Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.
Photo: Laura Steffan
Discover 7 of the Most Beautiful Bars in New Orleans
From timeless staples to new openings, sip in style at one of these chic watering holes
When it comes to a place that embraces design, culture, and fun to the absolute fullest, no city compares to New Orleans. From one-of-a-kind Creole cuisine to watering holes which provide libations as creative as their surroundings, Galerie has rounded up some of the most beautiful bars in the Big Easy just in time for Mardi Gras.
Napoleon House in New Orleans. Photo: CHRIS GRANGER
Pimm's flight at Napoleon House. Photo: Courtesy Napoleon House
1. Napoleon House
Located in New Orleans’s famous French Quarter, Napoleon House’s 200-year history is more than just a key part of the city’s history. When stepping inside this speakeasy-esque bar, which was awarded the “Timeless American” award by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation in 2019, an array of spirits await to craft timeless classics such as the New Orleans Sazerac, one of their three takes on their famous Pimm’s Cup cocktails (for those looking to have it all, opt for the flight), or the extra boozy Frozen Mardi Gras Daiquiri.
Bar area at Cure. Photo: Kevin O'Mara
Howitzer cocktail at Cure. Photo: Denny Culbert
2. Cure
Since its opening in 2009, this James Beard award-winning bar offers a list of pioneering cocktails which has made waves across bar and culinary programs alike. Featuring a menu which provides patrons with classic creations along with seasonal masterpieces, Cure is featuring a special Mardi Gras menu which includes seven festive cocktails perfect for toasting. Whether you’re sharing the Neal’s Mardi Gras Punch (made with overproof rum, red wine, fresh lemon, lime juice, and angostura bitters) with friends or sipping on the Roffignac (made with amagnac and raspberry shrub), grab a cup and get some beads.
Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone. Photo: Laura Steffan
Cocktail at Carousel bar. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Monteleone
3. Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone
One of the most whimsical bars in New Orleans, hidden gem Carousel Bar is tucked away in luxury French Quarter stay Hotel Monteleone. Marking the city’s first and only rotating bar, this intimate space features cocktails all inspired by the vibrant city, such as Fleur de Lis (Hendrick’s gin, St. Germaine liquor, lemon juice, cucumber), Carousel Old Fashioned (Noble Oak Double Barrel Bourbon, angostura bitters, toschi Italian cherries, simple syrup, orange twist), and French 007 (Mathilde Poire “pear” liquor, pama pomegranate liquor, topped with sparkling wine).
Fives in New Orleans. Photo: Courtesy Fives
Cocktail at Fives. Photo: Courtesy Fives
4. Fives
A newcomer to the city’s already impressive lineup of cocktail retreats, Fives not only offers a seafood-forward food menu, but also extensive cocktails which blend originality with classic flavors. Separated into three distinct cocktail sections including “World Classics,” “New Orleans Classics,” and “Originals,” guests can sit at the green paletted semi-circle bar while enjoying flavors including Ron Colon coffee rum, lychee fruit, lapsang souchong, and more. For a more boozy option, peruse the bar’s five martini choices.
The bar at The Chloe. Photo: Courtesy The Chloe
Cocktail at The Chloe. Photo: Courtesy The Chloe
5. The Chloe
Located on the scenic St. Charles Avenue, boutique stay The Chloe holds more treasures than just its chic mansion-style living. Inside, its intimate and moody bar area provides the finest craft cocktails that serve as the perfect way to kick off your Mardi Gras celebration. From the signature New Orleans Hurricane to more creative creations such as the Mandorla Effect (made with mezcal, grappa mandorla, pomegranate, lime, and habanero), the bar also offers a variety of non-alcoholic offerings for those on their best behavior.
Jewel of the South. Photo: Courtesy Jewel of the South
Cocktail at Jewel of the South. Photo: Courtesy Jewel of the South
6. Jewel of the South
Ranked as one of the best restaurant bars across the country, James Beard award-winning restaurant Jewel of the South pushes the envelope with their innovative New American cuisine in both the dishes and the cocktails. In addition to beloved classics, the restaurant’s rotating seasonal cocktail menu combines unexpected flavors with a variety of spirits into one perfectly packaged libation such as the Pouves-Vous Poulet (duck and chicken fat-washed rums, smoked maple syrup, and Bitter Queen’s Caribbean bitters) or Moko Jumbie (Rieger’s gin, tamarind aperitivo, cocchi americano).
Bar and lounge area at the Maidstone New Orleans. Photo: Courtesy Maidstone New Orleans
7. The Maidstone
Following the highly anticipated hotel’s recent opening, The Maidstone boasts interiors spearheaded by firm Studio Tre who brought in a contemporary color palette and design to the hotel’s bar and lounge area. Whether it’s sipping a craft cocktail at the bar itself, or opting to take one out on the property’s lushly landscaped lawn, this New Orleans newcomer is sure to be one of the go-to destinations for luxurious libations.
Cover: Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.
Photo: Laura Steffan
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