It's time for a healthy freshening up of the Eater New Orleans Cocktail Heatmap. Below, you'll find out where to sip the city's finest libations for your imbibing pleasure. About half of the selections are holdovers from the previous edition, while the rest are more recent additions to the city's ever-growing cocktail scene. All are perfect answers to the question, "Where should I drink tonight?"
Have a favorite cocktail bar or restaurant with a great cocktail program that you think needs to be on here? Think one or more of these just isn't as hot as we say and needs to be removed? Let us know.
Cure is no longer a new bar, but it remains the central figure in New Orleans' cocktail scene. It effectively redefined the cocktail bar in New Orleans, pushing drinkers in this city to expand their tastes, and is still a central figure in our (ever-expanding) cocktail scene.
The French 75 has been named one of the best bars in the country by Esquire and GQ. Why? It's swanky, hospitable, and Chris Hannah happens to be one of the best bartenders the city's ever seen. Driven by a passion for the cocktails of the past, both the classics and the forgotten ones, Hannah continues to impress.
Nick Detrich's proto-tiki bar is a must-visit for serious imbibers down on Decatur Street, with island-themed food menu from Adam Biderman, a swanky new renovation of the Pravda space, and lots of industry cred. It's another impeccable bar from the Cure Co., with an emphasis on rum drinks from pre-tiki times.
Felipe's upstairs tiki pop-up is heating up the cocktail scene with tropical drinks set aflame, served in souvenir tiki mugs, or keeping it old school like the Hemingway Daiq. Nathan Dalton and team are cocktail-obsessed, and with the addition of exotica lounge dance nights, it all makes for a great escape. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays from 5pm-Midnight.
Nestled along the outer limit of the French Quarter on Rampart, Tonique isn't your average Quarter bar. It's small and seating is limited (as is standing space, if you come at the wrong time). But like Cure, it's an example of the 21st Century cocktail bar in a city that clings to tradition.
This Cure Co. bar inside the Hotel Modern goes way back in time with cobblers and punches that were popular at the turn of the last century, serving them up with minimal pretension. The name and design pay homage to New Orleans photographer E.J. Bellocq, who clandestinely documented the working women of the old Storyville.
Abigail Gullo, a transplant from The Beagle and Fort Defiance in New York City, shows her talent for creating inspired craft cocktails at this whimsical street food restaurant from the Commander's family in the Quarter.
The bar, led by Liam Deegan, executes both classic and original cocktails very well. Sylvain's sazerac is great, but the house-made cola is off the charts. Add Chef Alex Harrell's antipasti plate and you're on your way to a great night.
Opened by T. Cole Newton in October 2010, Twelve Mile Limit brings people from all across town to a nondescript bar in a nondescript stretch of Mid City for expertly-crafted cocktails, barbecue, and doberge cake. Try the Baudin, probably the best cocktail made with hot sauce. Ever.
This pop-up speakeasy is almost like a secret society of New Orleans best bartenders. Created by Ali Mills, the monthly-or-so speakeasy features guest bartenders and chefs of worthy buzz, and takes over homes, backyards, and cool spaces, turning them into a dreamy cocktail party with proceeds going to charity.
Kimberly Patton Bragg and Steve Yamada turn out both wild new drinks, whiskey-based cocktails and classics at the Hotel Modern's restaurant. There are about 50 different American whiskeys to choose from here, so come on, get happy.
The frozen drinks shine here, like the Snow Globe (think boozy strawberry sno ball) and specials like a Hurricane Float made with rum and passion fruit sorbet, but well-crafted cocktails on trend also abound. Housemade ingredients from bitters to smoked velvet cream soda and Interesting flavor elements (salted watermelon? sweet peppers? Yes.) make it difficult to choose a drink, though the Bywater Bomber daiquiri is a staple.
Christine Jeanine Nielson created the cocktail list for the Asian street food newbie Lucky Rooster. A wealth of exotic housemade sodas, classic cocktails with Asian twists, and even a new secret drink menu (revealed here by Anne Berry) you must ask for by name, chances are you'll feel lucky, boozter.
Brad Smith and team has developed a robust, seasonal cocktail list (including a draft cocktail ) at this favorite Bywater joint. Drinks delve into the herbacious, floral, and smoky side with interesting spirit pairings, and an intriguing air that also accompanies Michael Doyle's food.
Opened by Bar Tonique's Justice Jagger, this brunch hotspot in the Irish Channel is also home to a polished cocktail program of classic, adapted, and original drinks. Perfect for evening/day drinking in the courtyard, accompanied by Jonathan Lestingi's kimchi-tastic cuisine.
Cure is no longer a new bar, but it remains the central figure in New Orleans' cocktail scene. It effectively redefined the cocktail bar in New Orleans, pushing drinkers in this city to expand their tastes, and is still a central figure in our (ever-expanding) cocktail scene.
The French 75 has been named one of the best bars in the country by Esquire and GQ. Why? It's swanky, hospitable, and Chris Hannah happens to be one of the best bartenders the city's ever seen. Driven by a passion for the cocktails of the past, both the classics and the forgotten ones, Hannah continues to impress.
Nick Detrich's proto-tiki bar is a must-visit for serious imbibers down on Decatur Street, with island-themed food menu from Adam Biderman, a swanky new renovation of the Pravda space, and lots of industry cred. It's another impeccable bar from the Cure Co., with an emphasis on rum drinks from pre-tiki times.
Felipe's upstairs tiki pop-up is heating up the cocktail scene with tropical drinks set aflame, served in souvenir tiki mugs, or keeping it old school like the Hemingway Daiq. Nathan Dalton and team are cocktail-obsessed, and with the addition of exotica lounge dance nights, it all makes for a great escape. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays from 5pm-Midnight.
Nestled along the outer limit of the French Quarter on Rampart, Tonique isn't your average Quarter bar. It's small and seating is limited (as is standing space, if you come at the wrong time). But like Cure, it's an example of the 21st Century cocktail bar in a city that clings to tradition.
This Cure Co. bar inside the Hotel Modern goes way back in time with cobblers and punches that were popular at the turn of the last century, serving them up with minimal pretension. The name and design pay homage to New Orleans photographer E.J. Bellocq, who clandestinely documented the working women of the old Storyville.
Abigail Gullo, a transplant from The Beagle and Fort Defiance in New York City, shows her talent for creating inspired craft cocktails at this whimsical street food restaurant from the Commander's family in the Quarter.
The bar, led by Liam Deegan, executes both classic and original cocktails very well. Sylvain's sazerac is great, but the house-made cola is off the charts. Add Chef Alex Harrell's antipasti plate and you're on your way to a great night.
Opened by T. Cole Newton in October 2010, Twelve Mile Limit brings people from all across town to a nondescript bar in a nondescript stretch of Mid City for expertly-crafted cocktails, barbecue, and doberge cake. Try the Baudin, probably the best cocktail made with hot sauce. Ever.
This pop-up speakeasy is almost like a secret society of New Orleans best bartenders. Created by Ali Mills, the monthly-or-so speakeasy features guest bartenders and chefs of worthy buzz, and takes over homes, backyards, and cool spaces, turning them into a dreamy cocktail party with proceeds going to charity.
Kimberly Patton Bragg and Steve Yamada turn out both wild new drinks, whiskey-based cocktails and classics at the Hotel Modern's restaurant. There are about 50 different American whiskeys to choose from here, so come on, get happy.
The frozen drinks shine here, like the Snow Globe (think boozy strawberry sno ball) and specials like a Hurricane Float made with rum and passion fruit sorbet, but well-crafted cocktails on trend also abound. Housemade ingredients from bitters to smoked velvet cream soda and Interesting flavor elements (salted watermelon? sweet peppers? Yes.) make it difficult to choose a drink, though the Bywater Bomber daiquiri is a staple.
Christine Jeanine Nielson created the cocktail list for the Asian street food newbie Lucky Rooster. A wealth of exotic housemade sodas, classic cocktails with Asian twists, and even a new secret drink menu (revealed here by Anne Berry) you must ask for by name, chances are you'll feel lucky, boozter.
Brad Smith and team has developed a robust, seasonal cocktail list (including a draft cocktail ) at this favorite Bywater joint. Drinks delve into the herbacious, floral, and smoky side with interesting spirit pairings, and an intriguing air that also accompanies Michael Doyle's food.
Opened by Bar Tonique's Justice Jagger, this brunch hotspot in the Irish Channel is also home to a polished cocktail program of classic, adapted, and original drinks. Perfect for evening/day drinking in the courtyard, accompanied by Jonathan Lestingi's kimchi-tastic cuisine.
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