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Old Absinthe House

3.6 (647 reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

Old Absinthe House Photos

Business Info

OLD ABSINTHE HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Divey
Juke Box
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Old Absinthe House

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Reviews With Photos

John S.

Fun bar on Bourbon Street. Dont think they have food, but we both got the absinthe margarita. It was a fun drink. One was enough. Worth stopping by this historic bar. Bartenders were prompt

Walls
Cheyenne P.

Absinthe house is worth stopping in to have a nightcap. They have other drinks and the bartender will make you whatever if absinthe isn't your thing. Historical place , open door atmosphere. Leave a card ! Definitely dive bar atmosphere.

Absinthe frappe
Mikey H.

One of our friends and colleague passed away some time ago, but always said to stop at the Old Absinthe House for a frappe. So that's what we decided to do. It's dark and kind of old but with much character from the walls and the patrons. We ordered the absinthe frappes...and dang...these were potent! We sipped and laughed...and met some people. I leaned over and thanked the woman who had put all these Prince songs on the jukebox... She: My husband is so mad at me right now. There's 24 credits left in the machine...go pick some songs you like! She wasn't kidding! Played a lot from the 80s! We just sang, laughed and sipped those frappes...LOL! After we finished, we decided to walk and took a stroll down Bourbon...laughing, singing, and talking to strangers....

Paul R.

When we visit NOLA, we usually avoid Bourbon St but...... The Old Absinthe House is a must-stop for us. The Absinthe has been around since 1806 (according to their website) and began as a grocery store. Some of the absinthe cocktails have a strong black licorice flavor, and others are milder. The knowledgeable bartenders will guide you, even when they are slammed. Be aware that these cocktails have a very high alcohol content, so buyer beware. There is a reason that you get water with your drink. Do check out the memorabilia that adorns the dusty walls. Some have been there for decades. The men's room was rather sporty to the point where I was scuffing the soles of my shoes on my way back to the bar. Hey, it's the ambiance of this iconic bar. Not an absinthe fan? They have a full bar and beer. Pro tip: Everyone seems to congregate by the entrances, so work your way to the rear area for quicker service.

Jennifer T.

Great bar! My group of 10 were serviced quickly and kindly. Due to our initial great experience this was a spot we'd find ourselves back at. Love the interior and the round bar. Definitely recommend!

Menu
Stephen L.

(10/06/2025) I stopped in on a whim. The bartender was very knowledgeable and friendly; she provided recommendations, and offered to sweeten my drink of it wasn't to my liking, so superb service the other gentleman behind the bar was friendly and helpful as well. The atmosphere is quirky; with such a historic pedigree and "refined" spirit, I would have expected a completely different vibe, but it feels very dive-bar adjacent, with business cards tacked to the walls, & a touchtunes machine on the wall (a mix of hip-hop and Dad rock was consistently coming through the speakers). The cocktails & pours were a touch pricey, but it is Bourbon Street. Overall, a positive experience, and I'd return.

De A.

Bartender was super friendly and informative. She explained the different types of absinthe drinks available. I didn't know so many existed! I tried the simplest one based on her recommendation, and it was an experience. It had a very strong and sharp licorice flavor. Was it like ouzo? Not sure, because I had tasted ouzo once (and only once) over 30 years ago and this drink brought that gasping memory. I couldn't finish my drink. The bar was dark and moody, but that's perf for New Orleans. I'd return if I had a guest who wanted to try absinthe. I personally would never order this powerful tasting drink ever again. The moment satified the broody 18th century novelist inside of me.

Alicia H.

An eclectic dive bar on bourbon with reasonably priced drinks and an interesting crowd to people watch (esp the day drinkers who were trying absinthe for the first time lol). Was going to just grab a drink to go but ended up sitting at the bar for 2 rounds before moving on. Would return.

Olay to the Absinthe House.
Jeff N.

Old Absinthe House is one of those "rite of passage" spots you check out in NOLA in the Quarter when you don't have to worry about parents or family members who live in the area judging you for even thinking about going there. I had never been there, and there was time to kill in the Quarter before cooking class, so I hopped over to the establishment on the corner of Bourbon and Bienville. Walking inside, it has the thrills and decor of most of the divey bars you can enter on Bourbon Street -- cards and other weather-worn swag littering the walls, battered bar counters, and aged but sturdy bar stools. It was nice to enjoy two pours of absinthe served traditionally (at least originally for the second; for the first, I added water, lemon, and lime). I gained a good buzz from the second one. But the lack of additional help behind the counter and distinction from the other bars (outside of just the absinthe) made it a spot to try once and move on. It would have helped if the bartender had at least another to help on hand and not just a bar back that looked like they kept returning for a bone fix.

Absinthe
Karl B.

Stopped into the Old Absinthe House on a whim, and honestly? Totally worth it. The bartenders were insanely friendly -- the kind of people who make you feel like you've been a regular for years even if you just walked in off Bourbon Street. The vibe in here is different in the best way: dim, historic, a little weird, and completely its own thing. You can feel the age in the walls, but in a cool, lived-in, New Orleans sort of way. Drinks were great, the atmosphere was unique, and the whole experience just hit right. Definitely a spot I'm glad we didn't skip. Would 100% stop by again.

Jason Y.

Good spot for absinthe lovers and trying the original absinthe frappe. Not a fan of absinthe so it wasn't for me. The vibe of the place is ok. Service could definitely be improved. Wasn't acknowledged for at least 5 minutes while everyone else that came in after me was already getting their drinks.

Deadly at Dusk
Jennie C.

I love this place so much. Is it on Bourbon St and over hyped/priced? Sure. But the opportunity to try different absinthe has been a game changer! Ambiance is typical Bourbon with some pretty incredible history. This building is filled with stories. Definitely check it out and get yourself an absinthe!

Interior of the bar
Gwen Z.

I haven't been to this place in over 40 years. It looks exactly the same as I remember it! Dark and cozy. The bartender mixed a wonderful absinthe cocktail. The only downside for us was the music was very loud and not what we were hoping to hear. It was hard rock.

Shot of local whiskey

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1 month ago

Ambiance as one of if not the oldest bar in New Orleans, was awesome! Must see when in the French Quarter!

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6 months ago

Definitely one of the best places to go! Didn't try the food, but the service and atmosphere of the bar were top notch.

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Ask the Community - Old Absinthe House

Would the absinthe I get be the original authentic one from the past before it was banned if it ever was banned?

Yes, it is.

What's the best Day/Night to do a balcony here for Mardi Gras?

We went during the day and easily found a couple of seats at the bar. Though it has a balcony, there is no access to it for patrons as far as I know. Enjoy.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Old Absinthe House - divebars - Updated May 2026

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