11 Best Bars in New Orleans (Where to Drink Right Now)

Best Bars in New Orleans List

New Orleans is the spiritual home for incredible cocktails. There are plenty of wine bars too. Some of these bars are steeped in history, and you will enjoy the tale they have to tell. So sit back and relax in the wonderful ambience, with a cocktail in hand and listen to the tale they have to tell. Be ready to be riveted by the history and the drinks too! These are our pick for the best bars in New Orleans.

11 Best New Orleans Bars

Commander’s Palace

A landmark of New Orleans with class and history!

View of the Commander's Palace from the outside in New Orleans
(photo: William A. Morgan / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 899-8221
🕐 Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily

Commander’s Palace is one of the landmarks of New Orleans and has been around since 1983! The ambience here is classy and upscale. The place is huge, with three whole floors. The outdoor courtyard is a lovely place to eat. The turtle soup really lives up to its hope- it’s simply, mouth-wateringly delicious!

Also, make sure you’re dressed to a T, because most people here will be! The service is engaging, professional and impeccable. The wine list here is extensive – over 60 great wines. If you are looking for an elegant and sophisticated dining place, look no further than Commander’s palace.

Pat O’Brien’s

Have fun with one of their signature drinks

View of the Pat O'Briens sign on the entrance
(photo: Atomazul / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 718 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 525-4823
🕐 Hours: 12 pm – 12 am Wed-Thurs & Sun, 12 pm – 2 am Fri & Sat, Closed on Mon & Tue

Their motto is “have fun” and this is a great place to do just that! Whether it’s a birthday party, anniversary dinner or bachelorette party, you will find plenty of celebrations here! You can dine indoors, or out on the patio which is very picturesque with its fountain and trees everywhere.

There’s the piano and live music to be enjoyed indoors. Almost everyone who has dined here raves about the “Hurricane”. It is seriously good and one of the iconic things to do when you’re in New Orleans. The Rainbow, the Rainstorm and the Cyclone are all delicious and unique by their own rights! The atmosphere is classy, casual and kid-friendly.

Port of Call

For some of the best burgers and specialty drinks

View of people outside the Port of Call in New Orleans
(photo: William A. Morgan / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 523-0120
🕐 Hours: 12 pm – 9 pm Sun-Mon & Tue, 12 pm – 12 am Thurs-Sat, Closed on Tue

The ambience at the Port of Call is dive and casual. It is kiddo friendly too. It is a “hole in the wall” kind of place that serves the best burgers in the city. They have a small, select list of bottled beer and other soft drinks and beverages. The Tiki drinks are huge. The baked potato is also another dish that the locals swear by. The service is consistent and top-notch.

They have some house specialties like Huma Huma, which is mind-blowing. Or try out the “Neptune’s Monsoon”, which is a really old recipe that the pirates request as their last drink before being condemned to walk the dreaded plank!

SoBou

A spirited restaurant south of Bourbon

📍 Address: 310 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 552-4095
🕐 Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily

The SoBou is trendy, classy with a contemporary sleek and modern appeal to it. It’s a splendid place to enjoy some refreshingly delicious cocktails and tapas. The place is kid-friendly too.

They have more than two dozen cocktails that are refreshing, fruity, boozy or you can go with the classics if you’re a creature of habit. They have around two dozen wines as well.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

The oldest bar in the US

View of the Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar signage on the entrance
(photo: Kit Leong / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 593-9761
🕐 Hours: 10 am – 3 am daily

Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is the oldest building in the United States, which is now a Dive Bar. The outside feels like you have travelled back in time by some 200 years and the inside feels like a pirate ship! The whole place has an eerie, enchanted vibe that makes for a great experience-most unlike anything you would have ever experienced. And do try out their Purple drink – it’s a killer drink; that’s all we’re going to say!

🍺 Read More Bar Guides:

The Carousel Bar & Lounge

For the carousel and specialty drinks

📍 Address: 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 523-3341
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 12 am daily

The place has a spinning bar carousel with limited seating which is super fun! The cocktail menu is quintessentially French and they do serve authentic and tasty Sazerac. You will love the energy and vibe of the place. You could try from the Local Classics, Carousel Favorites, or Premium Pours. These are 15 in number and they all taste pretty great and unique.

Located in Hotel Monteleone

Napoleon House

View of the Napoleon House sign in New Orleans
(photo: William A. Morgan / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 524-9752
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Wed-Thurs & Sun, 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Mon & Tue

Located in the corner of Chartres and St. Louis in New Orleans’ French Quarter, it has a 200-year-old history and one of the best bars in New Orleans. The ambience here is classy, casual with pictures of Napoleon and graffiti on the walls. The place is known for its muffuletta and refreshing and light Pimm’s cup.

The place has a very ancient, rustic and moody vibe and is dimly lit inside. The drink list is extensive with cocktails, wine and beer. And when you are here, do ask for the history of the place – it is quite a thrilling tale!

Three Muses

Wonderful music, food and drinks

View of people outside the Three Muses Restaurant in New Orleans
(photo: Dr. Victor Wong / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 252-4801
🕐 Hours: 4 pm – 10 pm Thurs- Sun, Closed on Mon-Wed

This is a place that serves some enthralling music, along with good food and drinks. They have a nice drink menu with signature cocktails, wine and beer. The atmosphere here is classy, casual and is good to hang out with groups. It is kiddo friendly too.

The gumbo is their signature dish, which is wonderful. The vibe and energy of the place are very uplifting and positive. If you are looking for a place with great live musical performances, great food and good drinks, head to the Three Muses.

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

For the wines and Mediterranean fare

View of the Bacchanal Fine Wine Spirits from the outide
(photo: Page Light Studios / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 948-9111
🕐 Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Sun-Thurs, 12 pm – 11 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Tue

This is a wine shop that specializes in Old World Wines, wine-infused cocktails and specialty cocktails. The service and hospitality are truly incredible. The ambience is classy, casual and great for a date night with your beloved.

You can sip your wine in this cozy and comfortable place as you listen to live Jazz music. There are outdoor seating and an upstairs bar and dining place. The wine list is extensive, so grab a glass or bottle, seat yourself and be enamored by the wonderful music.

The Spotted Cat Music Club

For the mesmerizing music over some drinks

View of The Spotted Cat Music Club open sign on the entrance
(photo: Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock)

📍 Address: 623 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117 (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 6 pm – 2 am Mon & Thurs-Sun, Closed on Tue & Wed

Located very near the bustling French Quarter, this is such a fun place to hang out with your friends or colleagues after work. If you want a true New Orleans experience or take a departure from the usual drinking scene, then The Spotted Cat Music Club will be a great choice. They have a full bar that serves specialty drinks, local beer and wine.

Erin Rose

Authentic Irish experience

📍 Address: 811 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (504) 522-3573
🕐 Hours: 10 am – 7 am Mon-Sun, 10 am – 6 pm Thurs

This is a neighborhood Dive bar known for its delicious Bloody Marys, famous Frozen Irish Coffees and Irish Whiskeys. They serve beer and wine too. The atmosphere is casual and fun, and the staff, friendly. The bar decor is eclectic and quirky. The staff are incredibly polite and friendly. .Also, when you are here, be sure you visit Killer Po-Boys located in the back.