New Orleans is the cradle of American cocktailing. The Sazerac was invented here. The Ramos Gin Fizz was invented here. The Vieux Carré was invented here. The 10 below honour the city's history while including the modern rooms (Cure, Compère Lapin) that have brought the cocktail scene back to its 1880s peak.
Part of our 50 Best Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
Read the world list
The 10 best bars in New Orleans
01 · New Orleans
Roosevelt Hotel
$$
1893 · Murals
Inside the Roosevelt Hotel since 1893. Ramos Gin Fizz invented here. Restored Art Deco interior with original Paul Ninas murals.
Order: A Sazerac, made in the room where it lives
02 · New Orleans
Uptown
$$
Modern · Uptown
Neal Bodenheimer's room — the bar that brought New Orleans into the 21st-century cocktail scene. James Beard winner.
Order: Whatever's on the seasonal menu (cellar releases are excellent)
03 · New Orleans
French Quarter
$$
Caribbean-Americana · Patio
Caribbean-Americana cocktail bar. Rum-leaning. The patio in the back is one of the French Quarter's prettiest.
Order: A Mai Tai with their reserve agricole
04 · New Orleans
Warehouse District
$$
Restaurant bar · Caribbean
Nina Compton's restaurant. The bar program is one of NOLA's most respected. Caribbean-influenced cocktails.
Order: A drink built around their house-made Caribbean spice
05 · New Orleans
French Quarter
$$$
Restaurant bar · Tuxedo
At Arnaud's restaurant. Long bar, white-jacketed bartenders. The French 75 is the calling card.
Order: A French 75, served properly
Weekly editorial
The bars worth going to, weekly.
One email per week. The bars our editors are recommending right now, across 60 cities worldwide.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
06 · New Orleans
French Quarter
$
1797 · Pimm's Cup
Operating since 1797. Pimm's Cup is the calling card. Old wooden interior, classical music in the courtyard.
Order: A Pimm's Cup in the courtyard
07 · New Orleans
Lower Garden District
$$
Whiskey bar · 350 bottles
Whiskey-focused bar with 350+ bottles. The deepest American whiskey list in New Orleans.
Order: A flight of bourbons + a beef-fat-washed Old Fashioned
08 · New Orleans
French Quarter
$$
Quiet French Quarter
Tucked off Bourbon Street in a calm stretch of the French Quarter. Sophisticated cocktail program; the room is hush.
Order: A Sazerac, made the New Orleans way
09 · New Orleans
Mid-City
$
Mid-City neighbourhood bar
Mid-City neighbourhood cocktail bar. Casual, no-reservations, drinks that match Cure's technique without the polish.
Order: Whatever's on the chalkboard
10 · New Orleans
Bywater
$$
Restaurant bar · Bywater
Nina Compton's other room. Bar program is strong; the bistro food crosses well with the drinks.
Order: A signature spec + their house-made boudin
More NOLA bars by categoryCocktail, live music, historic — the full New Orleans index.
See the full list
Where to drink the city's invented cocktails
Visit The Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel for the original Sazerac (it's where the cocktail's restaurant rights live). Drink a Pimm's Cup at the Napoleon House. Order a Vieux Carré at Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar (where it was invented). Then graduate to Cure, Cane & Table, and Compère Lapin for what New Orleans cocktailing looks like in the present.
