Cocktails, wine bars and dives: drinking in New Orleans for grown-ups.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in New Orleans for grown-ups.
Jewel of the South in New Orleans is Chris Hannah's St Louis Street cocktail temple in an 1830s Creole cottage, four-time North America's 50 Best South USA.
DrinkBrandy Crusta
FoodFull dinner menu upstairs
TipThe brandy crusta was invented by Joseph Santini in New Orleans circa 1850; this is the canonical version.
The Sazerac Bar in New Orleans is the 1949 Art Deco bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel on Roosevelt Way, the spiritual home of America's first branded cocktail.
DrinkSazerac
FoodBar snacks
TipThe Ramos Gin Fizz is the second canonical drink here; the bartender will shake it for the requisite 12 minutes.
Cure in New Orleans is the Freret Street cocktail bar in a 1907 firehouse from Neal Bodenheimer, on the North America's 50 Best Bars list since 2018.
DrinkSeasonal cocktail menu
FoodSmall plates and bar food
TipCure prints a seasonal menu but the regular order is to tell the bartender what you like and what you don't.
Cane and Table in New Orleans is the Decatur Street rum bar from the Cure team, with Caribbean-inspired cocktails, Cuban plates and an Old Havana patio.
DrinkRum cocktails
FoodCaribbean and Cuban plates
TipThe back patio is the prize seat; rum flights start at $15 and beat the daiquiri Bourbon Street chain shops.
Manolito in New Orleans is the tiny Cuban daiquiri bar on Dumaine Street from Chris Hannah and Nick Detrich, a tribute to Havana's El Floridita with frozen.
DrinkDaiquiri (El Floridita style)
FoodCubano sandwiches, ceviche
TipStanding room only inside; pay cash and tip well. The frozen daiquiris are blended El Floridita style.
Molly's at the Market in New Orleans is the Decatur Street dive bar by the French Market, open 10:00-03:00 daily, famous for its frozen Irish coffee.
DrinkFrozen Irish coffee
FoodNone (bar food at neighbours)
TipOpen at 10:00 every day; the frozen Irish coffee is the signature order and the room runs to 03:00 nightly.
Erin Rose in New Orleans is the French Quarter Irish dive bar on Conti Street, with frozen Irish coffees, no-frills service and the Killer Poboys kitchen.
DrinkFrozen Irish coffee
FoodKiller Poboys in back
TipThe frozen Irish coffee is the canonical Quarter order; Killer Poboys at the back closes at 20:00.
Napoleon House in New Orleans is the 1797 Chartres Street tavern at St Louis that was offered to Napoleon as exile residence, with Pimm's Cups.
DrinkPimm's Cup
FoodMuffuletta and Mediterranean snacks
TipThe Pimm's Cup and the muffuletta are the canonical order; sit on the back courtyard for the cooler seat.
French 75 Bar in New Orleans is Chris Hannah's longtime cocktail room beside Arnaud's on Bienville Street, with the canonical French 75 cocktail.
DrinkFrench 75
FoodBar snacks; Arnaud's kitchen next door
TipOrder the French 75 with cognac, not gin; the older Cazenave-era recipe is the house standard.
Twelve Mile Limit in New Orleans is Cole Newton's Mid-City corner cocktail bar on South Telemachus Street, named for Prohibition-era rum running.
DrinkTequila Brave
FoodBarbecue from the smoker out back
TipThe backyard barbecue runs Thursday to Sunday; ask the bar what's on the smoker.
Bar Tonique in New Orleans is the North Rampart Street classic cocktail bar from Tony Yu, with a stripped-back menu of canonical mixed drinks and a quiet.
DrinkClassic cocktail menu
FoodNone
TipThe two-for-one happy hour from 17:00-20:00 is one of the best deals in the Quarter for a real cocktail.
The Carousel Bar in New Orleans is the rotating carousel inside Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street, where the Vieux Carre cocktail was invented in 1938.
DrinkVieux Carre
FoodBar snacks
TipThe bar itself rotates, one full turn every 15 minutes; the booths around it do not move.
The Elysian Bar in New Orleans is the Marigny lounge inside the Hotel Peter and Paul on Burgundy Street, with European wines, classic aperitifs.
DrinkAperitif rotation
FoodBar snacks and small plates
TipThe back courtyard is the prettiest seat; the rectory bar has the longer pour list.
Saturn Bar in New Orleans is the St Claude Avenue dive bar in the 9th Ward, with painted walls, cold beer and a fluorescent-light interior that has run.
DrinkCold beer and well drinks
FoodNone
TipCash only and no kitchen; pre-game across the street at the Country Club or at Bywater Bakery.
The Old Absinthe House in New Orleans is the 1807 Bourbon Street bar at Bienville, with marble fountains for absinthe drips and the canonical absinthe frappe.
DrinkAbsinthe frappe
FoodNone
TipThe absinthe frappe is the historical drink; the marble fountains drip cold water into the glass.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Stroll the beautiful and historic palm tree lined Canal Street. Explore the birthplace of the Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans. Typical and iconic food ta...
Guided tour · 4 hours
Savor a feast for the senses on a walking tour to different New Orleans food venues from a seafood grill in the French Quarter to a family-owned candy store. Enjoy fou...
Private tour · 3 hours
Savor the tastes of New Orleans on a flavorful journey through the French Quarter. Immerse yourself in local culture with unique food tastings and expertly crafted cocktails.