Best Bars in New Orleans, LA
The best bars in New Orleans are in no short supply, as you’ll quickly discover on your next business trip. Between the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, or Mid-City, there’s never a shortage of fun and interesting things to do in the city. And while NOLA may be world-renowned for all its cuisine and soul food, the cocktails here are pretty killer, too. But where do you go if you’re looking to grab a drink away from all the tourist frenzy? There are a ton of options depending on your mood. For example: You might head to Bakery Bar if you’ve got a sweet tooth, Snake & Jake’s if you’re looking for affordable drinks and want to mingle with locals, or Hot Tin if you’re on the hunt for some unique craft cocktails. The next time you’re headed out on the scene, and already managed to pop in for a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House beforehand, be sure to check out this list featuring several of the best bars in New Orleans, which ought to come in handy.
214 Royal St
Carousel Bar is one of the most iconic tourist locations in all of New Orleans and is attached to the one and only Hotel Monteleone. The circle bar gives you the full carousel experience as it slowly rotates, allowing staff to serve you as many fancy cocktails as your heart desires, all while smooth jazz plays in the background, making sure you really get into the whole roaring ‘20s vibe. Anything from the cocktail menu is worth a shot, but no visit would be complete without ordering the Vieux Carre, the bar’s signature drink that was created by Walter Bergeron in 1938. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, you can also try the French 007, made with mathilde poire, pomegranate liqueur, and sparkling wine, or the Diablo with tres agaves and ginger beer.
321 N Peters St
Latitude 29 is a nice repose from all the typical NOLA standards. This traditional tiki establishment serves up unique concoctions meant to evoke a peaceful tropical oasis while still retaining a New Orleans essence. Drinks like the Kea Colada, Navy Grog, and Pearl Diver are all great options, but there are a ton of different flavored daiquiris to pick from as well. If you’re hungry, this is also a great place at which to grab a bite that’s different than the typical New Orleans Cuisine. Try the banh mi, the shrimp rillette, or the loco moco.
1732 St Charles Ave
The Avenue Pub is about as unpretentious as it gets. It’s open 24 hours a day practically every day of the year, has one of the best carefully curated beer lists in the whole country, and also boasts plenty of barrel-aged whiskey to go around. A favorite spot for people with an irregular work schedule, everyone is invited to come as they are and grab a beer (like the Era Farmhouse Ale or Blueberry Basil Berliner) or some Irish whiskey such as the Tyrconnell Single Malt 80 or the Jameson Black Barrel. You’d also be missing out if you didn’t try some of the bar bites here. Dig into some chicken confit, the croque monsieur, or even the vegetarian quesadilla option, which should satisfy any cravings.
2031 St Charles Ave
Hot Tin – one of the best bars in New Orleans – sits atop the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District and arguably boasts one of the best rooftop views of downtown NOLA. In an homage to Tennessee Williams, who apparently lived here while writing A Streetcar Named Desire, the inside is set up like a post-war writer’s loft with sepia photographs, vintage typewriters, and old postcards and letters. In terms of booze, options on offer are slight variations on the classics: Try the Moscow Mule, and it’ll be one of the best you ever had. The Skyliner, which is vodka-based with citrus flavors and habanero bitters or the Hibbity Dibbity, which features bourbon, blueberry hibiscus tea, and ginger, are also both great options.
500 S Telemachus St
Don’t let the old pool table, video poker machine, and rad jukebox fool you – Twelve Mile Limit serves up better cocktails than any other typical “neighborhood bar.” Despite the fact that the owner, T Cole Newton, is a respected member of the city’s craft cocktail scene, the atmosphere of this spot is very laid back and casual. Whether you order a PBR, a specialty cocktail like the Rum Punch, or something in between, you definitely won’t be judged for it. You can also try dining options like the burrito or the avocado toast, and overall, you’ll be generally surprised at how affordable prices are compared to most of Bourbon street.
1201 Magazine St
You could come to Barrel Proof for a whole year straight and still find something new to drink here every single time. This rustic bar also serves up beer and cocktails, but to get the full experience, loving whiskey is definitely a prerequisite. The drink menu features over 300 whiskies, bourbons, ryes, and scotches, and a ton of flight options if you’re looking to experiment with your palette. Selections range from standard-issue options like Jim Beam White or Black Label, or local choices like the Four Roses Small batch, but you’ll also find some rare imports from countries like Japan on offer as well. In terms of cocktails, anything made with dark liquor like a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned is also worth trying.
634 Louisa St
The Country Club is known for being an LGBTQ+ safe haven and for having the best Saturday drag queen brunch in town, so come by during the weekend for some entertainment or even just to relax and enjoy a mixed drink poolside. The old-timey house environment makes it pretty cozy, but all the art on the walls definitely screams trendy and hip. You can order classic drinks like a Cosmopolitan, a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, or a Moscow Mule, but if you do come for brunch, you can’t go wrong with $18 bottomless mimosas. Don’t forget to bring your camera and/or cellphone, because both the inside and outside of this yellow house are too picturesque to pass up as well.
Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge
7612 Oak St
Snake and Jake’s is the most legendary of all dive bars, and its iconic name stems from the fact that there are retro Christmas decorations up all year long. Time seems to pass in a warp here and you’ll definitely get carried away once you start petting Peeve, the black Labrador who is practically a regular, but, luckily, its open until 7AM, so there’s no hurry. The beer here is budget-priced, and the crowd can vary from college kids to 30-something locals, but no matter what night it is you can’t leave without trying a Schlitz and a shot.
1179 Annunciation St
Dessert and booze, eh? What more could you ask for? Bakery Bar serves up doberge, a classic New Orleans cake with layers of custard and icing, alongside creative cocktails and great beer. Try the Dark and Stormy or the Kung Fu Girl Riesling, but be sure to pair it with some sort of delicious dessert to get the full experience. The key lime pie, vanila doberge brulee, or the chocolate peanut butter parfait are all equally amazing options.
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For more on the best bars in New Orleans, be sure to see:
· TimeOut – The Best Bars in New Orleans