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Best Bars in New Orleans: The Ultimate Guide to NOLA's Legendary Drinking Scene

New Orleans doesn't just have bars — it has a drinking culture woven into the very fabric of the city's identity. This is where the cocktail was invented, where you can legally carry drinks on the street, and where the party genuinely never stops. From the historic taverns of the French Quarter that have served drinks for centuries to the live music venues on Frenchmen Street where jazz fills the air every night, NOLA offers drinking experiences that are as much about culture and history as they are about the drinks themselves. Whether you're sipping a Sazerac in a wood-paneled bar that predates the Civil War or dancing to brass bands with a Hurricane in hand, these bars represent the absolute best of what makes New Orleans the most unique drinking city in America — verified by local experts and top national publications.

Carousel Bar & Lounge
Top Pick

Carousel Bar & Lounge

214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Located inside the legendary Hotel Monteleone, the Carousel Bar is one of the most iconic drinking experiences in America. The bar itself is a genuine rotating carousel — it makes a full revolution every 15 minutes — and has been doing so since 1949. Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway all drank here, and the bar is listed on the Literary Map of New Orleans. The bartenders are skilled, the atmosphere is elegant, and the novelty of slowly spinning while sipping a Vieux Carré never gets old. This is the single most photographed bar interior in New Orleans.

Iconic NOLA Experience
Literary History
Classic Cocktails
Unique Rotating Bar
Hotel Bar

Insider Tip

Arrive right when the bar opens (11 AM) to snag a carousel seat without a wait. The bar fills up fast by early afternoon. Ask the bartender about the literary history — they love sharing stories about Hemingway and Capote. The Vieux Carré was literally invented at this hotel in 1938 by head bartender Walter Bergeron.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar
Top Pick

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

One of the oldest structures in the United States used as a bar, this 18th-century Creole cottage was allegedly a front for pirate Jean Lafitte's smuggling operation. Built between 1722 and 1732, the building has no electricity — it's lit entirely by candlelight — and the atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, especially in the courtyard at night. The drinks are simple but potent, the prices are reasonable for Bourbon Street, and the experience of drinking in a building that predates the American Revolution is genuinely extraordinary. Locals and tourists alike consider this a mandatory NOLA stop.

Historic Setting
Candlelit Atmosphere
Pirate History
Affordable Drinks
Bourbon Street

Insider Tip

Go after dark for the full candlelit effect — it's genuinely atmospheric and unlike any bar in America. The courtyard is perfect for warm evenings. Don't expect craft cocktails here; the appeal is entirely the history and atmosphere. Cash is preferred. The building is a National Historic Landmark.

Sazerac Bar
Top Pick

Sazerac Bar

130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112

Located inside the iconic Roosevelt Hotel, the Sazerac Bar is where the official cocktail of New Orleans was perfected and popularized. This stunning Art Deco masterpiece features a 30-foot mahogany bar, murals by Paul Ninas depicting Louisiana life in the 1930s, and bartenders who treat the Sazerac with the reverence it deserves. The bar was closed to women until 1949, and today it remains one of the most beautiful bar interiors in the South. Ordering the namesake cocktail here — made with rye whiskey, absinthe rinse, Peychaud's bitters, and a lemon twist — is a rite of passage for any serious drinker visiting New Orleans.

Classic Cocktails
Art Deco Setting
NOLA History
Elegant Atmosphere
Cocktail History

Insider Tip

The Sazerac Bar is one of the most beautiful bar rooms in America — take time to appreciate the Paul Ninas murals before ordering. Ask for the Sazerac made with Sazerac Rye (the original brand) for the most authentic experience. The bar is quieter on weekday afternoons and perfect for a sophisticated pre-dinner drink.

The Spotted Cat Music Club
Top Pick

The Spotted Cat Music Club

623 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

A Frenchmen Street institution and the beating heart of authentic New Orleans jazz culture. The Spotted Cat hosts live jazz, swing, and blues every single night with no cover charge — just a two-drink minimum that you'll happily fulfill. The venue is small and intimate, which means you're always close to the performers, and the quality of musicians who play here is extraordinary. Unlike Bourbon Street's tourist-oriented bars, Frenchmen Street is where locals actually go for live music, and The Spotted Cat is the crown jewel of the strip. The dance floor fills up fast, and the energy is electric from the first note.

Live Jazz
No Cover Charge
Frenchmen Street
Authentic NOLA
Dancing

Insider Tip

Arrive before 9 PM to get a good spot near the stage. Frenchmen Street is the locals' alternative to Bourbon Street — walk the entire strip and pop into multiple venues. The Spotted Cat gets packed by 10 PM on weekends. Tip the musicians generously — they're world-class performers playing for tips and drink minimums.

Cure
Top Pick

Cure

4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Consistently ranked among the best cocktail bars in America, Cure is the bar that put New Orleans on the national craft cocktail map. Located in a beautifully restored firehouse in the Freret Street corridor, Cure serves innovative seasonal cocktails made with house-made syrups, fresh-squeezed juices, and premium spirits. The cocktail menu changes regularly and features both creative originals and perfectly executed classics. The atmosphere is sophisticated but genuinely welcoming, and the bartenders are passionate educators who love talking about their craft. Cure has won multiple Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and is a destination for serious cocktail enthusiasts from around the world.

Craft Cocktails
Award-Winning Bar
Uptown Scene
Cocktail Education
Special Occasion

Insider Tip

Cure is the bar that serious cocktail lovers make a pilgrimage to in New Orleans. Sit at the bar and talk to the bartenders — they're among the most knowledgeable in the country. The Freret Street neighborhood has excellent restaurants nearby, making Cure a perfect pre- or post-dinner stop. Reservations recommended on weekends.

Pat O'Brien's
Top Pick

Pat O'Brien's

718 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116

The birthplace of the Hurricane cocktail and one of the most famous bars in America. Pat O'Brien's is unapologetically touristy, but it's a historic tourist institution that invented one of the world's most recognizable cocktails in the 1940s. The main bar features dueling pianos with sing-along entertainment that runs all night, while the legendary flaming fountain courtyard is perfect for warm evenings. The Hurricane — rum, passion fruit syrup, and citrus — is served in a souvenir glass that you can take home. Yes, it's crowded and loud, but the energy is undeniably fun and the experience is quintessentially New Orleans.

Hurricane Cocktail
Dueling Pianos
Courtyard
Tourist Experience
Groups

Insider Tip

The dueling piano bar is the main event — tip the pianists and they'll play your requests. The courtyard with the flaming fountain is the best spot on a warm evening. Keep your souvenir Hurricane glass — it's a genuine piece of New Orleans history. Go early (before 9 PM) to avoid the longest lines.

Bacchanal Wine
Top Pick

Bacchanal Wine

600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

A Bywater gem that combines a wine shop with a backyard bar and live music venue in one of the most charming settings in New Orleans. Bacchanal serves an extensive selection of wines alongside cheese plates, charcuterie, and small bites, with live jazz and blues playing in the lush garden courtyard every night. The atmosphere is relaxed and bohemian, the crowd is a mix of locals and visitors who've done their research, and the experience feels like a secret garden party that happens to have world-class wine. Bacchanal has been featured in every major food and travel publication as a must-visit New Orleans experience.

Wine Selection
Live Music
Garden Setting
Bywater Scene
Cheese & Charcuterie

Insider Tip

Bacchanal is the best-kept secret in New Orleans for visitors who venture beyond the French Quarter. The Bywater neighborhood is worth the short Uber ride. Arrive early to browse the wine shop and pick a bottle to enjoy in the courtyard. The cheese plates are exceptional. Live music starts around 7 PM nightly.

Tujague's
Top Pick

Tujague's

429 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans, established in 1856, Tujague's features a stunning antique bar that was imported from France in the 1850s and is one of the most beautiful bar fixtures in the city. The bar serves classic New Orleans cocktails — including the Grasshopper, which was invented here — in a space that's dripping with 170 years of history. The restaurant serves traditional Creole cuisine, and the combination of historic bar, classic cocktails, and authentic Creole food makes Tujague's one of the most complete New Orleans experiences available. It's a piece of living history where you can drink where generations of New Orleanians have gathered.

Historic Bar
Classic Cocktails
Creole Cuisine
French Quarter
Cocktail History

Insider Tip

The antique bar itself is worth a visit — it's one of the most beautiful bar fixtures in America, imported from France in the 1850s. Order the Grasshopper, which was invented here, and ask the bartender about the bar's history. Tujague's is less crowded than other French Quarter institutions and offers a more authentic, unhurried experience.

French 75 Bar
Top Pick

French 75 Bar

813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Located inside Arnaud's Restaurant — one of the grande dame restaurants of New Orleans — French 75 Bar is an elegant French Quarter destination that takes classic cocktails as seriously as any bar in the city. The bar is named after the French 75 cocktail (gin, Champagne, lemon, sugar), which they make exceptionally well, and the cocktail menu features a curated selection of classics executed with precision. The space features vintage decor, live piano music on weekends, and a sophisticated crowd that appreciates quality in a refined setting. It's the most elegant bar in the French Quarter.

Classic Cocktails
Elegant Setting
Live Piano
French Quarter
Pre-Dinner Drinks

Insider Tip

French 75 Bar is the most elegant pre-dinner cocktail stop in the French Quarter. The bar is attached to Arnaud's Restaurant, so consider making a dinner reservation to follow your cocktails. The live piano on weekends adds to the atmosphere. The French 75 here is considered the gold standard version of the cocktail.

The Dungeon
Top Pick

The Dungeon

738 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130

A goth-themed dive bar in the French Quarter that's been serving strong drinks and hosting an eclectic crowd since the 1970s. The Dungeon is dark, atmospheric, and unapologetically weird — with a dungeon aesthetic, cheap drinks, and a crowd that ranges from locals to tourists seeking something genuinely different from the Bourbon Street experience. The bar doesn't open until midnight and stays open until 6 AM, making it the definitive late-night destination in New Orleans. The music is loud, the drinks are strong, and the atmosphere is authentically strange in the best possible way.

Late Night
Dive Bar
Goth Atmosphere
Cheap Drinks
After 2 AM

Insider Tip

The Dungeon doesn't open until midnight — it's strictly a late-night destination. If you're still going at 2 AM when other bars close, The Dungeon is where the night continues until 6 AM. The atmosphere is genuinely dark and atmospheric. Cash only. Don't expect craft cocktails — expect strong, cheap drinks in a memorable setting.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous bar in New Orleans?

The Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone is arguably the most famous bar in New Orleans — a rotating carousel bar that has served drinks since 1949 and hosted literary legends including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is the oldest, dating to the 1720s.

What cocktail was invented in New Orleans?

New Orleans invented several iconic cocktails. The Sazerac (rye whiskey, absinthe, Peychaud's bitters) is considered the world's first cocktail, invented in the 1830s. The Vieux Carré was invented at the Hotel Monteleone in 1938. The Hurricane was invented at Pat O'Brien's in the 1940s. The Grasshopper was invented at Tujague's in the 1920s.

Can you drink on the streets in New Orleans?

Yes — New Orleans is one of the only cities in America where open container laws allow you to carry alcoholic beverages on public streets in plastic cups (glass is prohibited). This is a fundamental part of the NOLA bar-hopping experience and applies throughout the French Quarter and most of the city.

What is the best street for bars in New Orleans?

Bourbon Street is the most famous but is primarily a tourist experience. Frenchmen Street in the Marigny neighborhood is where locals go for authentic live jazz and blues with no cover charges. For craft cocktails, Freret Street in Uptown (home to Cure) is the best destination.

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