New Orleans Bars
It is obvious that New Orleans has a great nightlife scene. With all the bars littering Bourbon Street and much of the French Quarter, you can find something that fits your flavor of fun. They have everything from college-age party bars to sophisticated lounges. There are definitely plenty of New Orleans Bars for you to pick from. We have compiled a list of the top 10 bars for your New Orleans nightlife.
Top 10 Best Bars in New Orleans
1. Sazerac Bar
You’ll find this classy joint inside the Roosevelt Hotel at 130 Roosevelt Way. This bar will take you back in time with its grandeur and walnut bar. The drink this bar is known for is the Sazerac cocktail that dates back to the 1850’s. It is also considered to be the world’s first mixed drink.
- Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 1 am
- Friday-Sunday 11 am to 1 am
- Price $$$
- Sazerac cocktail: Served straight up in an Old Fashioned glass with lemon peel garnish
- Rye Whiskey
- Absinthe
- Peychaud’s Bitters
- Sugar Cube
2. Carousel Bar & Lounge
This whimsical establishment is located inside the Hotel Monteleone at 214 Royal Street. A classic place with a revolving carousel as the bar. No, you don’t have to ride a carousel horse to get a drink, they have bar stools. Also, don’t worry the carousel revolves slowly. The drink this bar is known for is The Vieux Carre, which was first made around 1938. They also have live entertainment Wednesday – Saturday nights.
- Daily 11 am to 12 am
- Price $$-$$$
- The Vieux Carre: Served straight up in a cocktail glass with orange zest and a maraschino cherry
- Rye Whiskey
- Sweet Vermouth
- Cognac
- Benedictine
- Peychaud’s Bitters
3. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar & Shop
Built between 1722 & 1732 it is the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States and you can find it at 941 Bourbon Street. This great watering hole is known for The Voodoo Daiquiri. You may also catch a glimpse of some local ghosts in this bar so come camera ready.
- Daily 10 am to 3 pm
- Price $
- The Voodoo Daiquiri: Served Blended in a Collins glass
- Bourbon
- Everclear
- Grape Juice
4. Pat O’Briens
This is one of those great New Orleans Bars establishment. They have a couple of locations inside the French Quarter. 718 St. Peter Street and 624 Bourbon Street. The building on St. Peter was built in 1791. Pat ran a speakeasy until the repeal of prohibition and the bar officially opened in 1933. Loads of history is to be found about this place. Also be sure to stop in and get their famous Hurricane drink.
- Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 12 pm to 12 am
- Friday & Saturday 12 pm to 2 am
- Closed Monday & Tuesday
- Price $-$$
- The Hurricane: Served in a Hurricane glass with the bar’s logo & garnished with an orange slice & cherry
- Light Rum
- Dark Rum
- Lime Juice
- Orange Juice
- Passion Fruit Puree
- Grenadine
- Simple Syrup
5. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar
This classy and refined establishment is located on 813 Bienville Street. The drink they are famous for is the French 75 which dates back to WWII.
- Wednesday-Saturday 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sunday 10 am to 2 pm
- Closed Monday & Tuesday
- Price $$$
- French 75: Served straight up in a champagne flute & lemon peel garnish
- Gin
- Lemon Juice
- Simple Syrup
- Champagne
6. Napoleon House
The building that houses this bar & restaurant is over 200 years old at is found at 500 Chartres Street. Also, a little bit of history here, it was built for Napoleon Bonaparte as his America home. They are famous for the drink called Pimm’s Cup.
- Monday-Thursday & Sunday 11 am to 10 pm
- Friday & Saturday 11 am to 11 pm
- Price $$
- Pimm’s Cup: Built right into a Collins glass, stirred & garnished with mint & apple
- Pimm’s No. 1
- Ginger Ale
- Lemon Juice
- Orange slices
- Lemon slices
- Cucumber slices
7. 21st Amendment Bar at La Louisiane
This is a prohibition inspired bar with a 1920’s feel. The building dates back to 1881. It was first opened as the La Louisiane Hotel & Restaurant. Between the 1950’s and 1980’s it was owned by New Orleans mobsters Diamond Jim Moran and Carlos Marcello. This bar features craft cocktails.
- Monday-Wednesday 6 pm to 12 am
- Thursday-Sunday 3 pm to 12 am
- Price $$
8. Hot Tin
This is a rooftop bar with optional indoor seating and is located at 2031 St. Charles Avenue atop the Pontchartrain Hotel. The bar overlooks downtown and the Mississippi River. It has a chic 40’s vibe. They specialize in making craft cocktails.
- Sunday-Thursday 2 pm to 12 am
- Friday & Saturday 2 pm to 1 am
- Price $$ (reasonable)
9. Tropical Isle
Definitely the place if you want to party with the college-age crowd. They have 5 different locations at 435 Bourbon Street, 600 Bourbon Street, 610 Bourbon Street, 721 Bourbon Street, and 727 Bourbon Street. The one to be at seems to be 721 Bourbon. This party joint offers live entertainment and is known for their $9 Hand Grenade drinks. They also have many other specialty drinks made there.
- Monday-Wednesday 7 pm to 12 am
- Thursday, Friday & Sunday 5 pm to 1 am
- Saturday 1 pm to 1 am
- Price $
- Hand Grenade: Served in their signature glass topped with a plastic grenade
- Vodka
- Rum
- Gin
- Rectified Spirit
- Melon Liqueur
10. Old Absinthe House
Located at 240 Bourbon Street in a building that dates back to 1798. In 1815 the first floor was a coffee house and they invented the Absinthe House Frappe there in 1874.
- Monday-Wednesday 9 am to 2 am
- Thursday & Sunday 9 am to 3 am
- Friday & Saturday 9 am to 4 am
- Price $$
- Absinthe House Frappe: Shaken and poured into a double rocks glass or julep cup filled with crushed ice and garnished with mint
- Absinthe
- Simple Syrup
Summary & Honorable Mentions
That completes our top 10 New Orleans Nightlife bars. But we do have a few honorable mentions that are well worth checking out:
- Courtyard Brewery
- Bacchanal Wine
- Espiritu Mezcal Bar
- Rosie’s on the Roof
- Bar Tonique
- Mango Mango Daiquiri
Remember to drink responsibly and have a great time at which ever establishment you choose.
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