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The Cocktail Heatmap: Where To Drink Right Now

A guide to the hottest bars of the moment.

by Gwendolyn Knapp
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by Gwendolyn Knapp
1 comment / new

With the help of the Eater 38 and the Eater Heatmap, it's a breeze to find out where to eat right now, whether it's a hot newcomer or an old neighborhood standby. Now it's just as easy to find out where to get a good, stiff drink in New Orleans.

Eater's Cocktail Heatmap is a guide to the hottest bars of the moment, so only places that have opened in the past year qualify. Rather than feature the perennial favorites-we will assume the readership already knows how to get their Cure, French 75, and Twelve Mile Limit on-this guide focuses on operations that have opened in the last year, or recently undergone a major revamp. Happy drinking, and as always, feel free to leave a comment with new suggestions.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Three Muses

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Kimberly Patton Bragg, one of the city's most innovative bartenders, works her cocktail mojo at this Frenchmen Street hub, focusing on tequila and American whiskey. Live music, excellent food by Dan Esses, and the cocktail program make this an excellent destination.
536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 298-8746
(504) 298-8746

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Trèo

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Craft drinks and wine are accompanied by small plates from chef James Cullen, and outdoor seating area and an upstairs art gallery lends itself to lounging, at this upscale cocktail lounge from the Finn McCools team.
3835 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 304-4878
(504) 304-4878

Root Squared

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A cocktail menu that's as wildly creative as Phillip Lopez's food. The Root Squared food menu includes an epic steak tartare, impeccable charcuterie and cheese plates, and more. Also a great place to imbibe while taking in Magazine from the balcony.
1800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 390-7800
(504) 390-7800

Barrel Proof

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Whiskey is the name of the game at Barrel Proof, where shots and flights are preferred, though Liam Deegan and team can make pretty much any cocktail in existence. Black Label BBQ also takes over the kitchen during football games and is launching a taco tuesday with brisket tacos.
1201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Johnny Sánchez NOLA

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Tequila abounds at this brand new taqueria from John Besh and Aarón Sánchez. They have a grilled-pineapple maragarita, but early cocktail buzz surrounds a specialty drink created with house made horchata.
Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

Also featured in:

Tiki Tolteca

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Nathan Dalton and team does justice to New Orleans' growing tiki scene with their impeccable upstairs den of rum, flaming drinks, and zombie jelly brains.
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 288-8226
(504) 288-8226

Oxalis

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Sonali Fernando, formerly of Bar Tonique and La Fin Du Monde, holds down the bar at this newly opened Bywater gastropub, with specialty cocktails and eccentric small plates from chef Jonathan Lestingi.
3162 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(347) 627-8298
(347) 627-8298

Also featured in:

Cane & Table

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Nick Detrich and Cure Collective's proto-tiki bar is a must-visit for serious imbibers down on Decatur Street, with an island-themed food menu from Adam Biderman, and an emphasis on rum drinks from pre-tiki times. Also, outdoor seating.
1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-1112
(504) 581-1112

Also featured in:

Baru's Crudo+Bar

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Edgar Caro's ceviches, crudos and crudite all pair refreshingly with the Latin flavors found on the drinks menu featuring mezcal, tequila, and seasonal house made tinctures. Balcony seating overlooking Magazine is also a plus.
New Orleans, LA 70115

Cellar Door

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Michael Yusko and team offer classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Rum Daiquiris, as well as creative concoctions like "The Summer of Sling," which combines rye, rum, and hopped grapefruit bitters. Not to mention one the most innovative brunch cocktail menus in town.
916 Lafayette St, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 383-5583
(504) 383-5583

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Ale

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This is primarily a craft beer bar, but with an extensive selection of whiskey and scotches, fun pub fare, and outdoor seating.
8124 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 324-6558
(504) 324-6558

The Franklin

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This swanky cocktail, wine and oyster destination is quietly tucked away in the Marigny with a sexy art deco man cave vibe and a slew of killer classics intriguing cocktail variations
2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(603) 373-8500
(603) 373-8500

Also featured in:

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Three Muses

536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Kimberly Patton Bragg, one of the city's most innovative bartenders, works her cocktail mojo at this Frenchmen Street hub, focusing on tequila and American whiskey. Live music, excellent food by Dan Esses, and the cocktail program make this an excellent destination.
536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 298-8746
(504) 298-8746

Trèo

3835 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Craft drinks and wine are accompanied by small plates from chef James Cullen, and outdoor seating area and an upstairs art gallery lends itself to lounging, at this upscale cocktail lounge from the Finn McCools team.
3835 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 304-4878
(504) 304-4878

Root Squared

1800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
A cocktail menu that's as wildly creative as Phillip Lopez's food. The Root Squared food menu includes an epic steak tartare, impeccable charcuterie and cheese plates, and more. Also a great place to imbibe while taking in Magazine from the balcony.
1800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 390-7800
(504) 390-7800

Barrel Proof

1201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Whiskey is the name of the game at Barrel Proof, where shots and flights are preferred, though Liam Deegan and team can make pretty much any cocktail in existence. Black Label BBQ also takes over the kitchen during football games and is launching a taco tuesday with brisket tacos.
1201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Johnny Sánchez NOLA

Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Tequila abounds at this brand new taqueria from John Besh and Aarón Sánchez. They have a grilled-pineapple maragarita, but early cocktail buzz surrounds a specialty drink created with house made horchata.
Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

Tiki Tolteca

New Orleans, LA 70130
Nathan Dalton and team does justice to New Orleans' growing tiki scene with their impeccable upstairs den of rum, flaming drinks, and zombie jelly brains.
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 288-8226
(504) 288-8226

Oxalis

3162 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Sonali Fernando, formerly of Bar Tonique and La Fin Du Monde, holds down the bar at this newly opened Bywater gastropub, with specialty cocktails and eccentric small plates from chef Jonathan Lestingi.
3162 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(347) 627-8298
(347) 627-8298

Cane & Table

1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Nick Detrich and Cure Collective's proto-tiki bar is a must-visit for serious imbibers down on Decatur Street, with an island-themed food menu from Adam Biderman, and an emphasis on rum drinks from pre-tiki times. Also, outdoor seating.
1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-1112
(504) 581-1112

Baru's Crudo+Bar

New Orleans, LA 70115
Edgar Caro's ceviches, crudos and crudite all pair refreshingly with the Latin flavors found on the drinks menu featuring mezcal, tequila, and seasonal house made tinctures. Balcony seating overlooking Magazine is also a plus.
New Orleans, LA 70115

Cellar Door

916 Lafayette St, New Orleans, LA 70113
Michael Yusko and team offer classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Rum Daiquiris, as well as creative concoctions like "The Summer of Sling," which combines rye, rum, and hopped grapefruit bitters. Not to mention one the most innovative brunch cocktail menus in town.
916 Lafayette St, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 383-5583
(504) 383-5583

Ale

8124 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
This is primarily a craft beer bar, but with an extensive selection of whiskey and scotches, fun pub fare, and outdoor seating.
8124 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 324-6558
(504) 324-6558

The Franklin

2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
This swanky cocktail, wine and oyster destination is quietly tucked away in the Marigny with a sexy art deco man cave vibe and a slew of killer classics intriguing cocktail variations
2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(603) 373-8500
(603) 373-8500

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