Gen Xer here so when a friend mentions 80s night I'm all in. After dinner downstairs at Pucinella,…read morewe climbed the steep stairs up. After a 5$ cover fee we immediately saddled up for our first bevie. My host was greeted my owner and dancer extraordinaire Bella Blu, with intros and hugs to follow. They have a large selection of hand crafted cocktails as well as standards available. I opted for a Light & Stormy (they use a white rum) which proved to be delicious. I paced myself with the cocktail water method and was pleased with the self serve water station which freed up the bartender for others. The music was thumping and my hips were bumping. I was happy to see this is a safe place for ALL people. Additionally, in the restroom I noticed a small sign that said you can contact any staff member for help. Wow! now that's cool.

The Original Nite Cap is pure New Orleans magic! From the second we walked in, the vibe was…read moreelectric -- laughter, lights, and love all wrapped up in one unforgettable night. The performances were top-tier, the drinks were strong and perfectly crafted, and the energy in the room....Absolutely contagious! What makes this spot truly special is how welcoming and inclusive it is. Everyone -- no matter who you are or how you show up -- is celebrated here. It's a space where you can be loud, proud, and completely yourself without judgment. Just joy, love, and community. Whether you're dancing, clapping, or just soaking it all in -- this is the kind of place where you leave with your cheeks sore from smiling. We'll definitely be back to get dinner at Pulcinella downstairs before the show. Check their schedule for all the shows and different kind of events they are hosting!

We were in town for the weekend and looking for something a little different than the madness of…read moreBourbon St. Found this "hidden" speakeasy style lounge and exuded to give to a try. Really cool lounge vibe, live acoustic music, and great drinks.

The speakeasy is located under a theater and if you don't know where the front door is, then you…read morewill totally miss it. The bar area is nice and cozy and the lounge area for live music. It's great to sit in and enjoy the ambience. The drinks we had were just OK. The bartender that was waiting on us was not very helpful. I asked for a couple recommendations and she didn't have much to say other than she didn't like any of those and she liked red wine. That was really offputting and not helpful at all even if that's true she could have been more helpful to try and tell me what drinks she would suggest or what is most popular.

Thirteen years calls for an update, no?…read more Sometimes I forget that this cocktail paradise lies on the very edge of the French Quarter. Admittedly, I have other regular stops these days, not for a lack of love or anything, these things happen. But Bar Tonique is a forever favorite, a worthwhile stop before a concert at the Saenger. The best place to stop, along with the Black Penny, on Rampart if you want a good cocktail. We stopped in on a hot Sunday late afternoon. What a refuge! The bar had plenty of seats, and the people in there were a nice mix of locals and cool tourists that don't want to spend their drinking day on Bourbon Street. Drinks are so fairly priced. In a time when cocktails are upwards of 20 bucks even in NOLA, it's nice to see theirs cost considerably less and they have a solid HH with $8 cocktails (rotating specials). Not BS beer and a shot or well drinks, but actual expertly-mixed drinks. And frozen Ramos Gin Fizzes if that's your thing (not mine but I get it).

After today.... I…read morereally share a SOLID like for this spot You get the DIVES bar vibes but I can't solely call it a stand alone dive bar if that makes sense. I am not one to update reviews but I must admit this spot makes me want to so I did. The Ramos Gin Freeze is good. The aftermath taste is notes of a "Key lime Pie" finish. Very cool

Lovely cocktail bar tucked behind a lobby with great art! Original Banksy anyone?…read more Outstanding champagne and natural wine selection curated Hilary the Sommelier. Not a long list of big names. Instead a short list of super high-quality, lesser-known wines and champagnes.

This was a nice place to chill after checking into our room at the International House Hotel. In…read morefact, this is their stylish hotel bar next to the lobby, so after we checked in and took a much-needed power nap, Jamie W and I felt it was time for a cocktail to kick off our weekend in New Orleans. Still a bit jet lagged, I'm glad we stuck around since the online reviews looked promising. Even though they had seating areas available, we just sat at the front end of the bar. There was a menu of carefully curated craft cocktails which impressed us with their meticulous detail (Photo 5). The bartender was patiently describing the ones that piqued our interest the most. Jamie ordered the $17 Moon Goddess, a tantalizing Senegalese-inspired tall drink mixing gin, sherry, almond, coconut water, and moon bitters (Photo 10). The hibiscus sugar rim lent a tropical sweetness that was welcome in the midst of a brisk autumn. I went for a jazzier libation, the $17 Barons Thirst, a throat-warming blend of bourbon, rum, sherry, passionfruit, coffee, and lime (Photo 8). With Haitian roots, it came amusingly with a lit cinnamon "cigar" that served as a swizzle stick. Both provided potent flavors, so we decided to have an alcohol-free second round, refreshing $10 Coco Margaritas with non-alcoholic mezcal, coconut, and lime (Photo 9). It was a nice introduction to our Nawlins night. COCKTAILS - 5 stars...thoughtfully created cocktails with quality ingredients AMBIANCE - 4 stars...chill vibe, not that spacious, gets a bit crowded as the evening progresses SERVICE - 4 stars...attentive, patient TOTAL - 4 stars...a great way to get your NOLA spirit in gear RELATED - Exploring New Orleans? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/kh-rxp4CKU

Tucked away in the heart of downtown New Orleans, Pirate's Alley is an absolute hidden gem…read more It feels like stepping into another era--quiet, atmospheric, and full of character. The perfect escape from the energy of the city just steps away. Do yourself a favor: grab a glass of absinthe, pick up a book from the shop next door, and settle in. I had both champagne and absinthe and happily sat there pretending I was Ernest Hemingway--and honestly, it felt exactly right. There's something magical about this place. It invites you to slow down, linger, and enjoy the moment. If you're looking for a unique, soulful New Orleans experience, this is it. A true gem--I'll absolutely be back.

The very first bar stop we did on our ghost tour in the French Quarter led us to Pirates Alley…read moreCafe. It was a really cute pirate-themed bar whose speciality was absinthe drinks. They were located about a block from Jackson Square right next door to the basilica St Louis Cathedral. The bar was run by the friendliest lady who ran a pretty efficient ship, considering we were a party of 15 for the tour and she handled our drink orders with ease. I ended up getting a local amber lager called Abita. It was very good and really hit the spot on a muggy evening in the summer in New Orleans. This place was non cash-so credit or debit cards only to pay for your drinks. Also just in case it wasn't clear,this place was a true hole in the wall bar, basically just a small counter top area to order drinks and and maybe two tables and that's it. Much more of a destination to grab a drink and walk out and be on your way rather than a place to spend hours hanging out. No TVs so not a spot to watch sporting events. Overall I really enjoyed my short visit to this bar and wouldn't hesitate to come back as their place has a cool vibe and the drinks are relatively inexpensive for the French Quarter.

After being denied service for our reservation at Antoine's due to "someone's" dress code not…read moremeeting their standard, we were glad to find out that the attached Hermes Bar offers the exact same menu daily after 5 pm. Claimed the last two empty bar seats, and had very fun and accomodating service from the bar staff (no dress code required). From $8 HH drink specials to brabant potatoes, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp remoulade and the truly over the top Baked Alaska, we enjoyed the most decadent bar meal I've ever had by far. So if you like Antoine's menu but not their stuffy atmosphere, then Hermes Bar is where you belong.

We simply stopped in to have a drink and soak up some local color and history at the beautiful bar…read moreassociated with the famous Antoine's Restaurant. Our bartender was Garrett and he was a wealth of knowledge regarding the bar and Antoine's. Numerous presidents have dined in the famous Presidential Room in Antoine's. I had a nice sparkling Rose and my husband picked up a delcious Paradise Park Lager made by Urban South Brewery in New Orleans. It was so good. The atmosphere inside is decadent with rich woods and cool tiled floors. You can order bites from Antoine's to have at Hermes Bar if you aren't dressed for Antoine's or if you are wanting a more chill environment. I would definitely return to this great bar.

A recent trip here was enjoyed as a perfect midafternoon break from the heat. Cool, dark and just…read morecasual enough to relax in without dressing up. The cocktails are very well crafted, as you'd expect, with the Toronto a highlight, as a Rye drink, and the namesake Sazerac a great representation.

Some bars just make their way into your nightly routine. The Sazerac Bar did just that. I ended up…read morehere two nights in a row because it's just that good. Old world elegance, very polished bartenders, classic atmosphere with business travelers and tourists. It reminds you why classic hotel bars never go out of style. While everyone else orders a Sazerac, I'll happily stick with my Manhattan. They absolutely nailed it both nights. If you appreciate a timeless cocktail bar, don't skip this one.

People watching mecca aka front row seats to humanity. Davenport Lounge delivers exactly that…read more I'm also convinced they serve some of the best bar chips. Pair those with a cocktail and spend an hour people watching. Every table tells a different story, and that's part of the fun. A fantastic spot to slow down after exploring New Orleans.

A Ritz Carlton should be a lot more than a hotel. While few live up to such expectations, the…read moreperfect Ritz Carlton is the gathering place of a city's high society and a wild party, where live music intersects with endless vintage champagne while the patrons engage in scenes that could belong in a Woody Allen film. Not many locations pull that off, yet the Ritz in New Orleans does a very respectable job at it. While New Orleans is undoubtedly known for jazz, The Davenport Lounge builds upon that concept through a highly refined jazz experience. That is a huge plus for any guest of the hotel, as experiencing the city's signature style of music only requires a ride down from the suite in an elevator. The lounge opened in 2000 when the Ritz was established based on the frame of an old department store. Jeremy Davenport, the musician after whom the lounge is named, plays here regularly with his band. The hotel's man restaurant, M Bistro, is essentially a part of the lounge as well. Thus, while technically separate establishments and menus, they share one room with only some columns separating. What does it mean? One can sit down either in the back of the lounge or in the restaurant, all while getting to enjoy the jazz. The food is traditional to the area and genuinely incredible. The drinks are perfectly executed. The service is sharp. All around, The Davenport lounge may not be an old institution of New Orleans yet, but with a couple decades under its belt, it has undoubtedly cemented itself as a luxury jazz party that belongs perfectly in the Ritz.