I know what you are thinking, bars and New Orleans go hand in hand, right? Well, yes, they are, historically, a match made in heaven. After all, New Orleans grew out of a disease-infested swamp originally populated almost solely by criminals and prostitutes. It should therefore come as no surprise that bars are a deep-rooted part of the city’s culture.
What does come as a surprise, at least to me, is how established and impressive of a craft cocktail scene the city has in our modern day. Let’s just say that you don’t want to travel to Crescent City without this guide to the six best bars in New Orleans by your side.
941 Bourbon Street
I am starting this guide off with the oldest and most obvious bar choice in New Orleans because, regardless of how over-crowded it is and how sickeningly-sweet their drinks are, no cocktail tour of New Orleans is complete without the inclusion of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Now, there is a great deal of folklore surrounding Lafitte’s and then there is the actual story based on historical fact. The true facts involved in this tale aren’t quite as intriguing as the folklore surrounding it, so for the sake of fun, let’s stick to rumor and myth.
The structure in which Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop stands was built between 1722 and 1732 and is said to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States. Legend has it that notorious pirates Jean and Pierre Lafitte used the building as the base of their smuggling operation. That means that, at the very least, the building survived both fires that leveled the majority of New Orleans and was constantly bustling with all types of unsavory characters. It is a building that you can very much feel the presence of history in and, maybe, a little bit something extra.
You see, in addition to it being a historically significant building, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is considered one of the most haunted locations in New Orleans. The charm and appeal of Lafitte’s largely stops there, with history and a potential haunting or two, as their drinks are over-priced and overly-sweetened. Nevertheless, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is a can’t miss New Orleans attraction. When you visit, keep your eyes out in the back room near the piano and out on the exterior patio. You might just encounter somebody from a different time…
Recommendations: A Hurricane, and don’t stir it. Simply sip through the straw and let the different flavors hit you.
1051 Annunciation Street
Sac-a-Lait is an example of modern, spacious, renovated perfection. Housed in an old cotton mill in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, this gem was completely rebuilt with reclaimed materials by the restaurant’s chefs and their families. How neat is that?
The restaurant itself was named “Restaurant of the Year 2015” by New Orleans Magazine, is considered the “Best Farm to Table Restaurant in Louisiana” by Travel + Leisure, and was called one of the “Top 100 Restaurants for Foodies” by Open Table. Needless to say, this restaurant qualifies as “can’t miss”. What really floored me however, and have me licking my lips months later, were the cocktails.
Each cocktail is lovingly crafted by one of the restaurant’s incredibly talented bartenders. The entire process of mixing a drink, start to finish, is lengthy, but well worth it. These cocktails are works of art, both in terms of taste and appearance, and perfection mustn’t be rushed. If I could teleport to one bar/restaurant in New Orleans at any given time, Sac-a-Lait would win nine times out of ten. It is THAT excellent. Do yourself a favor and branch out of the French Quarter for this delectable delight.
Recommendations: Damn Thistle (vodka, elderflower, lime, pineapple, hibiscus, burlesque bitters); Getting Figgy Wit It (tea infused buffalo trace, pimms, pickled figs, rosemary, ginger beer); The Horse’s Ass (four roses, ginger beer, garden herbs).
820 North Rampart Street
New Orleans is a bold, bustling city and it is easy to become overwhelmed by her energy and life, especially during Mardi Gras. If you are find yourself needing to take a break from the French Quarter, look no further than Bar Tonique. Located on the very edge of the Quarter, Bar Tonique offers an intimate, neighborhood dive bar feel, complete with a delectable cocktail menu.
While the cocktails at Bar Tonique are can’t miss, it is the bartenders themselves who are the true heroes of the story. More alchemist than bartender, the staff at Bar Tonique are both friendly and talented, without any of the usual pretension found in craft cocktail bars.
Each of the bar’s classic and modern cocktails are made with house made syrups and bitters, each offering a distinctively unique experience. In addition to daily specials, the bar also offers a daily 5 PM Happy Hour menu featuring incredible deals on some of the bar’s best-loved classics.
Recommendations: The beauty of Bar Tonique is that their bartenders are capable of making literally ANYTHING. If you are looking for a classic, you can’t go wrong with a Vieux Carre (whiskey, Cognac, vermouth, Benedictine, and bitters) or their Bloody Mary, made with BACON-infused vodka. If you are feeling a bit more daring, simply describe what kind of cocktail you like to the bartender and let them work their magic!
535 Tchoupitoulas Street
Compère Lapin has the distinction of being my home away from home when in New Orleans. Housed in The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, the stunning hotel where I stayed on my last trip to the city, the bar Compère Lapin is housed in an award-winning restaurant of the same name.
The aesthetic of the entire hotel is spot on, but particularly in the bar. The welcoming space is full of pressed tin panels, patterned tiles, reclaimed wood, and a completely gorgeous mixture of warehouse-chic meets mid-century modern. Upon entering for the first time, I wanted to stake claim of a bar stool and spend the rest of my trip rooted to it.
Remember how I said above that I wanted to remain planted on my bar stool for the entirety of my trip? Well, I essentially did. My husband and I loved the drinks and bartenders at Compère Lapin so much that we made sure to stop by for a drink a minimum of once a day, they are that uniquely and unexpectedly delicious.
Recommendations: Try to stop by when Abigail is working. Not only is she an incredibly talented bartender, she is an awesome human being who I shared many a chat with. Everything on the menu is excellent, but the Andromeda (Pisco, green chile vodka, lime, grapefruit, rose); Travel Papers (tequila, mezcal, grapefruit, apricot, bitters); The Copper Bunny (Absolut Elyx, pineapple jalapeno tequila, ginger, lime, champagne) are by far the best the menu has to offer.
Lula Restaurant and Distillery
1532 St. Charles Avenue
Should you find yourself in the Garden District on your trip to the Crescent City (and please promise me that you will find yourself in the Garden District), do yourself a favor and hop off the St. Charles Street Car at Melpomene. Lula Restaurant and Distillery sits mere steps from the Melpomene stop and absolutely deserves a moment of your time.
Equal parts distillery and restaurant, Lula is the brainchild of two friends and business partners who made it their aim to learn everything they could about the distillation process. The partners studied distillation across the country prior to opening their restaurant and micro-distillery, and their education and attention to detail shows. Everything from the restaurant’s interior to their branding has been selected with care, lending itself to an incredibly cohesive, well thought out experience.
The distillery produces their own absolutely delectable vodka, rum, and gin. Lula supports the local economy by ensuring that all of their spirits are made strictly with 100% Louisiana sugarcane. In addition to having an incredible food and drink menu, Lula also happens to be a fabulous place to take in football games. My husband and I caught the first half of a Saint’s game while sipping away on the restaurant’s classic cocktails.
Recommendations: Try a Lula Classic like a Vodka Basil Smash (Lula Vodka, lemons, basil, cane sugar, bubbles) or a French 75 (Lula Gin, cava, lemon, and sugar cane). Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of Lula’s house spirits. You can choose from Lula Vodka, Lula Rum, and Lula Gin. The one thing the three have in common? They are equally delicious and the branding on the bottles is nothing short of stunning.
310 Chartres Street
SoBou bills itself as a “modern Creole saloon” which, in my opinion, sells the restaurant and bar significantly short. More upscale than casual, this trendy outpost is conveniently located in the French Quarter on the ground floor of the W Hotel. Like I said, this is NOT a saloon in the traditional sense.
The gorgeous eatery offers a menu of delicately-mixed cocktails featuring local influences and ingredients. The cocktail program is led by head bartender Laura Bellucci who whips up the bar’s unique, handcrafted libations and seasonally influenced cocktails. In addition to a varied cocktail and food menu, SoBou also offers a fabulous weekly Sunday “Legs and Eggs Brunch” complete with cocktail deals, delicious small and large bites, and a dessert menu that is not for the faint of heart.
Recommendations: The restaurant’s cocktail menu changes all the time however you can’t go wrong with SoBou’s Iridescent Gods (Mezcal, Tepache, lime, ginger, pineapple, and elderflower kombucha) or their Sunset in the Courtyard (tequila, blood orange liqueur, citrus, and house made pomegranate syrup).
New Orleans is a city that is positively overflowing with history, beauty, and, yes, alcohol. While the city’s rich past certainly impacts it’s modern history, it is the town’s resilience and love of life that shaped it into the contemporary melting pot that it is today. NOLA’s historic and modern bars work hand in hand to carve out the city’s decidedly unique cocktail scene. It is my hope this guide to the six best bars in New Orleans inspires you to branch out from the classic French Quarter bars on your next trip to the beautiful city and explore everything that this incredible town has to offer.
