10 Best Bars in Mid-City
Welcome to Mid-City, a vibrant New Orleans neighborhood that blends the traditional with the unconventional. Although best known for its proximity to City Park and NOMA, Mid-City is home to dozens of pubs and bars full of local flair.
Featuring outdoor bars, Irish pubs, and more, this list of the top bars in Mid-City will make you to add 10 new spots to your next bar crawl.
1. Pal's Lounge
949 N. Rendon St., (504) 488-7257
facebook.com/PalsLounge
Pal's Lounge is a favorite among Mid-City residents, celebrated for its speciality cocktails and pop-up restaurants. The lounge sells speciality cocktails at $10 a glass, with offerings such as spiked peach tea and honey lavender rose sangria. The house drink, fittingly called Pal's Poison, is an acidic blend of grapefruit rosé, soda, and lemon juice. If you are in the mood for something savory, you can't go wrong with the Bacon Bloody Mary.
Pal's Lounge operates from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week, so all you need to do is find a seat and order a drink at this popular Mid-City bar.
2. Finn McCool's Irish Pub
3701 Banks St., (504) 486-9080
finnmccools.com
You don't need to be in Dublin to find the perfect pint of Guinness. Finn McCool's is bringing Irish charm to the Mid-City neighborhood. The pub offers a variety of Irish draughts, starting at $7 for a 20 oz. mug. Fans of hard liquor can try one of Finn McCool's 30 Irish whiskies, which can cost as little as $5.50 per glass. Visitors of Finn McCool's don't have to drink on an empty stomach because the bar offers traditional pub fare such as fish and chips and Scotch eggs.
On weekdays, Finn McCool's opens at noon and closes at 1:30 a.m. The pub opens as early as 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, making it a great spot to catch a Saints game.
3. Wrong Iron on the Greenway
3532 Toulouse St., (504) 302-1503
wrongiron.com
Wrong Iron on the Greenway is a beer garden situated on the Lafitte Greenway that became a hotspot for passersby. Wrong Iron has 69 drinks on tap, from draft beers to frozen mixed drinks. Guests wanting a hand-mixed cocktail can peruse the garden's drink menu, where you can find a THC-infused cold brew or vodka blueberry lemonade. Be sure to order one of the Wrong Iron's $6 street tacos, which are available with chicken, shrimp, steak, pork, or veggies.
Monday through Friday, Wrong Iron on the Greenway begins welcoming guests at 3 p.m. On the weekends, the Wrong Iron opens from 11 a.m. until last call.
4. Second Line Brewing
433 N Bernadotte St., (504) 248-8979
secondlinebrewing.com
Founded in 2014, Second Line Brewing has been introducing Mid-City residents to craft beers and lagers for the past decade. The neighborhood brewery offers a rotating menu of beers, including Batture Blonde Ale and MSY Common Lager. Only available in the taproom, Second Line Brewing's small-batch series features drinks such as its signature barley wine and Baltic porter. If you're not interested in taste testing IPAs, you can always order a Britely Big Easy, a hard seltzer with the fruity flavors of apple, lemon, and pineapple.
Second Line Brewing's hours vary depending on the day. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Second Line Brewing opens from 4-10 p.m. On Tuesday, the brewery closes an hour early at 9 p.m. During the weekend, Second Line opens from 2-10 p.m. on Fridays, 12-10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12-8 p.m. on Sundays.
5. Bayou Beer & Wine Garden
326 N. Norman C. Francis Pkwy.
bayoubeergarden.com
Bayou Beer Garden and Bayou Wine Garden are connected by a bridge, allowing visitors to cross back and forth between the two venues. For all beer enthusiasts, Bayou Beer Garden offers 45 beers on tap, as well as more than 50 available bottles and cans. The neighboring wine garden features 10 wines on tap, with a glass starting at $5.50. It would be a shame if you forgot to try one of each garden's signature cocktails, such as a pint of the BBG Sangria or a cup of Froze.
Every day, Bayou Beer and Bayou Wine Gardens open their doors at noon. Anyone wanting some food alongside their drinks should place an order with the kitchen before midnight.
6. Twelve Mile Limit
500 S. Telemachus St., (504) 488-8114
twelvemilelimit.com
Twelve Mile Limit is not just a dive bar; it is a piece of New Orleans history. The 100-year-old building on 500 S. Telemachus St. has functioned as a bar since the 1920s, and Twelve Mile Limit is its newest venture. The cocktail dive bar is best known for its mules, which cost $5 per glass. Other boozy beverages include the Puritan, a riff on a classic martini, and the Violent Delight, a floral mix of gin, blackberry liqueur, and violette.
Monday through Thursday, Twelve Mile Limit's hours are 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar remains open until 2 a.m. On Sundays, Twelve Mile Limit serves drinks all day from 10 a.m. to midnight.
7. Evangeline Lounge
4501 Toulouse St., (504) 766-0893
evangelinelounge.com
Evangeline Lounge is the epitome of a neighborhood bar thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and curated selection of alcoholic beverages. Perhaps that is why the lounge has been a Mid-City staple for over 50 years. The fully stocked bar features craft cocktails, locally brewed beers, and premium spirits. However, Evangeline's food menu sets it apart. The lounge offers an array of smash burgers and sandwiches that make the perfect company for a cold glass of beer.
Evangeline Lounge opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the lounge closes an hour later at 3 a.m.
8. Rosella Restaurant & Wine Bar
139 S. Cortez St., (504) 766-6642
rosellamidcity.com
There is no better opportunity for a cocktail than brunch. Luckily, Rosella Restaurant and Wine Bar is a fantastic brunch spot nestled in the heart of Mid-City. The restaurant's menu features everything from Creole cuisine to Italian. Along with the delicious food, the wine menu is why people keep returning to Rosella's. With more than 20 listings available, clients can enjoy a bottle of Chardonnay from Italy or a Pinot Grigio from Slovenia. Guests should also try the namesake Rosella cocktail, a mixture of vodka, lemon, Earl Grey, and Greek yogurt that is garnished with rose petals.
Rosella's hours vary depending on the day and service. The restaurant and wine bar's schedule is available on its website.
9. Revel Cafe & Bar
133 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-6122
revelcafeandbar.com
The owners of Revel Cafe & Bar established the Mid-City bar with the hope of keeping New Orleans' party spirit alive year-round. Revel Cafe & Bar accomplishes this goal and more, as evident from its numerous five-star reviews. The specialities de la Nouvelle Orleans are the Vieux Carré, a bitter blend of rye and cognac, as well as the French 75, a lemony combination of gin and sparkling wine. Guests can't go wrong with a glass of Sazerac, a New Orleans tradition dating back to the 1800s.
Revel Cafe & Bar keeps the celebration going from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar remains open until midnight before closing on Sundays and Mondays.
10. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan Ave., (504) 482-3047
parkwaypoorboys.com
On the outskirts of Mid-City sits Parkway Bakery & Tavern, an iconic New Orleans restaurant that has been serving locals since 1911. Although Parkway is best known for its poor boys, it would be a slight to not mention the outdoor tavern. Parkway's Frozen Porch Swing and Frozen Mango Margarita are two fruity beverages perfect for cooling down when it is 100 degrees. You can even try both by making it a half & half. Besides frozen cocktails, Parkway offers a selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
Parkway opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Boozing through Mid-City
Mid-City is a fast-paced area with new lounges and bars constantly springing up across the neighborhood. These top 10 bars have become staples for Mid-City locals and should be for you, as well. The next time you are thinking of grabbing a drink, drop by Mid-City. You won't regret it.
