Oyster Happy Hours in NOLA
Among the earliest evidence of human activity along the Mississippi River Delta region is discarded oyster shells.
The role of oysters has changed drastically through time. What was once a dietary staple for entire indigenous communities
developed into one of the largest seafood industries globally. Today, 34% of oysters consumed in the US come
from the Gulf, and there's no shortage of great deals for dozen in New Orleans.
Basin Seafood
3222 Magazine St., (504) 302-7391
Locally famed chef and owner of Baru, Edgar Caro, opened
Basin Seafood after making dockside ceviche with his friends. The menu,
inspired by Louisiana seafood with a kiss of Latin influence, has earned high
praise by the locals here in New Orleans. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays,
guests can taste the freshness in their oysters for almost nothing. Raw oysters
are offered for 75 cents each along with the purchase of a menu item.
Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar
7900 Lakeshore Dr., (504) 284-2898
Slurp some oysters lakeside this summer at Blue Crab. As the
name suggests, this laid-back dock spot is known for its seafood, promising
freshness and quality. A buck-a-shuck here means a bang for your buck. Get
yourself some raw oysters for a dollar each and chargrilled for $1.50. Enjoy a
dollar off draft beer and $4 house wine to go with it.
Boil Seafood House
3340 Magazine St., (504) 309-4532
Boil Seafood caters all the family-friendly fun of a seafood
boil in its dining room in the Garden District. They offer the
works, including crawfish, of course, as well as crab, mussels, and oysters. For their
happy hour, running Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., raw
oysters are $5.95 for a half dozen and $11.95 for the full dozen.
Bud Rips
900 Piety, (504) 450-1866
Bud Rips is one of New Orleans' holy grail dive bars with a young crowd, a nice pool table, a neighborly feel with plenty of regulars. On
the right day, you'll find Ian Schnoebelen of Bud Rip's Taco Tuesdays.
Schnoebelen has started offering an oyster pop-up for $8 half-dozens and $15
for the full run. It's not happy hour in the traditional sense, but it really
is a sweet deal.
Cooter Brown's Tavern
506 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 866-9104
This sports bar is a household name here in New Orleans. We love it for the mile-long draft list and movie theater-sized screen, which is perfect for the upcoming World Cup. A little secret about Cooter Brown's is that every Tuesday, from 3 p.m. until close, they offer Louisiana oysters raw on the half shell for $8 a dozen. Get there before 7 p.m. and enjoy happy hour pricing on cocktails and beer.
Felix's
Multiple Locations
As we've seen from this list, oysters are not hard to find in New Orleans. Lots of eateries of all varieties have their own take or selection, but there are a few places that have grown into institutions. Felix's is one of those places. Open since the 1940's, this restaurant helped put oyster bars on the map. You can slurp up some oysters from one of New Orleans' most recognizable names at a happy hour price. At the Lakefront location, happy hour is from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Chargrilled oysters are $15 for half and $24 for the dozen, while raw oysters come for $9 half and an $18 dozen.
Fives
529 St. Ann St.
Just steps from St. Louis Cathedral, this quaint but
stylish bar is known for its oysters and caviar. Their happy hour selection,
which is Monday through Thursday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., is offered at $8 for a
half dozen of chef's select oysters and a full dozen for $33.
Luke
333 St. Charles Ave., 504 378-2840
Luke brings an animated and comfort-driven brasserie
experience to the heart of New Orleans. Their menu features an iconic raw
oyster bar and rich Creole stylings for every meal. For happy hour, the
renowned destination offers $1.50 Gulf oysters on the half shell and the Chef's
Dozen for $26. Enjoy half-off cocktails, wine, and beer, as well. Catch their happy
hour daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday
4327 Bienville St., (504) 581-8900
This Mid-City spot is known for its extensive indoor-outdoor seating and creative Creole menu. True to its name, happy hour is early in the week, offering traditional happy hour fares all day Monday. However, for the oyster seekers, Monday offers $2 oysters all day Tuesday.
New Orleans Creole Cookery
510 Toulouse St., (504) 524-9632
New Orleans Creole Cookery is a Creole seafood restaurant in the French Quarter. It's white tablecloth and it has refreshing courtyard ambiance. It's the perfect place to get an elevated Creole experience. And yes, it's also a great place to catch some happy hour oysters. Their happy hour runs daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and, with the purchase of a drink, they have discounted oysters. Get a half dozen raw for $10 and chargrilled for $16. The dozen is $18 for raw and $23 for chargrilled.
Pigeon and Whale
4525 Freret St., (504) 354-9745
Pigeon and Whale brought the New England coast to the Gulf Coast with
a slate of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Canadian oysters. Stop by for their
daily happy hour between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. for $2 half shells topped with
ceviche, as well as the shucker's dozen for $24. They also offer plenty of classic cocktails.
Porgy's Seafood Market & Restaurant
236 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 429-3474
At Porgy's, seafood comes directly from local,
multi-generational fisheries. Guests can pick out the fresh seafood that they want
for the kitchen to prepare for dining or taking away. Among their quality selection
is the raw bar. Their happy hour is
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and it offers oysters on the half shell
at $1.25 to $2. Enjoy $2 off beer and wine, as well as $6 frozen drinks to go with
it. And if you don't feel like sharing your oysters, they have $5 hot sausage
po-boys that are heavenly.
Seaworthy
630 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3071
This intimate spot in the CBD is all about elevation and
sustainability. Serving ethically sourced oysters from every coast, and flaunting
amazing quality, it's no wonder they were named as one of the best oyster spots in
the city. They offer a
happy hour seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with half-off oysters. Sip
some delicious happy hour cocktails or wine while you hang out in this Creole
cottage transformed seafood restaurant.
Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar
1114 Constance St., (504) 381-5079
Sidecar's full name says it all: great cocktails, a locally loved patio
space that's always bustling, and most importantly, an extensive selection of
oysters shucked to order. They offer oysters from every coast, giving customers a great taste of all around American oysters. From Monday
to Friday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the shucker's dozen is half off.
Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
4338 St. Charles Ave., (504) 293-3474
This iconic seafood destination on the corner of St. Charles and
Napoleon serves over 2,000 oysters a day from its glamorous, marbled oyster
bar. Offering a $15 full dozen of raw oysters and discounted beers and wine,
Superior Seafood is the perfect spot to sip on some white wine and slurp down some
tasty Gulf oysters.
The Salted Pearl
2381 St. Claude Ave.
This oyster bar is located in the St. Roch Market, a
historic, upscale food hall on St. Claude, mere minutes from the French
Quarter. Chef David "Tyger" Hale serves them freshly shucked, sourced just 30
minutes down the road from New Orleans. Happy hour is Monday through Friday
from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering one of the best deals in the city—a buck-a-shuck.
Trenasse
444 St. Charles Ave., (504) 680-7000
Tucked inside the Intercontinental Hotel, Trenasse has made
a name for itself in New Orleans as a top-tier culinary experience. The restaurant
is known for serving fresh Gulf seafood alongside duck, lamb, and rabbit. Get a
taste of what they do with their daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. They
offer half a dozen on a half shell for $7 or a half dozen chargrilled for $13.
Vampire Apothecary
725 St. Peter St., (504) 766-8179
This French Quarter classic is known for its themed
cocktails, tarot card and tea leaf readings, and unique plates. They serve everything
from charcuterie to tacos and Cubans, as well as oysters. During
their happy hour, seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., they are offering a
buck-a-shuck deal with the purchase of a drink.
