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A non-alcoholic Bronze Mosaic from Compere Lapin
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14 Restaurants and Bars Serving Up Great Nonalcoholic Drinks in New Orleans

These top spots are serving cocktails with all the flavor and none of the booze

by Clair Lorell Updated
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A non-alcoholic Bronze Mosaic from Compere Lapin
| Compere Lapin/Facebook
by Clair Lorell Updated

It’s that time again. While there need be no specific reason to seek a refreshing nonalcoholic beverage or go booze-free, the start of a new year prompts many to abstain for a time. Though it may not fit the stereotype, plenty of New Orleans bars and restaurants offer superb alternatives to alcoholic drinks, ranging from the herbaceous and bitter to the sweet and tropical. Here are the best bars and restaurants around town that have gained a reputation for interesting, delicious booze-free beverages.

The below restaurants are open as of publication time, but be sure to call or check a restaurant’s social media pages, as circumstances are changing daily. Did we miss a bar or restaurant with top-notch alcohol-free drinks? Leave a comment or let us know.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Cure

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Long a local leader in the spirits world, acclaimed cocktail bar Cure has been on top of the no-proof libation game for some time, and you should feel comfortable making a request with your flavor preferences to any of the bartenders here, regardless of what’s on the menu. It also offers a selection of low ABV options, great for long parade days.

4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 302-2357
(504) 302-2357
Inside Cure.
The bar at Cure
Nikki Mayeux

Also featured in:

Mister Mao

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This Uptown newcomer has a killer bar program, led by co-owner William Greenwell, along with a very cool bar area where diners can enjoy drinks before or after dinner or brunch. The cocktail menu is always changing, but the folks behind the bar are sure to be able to whip up a strong, thoughtful N/A drink when asked, like a hibiscus tea, chaat masala, lime, and ginger syrup drink garnished with marigolds. 

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 345-2056
(504) 345-2056
Paprika Studios/Official

Also featured in:

Zasu

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The lovely Mid City restaurant from James Beard Award winning chef Sue Zemanick has a strong bar program, and welcomes diners to offer preferences for a nonalcoholic creation, whether it be bitter or sweet. For example? Bar Manager Tyler Correa says his mix of lime juice, ginger syrup, Giusto Sapore n/a bitter, and Urban Moonshine Cider Vinegar bitters served on the rocks is “effervescent and has more of a ‘cocktail’ taste with the bitter components.”

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 267-3233
(504) 267-3233
The bar at Zasu
Zasu/Facebook

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Saffron Nola

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Saffron Nola’s bar director Ashwin Vilkhu tells guests they’re welcome to order almost any of the house cocktails sans booze and receive something similar. For example, s Gudamba brings together roasted mango, mint, and lime; the Limbu Pani is lime, lemon, orange, salt, pepper, and sugar; and an iced cardamom tea rounds out the menu.

4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 323-2626
(504) 323-2626
The bar at Saffron Nola
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Toups Meatery

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Cajun-Southern chef Isaac Toups’ Mid City restaurant Toups Meatery has offered bartender-crafted mocktails for some time, and while the drinks list changes often, there’s always offerings like a hibiscus lemon soda and seasonal drinks like a “Mull it Over,” combining cranberry juice, mulled syrup, lemon juice, a dash of saline, and soda.

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 252-4999
(504) 252-4999
The Mull it Over from Toups Meatery
Toups Meatery/Official Photo

Also featured in:

Coquette

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Known for an excellent wine selection and pairing options, at the upscale Coquette from James Beard Award-nominated chef Michael Stoltzfus patrons can also sip on nonalcoholic beverages like peach-shiso soda, blueberry-mint kombucha, or a watermelon cooler mocktail.

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 265-0421
(504) 265-0421
The bar at Coquette
Bill Addison/Eater

Also featured in:

Fritai

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Charly Pierre’s dining destination is also bringing something new to New Orleans’s contemporary cocktail scene, bringing the Haitian spirit clairin to the forefront. Fritai hasn’t forgotten about non-drinkers, however, offering a wide range of options including ak-100, a creamy, cinnamon-y Haitian drink that’s a treat. You can also ask for one of the cocktails, frequently featuring fresh fruit or vegetable juices and syrups, without the booze.

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 264-7899
(504) 264-7899
Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

The Bower

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The LGD’s new modern, plant-draped bistro from the growing Latter Hospitality can be counted on to have at least one booze-free drink on its cocktail menu, like the Four Horsemen Summer: poblano-infused watermelon shrub, lime, and ginger beer. In addition, diners are encouraged to ask for any of the lovely cocktails, but nonalcoholic.

1320 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 582-9738
(504) 582-9738
The Virgin Mood Ring from the Bower
The Bower/Official

Also featured in:

Palm & Pine

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One of the newer spots to add fresh flavor and a strong bar program to the French Quarter also offers thoughtful nonalcoholic options, like the Don’t Sweat the Technique, with raspberry cardomom shrub, lemon, and HuHu ginger beer. There may be only one or two no-proof drinks on the menu at a time, but the bartenders at Palm&Pine, led by a skilled mixologist, can be trusted to make something quality.

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 814-6200
(504) 814-6200
Palm&Pine/Facebook

Also featured in:

Compère Lapin

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The always cutting-edge Compere Lapin added a spirit-free cocktail list last year and like the rest of its libations, there’s always top-notch. drinks change seasonally, but usually include a shrub soda, like satsuma and fennel or grapefruit-ginger-raspberry herb, and drink like the current One More Cup of Coffee, made with Seedlip aromatic, rosemary, and cold brew. Compere also has all the good San Pellegrino sodas and Fever Tree tonics.

535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 599-2119
(504) 599-2119
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Bar Tonique

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Classic French Quarter watering hole Bar Tonique has a whole page devoted to “temperance” options, full of cream and phosphate sodas made with fresh fruit syrups or more herby, bitter bases. Bonus — if you’re the designated driver, your drinks are free.

820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 324-6045
(504) 324-6045

Also featured in:

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29

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As leaders in the local cocktail scene and a gathering spot for New Orleans’s service industry, bartenders at Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 have long been happy to make a booze-free but balanced tropical drink; just be sure to be helpful in pointing in the right direction.

321 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 609-3811
(504) 609-3811
Latitude 29, one of New Orleans most influential bars of 2014.
Latitude 29
Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Cane & Table

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The Caribbean-inspired Cane & Table is another leading New Orleans cocktail bar that won’t blink an eye at a request for something creative but spirit-free, even if there’s no designated menu for the category. The bar also offers fresh cracked coconut.

1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-1112
(504) 581-1112
Inside Cane & Table
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Bywater American Bistro

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Spirit-free cocktails are taken seriously as Nina Compton’s neighborhood restaurant Bywater American Bistro, her low-key follow-up to the exuberant Compere Lapin. There’s always a special, seasonal option, various flavors of housemade ginger beer, and shrubs, like spiced pear with citrus and soda, or a blueberry-blood orange. Don’t overlook the spaghetti, it flies under the radar but will knock your socks off.

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 605-3827
(504) 605-3827
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

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Cure

4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Long a local leader in the spirits world, acclaimed cocktail bar Cure has been on top of the no-proof libation game for some time, and you should feel comfortable making a request with your flavor preferences to any of the bartenders here, regardless of what’s on the menu. It also offers a selection of low ABV options, great for long parade days.

4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 302-2357
(504) 302-2357
Inside Cure.
The bar at Cure
Nikki Mayeux

Mister Mao

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

This Uptown newcomer has a killer bar program, led by co-owner William Greenwell, along with a very cool bar area where diners can enjoy drinks before or after dinner or brunch. The cocktail menu is always changing, but the folks behind the bar are sure to be able to whip up a strong, thoughtful N/A drink when asked, like a hibiscus tea, chaat masala, lime, and ginger syrup drink garnished with marigolds. 

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 345-2056
(504) 345-2056
Paprika Studios/Official

Zasu

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

The lovely Mid City restaurant from James Beard Award winning chef Sue Zemanick has a strong bar program, and welcomes diners to offer preferences for a nonalcoholic creation, whether it be bitter or sweet. For example? Bar Manager Tyler Correa says his mix of lime juice, ginger syrup, Giusto Sapore n/a bitter, and Urban Moonshine Cider Vinegar bitters served on the rocks is “effervescent and has more of a ‘cocktail’ taste with the bitter components.”

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 267-3233
(504) 267-3233
The bar at Zasu
Zasu/Facebook

Saffron Nola

4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Saffron Nola’s bar director Ashwin Vilkhu tells guests they’re welcome to order almost any of the house cocktails sans booze and receive something similar. For example, s Gudamba brings together roasted mango, mint, and lime; the Limbu Pani is lime, lemon, orange, salt, pepper, and sugar; and an iced cardamom tea rounds out the menu.

4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 323-2626
(504) 323-2626
The bar at Saffron Nola
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Toups Meatery

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Cajun-Southern chef Isaac Toups’ Mid City restaurant Toups Meatery has offered bartender-crafted mocktails for some time, and while the drinks list changes often, there’s always offerings like a hibiscus lemon soda and seasonal drinks like a “Mull it Over,” combining cranberry juice, mulled syrup, lemon juice, a dash of saline, and soda.

845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 252-4999
(504) 252-4999
The Mull it Over from Toups Meatery
Toups Meatery/Official Photo

Coquette

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Known for an excellent wine selection and pairing options, at the upscale Coquette from James Beard Award-nominated chef Michael Stoltzfus patrons can also sip on nonalcoholic beverages like peach-shiso soda, blueberry-mint kombucha, or a watermelon cooler mocktail.

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 265-0421
(504) 265-0421
The bar at Coquette
Bill Addison/Eater

Fritai

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Charly Pierre’s dining destination is also bringing something new to New Orleans’s contemporary cocktail scene, bringing the Haitian spirit clairin to the forefront. Fritai hasn’t forgotten about non-drinkers, however, offering a wide range of options including ak-100, a creamy, cinnamon-y Haitian drink that’s a treat. You can also ask for one of the cocktails, frequently featuring fresh fruit or vegetable juices and syrups, without the booze.

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 264-7899
(504) 264-7899
Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA

The Bower

1320 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The LGD’s new modern, plant-draped bistro from the growing Latter Hospitality can be counted on to have at least one booze-free drink on its cocktail menu, like the Four Horsemen Summer: poblano-infused watermelon shrub, lime, and ginger beer. In addition, diners are encouraged to ask for any of the lovely cocktails, but nonalcoholic.

1320 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 582-9738
(504) 582-9738
The Virgin Mood Ring from the Bower
The Bower/Official

Palm & Pine

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112

One of the newer spots to add fresh flavor and a strong bar program to the French Quarter also offers thoughtful nonalcoholic options, like the Don’t Sweat the Technique, with raspberry cardomom shrub, lemon, and HuHu ginger beer. There may be only one or two no-proof drinks on the menu at a time, but the bartenders at Palm&Pine, led by a skilled mixologist, can be trusted to make something quality.

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 814-6200
(504) 814-6200
Palm&Pine/Facebook

Compère Lapin

535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The always cutting-edge Compere Lapin added a spirit-free cocktail list last year and like the rest of its libations, there’s always top-notch. drinks change seasonally, but usually include a shrub soda, like satsuma and fennel or grapefruit-ginger-raspberry herb, and drink like the current One More Cup of Coffee, made with Seedlip aromatic, rosemary, and cold brew. Compere also has all the good San Pellegrino sodas and Fever Tree tonics.

535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 599-2119
(504) 599-2119
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Bar Tonique

820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Classic French Quarter watering hole Bar Tonique has a whole page devoted to “temperance” options, full of cream and phosphate sodas made with fresh fruit syrups or more herby, bitter bases. Bonus — if you’re the designated driver, your drinks are free.

820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 324-6045
(504) 324-6045

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29

321 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

As leaders in the local cocktail scene and a gathering spot for New Orleans’s service industry, bartenders at Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 have long been happy to make a booze-free but balanced tropical drink; just be sure to be helpful in pointing in the right direction.

321 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 609-3811
(504) 609-3811
Latitude 29, one of New Orleans most influential bars of 2014.
Latitude 29
Brasted/Eater NOLA

Cane & Table

1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

The Caribbean-inspired Cane & Table is another leading New Orleans cocktail bar that won’t blink an eye at a request for something creative but spirit-free, even if there’s no designated menu for the category. The bar also offers fresh cracked coconut.

1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-1112
(504) 581-1112
Inside Cane & Table
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Bywater American Bistro

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Spirit-free cocktails are taken seriously as Nina Compton’s neighborhood restaurant Bywater American Bistro, her low-key follow-up to the exuberant Compere Lapin. There’s always a special, seasonal option, various flavors of housemade ginger beer, and shrubs, like spiced pear with citrus and soda, or a blueberry-blood orange. Don’t overlook the spaghetti, it flies under the radar but will knock your socks off.

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 605-3827
(504) 605-3827
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

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