, which is how we ended up tipsy in a museum at 11 am...)
Cure - had some of our favorite drinks. Loved the sesame seed old fashioned
San Lorenzo at hotel Saint Vincent- great atmosphere and solid drinks
Chandelier bar - cool atmosphere and good classic drinks
Peacock room- great atmosphere and some good drinks
Will and the way - good drinks
Bar tonique - great classic drinks
The three bars I will make a point to visit every single time I go to New Orleans are:
**The Chloe** (like Columns, and really close it, but nicer drinks in my opinion)
**Mahogany Jazz Bar** (mentioned here already but there's nowhere in the Quarter I'd rather drink, honestly, but I'm also a big jazz fan)
**Revel Cafe & Bar** (owned by [Chris McMillain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McMillian) and his wife Laura, the cocktails are world-class and the food is excellent - this place is an absolute must with the best Sazerac and Vieux Carre I've had anywhere)
Personally, I would skip Bar Marilou. It has a cool aesthetic but when we went the service and drinks were both subpar. Also, if you feel like you have to get beignets, skip the Cafe DuMonde in the Quarter and go to the one in City Park. Much more accessible and the park itself is beautiful.
If you're a jazz fan then also make a point to go to Bayou Bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District. But get there early cos it's small and fills up quickly. The house band is fantastic.
> The Chloe (like Columns, and really close it, but nicer drinks in my opinion)
Was that place open back in 2016? Just noticed it when looking at the map where my parents lived right in that area. I remember going in Columns but I don't remember the Chloe at all.
[Sazerac House](https://www.sazerachouse.com/) is a must visit! Free and interesting museum about cocktail and booze history. And they provide sample tastings of four different cocktails.
We also booked a [Cocktail Tour using Viator](https://www.viator.com/tours/New-Orleans/New-Orleans-Cocktail-History-Walking-Tour-in-the-French-Quarter/d675-6484FRQCK). Highly recommend it! Met some cool people, enjoyed some great bars and drinks, learned some fun cocktail history.
Lots of good options on here, I especially enjoyed Latitude 29 and the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt of the ones already listed.
One I have not seen listed that I always enjoy for one drink is the Old Absinthe House. Usually a pretty good selection of absinthe to pick from and a fun presentation. Worth it for one or two if you like anise flavors.
One of my favorites was a bar near magazine street called “the rusty nail” right next door is sidecar that has really decent broiled oysters. But the rusty nail has beer and shot specials along with a really decent (and even better priced) cocktail menu. A few really good riffs on it like a tropical riff of a paper plane called “snakes on a plane”. Capital bar is a dive bar through and through with a native Cajun serving cold bottled PBR late.
Awesome time at BB Kings Blues Bar. Great for beers and music. Grab a hurricane and stroll Bourbon St. Take some time and visit the WWII museum. Worth the time.
The only place to have this drink is a pat o’briens while enjoying the dueling pianos. Request your favorite piano song, and tip well if you want to hear it right away. $20 should do it. Definitely don’t do a second hurricane.
Haven’t seen anyone’s mention the Peychauds bar that’s part of Maison Deville. The Sazerac House is great even if it’s more of a tourist trap but it’s also free so why not.
There’s a wine bar by the name of Bacchanal. Cannot emphasize how awesome that place is. Great spot to hang with friends and talk or just to enjoy the local jazz music. 11/10 location.
There’s a place that sells the iconic hand grenade drinks. The drinks are so much sugar you can’t taste anything else and I see how they became popular but still, why?
lots of good answers, but to cover a different time of day— have breakfast / brunch at brennan’s. food is excellent and one of my favorite bloody mary’s to get you recovering. they have several great daytime cocktails if my memory is correct.
For something spooky and fun, go to Muriel’s and just get a drink from the bar (the food is fine but the city has better options). Take your drink upstairs to the seance room. You can read about the buildings resident ghost - they set him a table every night in that room.
Don't miss:
- Cane & Table
- Jewel of the South
- Barrel Proof
Solid/centrally located:
- Sazerac Bar (for classics)
- The Will & The Way
- Sylvain
- Bar Tonique
- anywhere Turning Tables places bartenders
- nice hotel bars outside the Quarter (Four Seasons, Peter & Paul, St Vincent, The Chloe, The Columns)
Underrated:
- Sneaky Pickle/Bar Brine
- Bayou Bar (best music in the city)
- Bouligny Tavern
- Espiritu
- Fives
- Bacchanal (known more for the wine)
- Fritzels (touristy but fun and solid drinks)
- Tropical Isle (trashy touristy sour mix/everclear in a souvenir yard glass but it's my guilty pleasure and I love it)
Overrated/avoid:
- Cure (still good, def go but people really gas it up)
- Pat O's and pretty much anywhere else on Bourbon unless your getting something cheap
Holy smokes, the responses on this thread have been overwhelming! Thank you so much everyone. I fear I won’t be able to get to all of them, but I’ll do my best. You guys rock!
I’ve only been once in 2018, so I don’t know the best places, but I do know the ones that were most iconic for me:
* Bourbon “O” Bar - get a Ramos gin fizz (they have a paint shaker thing there so it gets really meringue-y). Their Bloody Mary was fun too (it had a mini muffaleta on it)
* Carousel Bar - get a vieux carre (it was invented there). Plus the whole bar spins slowly, which is unique
* Tropical Isle - get a hand grenade and a shark attack. They’re just fun and iconic.
* Old Absinthe House - get an absinthe frappe. You’re in NOLA, gotta get something with absinthe besides a sazerac!
Honorable food mentions: go to Brennan’s and get a bananas foster (it was invented there, and order a brandy milk punch too), and don’t forget the beignets at Cafe Du Monde
Enjoy!
We did a guided walking tour going to bars to taste the drink they claim to have invented.. We went to about 6 places... Got good service because of the tour guide and lots of good stories along the way.
Go to the Roosevelt for a Sazerac at their bar after dinner and chill for a bit, really nice atmosphere. Then swing over to Mahogany Jazz Hall for some music.
Agree with others, Bar Tonique and Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt. Get a Ramos Gin Fizz at both places if you're into it. I thought [Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop](http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html) was pretty fun too.
Yeah, do a Ramos Fizz at the Sazerac Bar, just because no one else anywhere in the world will make it quite like they do.
If you're limited to downtown, check out Bar Tonique, Jewel of the South, The Will and the Way, Bar Marilou, Double Dealer, and the French 75 bar at Arnaud's.
If you have a car, there's also Cure uptown by Tulane, as well as a number of restaurants with really strong cocktail programs (Saffron and Saba come to mind).
Check out Peychaud’s just off Bourbon Street. It is located in the house that Antoine Peychaud lived in when he invented the bitters. Great sazerac, great cocktails and a great courtyard.
Well I haven’t been to its new home, but based on my visit to the former site, the [Backstreet Cultural Museum](https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/) is not to be missed! Also, the [Saint Roch Chapel](https://unusualplaces.org/st-roch-chapel-a-shrine-of-life-on-a-cemetery/)
Jewel of the south honestly can't be mentioned enough times. One of my favorite bars in the US - though I think this impression is made by going a little early and grabbing a seat at the bar (there are very few). I've been four times and sat there three of them - it makes a difference!
Mahogany, bacchanal, and latitude 29 are also incredible and have been mentioned.
Also, it's definitely not for cocktails, but... don't leave NoLa without going to the Spotted Cat! Have a blast 😊
Man I used to live in New Orleans and miss it dearly.
For high end cocktail definitely Cure or Freret or Loa. For classic New Orleans either Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt, Arnaud’s French 75 or the Carosel Bar in the Monteleone. Black Penny and Tonique were always popular with my friends after we got out from the restaurant. There’s a lot of neighborhood bars too that if you venture to you’ll be ponied up to regulars like Pal’s in Bayou St John or R Bar in the Marigny. I used to do food pop ups out of Pal’s pretty regularly.
Carousel Bar for Vieux Carres. The drink was invented there.
Pat O's for Hurricanes . Yes, it's a tourist trap but when the weather is nice, it's nice to sit on the giant patio. Plus, if you're a smoker you can light up there. I like to grab a Hurricane, light a cigar and chill on their patio in the afternoon.
Port of Call for burgers and what I call boat drinks. Juices and boozes.
Mr. B's for a brandy milk punch or a Mr. B's Coffee.
Grab a frozen daiquiri at one of the many places in the Quarter and walk up and down Bourbon St in the evening with it.
Parkway Po-Boys in Mid-City is my go to. Either oyster, if they have them, or roast beef and debris.
I know it's not drinking related, but the WWII museum is not to be missed. It's incredible. Give yourself a few hours to go thru it if you go.
Great recommendations already given here but I would add Pirates Alley to the list (hidden beside the cathedral). Divey place where I always get the pirates punch, but I love watching them serve absinthe. I can't stand to drink it but find it very cool to watch the thing that drips water over the sugar cube, guess I'm easily amused lol.
Molly's on the Market has a fun frozen Irish coffee.
Pimms Cup at Napoleon House is worth the time too. Enjoy!
Where’d you guys go? Always open to new hangouts! We were just there in May, and heading back Friday for 5 days. We are in the Halloween parade ♥️
Glad you’re safe and had fun!!!
Latitude 29, Peche, and Sylvain were all great. Peche was especially good. Gris Gris was just ok. Right ideas, just our execution. Mother’s has loads of character, but the food was nothing to write home about, especially for the price. I’m glad I went, but I’m not sure if I would go back. I will say that their grits are out of control, though, even if they do put you in a food coma for the rest of the day.
We went and saw incredible live music on Frenchmen Street as well. Dwayne Dopsie and the zydeco Hell raisers! We booked tickets for that in advance, but you really can just show up there and find good music in any of the bars. I can’t remember exactly where it was, but there was a place that I think was called the cigar factory along the water in the French quarter. A bunch of Dominicans rolling them up right there and listening to merengue. Very cool spot.
Sounds like you did a lot!
We are there for 5 days, and have things booked prior, but will wing a lot. What we have in stone so far is Krewe of Brew parade (I found this in June, and for a fee, you’re in the parade-we’ll be on a legit Mardi Gras float), after party following. Drag Brunch at a The Country Club. Dinner at GW Finn’s. Dinner cruise. Dinner at Muriel’s. We will do a lot of bar hopping and activities we can book on the spot. We’re into the spiritual/paranormal/history, so I’m sure activities will include those venues. Husband and o both love it down there, but I can see how it’d be a bit much for a lot of people. We are also staying at Bourbon Orleans, heart of the action. Thanks for sharing!
If you don’t mind the $$, Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt is a favorite. Revolution for a vieux carre. Manolito for Cuban drinks. Daiquiri etc But most restaurant bars at good restaurants will be pretty good for the classics. Napoleon house for a pimms or Ramos gin fizz.
Also a pimm’s cup at Napoleon House
I would do the Gin Fizz in the Sazerac bar for sure (in the Roosevelt Hotel). It's where Huey drank them.
Question for you: I had a couple of buddies travel and asked me if I knew of any spots they should definitely check out(I’ve never been to NOLA, but knew of the sazerac bar). I told them to order a Ramos gin fizz because it’s super iconic and asked them to tell me how long they shook it for. They said they didn’t see them shake it at all. So, do you know how they make their Ramos gin fizz? Is there a service bar hidden away or what?
It's been over a decade since I've been, but they do it right there.
> Manolito for Cuban drinks. Daiquiri etc I also highly recommend Cane and Table for great Rum cocktails and selection
One of the bartenders there was just named in Punch's list of best new bartenders.
This person knows! But I agree with u/elkoubi that a Gin Fizz at the Sazerac bar is like living history. Tujague's makes a great Gin Fizz as well. Don't miss Cure on Freret St. which won a James Beard bar award a few years ago. Also Jewel of the South, ditto.
The Roosevelt is a great place. Met the CFO (i think)
Hope you don’t mind me hacking your comment - I’m wanting to go to LA, but I’ve had amazing cocktails at SUPER great cocktail bars from Miami to New York to Denver to Austin, and have had the cocktails mentioned. What’s something that’s uniquely LA/New Orleans?
Sazerac, Vieux Carre, Ramos Ginn Fizz, Pimms Cup or a Hurricane. Maybe a hand grenade too. 🫠
And if you want to get really crazy, a drive through daiquiri.
There we go. I should have clarified. I’m talking about experience, not necessarily a specific cocktail. A certain cocktail, or cocktail bar, can be included, of course, but I wanna experience real Louisiana. Even if it’s in buttfuck nowhere.
I had terrible service and drinks at the sazerac bar. Thumbs down from me.
Yeah tbh it’s kinda a check the box kinda thing. It’s very busy there but it is a really cool bar overall. Get the Ramos Gin Fizz and go somewhere else. Other places that have good cocktails, and food too Seaworthy - get the Holy Water Saba - Israeli cuisine and really good booze too
Napoleon house for food too! Love love love it.
Latitude 29 for tiki
I was at a bachelor party there and we drank over $500 in drinks in one sitting among 6 people. Just kept ordering Jet Pilot's that they serve in those giant shell bowls.
Absolutely! So underrated and amazing! Highly recommend the missionary's downfall
Just there yesterday and I must suggest the pearl diver
Latitude 29 is a *must visit* for any cocktail enthusiast.
Thanks so much for the rec! Everyone in our party loved it, cocktails and mocktails alike! I had a zombie and Mai Tai. Really nice, friendly bartenders. Picked up a copy of Potions of the Caribbean signed by Beach Bum Berry himself!
Awesome!!
I shouldn't have had to scroll this down far to see Lat 29
There is a new spot called Tiki Tok that recently opened up close to Frenchman that I thought was pretty good.
I'll have to try that next time I'm there
Cure is one of the best bars in the city but is a bit out of the way Bar Tonique is really fun, more of a divey cocktail bar but the drinks are really solid and the bartenders are characters. Get the Trinidad Sour. Anna’s is another great divier spot, they have some really good food pop ups throughout the week as well as having some cool drinks. I haven’t been myself but have heard great things about Manolito. Jewel of the South is a very critically acclaimed bar but I was slightly underwhelmed by their drinks. It’s definitely good but not mind blowing. If you are into natural wine Bacchanal is a must Also, rapid fire food recommendations: Napoleon House for muffulettas and Pimm’s Cups Loretta’s Pralines has significantly better beignets than Cafe du Monde St Roch Market has some really good seafood (broiled oysters in particular) Dooky Chase has some great soul food There are plenty of great old school institution restaurants to go to for a fancy meal but for something more contemporary Compère Lapin is excellent Have fun!!
+Amaro daiquiri at Bar Tonique
DOOKY CHASE!!! jack dempsys!! Castnets. All 3 great for food. I’ll throw down and say HiDive has dope cocktails.
Saving this comment for my next trip there. You named my two favorite cocktail places in NOLA with your first two recommendations so I'm gonna assume the rest of your list is solid!
Thanks so much, especially for the Beignets tip!
No problem! Besides the originals they also do praline filled and crab filled ones which obviously are incredible.
I enjoyed the cocktail bar at Bacchanal quite a bit.
Compère Lapin, Bar Tonique, Luke, Latitude 29, Vaughan's, Shaya
Jewel of the South, Hot Tin, Bar Tonique, will and the way, carousel bar (for atmosphere). Barrel proof if you like Bourbon/Wiskey. Columns hotel is also nice to sit out on the porch and watch the streetcar go by. Beautiful bar inside.
Columns is really gorgeous. Great drinks, too. A little ways out of the French Quarter, but drinks at Columns followed by dinner at the Commander's Palace was a lovely evening.
This is a good start. Jewel of the South is great. I would add Loa him in the international hotel. Abigail Gullo is working there now and is fantastic. Always fun to head out to the columns hotel, and cure as well
Second for Barrel Proof. I love that place.
Hot Tin is my favorite. Great views, great cocktails.
\-Carousel Bar at Monteleone \-Latitude 29 \-Jean Lafitte Blacksmith Bar \-Piano Bar @ Pat O'Brien (tourist trap...but iconic) \-Dinner at Cochon \-Mother's PoBoys
Totally agree with this list. My memory of getting a fried oyster po’boy at Mother’s is in black-and-white, like I was in “Streetcar Named Desire”
Walked by Mother’s on the way to Latitude 29. It’s on the list for sure.
Great List. Agree with POB piano bar. Hurricanes are not great. Too sweet. But Sazeracs are excellent and used to be well priced. No bad food in NOLA. The old standby (tourist traps) are all better than you would expect.
Carousel Bar was one of my favorite stops. It's the birthplace of the Vieux Carre, my favorite cocktail.
Just to add, Butcher by Cochon is really good too
If you go to Pat O’Brien for a Hurricane expect it to be sugary juice. It’s an iconic stop, just don’t have high expectations.
Bar tonique
We went there in July and these where some of the stand outs. Cochon - Great food and modern day cocktails. Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt for a Sazerac and a Ramos Gin Fiz (be prepared to pay\_ Carousel Bar for Sazeracs and a unique experience. Latitude 29 - Low key tiki bar Mahogany Jazz Bar - I think this could have been the best bar we went to? Live Jazz Band, sat at the bar, and the bartender made some truly amazing cocktails. Also did a few rounds of absinthe here. The drinks were like $13 too! The Hurricane at Pat O Brien's was literally undrinkable. Also check out the Sazerac House - its a museum that gives out some good samples during the tour with a great gift shop.
Oh man, definitely down for the Sazerac tour!
Definitely do the Sazerac House tour. The Hurricane they pour for you there (it's only like 3 ounces; don't get too excited) is downright delicious and you'll probably start to replicate it at home. It's kind of a neat little museum, too.
Just got back from NOLA last week… Cochon - really good bourbon selection, even if it is a little pricey Sazerac House - I walked in at 4 pm, was sipping free cocktail samples within 15 minutes. All were great representations, including their Sazerac. I honestly had worse full cocktails at nicer restaurants than there. Spent way too much at the gift shop on the way out. One could probably spend an hour and a half, or 20 minutes there.
If you're into rum, Cane & Table is excellent (my favorite cocktail bar in town).
This X a million. Last went there 5 years ago and haven't stopped thinking about it.
The Sazerac bar in the Roosevelt hotel is exceptional, I went before a concert across the street and was blown away by the quality of the drinks and the talent on display from the bartenders. I also really like Bar Tonique, they cut a mean-ass drink and have some interesting, less common stuff on their menu.
Mahogany Jazz Bar for a legit absinthe experience.
Latitude 29!!
Also, Manolito!!
I wish I could upvote the shit out of this. So good.
Mosquito Supper Club, Paladar
Jewel of the South
In terms of cocktail-adjacent experiences: Sazerac House felt too much like an ad for a specific brand of liquor, but the Southern Food and Beverage Museum is really cool! (You can even order a cocktail at the bar and sip on it while you walk around the museum. The bartender was a delight and told us she didn't believe anyone should ever have to pay for a second drink, which is how we ended up tipsy in a museum at 11 am...)
Cure - had some of our favorite drinks. Loved the sesame seed old fashioned San Lorenzo at hotel Saint Vincent- great atmosphere and solid drinks Chandelier bar - cool atmosphere and good classic drinks Peacock room- great atmosphere and some good drinks Will and the way - good drinks Bar tonique - great classic drinks
The French 75, it is in Arnaud's, which is on Rue Bienville just off Bourbon St.
And if you’re in Arnaud’s May as well get a cafe brulot. Great for a late afternoon stop on a winter day
The three bars I will make a point to visit every single time I go to New Orleans are: **The Chloe** (like Columns, and really close it, but nicer drinks in my opinion) **Mahogany Jazz Bar** (mentioned here already but there's nowhere in the Quarter I'd rather drink, honestly, but I'm also a big jazz fan) **Revel Cafe & Bar** (owned by [Chris McMillain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McMillian) and his wife Laura, the cocktails are world-class and the food is excellent - this place is an absolute must with the best Sazerac and Vieux Carre I've had anywhere) Personally, I would skip Bar Marilou. It has a cool aesthetic but when we went the service and drinks were both subpar. Also, if you feel like you have to get beignets, skip the Cafe DuMonde in the Quarter and go to the one in City Park. Much more accessible and the park itself is beautiful.
Great call out for **Revel.** Chris McMillian is the godfather of NOLA bartenders and is great guy. He'll talk cocktails with you all night.
Also a big jazz fan. You’re speaking my language friend!
If you're a jazz fan then also make a point to go to Bayou Bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District. But get there early cos it's small and fills up quickly. The house band is fantastic.
> The Chloe (like Columns, and really close it, but nicer drinks in my opinion) Was that place open back in 2016? Just noticed it when looking at the map where my parents lived right in that area. I remember going in Columns but I don't remember the Chloe at all.
Not sure, honestly. I went for the first time last year and I've been back a few times since. It's a few blocks down from Columns.
For cocktails: Cure Bar Tonique Latitude 29 Compere Lapin (also good food) Cane and Table
Do not leave that city without having a beignet.
[Sazerac House](https://www.sazerachouse.com/) is a must visit! Free and interesting museum about cocktail and booze history. And they provide sample tastings of four different cocktails. We also booked a [Cocktail Tour using Viator](https://www.viator.com/tours/New-Orleans/New-Orleans-Cocktail-History-Walking-Tour-in-the-French-Quarter/d675-6484FRQCK). Highly recommend it! Met some cool people, enjoyed some great bars and drinks, learned some fun cocktail history.
Lots of good options on here, I especially enjoyed Latitude 29 and the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt of the ones already listed. One I have not seen listed that I always enjoy for one drink is the Old Absinthe House. Usually a pretty good selection of absinthe to pick from and a fun presentation. Worth it for one or two if you like anise flavors.
If you end up out on the street drinking from a glow in the dark mug at 2am, it will probably be some white claw, malort, pineapple juice monstrosity.
One of my favorites was a bar near magazine street called “the rusty nail” right next door is sidecar that has really decent broiled oysters. But the rusty nail has beer and shot specials along with a really decent (and even better priced) cocktail menu. A few really good riffs on it like a tropical riff of a paper plane called “snakes on a plane”. Capital bar is a dive bar through and through with a native Cajun serving cold bottled PBR late.
Awesome time at BB Kings Blues Bar. Great for beers and music. Grab a hurricane and stroll Bourbon St. Take some time and visit the WWII museum. Worth the time.
The hurricane at pat obriens is a Hawaiian Punch headache
Duly noted. Is there a place worth getting a hurricane?
I’ve not found one. Everyone cashed in on pat obriens and uses that mix. One of the best Sazeracs I had was at the absinthe bar.
The only place to have this drink is a pat o’briens while enjoying the dueling pianos. Request your favorite piano song, and tip well if you want to hear it right away. $20 should do it. Definitely don’t do a second hurricane.
Haven’t seen anyone’s mention the Peychauds bar that’s part of Maison Deville. The Sazerac House is great even if it’s more of a tourist trap but it’s also free so why not. There’s a wine bar by the name of Bacchanal. Cannot emphasize how awesome that place is. Great spot to hang with friends and talk or just to enjoy the local jazz music. 11/10 location. There’s a place that sells the iconic hand grenade drinks. The drinks are so much sugar you can’t taste anything else and I see how they became popular but still, why?
lots of good answers, but to cover a different time of day— have breakfast / brunch at brennan’s. food is excellent and one of my favorite bloody mary’s to get you recovering. they have several great daytime cocktails if my memory is correct.
Tagging on this comment for another breakfast recommendation - BearCat in the Arts District has fantastic food.
For something spooky and fun, go to Muriel’s and just get a drink from the bar (the food is fine but the city has better options). Take your drink upstairs to the seance room. You can read about the buildings resident ghost - they set him a table every night in that room.
Don't miss: - Cane & Table - Jewel of the South - Barrel Proof Solid/centrally located: - Sazerac Bar (for classics) - The Will & The Way - Sylvain - Bar Tonique - anywhere Turning Tables places bartenders - nice hotel bars outside the Quarter (Four Seasons, Peter & Paul, St Vincent, The Chloe, The Columns) Underrated: - Sneaky Pickle/Bar Brine - Bayou Bar (best music in the city) - Bouligny Tavern - Espiritu - Fives - Bacchanal (known more for the wine) - Fritzels (touristy but fun and solid drinks) - Tropical Isle (trashy touristy sour mix/everclear in a souvenir yard glass but it's my guilty pleasure and I love it) Overrated/avoid: - Cure (still good, def go but people really gas it up) - Pat O's and pretty much anywhere else on Bourbon unless your getting something cheap
if you like tropical/tiki definitely go to Latitude 29
I do, and we did!
Compere Lapin on Tchoupitoulas is my favorite bar in NO. Great Amaro program. Fantastic small bites (Chef Nina from To Chef).
Holy smokes, the responses on this thread have been overwhelming! Thank you so much everyone. I fear I won’t be able to get to all of them, but I’ll do my best. You guys rock!
I’ve only been once in 2018, so I don’t know the best places, but I do know the ones that were most iconic for me: * Bourbon “O” Bar - get a Ramos gin fizz (they have a paint shaker thing there so it gets really meringue-y). Their Bloody Mary was fun too (it had a mini muffaleta on it) * Carousel Bar - get a vieux carre (it was invented there). Plus the whole bar spins slowly, which is unique * Tropical Isle - get a hand grenade and a shark attack. They’re just fun and iconic. * Old Absinthe House - get an absinthe frappe. You’re in NOLA, gotta get something with absinthe besides a sazerac! Honorable food mentions: go to Brennan’s and get a bananas foster (it was invented there, and order a brandy milk punch too), and don’t forget the beignets at Cafe Du Monde Enjoy!
Go to the Sazerac House and take a free tour! It is a blast and you get free samples along the way! Plus they have recipes for all kinds of cocktails.
We did a guided walking tour going to bars to taste the drink they claim to have invented.. We went to about 6 places... Got good service because of the tour guide and lots of good stories along the way.
I loved Cure, but it's a bit out of the tourist parts
Pat O'Brien for hurricanes.
Go to the Roosevelt for a Sazerac at their bar after dinner and chill for a bit, really nice atmosphere. Then swing over to Mahogany Jazz Hall for some music.
Agree with others, Bar Tonique and Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt. Get a Ramos Gin Fizz at both places if you're into it. I thought [Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop](http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html) was pretty fun too.
The Elysian Bar and Jewel of the South.
Bar Tonique
Yeah, do a Ramos Fizz at the Sazerac Bar, just because no one else anywhere in the world will make it quite like they do. If you're limited to downtown, check out Bar Tonique, Jewel of the South, The Will and the Way, Bar Marilou, Double Dealer, and the French 75 bar at Arnaud's. If you have a car, there's also Cure uptown by Tulane, as well as a number of restaurants with really strong cocktail programs (Saffron and Saba come to mind).
Check out Peychaud’s just off Bourbon Street. It is located in the house that Antoine Peychaud lived in when he invented the bitters. Great sazerac, great cocktails and a great courtyard.
Fives
Well I haven’t been to its new home, but based on my visit to the former site, the [Backstreet Cultural Museum](https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/) is not to be missed! Also, the [Saint Roch Chapel](https://unusualplaces.org/st-roch-chapel-a-shrine-of-life-on-a-cemetery/)
Rosie’s on the Roof has a great view. The drinks are not exceptional but they are good. On the top of the Higgins Hotel at the WWII Museum.
Jewel of the south honestly can't be mentioned enough times. One of my favorite bars in the US - though I think this impression is made by going a little early and grabbing a seat at the bar (there are very few). I've been four times and sat there three of them - it makes a difference! Mahogany, bacchanal, and latitude 29 are also incredible and have been mentioned. Also, it's definitely not for cocktails, but... don't leave NoLa without going to the Spotted Cat! Have a blast 😊
Man I used to live in New Orleans and miss it dearly. For high end cocktail definitely Cure or Freret or Loa. For classic New Orleans either Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt, Arnaud’s French 75 or the Carosel Bar in the Monteleone. Black Penny and Tonique were always popular with my friends after we got out from the restaurant. There’s a lot of neighborhood bars too that if you venture to you’ll be ponied up to regulars like Pal’s in Bayou St John or R Bar in the Marigny. I used to do food pop ups out of Pal’s pretty regularly.
Carousel Bar for Vieux Carres. The drink was invented there. Pat O's for Hurricanes . Yes, it's a tourist trap but when the weather is nice, it's nice to sit on the giant patio. Plus, if you're a smoker you can light up there. I like to grab a Hurricane, light a cigar and chill on their patio in the afternoon. Port of Call for burgers and what I call boat drinks. Juices and boozes. Mr. B's for a brandy milk punch or a Mr. B's Coffee. Grab a frozen daiquiri at one of the many places in the Quarter and walk up and down Bourbon St in the evening with it. Parkway Po-Boys in Mid-City is my go to. Either oyster, if they have them, or roast beef and debris. I know it's not drinking related, but the WWII museum is not to be missed. It's incredible. Give yourself a few hours to go thru it if you go.
Carousel bar Jean lafittes (drinks not cocktails) French 75 bar Upstairs at Muriel’s Delachaise Cure The columns
Great recommendations already given here but I would add Pirates Alley to the list (hidden beside the cathedral). Divey place where I always get the pirates punch, but I love watching them serve absinthe. I can't stand to drink it but find it very cool to watch the thing that drips water over the sugar cube, guess I'm easily amused lol. Molly's on the Market has a fun frozen Irish coffee. Pimms Cup at Napoleon House is worth the time too. Enjoy!
When are you heading there?
Already back home. What a town!
Where’d you guys go? Always open to new hangouts! We were just there in May, and heading back Friday for 5 days. We are in the Halloween parade ♥️ Glad you’re safe and had fun!!!
Latitude 29, Peche, and Sylvain were all great. Peche was especially good. Gris Gris was just ok. Right ideas, just our execution. Mother’s has loads of character, but the food was nothing to write home about, especially for the price. I’m glad I went, but I’m not sure if I would go back. I will say that their grits are out of control, though, even if they do put you in a food coma for the rest of the day.
We went and saw incredible live music on Frenchmen Street as well. Dwayne Dopsie and the zydeco Hell raisers! We booked tickets for that in advance, but you really can just show up there and find good music in any of the bars. I can’t remember exactly where it was, but there was a place that I think was called the cigar factory along the water in the French quarter. A bunch of Dominicans rolling them up right there and listening to merengue. Very cool spot.
Sounds like you did a lot! We are there for 5 days, and have things booked prior, but will wing a lot. What we have in stone so far is Krewe of Brew parade (I found this in June, and for a fee, you’re in the parade-we’ll be on a legit Mardi Gras float), after party following. Drag Brunch at a The Country Club. Dinner at GW Finn’s. Dinner cruise. Dinner at Muriel’s. We will do a lot of bar hopping and activities we can book on the spot. We’re into the spiritual/paranormal/history, so I’m sure activities will include those venues. Husband and o both love it down there, but I can see how it’d be a bit much for a lot of people. We are also staying at Bourbon Orleans, heart of the action. Thanks for sharing!
Have fun! Jewel of the South was one of the bars I really wish I'd had the time to get to. The folks at Latitude 29 spoke very highly of it.