A Local’s Opinion of the Best Bars in New Orleans

I’m one person, but I’ve got my own opinions on the best bars in New Orleans, so I’ll share them. Boldly declaring the best bars in New Orleans is not exactly what I’m doing here, but they will be the ones I favor because of my personal taste. If you like me and stuff I like, you’ll probably like these, too. New Orleans bars are no stranger to me, as I have been going to them since long before I was legally able. While I’m not going to the same places, I do enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with friends now and then, especially at happy hour. I’ll list a few of the ones that I love, and you can chime in with your own favorites. This should be a fun and dynamic list.

The Bouligny Tavern

Of all the bars in New Orleans, I think Bouligny Tavern is my favorite. The lighting is dim, the bar is long, and the drinks are good. I’m ranking this at the top of my list of best bars in New Orleans. Another plus is that they have awesome food, and a pretty large menu. You don’t have to drink and not eat, causing you to get extra drunk and sloppy. I know you know when this happens - not ideal. The bar is owned by the restaurant next door as well, Lilette. Lilette is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, but be sure to go with no budget. It’s good, but pricey. Back to Bouligny, though. I highly recommend this spot for your next visit to a bar in New Orleans.

The Columns Hotel

Yes, it’s a hotel bar. But if you’ve never been to The Columns, you’re in for a treat, as it’s one of the best bars in New Orleans. It’s a boutique hotel that has oodles of charm and coziness, and it’s one of my favorite happy hours in the city. Sitting out on the patio is my favorite spot, hands down, especially on a nice day. They are kind enough to put heaters out in colder weather, but usually it’s nice enough to sit without them. My go-to is red wine at happy hour, but a mojito on a hot day also works. Don’t forget to try their fries. I’m a fry girl, and a very judgy one. These are worth the extra calories. If you hit The Columns, let me know and I may just meet you there!

Sazerac with One of My Favorites

The Sazerac Bar

There is hardly a sexier place to grab yourself a cocktail than The Sazerac Bar in The Roosevelt Hotel. It’s fancy and you can feel real highfalutin if you want. However, it’s one of the most iconic places to sip your drink in the city as well, and welcomes anyone. My favorite time to go is the holidays to get a specialty Christmas cocktail, but I’ve been known to go on any old day of the week. The Sazerac Bar is definitely one of the best bars in New Orleans. Yes, it’s pricey. Also, it’s worth it for one drink. You can move on to more reasonable places afterwards, but add this to your list. You’ll feel special.

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 at Christmas

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29

Tiki tiki! If you’re into boat drinks, this is the perfect place to belly up to the bar and enjoy them. I’m pretty sure everyone who works there is steep on the enthusiasm for tiki cocktails, so you might just get an earful if you show any interest or ask any questions. The last time I was there, my server and I nerded out on backyard tiki bars, which is a thing. Just ask my friends who published Polynesiacs and wrote and published Minimalist Tiki. When I hang out with them, I get cocktails I didn’t know existed, kind of like at Latitude 29. As one of the best bars in New Orleans because of quirkiness, you’ll not be disappointed you popped in there. It’s such a great spot, and right in the French Quarter. Put it on your list.

Bacchanal

Bacchanal used to be a local’s haven. When the internet was a wee child, and influencers were not really a thing, we used to go there for a gritty backyard experience. For a long time, I’d rank this as one of the best bars in New Orleans across most people’s opinions. They’ve come a long way, and it’s on the map for so many who visit New Orleans. I couldn’t argue with this at all. You’ll get really good food, live music, and a good mix of locals and visitors alike. Even though the rest of the world has found out about it, we still like to go there because it’s that great. You likely won’t see me there at high time, but on a random afternoon or weekday, watch out!

Twelve Mile Limit

This unassuming spot is such an interesting bar in New Orleans. I’ve been going for years and I like it a little more each time. The patio space is limited, so if you want to sit outside on a nice day, know that you may or may not get lucky. It’s a dark space inside, and the cocktails are really good. TML is in the heart of Mid City neighborhood, near another one of the best bars in New Orleans called Finn McCools. Finns is more of a sports bar and I debated on putting it in here, and here I am. Not officially, but you could definitely hit both at the same time so you see two of my favorite spots to grab a drink. You’ll find me a TML with girlfriends at happy hour, and at Finns having a beer watching football (or soccer to you Americans).

Whiskey Drink

Cure

What a fabulous place to go for a cocktail in this city. Cure is in one of my favorite areas, which is on Freret St in the Freret neighborhood. They serve cocktails that are so good, and I discovered they have a 7 day per week happy hour that includes my very favorite old fashioned. I’m a whiskey girl, so I’m always up for that when I go out with friends. Make it happy hour prices and you might be calling me an Uber home. I love perching at the bar at Cure, because if you haven’t noticed I love being at the bar at the best bars in New Orleans. Since we are a friendly sort of people, the conversation are usually good with the bartenders and the other patrons around you. It’s another fabulous place to hit while you’re visiting. If you’re a local, get your ass over there immediately.

New York Sour

Barrel Proof

As I mentioned before, I am a whiskey girl. Whiskey is one of the few hard liquors I will happily drink any day of the week. Typically I don’t take it neat, but a little something something in there to lessen the burn is good for me. Barrel Proof makes my list as one of the best bars in New Orleans because of my love for whiskey as it is a whiskey bar. It’s also in an area that is easy to access for locals and for visitors. During the Christmas festivities, they dress it up beautifully and make specialty cocktails just for the season of Christmas. There is a long line to get in on weekends, so go on a weeknight if you can, and go early. People love this place on and off the holiday season, but you won’t have a problem getting in during the rest of the year.

Jewel of the South

Another French Quarter favorite, Jewel of the South is a beautifully appointed venue for drinks. I’m going to say it early and boldly, the food menu is for the birds, particularly for vegetarians, but don’t go for the food. Go for the amazing drinks and ambience. In the nicer months, I enjoy sitting out in the courtyard amongst the green foliage and vines along the brick wall. Whether you sit inside or outside, it’s such a great space and obviously one of my favorite and best bars in New Orleans. I’ve also gone there before shows at the Saenger Theater, which is located across the street. And while you’re there, you can walk on down to my final favorite: Effervescence. They are right down the street from one another.

Bubbly

Effervescence

Just a beautiful space, and one that I like to go to any day of the week week, Effervescence is a gem. The owner clearly poured herself into the space and the menu, and it’s a great reflection when you go there. While it’s New Orleans (so pretty casual), you do feel fancy while you’re there. The small bites are perfect when you’re sitting in the lounge chairs or tables located around the perimeter of the place and sipping on your bubbly or wine. For me, it’s always red wine, but I could also be talked into a glass of bubbly. It’s got somewhat of a French bar/bistro vibe, but slightly different and more modern. This is my final pick for the best bars in New Orleans, Roaming with Red edition. I firmly stand by this choice, and know you will love it too.

It's a Good List

My bar days have evolved over the years. This list is from a woman in her mid 40s, who loves an early cocktail and early night in. I love clean spaces and outstanding drinks and service, and the opportunity to meet interesting bartenders and people. At all of these places, you will find these things. New Orleans is filled with some of the best bars in the country, and we are lucky enough to boast so many. But alas, I had to narrow it down, and this is what you get from me. And I definitely think you’ll enjoy each and every one of them in its own right. Happy drinking, my friends.

To subscribe to my entertaining and bi-weekly newsletter, click here.

Some of the links may go to my affiliate account. If you purchase from one, you're helping me grow my business. Thank you!