CBD/Warehouse District
Aprés Lounge
Fulton Street has become a destination for drinking and entertainment in the Warehouse District and Aprés Lounge is among its most distinct attractions. Combining the old-world elegance of its century-old venue in the historic Chicory building with an upscale, modern atmosphere, Aprés is the area’s premiere champagne lounge, boasting enough varieties of sparkling wine to satisfy the pickiest connoisseur. 608 Fulton St. • 628-7721 • apresnola.com
Barcadia
Barcadia aims straight for your nostalgia center, starting with an arcade crammed full of classic 80s games, adding the cuisine and atmosphere of a 50s diner, and throwing in 44 craft beers on tap for good measure. The result is a pastiche of warm and fuzzy memories from different eras of American in a modern, friendly space. Happy Hour runs from 4-7 p.m. on weekdays. 601 Tchoupitoulas St. • 335-1740 • barcadianeworleans.com
Ernst Café
This sprawling, two-story saloon captures old world New Orleans perfectly and for good reason: Ernst opened in 1902 and the space was built in 1851. The building evokes the antebellum South and the food and drinks are quintessential NOLA, with boudin balls and overstuffed po-boys complementing spot-on versions of the Sazerac and a formidable beer list. 600 S Peters St. • 524-8544 • ernstcafe.net
Gordon Biersch
Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch founded their brewery and restaurant in 1988, predating the craft beer craze by almost 30 years. The chain, whose beers are brewed according to German purity laws that Gordon learned while studying in Weihenstephan, has found a perfect home on Poydras Street. They offer food items paired with their unique beers and a full selection of cocktails in a bustling atmosphere. 200 Poydras St. • 552-2739 • gordonbierschbrewing.com
Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
This surf-themed Tchoupitoulas outpost is always bustling. The expert bartenders keep beers and cocktails coming at a breakneck pace, but the bar’s beachy drinks, including five distinct kinds of margaritas, are best enjoyed on island time. Adventurous beach bums might want to try their “Infamous Shots.” One includes a (possibly venomous) scorpion and the other comes with a possibly hallucinogenic worm. 701 Tchoupitoulas St. • 523-8995 • nola.lucysretiredsurfers.com
The Metropolitan
The massive Generations Hall is a popular venue for weddings and special events, but on Saturday nights, the two-story warehouse converts into The Metropolitan--one of the city’s largest, most extravagant nightclubs. It packs 11 bartenders into two separate rooms, with a DJ spinning in each, and features 14 VIP sections. Try not to get lost. 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. • 568-1702 • generationshall.com
Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill
Football fans crowd this spot on Sundays, but it’s pretty packed throughout the rest of the week as well, in no small part because of a killer location near the Riverwalk Outlet Collection. The sports theme is in full swing, with staff outfitted as referees, game food like wings and burgers, and hurricane cocktails ranked from category one thru five. 500 Port of New Orleans, Suite 80 • 247-9265 • poppystimeoutsportsbar.com
Q&C Hotel Bar
New Orleans’ trendiest hotel bar draws tourists and locals alike. The biggest attraction is their Happy Hour, running from 4-7 p.m. daily, when the reasonable drink prices plummet even further: select beers are only $3, and you can pick up a French 75 cocktail and fries for only $7. Drinking in style has never been so affordable. 344 Camp St. • 587-9700 • qandc.com/qc-bar.php
The Rusty Nail
The Rusty Nail is a haven for Scotch enthusiasts, with a huge selection of 70 whiskeys. The bar also serves up tasteful takes on America’s most beloved cocktails. Enjoy an old fashioned or a Manhattan on the Nail’s lush patio, where they often feature live music and trivia events. 1100 Constance St. • 525-5515 • therustynail.biz
Warehouse Grille
Inside: a wide open dining room equipped with hardwood floors. Outside: a spacious, well-appointed courtyard. It’s no wonder Warehouse Grille has become a popular destination for private events, but their bar is a great reason to visit on any occasion, offering over 40 beers on tap and a great selection of small plates. 869 Magazine St. • 322-2188 • warehousegrille.com
World of Beer
World of Beer’s Warehouse District location has music, trivia and $5 burgers every Monday, but let’s be honest: you’re there for the beer. The tavern has 50 craft beers on tap and 500 more cold and ready to go in their massive cooler, plus a menu of bar snacks if you need to work up a thirst. Plan on making multiple trips. 300 Julia St. • 299-3599 • worldofbeer.com/warehousedistrict
WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel
Whether you’re searching for a hip place where you can quench your thirst, a boozy brunch, or an upbeat bar with a relaxed feel and great service, WXYZ is the place to go. The lounge bar offers $5 bacon-infused Bloody Marys and $4 mimosas from 12 to 3 p.m. on weekends. During the week, you can enjoy a variety of snacks and play some board games on the comfy couches. Discover emerging artists as WXYZ hosts “Live at Aloft Hotels” each Thursday. 225 Baronne St. • 581-9225 • aloftneworleansdowntown.com/new-orleans-bar
French Quarter
Backspace Bar & Kitchen
This literary-themed speakeasy crafts specialty cocktails that pay tribute to famous authors. Try “Death in the Afternoon,” the champagne and absinthe mixture invented and named by Ernest Hemingway, or William Faulkner’s mint julep recipe. The kitchen serves up big portions of the South’s most beloved comfort foods. 139 Chartres St. • 322-2245 • backspacenola.com
Bar Tonique
The small brick building that houses Bar Tonique is dominated by the stacks of shelves behind the bar, each crammed full with every variety of liquor you can imagine. The dim space is great for day drinking as the sun streams in off Rampart Street, and their Happy Hour (noon-5 p.m. on weekdays) features classic cocktails like the Dark and Stormy and the Aviation for only $5. 820 Rampart St. • 325-6045 • bartonique.com
Batch Bar at Hyatt French Quarter
Batch Bar is not your typical hotel watering hole. They infuse their own liquors and craft unique cocktails, with unusually generous pours of top shelf spirits. If you’re staying at the Hyatt, be sure to stop by on your way out to Canal or Bourbon Streets, or swing in for a nightcap on your way home; they stay open until 2 a.m. 800 Iberville St. • 586-0800
Bombay Club
Local jazz artists set the mood at this classy joint, set back a bit from the entrance to the Prince Conti Hotel. One of the Quarter’s more laid-back getaways, The Bombay Club’s extensive collection of ornate sofas and armchairs makes you feel like sinking in and drifting along with the smooth tunes. The menu offers a range of European and Creole dishes with locally-sourced ingredients and modern twists on traditional recipes. 830 Conti St. • 577-2237 • bombayclubneworleans.com
Burgundy Bar
This self-professed slightly “bordello chic” bar houses live jazz and musicians who celebrate the signature style of New Orleans. Every Thursday night, The Yat Pack performs tunes of local artists such as Fats Domino and Smiley Lewis, as well as music modeled on the 60s Vegas lounge swing era. Set in the Saint Hotel, it is beautifully decorated with carpets and chandeliers that all add to the crimson atmosphere. 931 Canal St. • 522-5400 • theburgundybar.com
Cajun Mike's Pub and Grub
For a bar, Cajun Mike’s sure puts a lot of work into their food, with every fried pub appetizer you could ask for on the menu, alongside pressed sandwiches and Cajun favorites like gumbo and po-boys. The prices for food and drink are among the lowest in the neighborhood, and the atmosphere is friendly, loose and genuine. 116 Baronne St. • 566-0055 • cajunmikes.tumblr.com
Chris Owens Club
Born Christine Joetta Shaw, the performer now known as Chris Owens has been a French Quarter institution for over 50 years. The singer, dancer and burlesque performer has made herself into an icon, and her famous club at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon stands as a testament to her continuing popularity. Inside, it’s a cozy, unassuming little bar with fun drink specials. 500 Bourbon St. • 523-6400• chrisowensclub.net
Cosimo’s
A great place to kill time in the Quarter, Cosimo’s has the vibe of a neighborhood joint, with darts, a pool table, outdoor cafe tables and usually a dog or two. TVs, sofas, bar food and cheap beer also make Cosimo’s a great bar to watch sports that’s not, you know, a sports bar. 1201 Burgundy St. • 522-9715
Coyote Ugly
Proudly claiming to be the most famous bar in the world, this saloon originated in New York and has an international reputation for scantily-clad female bartenders, free-flowing booze and all-night debauchery. Bartop dancing, body shots and drink specials keep the party going. 225 N Peters St. • 561-0003 • coyoteuglysaloon.com
Erin Rose
The French Quarter has its fair share of Irish bars, but what sets this pub apart is an intimate, old-timey space crammed with memorabilia. The owners pride themselves on charging “local prices,” and that’s no joke: the drinks, like their fantastic frozen Irish coffee, are among the cheapest in the Quarter. 811 Conti St. • 522-3573 • erinrosebar.com
Evangeline
This hip restaurant and bar highlights its Louisiana roots and offers great food and atmosphere, including courtyard dining. Their food menu leans heavily on locally sourced fish and vegetables, and they have an extensive selection of microbrewed beers from New Orleans and surrounding areas. 329 Decatur St. • 373-4852 • evangelineneworleans.com
Golden Lantern
Grab a tasty Bloody Mary at this fabulous neighborhood spot Golden Lantern. Founded in 1964, it has long been the home setting for the Southern Decadence festivals, proving that this bar knows how to throw a party. More importantly, Golden Lantern is opened 24 hours a day with some very affordable drinks available. 1239 Royal St. • 529-2860 • facebook.com/GoldenLanternBar
Hermes Bar at Antoine’s
As if you needed another reason to go to Antoine’s. One of the famed restaurant’s dining rooms was transformed into a fantastic bar, equally as elegant, with an assortment of classic NOLA cocktails. Shockingly, they even have an affordable Happy Hour, with $2 domestic beers, so you can drink in style without breaking the bank. 725 St. Louis St. • 581-4422 • antoines.com/hermes-bar
Jimani
This unpretentious bar has 10 huge TVs with full sports packages, a variety of late night pub grub, and 100 beers. Grab a Chicago style hot dog or some crawfish pasta and settle in, but pace yourself--the bar stays open til 8 a.m. and it doesn’t empty out until then. 141 Chartres St. • 524-0493 • thejimani.com
The Kerry Irish Pub
Grab a Guinness with real French Quarter residents at this little bar, a favorite of locals for its affordable drinks, simple but rich decor, and live music. The small stage at the back has a different act every night of the week, serving up blues, jazz and folk with no cover. 331 Decatur St. • 527-5945 • facebook.com/Kerry-Irish-Pub-163926209622
Le Booze
The Royal Sonesta Hotel is one classy joint, to be sure, but its bar doesn’t give off the typical swanky hotel vibe. Instead, it’s a great place to loosen your tie and relax. Enjoy their half-price appetizers and drink specials during Happy Hour and watch Bourbon Street revelers from the safety of your seat. 300 Bourbon St. • 553-2122 • sonesta.com/us/louisiana/new-orleans/royal-sonesta-new-orleans/lebooze
Pat O’Brien’s
Among the French Quarter’s (and the city’s) most popular destinations for drinkers and families alike, Pat O’Brien’s has drawn crowds to its beautiful courtyard since the former speakeasy went legit in 1933. It might be a cliché, but every visitor of legal age really ought to check out the hurricane, the oft-imitated rum cocktail invented at O’Brien’s. 718 St. Peter St. • 525-4823 • patobriens.com
Penthouse Club
In a part of the city crowded with gentlemen’s clubs, Penthouse stands out as one of the few places you might come just for a drink. Two bars, two floors and tasteful, classy decor elevate the Penthouse Club above the level of the average strip joint. 727 Iberville St. • 524-4354 • penthouseclubneworleans.com
RF’s
Looking to get away from Bourbon Street and check out some music for a few minutes (or hours)? RF’s offers a calm courtyard setting with famous, delicately crafted martinis and live tunes every night. Plus, enjoy chef Dutch Vicknair’s Cajun cuisine, heavy on seafood and other traditional NOLA fare. 301 Dauphine St. • 586-0972 • rfsnola.com
Rick’s Cabaret
Rick’s is more than a gentleman’s club at this point: it’s an empire. The flagship of the business is the sprawling, three-story edifice known as Rick’s Cabaret, one of the Quarter’s most imposing structures. You’ll pass a bar facing Bourbon Street on your way to the stages; stop by for a gin fizz or champagne cocktail. 315 Bourbon St. • 524-4222 • rickscabaretnola.com
Rick’s Sporting Saloon
If Rick’s Cabaret isn’t your thing, you’re a short stroll from his other outpost on Bourbon Street. The Sporting Saloon is a unique hybrid of a sports bar and gentleman’s club. You can enjoy a show at the stages, then saunter over to a separate bar and enjoy a game on their enormous TVs. Plus, they have a bevy of fried foods and bar snacks to order. 522 Bourbon St. • 552-2510 • ricks-saloon.com
Tropical Isle
The Hand Grenade, a mixed drink claiming to be the most powerful in New Orleans and served in a tall, luminescent green souvenir glass, is ubiquitous in the French Quarter. So is Tropical Isle, the chain of bars that serve the drink--there are five locations crammed into a few short blocks on Bourbon Street. Multiple locations • 529-1702 • tropicalisle.com
Jefferson
Rivershack Tavern
New Orleans’ weirdest bar offers a free drink in exchange for a tacky ashtray. (The tackier the ashtray, the better the drink!) Head over to Jefferson Parish and stop by Rivershack, a hybrid honky tonk/restaurant/music venue, with sports on the TV for good measure. Ten imported drafts, strong cocktails and a unique menu of sandwiches and seafoods add to the appeal. 3449 River Rd., Jefferson • 834-4938 • therivershacktavern.com
Lakeview
Parlay’s
This place is hopping every night of the week. Boasting the area’s longest bar, an infamously rowdy Ladies’ night, and a free food spread on certain nights, Parlay’s is a neighborhood favorite. On football Sundays, the bar is flooded with black and gold as Lakeview residents turn out to support the Saints. 870 Harrison Ave. • 304-6338 • parlaysbar.net
Marigny/Bywater
Bamboula’s
There’s always music drifting out of Bamboula’s, enticing passersby into the softly lit bar, where couples sway along to the live music. The tunes are mellower than many of the area’s other spots, making Bamboula’s a great spot to rest up and grab one of their many local beers after dancing your face off elsewhere on Frenchmen Street. 514 Frenchmen St. • 944-8261 • clubbamboulas.com
Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant
Buffa’s is equal parts bar and restaurant, with neither aspect left neglected. Their formidable menu of comfort cuisine includes unique pasta dishes like the Crawfish Fiesta and unheard-of experiments like Bratwurst Jambalaya, and the expert bartenders can whip up just about anything you can dream up. 1001 Esplanade Ave. • 949-0038 • buffasbar.com
J&J’s Sports Lounge
Saints games are like holidays at J&J’s, the go-to spot for Bywater sports fans, where a huge projector and screen take up a hefty portion of the wall space. It’s not unusual for the neighborhood to come together at the lounge for a cookout on game day. With a friendly atmosphere and $2.50 beers, it’s not surprising that this is the place to be on Sundays. 800 France St. • 942-8877 • jjssportslounge.com
Kajun’s Pub
Kajun’s has karaoke every single night. Really. The St. Claude spot is open 24 hours a day year round, meaning a Karaoke Kristmas is no longer an unattainable dream. There’s always something happening at Kajun’s. If singing isn’t your thing, stop by for a Saints game, when the bar offers free jello shots every time the hometown boys score a TD. 2256 St. Claude Ave. • 947-3735
Mimi’s in the Marigny
Mimi’s manages to seem approachable and upscale at the same time, earning it the undying adoration of neighborhood folks and food fanatics alike. Perhaps it’s the two-level design: the bar downstairs is clean yet welcoming, with a pool table and cheap drinks galore, while venturing upstairs, you’ll find a candle-lit dining room with a menu of delicious gourmet tapas. 2601 Royal St. • 872-9868 • mimismarigny.com
Metairie
Andy’s Bistro
This craft cocktail bar doubles as a killer steakhouse. The upscale interior and beautiful outdoor seating invite diners to try their scallops, crabs and filet mignon, or their pizza--voted the best in Metairie. Drinkers can check out their lineup of carefully mixed cocktails, all made with top-shelf ingredients. 3322 N Turnbull Dr. • 455-7363 • andysbistro.com
Martine’s Lounge
A classic neighborhood beer hall with a surprising selection of cocktails, Martine’s faded sign doesn’t quite match its clean, modern interior, which got an overhaul in 2013. Their Happy Hour takes up almost half the day, running from 11-7 p.m. on weekdays and featuring $4 Bloody Marys and mimosas. 2347 Metairie Rd. • 831-8637 • facebook.com/martineslounge
Mid-City
Finn McCool’s
This Irish pub is a local hotspot for athletic spectators and Mid-City residents. Whether it’s American or European football, the numbers that gather at this pub are staggering during sporting events. There is a menu of classic items such as burgers, fries and wings, but also traditional Celtic dishes such as corned beef poutine, fish and chips, and various toas-tite sandwiches. Grab a pint, a toas-tite and come yell at the screen during your favorite game. 3701 Banks St. • 486-9080 • finnmccools.com
The Holy Ground
The religious theme at this Canal Street Irish pub is a bit tongue-in-cheek. Yes, there are crosses and Virgin Mary statues everywhere, but there’s also a prominently placed collection of antique pornography. Stop by to shoot some darts, grab a pint or get some fish n’ chips from in-house kitchen Mother Mary’s. 3340 Canal St. • 821-6828
Mid-City Yacht Club
One of the best bars not just in Mid-City, but in New Orleans as a whole, the Yacht Club crowds customers into a dark, friendly space built from salvaged wood. Bar bites include seafood tacos, crab balls and debris fries, and beers start at a shockingly low $2. Pick a night to skip the Quarter and stop by the Yacht Club. You won’t regret it. 440 S St Patrick St. • 483-2157 • midcityyachtclub.com
Pal’s Lounge
Were it not for the eye-catching paint job, you might mistake Pal’s for a typical Mid-City shotgun house. Tucked away on North Rendon Street, it isn’t the flashiest bar in the city, but its regulars swear by it. Pal’s frequently hosts pop-up food locations, including vegan, but the main attraction is definitely the affordable drinks and the homey atmosphere. 949 N Rendon St. • 488-7257 • facebook.com/PalsLounge/?rf=146538088817682
Shamrock Bar & Grill
This roomy Irish bar has live music every Saturday and plenty of space to enjoy it. Same deal for sports: two big screens and surround sound keep you in the game. They’ve got a menu full of classic bar fare, but the burger is a sure bet and will only run you $6. Drinks are similarly cheap, and the beer is always ice cold. 4133 S Carrollton Ave. • 307-4350 • shamrockparty.com
Wit’s Inn
Wit’s Inn has a sprawling selection of top-shelf liquors and creative cocktails to use them in. Themed weekly special nights include Girl’s Night and Classic Cocktail Night. Plus, they serve gourmet pizzas, salads and calzones til 2 a.m. Who says you can’t be drunk and still be a picky eater? 141 N Carrollton Ave. • 486-1600 • witsinn.com
Uptown
Bruno’s
This Uptown institution opened in 1934 and has since developed into one of the city’s most popular sports bars. The walls are adorned with artifacts from NOLA sports history, and shuffleboard, darts and pool are spread throughout the giant space. And their kitchen stays open til 3 a.m. on weekends. 7538 Maple St. • 861-7615 • brunostavern.com
The Columns Hotel
The front porch of this lovely little hotel faces out over St. Charles Avenue. It’s a beautiful view any time of year and a great place to enjoy a four-course brunch from their bistro, featuring entrees like shrimp & grits and Louisiana crab cakes, or a cool drink from their bar, which serves up sumptuous cocktails. 3811 St. Charles Ave. • 899-9308 • thecolumns.com
Le Bon Temps Roulé
A highlight of the awesome Magazine Street neighborhood in Uptown, Le Bon Temps is a friendly bar & sandwich shop, the type of low-key place that still draws a crowd every night of the week. No tourist trap specialty drinks, just liquor and beer (a dollar during Saints games) and live music on their small stage, affectionately dubbed “The House of Dues.” 4801 Magazine St. • 895-8117 • facebook.com/le.b.roule
St. Joe’s Bar
St. Joe’s is a red-lit, slightly spooky locale on Magazine Street. Adorned with crosses and vaguely off-putting Catholic imagery, there’s more than a little bit of a voodoo vibe. The place cleans up nice for Mardi Gras, though; it’s a prime location to camp out, watch the parades roll down Magazine, and sip a blueberry mojito. 5535 Magazine St. • 899-3744
Three Muses Maple
This low-key spot on Maple street is a solid place to share tapas and wine with friends. The restaurant and bar offer options for seafood or meat lovers, as well as vegan and vegetarian recipes. The menu is full of dishes that seem to grab influence from all over the world such as Roasted Eggplant Bruschetta, Ms. Moon’s Bulgogi Rice Bowl and even Gulf Fish Tacos. It’s all topped off with a wide selection of great spirits and jazz music. 7537 Maple St. • 510-2749 • 3musesnola.com
Tracey’s
This Irish Channel pub takes up nearly half a block on Magazine Street, and they need the space: it’s nearly always overflowing, whether with rabid sports fans locked on to their 20+ TVs or visitors taking a break from the Quarter. People come for the cold beer and stiff drinks and stay for the overstuffed po-boys and cheese fries. This is THE spot for St. Patrick’s day in NOLA. 2604 Magazine St. • 897-5413 • traceysnola.com
Westbank
Gattuso’s Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant
For a real outdoor treat, stop by Gattuso’s Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant. Along with New Orleans favorites and specials, you can enjoy live trivia on Tuesdays, Pint Nights on Thursdays, and live music shows on the weekends. With over 14 different beers on tap, Gattuso’s is sure to become your new favorite spot! 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna • 368-1114 • gattusos.net
Rivershack Tavern Gretna
With the original located on River Road along the Mississippi River in Jefferson, Rivershack Tavern’s second location in Gretna expands on the older bar’s legacy. In addition to the regular large selection of beers and live music playing on the weekends, Rivershack Tavern in Gretna also includes a rooftop patio with a view of the river from the opposite side. With this newer location, you can now enjoy New Orleans’ most unusual bars from both sides of the Mississippi. 714 1st St., Gretna • 325-5530 • facebook.com/rivershackgretna
Taps Patio Bar & Grill
For any bar crawlers on the Westbank, Taps Patio Bar & Grill gives the genuine experience. This small but personal bar delivers great food and great beer within its modest exterior. Book a private event on the second floor or enjoy the fresh air at the outdoor tables. Be sure to check their DJ schedule to catch some good music as well. However, Taps Patio Bar & Grill is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 2802 Belle Chasse Hwy, Gretna • 510-5544 • tapspatiobar.com
