- cosy, chummy local with serious chill.
- this is where to hang when your travelling toes are too tired to travel a moment more.
- no hustle, no bustle, plenty of buzz and over 90 craft beers (lots of them local brews).
- staff are like your best friends (if only you had friends this cool).
BLACK PENNY
USA
- 700 n rampart st, new orleans, la 70116
- +1 504-304-4779
- FRIENDLY
- LIVELY
- CASUAL
CURE
USA
- 4905 freret st, new orleans, la 70115
- +1 504-302-2357
- sleek, slick, sumptuous on food and ridiculously good at cocktails
- winner of james beard award for outstanding cocktails
- master mixologists create concoctions so clever they are closer to alchemy than alcohol
- check out the cocktail list, there are quite a few you will not know but really should try.
- and for all their skills, the staff are sweet and the vibes very chilled
- INNOVATIVE
- ORIGINAL
- COCKTAILS
THE DUNGEON
USA
- 738 toulouse st, new orleans, la 70130
- +1 504-523-5530
- it is underground, open late, does not do marketing, but locals in the know love it with a passion
- sound is old school, pure rock, loud, proud and pumping on the bass
- it is said to be haunted, but after a few themed cocktails nobody cares
- doors open at 6pm but only tourists turn up before midnight
- GOTHIC
- UNUSUAL
- ROCKING
BARREL PROOF
USA
- 1201 magazine st, new orleans, la 70130
- +1 504-299-1888
- with over 300 whiskies (and counting) you might think smarty pants, this unpretentious neighbourhood bar’s happy to prove you wrong.
- craft beers, cocktails and a heap of seriously smooth spirits complete the drinks menu.
- food wise, they’re famous for hosting local pop-ups and boosting new talent.
- staff are wise and witty on all things drinkable. the atmosphere’s light and lively.
- CLASSIC
- NEIGHBOURHOOD
- WHISKY
BOOT SCOOTIN RODEO
USA
- 522 bourbon st, new orleans, la 70130
- +1 504-552-2510
- only right and proper that boot scootin rodeo has the biggest dance floor on bourbon street – line dancers love a bit of space.
- country crossover kicks out jazz on the live music front.
- but don’t come looking for spit and sawdust. this honky-tonk joint’s as fresh and clean as a tennessee dawn.
- shiny it might be, shy it’s not. so prep to party, get a l’il bit rowdy and stay up late.
- COUNTRY
- LINE-DANCING
- VIBEY
ERIN ROSE
USA
- 811 conti st, new orleans, la 70112
- +1 504-522-3573
- three minutes from bourbon street, open 21 hours, seven days a week.
- bolthole and watering hole for writers, artists, musicians.
- loved by locals looking to kick back, have a pint and not pay a fortune for the pleasure.
- warm, witty and chatty staff (it’s a new orleans’ irish thing).
- CHEAP
- IRISH
- LOCAL
CAROUSEL BAR AND LOUNGE
USA
- 214 royal st, new orleans, la 70130
- +1 504-523-3341
- as weird combos go, carousels and cocktails shouldn’t mix.
- but mix they do at the carousel bar and have done beautifully since 1949.
- no mere fairground attraction, this swanky spot’s one of the top 20 bars in the world.
- drinks aren’t cheap but mixologists are masterful and nobody minds if you sip slow.
