A New Orleans Bar Crawl

Arnaud's French 75 Bar draws a steady local crowd in French Quarter. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening Start polished. Order something stirred and bracing — a martini, a manhattan, or whatever the bar's house spec is. You're warming up the palate, not chasing trends.

Alto Rooftop at Ace Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Warehouse District. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the eveni Now move into the city's cocktail-bar heart. Order off-menu if you can; if the bartender has a single-drink-special-of-the-week, that's the one.

Bacchanal Wine sits on Poland Avenue in Bywater, in a shotgun double that was originally a neighbourhood grocery store. The front room sells wine by the bottle Hit a wine bar before the second cocktail run. Two glasses, a small plate, a reset. Keep your conversation in here — the rooms after midnight aren't for talking.

Bar Marilou draws a steady local crowd in Warehouse District. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. This is the room you booked for. Lights are lower, prices higher, drinks are tightly built. Stay an hour, no longer.

Bar Tonique is the French Quarter neighbourhood cocktail bar that's been pulling industry crowds since 2008 — a tight programme of classic NOLA-style drinks plu Move to a music room. Jazz, soul, or a DJ at modest volume. You want a soundtrack, not a club.

Barrel Proof occupies an unassuming corner of Magazine Street that gives almost nothing away from the outside. Push open the heavy door and you enter a dim, woo End on something simple. A clean martini, a Negroni, a whisky and water. Tip your bartender. Walk home or take a quiet cab.