50 Best Cocktail Bars in New Orleans

“I have so much love for Cane and Table. My wedding reception was held at C&T in 2019 and we had literally the best time. Best food, cocktails and ambiance. The upstairs is particularly charming and beautiful. So glad we have memories there. The staff was also so gracious and gorgeous, we had so much fun sharing our favorite day with them. For a long while we would pop in whenever we were in town and were always treated like friends. Can’t wait to visit again!“

“Bob Boudreau and I were in NOLA for 9 nights. Three of the nights we had reservations at other places with family. Our 1st night we looked up and found Jewel of the South. We loved it so much. we asked our nephew, his medical school advisor and his wife to join us. All three lived in NOLA and had never been here. All 5 of us would definitely go back in a heart beat. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great drinks. Great staff. GREAT ALL AROUND! FIVE STARS for Jewel of the South.“

“What an enchanting experience offering for a Sunday brunch. The decor-amazing. The menu-creative and flavorful.“

“Fabulous cocktails. Gorgeous decor and delicious food. Polite professional staff and sumptuous seating. Need I say more ❤️ The “soleil” gin cocktail is divine 🙏🏻 Do it!“

“It’s dark, it’s cool, and they’ll play 60’s/70’s rock gems as the house music. The food is pretty good too. This is my favorite spot I’ve found after several years living in The Quarter. The vibe is perfect. Its the darkness and the music that really makes me not want to leave. It’s rock’n’roll without being a dive. Oh yeah, did I say the food is pretty good too?“

“I have passed Fives multiple times, been meaning to stop in and finally did on last night w| a friend who was visiting.

We stopped by on a Tuesday, that is of course a pretty slow day in the city so it was pretty dead. We sat on the cocktail bar side and we were greeted by a super nice bartender— I can’t remember her name, but she had loads of energy!! We ordered a few oysters and they were hands downs some of the best oysters I’ve tasted. My favorites were the Mon Louis, such a great, clean taste. My drinks were extremely good. I could have sat there all night stuffing my face a drinking.

I wasn’t aware that Fives is owned by the same people who own The Columns, makes sense because food and drinks are always perfection there as well.

Fives is located in Jackson Square, prime location for tourists as it is centrally located in the Quarter. The space is limited, If you are expecting a full blown out restaurant, this isn’t the location. Fives is truly a cocktail/oyster bar. I believe I saw a total of four tables in each corner w| four chairs to each table.

This will certainly become a new spot for me to hang.“

“We were blown away on our first visit this morning!! Ryan is a talented mixologist in the bar creating beautiful, delicious and truly unique drinks. Our server Louis was incredibly charming and attentive, giving us excellent menu choices —as it was a hard decision. Every dish was a work of art—both in presentation and flavor. The whole experience was top-notch, and we can’t wait to come back!“

“I have been sending people to Bar Tonique for close to a year from my position as liquor vault manager at the Sazerac House. So many return to tell me what a great experience they had & to thank me for recommending it. I have left the position at Sazerac House & won't be sending any more from there, Good luck to all the craftsmen & women behind this truly wonderful place!“

“Really Great Holiday Decorations 🎼🌲💚❤️🎶“

“Recent dinner at the Jazz Bistro. Food was impeccable. service by server Sarah, was inconsistent and inattentive. Struggled to get her attention to place order. She ignored us for table of six. Surly, rude, unhelpful, no personality. spoke with young manager on duty; he listened, but said NOTHING in response to my concerns.(I identified myself as a former food and beverage manager with Hyatt Hotels and considerable restaurant experience.) Don't expect attention here, even if your needs are minimal. Other staff were charming, which made Sarah look even more inept.“

“Fantastic Cuban food made fresh. Small menu, but it’s perfect, you don’t need more because what they have is yummy.“

“From the amazing food. Awesome decor and A+++ from the staff. All around great experience will be back when in New Orleans. A must visit when in town. The fried bologna sandwich is probably the best sandwich I have ever had.“

“Amazing food , staff and ambiance.“

“I had a most enjoyable dining experience Lufa Nola this past Sunday. The food was delicious; the service was great & the atmosphere very serene & relaxing. I rate this restaurant & service as excellent with 5 stars. Therefore, I highly recommend it. Joyce D.“

“Excellent music, good (and cheap) drinks, chill and friendly atmosphere.“

“Creative and well executed. Lovely wait staff.“

“Food was delicious. Wait staff very friendly and attentive.“

“The Best Bartender in New Orleans!

Let me tell y’all something — Olivia is hands down the BEST bartender in the city of New Orleans! From the moment we walked in, her energy was unmatched. Her customer service? A1. She was friendly, professional, and knew exactly how to keep the vibe right.

Whether it was a custom cocktail or just good conversation, Olivia delivered every time. You could tell she takes pride in what she does, and it shows in how she treats every single customer. I highly recommend checking her out next time you’re at the bar. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!“

“We had the best time last Thursday night. Saffron was vibey, drinks were good and strong, the menu was unique, food was amazing, and service was top notch. We can’t wait to go back!“

“I’m a local who has dined at many N.O. restaurants and Cafe Amelie is my favorite. Charming atmosphere and THE BEST food and drinks!“

“Recently, we spent a month in Italy and didn’t find one pizza that matched what you can enjoy at Margot’s, it’s become our “ go to restaurant” when we want a phenomenal meal at a great price. And you MUST have the burrata appetizer - it’s astounding.

The service is always outstanding. They treat everyone like family- now that’s ‘amore ‘😉👍“

“Cozy ambience with a unique, delicious drink menu. They also offer their kitchen to local food businesses, and the Asian fusion one there when I went was phenomenal. Donavin makes a wonderful drink called “Thank You for Being a Friend” with Louisiana run, almond, passionfruit, and smoky amaro – must try! I was in town for the Home + Garden Show, and Barrel Proof was the perfect unwind!“

“My favorite bar in New Orleans! Amazing staff with great service, always friendly and ready for conversation. Queer/trans-friendly. Quirky weird shit playing on the TVs. Usually late night food trucks from local vendors, including awesome yakamein, a New Orleans classic.“

“Came for brunch and dinner. Both times were exceptional. You can spend a buck or two less in the neighborhood for so much less. Nothing I've had here has been a regret. Highly recommend everything from the breakfast gyro to the dinner lamb“

“Stopped infor the first time yesterday and couldn't believe what I have been missing! I had the BEST Bloody Mary I've had in years, and the frozen concoction they were serving tasted like heaven. We will definitely be making this a regular stop.“

“Must try!! We had the most delicious dinner at Pigeon and Whale. We were sitting at the bar, which is my favorite. It was fun watching them shucking the oysters. We ordered the swordfish schnitzel and scallops. Both were amazing. Their cocktails were also lovely. Great service. We had a fun date night but it would be a great place to bring guests or get together with friends as well!“

“Absolutely Amazing! One of my favorite places“

“Taylor was awesome knowledge about drinks and was perfect on suggestions when you told them your favorite flavors“

“Held our resident building mixer last night. GREAT venue, food, service, all top notch. I like to float between Rusty Nail and Sidecar depending on my mood.“

“The Baseline: For a in hotel restaurant lounge it must have a good drink menu, excellent appetizers, and a stellar staff to bring out the experience.

Food: Just had drinks. The old fashion was well made and they are stiff drinks in New Orleans.

Service: Great service from the bartender. Fast and efficient.

Ambiance: Wow! The views are incredible and the feeling is relaxed which is a nice escape from the French Quarter.“

“Bartenders are awesome!! Especially to out of town customers. They make you feel like one of the regulars, like a resident. Absolutely one of the best customer service I've ever had.“

“We had the most amazing dining experience we've had in awhile. Our server Antonio was knowledgeable about the dishes on the menu and attentive without hovering. We ordered bread for an appetizer along with the T-bone pork chops and Scallops with grits as the main course. Dessert was the Almond cake with honey ice cream. Everything came out with absolute perfection. Our drinks were never empty. We left full and blown away by the whole experience at Plates. Highly recommend!“

“We did the Drink Lab cocktail making class upstairs first and it was AMAZING and worth the money! The history and education that are included with the class are A1. We had such a great time during the class that we spent the rest of the evening downstairs at Baroness of Baronne. All of the food, drinks, shots (gas mask shot) were great! GO!“

“Great food, customer service was awesome @darow was great and management also very present and checking on customer highly recommend!!!“

“This place is incredible and totally unique in every way. The sake and the shochu are amazing, and the cocktails are even better! They make all the spirits they use! 🤯 The design of the bar itself is a nod to Japanese “izakaya” and it feels like you’ve been transported into another world every time you step through the front door. It’s an intimate wooden shoebox filled with the sounds of vinyl and friendly conversation. Make sure you take the ferry if you’re coming from the east bank and try a flight of sake to find your favorite one.“

“I took my Wife, Mom and Dad here for a tour and tasting. Everything we tried was good and some were excellent. However, the experience with Sam is was what made it all great. The staff was amazing and made us feel like we were in the backyard drinking with friends. We are local and like to day trip in state. I highly recommend giving this place a try and seeing why it is a hidden gem.“

“Best shrimp and grits I’ve had in a long time.“

“Absolutely delicious! We started with the crab salad which was very refreshing! Followed by one of each oyster they had to offer that day. Then we had an additional dozen of our favorites! We had the seared scallops and it was good enough to lick the plate! Finished with a slice of key lime pie. The daiquiri was tasty as well! The staff was attentive to our needs so much so that they walked to get sprite for my husband’s favorite drink! It was a lovely way to spend our 10 year anniversary tucked away in the bar by the oyster shucker. 10/10“

“Excellent experience. Highly recommend. We tried almost half the menu, drinks and desserts included. Great all around.“

“We dined at Commander’s Palace with a group of four, and from start to finish, it was an exceptional experience. Reservations are definitely recommended—this place is popular for a reason. The service was truly the best I’ve ever experienced. From the moment we sat down, the staff made us feel like VIPs. Chairs were pulled out for us, and there were dedicated servers for drinks and food. Every dish was brought out at the same time, with multiple staff coordinating to place each plate down simultaneously. Even the drink server meticulously cleaned the table with a small food pickup tool and replaced entire water glasses rather than just refilling them. It’s those small, thoughtful touches that really set this place apart. The ambiance was elegant yet inviting, with warm lighting, tasteful wallpaper, and comfortable seating. Dressing up is encouraged, and it adds to the classic New Orleans fine dining charm. Another fun touch: they wrap up your leftovers in foil—and shape it into a swan, which was such a delightful surprise! As for the food, I personally loved my meal, though a couple of my friends were a bit more critical of their choices. Still, the quality and presentation were excellent overall. If you’re in New Orleans and want a special dining experience, Commander’s Palace is absolutely worth a visit.“

“Best breakfast my wife and I have had in a restaurant ever! There Bennie’s are awesome. Can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu! We sat at the bar and the bartender was great!“

“Delicious dog! 🤤 And the chicken tenders for my daughter were fresh.“

“Great unique cocktails, relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.“

“Love the bagels love the food love the location. The vegan eat lox bagel is amazing! As is the harvest Moon. Their bagels are the right amount of chewy. If you're going on a weekend go early because they do sell out of most of their bagels by the end of the day. Oh if you like tahini, they have this wonderful tahini brownie like things that are delicious.“

“Amazing food and perfect vibes! The drum was rich and flavorful, easily the best dish I’ve had in a while. The atmosphere made the whole night feel special. Highly recommend!“

“*5/5 Stars! Unparalleled Excellence!* Brasa continues to impress! Our recent visit showcased exceptional service, culinary mastery, and an intimate ambiance. *Highlights* - Rob, our outstanding waiter, delivered personalized attention and expert recommendations. - Dishes were artistically presented, bursting with flavors. - Wine pairings elevated the dining experience. *A Consistent Favorite!* Brasa remains our go-to destination for special occasions. Rob's dedication and the culinary team's creativity ensure an unforgettable evening. *Highly Recommended!*“

“Recent dinner at the Jazz Bistro. Food was impeccable. service by server Sarah, was inconsistent and inattentive. Struggled to get her attention to place order. She ignored us for table of six. Surly, rude, unhelpful, no personality. spoke with young manager on duty; he listened, but said NOTHING in response to my concerns.(I identified myself as a former food and beverage manager with Hyatt Hotels and considerable restaurant experience.) Don't expect attention here, even if your needs are minimal. Other staff were charming, which made Sarah look even more inept.“

“Alaina is the best bartender ever!!!“

“Craft cocktails the expert old fashion way“

“My mom and I had an incredible stay at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel—a true gem in the heart of the French Quarter. The hotel is stunning in its historic charm, beautifully maintained, and thick in the character you come to New Orleans to experience. Its location could not have been more convenient—everything we wanted to see and do was within easy walking distance. The staff was outstanding from start to finish. Check-in and check-out were seamless, and when we had a small issue with the toilet, it was resolved quickly and kindly. Every detail was taken care of—even some we didn’t know we needed. A special thank you to David out front who went above and beyond to serve us. My mom is handicapped, and he personally managed the delivery and return of her electric wheelchair rental with patience and care. His kindness and attention meant so much to us. This hotel met every need and then some. Five stars—10/10 recommend to anyone visiting New Orleans. We’ll absolutely be back!“