Celebrate this year's National Bourbon Day on June 14th at these fantastic, creative, and wide-ranging bourbon bars within New Orleans. Bar hop our booze loving city with this guide to some of the best bars in the Crescent City to enjoy a variety of bourbons.
10 NOLA Spots for Bourbon Day
1. Bar Marilou
544 Carondelet St., 504-814-7711, barmarilou.com
This bar has the most eclectic of flavors you can imagine. Bell pepper, red pepper, chile, tomato, strawberry—where else is better to get your spice on? Bourbon is not left out because you can get anything here.
And for you sober folk, this bar has some amazing passionfruit and grapefruit rosemary mocktails, including the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Happy hour is every day from 4-6 p.m. Open Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Friday until 1 a.m., and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m.
2. Barrel Proof
1201 Magazine St., barrelproofnola.com
This full-proof bar has a selection of delicious drinks for all pallets and is known for their baller whiskies. Be sure to try out their Party Pack: a six pack of ponies and half pint of Bourbon. You can have a very happy hour everyday of the week from 4 to 6 p.m.
Barrel Proof is one of the best bourbon bars in New Orleans. Though this is a bar, Barrel Proof has pop-up events seven days a week at Matchbook Kitchen or Flamme Nola for extra-special nights out.
3. Bayou Bar
2031 St. Charles Ave., 504-323-1456, bayoubarneworleans.com
Sugarcane Old Fashion sound good? Head to New Orleans' traditional Bayou Bar for a Sour Cherry Boulevardier, as well as some fruity and original concoctions. They have the fanciest selections, featuring Pinhook and Knob Creek bourbons. For all you bourbon aficionados, this is the place to visit.
Cocktails, beers, wines, spirits, and more, this house will leave you buzzing. Live music is Tuesday through Saturday. Open everyday of the week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as 'til midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Bourbon House
144 Bourbon St., 504-522-0111, bourbonhouse.com
The New Orleans Bourbon Society, a society dedicated to appreciate fine bourbons, is the soul of the Bourbon House. This devoted bourbon-loving haven hosts tasting events, bourbon study halls, cocktail lessons, and more. If you are a bourbon enthusiast, find your people here.
Jim Bean, Jack Daniel's, Woodford, and many other famous companies have hosted events at this house, so you know it's up to par. Bourbon House sets the bar high, literally. Open everyday Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
5. Bourbon "O" Bar
730 Bourbon St., 855-771-5214, bourbonorleans.com
The New Orleans historic-style drinks at the Bourbon "O" Bar will have you in tune with the charm of the city. Try their Peach Smash bourbon signature cocktail or their Brown Sugar Old Fashion.
Blast to the past in this antiquated bar, accompanied with live New Orleans jazz music. Open daily from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. and live music is Monday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Come to Bourbon "O" Bar for dance, drink, and romance.
6. Cure
4905 Freret St., 504-302-2357, curenola.com
Cure will cure all your problems with their stand-out, award-winning, posh drinks and mixes. Cure is the winner of "America's Best Bars" by Esquire and one of the "Best Cocktail Bars in U.S." by Food & Wine.
The dusky, atmospheric, and rich environment serves an impressive five page selection of speciality curated drinks, bourbon being one of many. Cure also offers an array of tasty and creative zero-proof beverages for all to enjoy. Open Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
7. Le Bon Temps Roule
4801 Magazine St., 504-897-3448, lbtrnola.com
Le Bon Temps Roule is a popular Uptown bar and a local favorite, offering everything under the sun from music, food, drink, pool, and Mardi Gras seasonal fun. They've got bourbon, famous Bloody Marys, and drinks galore.
This bar is also a music venue, hosting local bands and musicians. The laid back, staple bar is the perfect place to drink some bourbon and relax to live music. Open 24 hours everyday!
8. Martine's Lounge
2347 Metairie Rd., Metairie, 504-831-8637, facebook.com/martineslounge
Martine's Lounge serves a selection of bourbons, handcrafted cocktails, beer, and fine wines. They cook wings, po-boys, oysters, and more to go along with your drinks.
Join them for Trivia Night Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Open Monday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays until 12 a.m.
9. Sazerac House
101 Magazine St., 504-910-0100, sazerachouse.com
Discover real cocktail culture at the spirited Sazerac House. The Sazerac is not just a bar, it is an experience. "The Sazerac" is a local New Orleans whiskey cocktail, and the Sazerac Company has had roots in New Orleans for over 200 years.
You can bring their collectors bottles home with you and shop around in the souvenir shop. Take a tour and have a tasting session too! Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
10. The Backyard
244 W. Harrison Ave., 504-309-8767, thebackyardnola.com
The Backyard restaurant has a list of nearly a hundred bourbons like Old Carter batches, High Rye, Belle Meade, Pinhook, Old Ezra, Barrel bourbon, and so much more. Their bourbon collection is unforgettable, so be sure to visit often and try out their huge selection.
The Backyard is truly old fashioned...so try out an abundance of bourbons and briskets too. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
