There are
lots of places to drink in the Big Easy, but have you ever tried these gems? If
you and your friends plan on going out to drink on December 3 for National
Bartender Day, be sure to visit them and acquaint yourselves with the
staff--you might learn a thing or two about the establishment you choose!
Revel
Café & Bar (Chris McMillian)
Revel Café & Bar is one of New Orleans's best-kept
secrets. A hidden gem in Mid-City, Revel offers a variety of crafted cocktails
and gourmet sandwiches in a neighborhood-like setting. Enjoy a refreshing
Pimm's Cup or a glass of Ramos Gin Fizz as Chris McMillian, an acclaimed
mixologist who descended from a family of bartenders, teaches you the story
behind every cocktail he knows. Revel is also the best place to try a mint
julep as McMillian will recite a 19th century poem about the cocktail that's
sure to titillate your taste buds! 133 N Carrollton Ave., 504-309-6122,
revelcafeandbar.com
Jewel
of the South (Chris Hannah)
Power duo
Chris Hannah and Nick Detrich paid homage to a tavern by reopening it to the
public. Located in a historic Creole cottage in the French Quarter, Jewel
of the South
is a rustic space filled with regency furniture and Art Deco design. In
addition, it includes an old-fashioned bar room, an arched dining room, and a
secluded courtyard. The menu includes signature cocktails such as Jewel
Sazerac, Rule of Thirds, and the original Brandy Crusta. This bar is perfect
for weddings and birthday celebrations, and it's a must for tourists. 1026
St. Louis St., 504-265-8816, jewelnola.com
Beachbum
Berry's Latitude 29 (Jeff "Beachbum" Berry)
Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 will have you wishing you were
chilling at a beach in Hawaii. After uncovering a collection of historic Tiki
recipes, Jeff "Beachbum" Berry decided to bring the tradition back to life and,
hence, Latitude 29 was born. The menu is full of historic Tiki cocktails,
including Mai Tai, Pontchartrain Pearl Diver, Kea Colada, and Zombie. Foodies
can also try a range of Polynesian classics such as pork ribs, loco moco, and
pork katsu. At Latitude 29, cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy refreshing drinks
while taking in relics from Tiki culture. 321 N. Peteres St., 504-609-3811, beachbumberry.com
Chandelier
Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel (Hadi Ktiri)
Located
inside the newly built Four Seasons Hotel, the Chandelier Bar whisks guests into a spacious
lounge that extends all the way into a garden terrace and welcomes them with
live music and a dazzling namesake chandelier. The menu, created by beverage
manager Hadi Ktiri, adds a twist to classic New Orleans' cocktails like
Sazerac, Hurricane, and French 75, as well as wine and champagne. Guests can
also enjoy caviar, small bites, and snacks made by chef Alon Shaya, who also
owns the Miss River restaurant that's located in the
hotel. Guests can also celebrate the holiday season with special cocktails
options, including S'mores and Cognac Milk Punch. 2 Canal St., 504-434-5100,
fourseasons.com
Mister
Mao (William "Wildcat" Greenwell)
If you plan
on drinking with friends, be sure to check out Uptown's newest tropical
roadhouse Mister Mao, which is run by William "Wildcat"
Greenwell and his wife Chef Sophina Uong. This spunky, wood-paneled bistro
offers eclectic Southeast Asian, Latin, and Indian cuisine like yucatecan sikil
pak, lechon kawali, and panipuri. Savor your meal with handcrafted cocktails,
including Uncle Butthead, Miss Peggy, and Billion Dollar Betsy. This is the
perfect place to eat and drink if your palate is feeling adventurous. 4501
Tchoupitoulas St., 504-345-2056, mistermaonola.com
