New Orleans is one of the best drinking cities in the world. It is a place where a bar is never just a bar. It might be a historic candlelit tavern, a live jazz room, a cocktail institution, a wine shop with a cult following, or a perfectly unfussy neighborhood spot pouring something strong and delicious.

From French Quarter classics to live music favorites and stylish wine bars, these are some of the best bars in NOLA to add to your list.

Barrel Proof

Barrel Proof is the kind of New Orleans bar I love because it does not need to be fancy to be excellent. This Lower Garden District favorite is known for great cocktails, a serious whiskey selection, and an easygoing neighborhood feel.

Come here when you want a well-made drink without any fuss. It is casual, cool, and exactly the kind of place where one cocktail can very easily turn into a full evening. 1201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Bayou Bar

Bayou Bar at The Pontchartrain Hotel is a moody, polished, very New Orleans kind of bar. It has history, great drinks, and that old-school hotel-bar charm that makes you want to linger.

This is a wonderful stop for cocktails before or after dinner, especially if you love a space that feels intimate, classic, and full of character. It is refined without being stiff, which is always the sweet spot. 2031 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Blue Nile

Blue Nile is a Frenchmen Street staple and one of the best places in New Orleans for live music. If you want to feel the energy of the city, this is the move.

The drinks are straightforward, the music is the reason you are there, and the whole place has that lively, let-the-night-unfold magic New Orleans does better than anywhere. 532 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Brennan’s

Brennan’s is an icon, and while it is known for its legendary dining room and famous brunch, the cocktails deserve their own moment. The drink to know here is the Brandy Milk Punch, a creamy, classic New Orleans cocktail that feels decadent in the best way.

Come for brunch, stay for the courtyard, and absolutely order the milk punch. It is timeless, festive, and very Brennan’s. 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Me and Robert at Brennan’s for my friend Jim (A NOLA Local’s) 50th Birthday weekend celebration!

The Carousel Bar & Lounge

The Carousel Bar is definitely touristy, but it is also iconic for a reason. Set inside Hotel Monteleone, the actual rotating bar is one of those New Orleans experiences that everyone should do at least once.

Order a classic cocktail, enjoy the people-watching, and embrace the moment. It is fun, glamorous, a little theatrical, and wonderfully New Orleans. 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is one of the most atmospheric bars in the French Quarter. Often called one of the oldest bars in the country, it feels candlelit, historic, and a little mysterious in the most fabulous way.

It is the kind of place where the building does half the storytelling for you. Go for a drink, stay for the history, and enjoy one of the most classic bar experiences in New Orleans. 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Patron Saint

Patron Saint is a chic wine shop and bar that brings a very stylish, thoughtful energy to the New Orleans drinking scene. It is intimate, beautifully curated, and perfect if your ideal night out includes an excellent bottle, a great playlist, and people who really care about what they are pouring.

It is also the kind of spot where guest pours and special wine moments, like Sandhi, make the experience feel extra personal and fun. A must for wine lovers. 1152 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Peychaud’s at The Celestine

Peychaud’s is tucked inside The Celestine and feels like exactly the kind of French Quarter cocktail bar you hope to find. The name alone is a nod to New Orleans cocktail history, and the setting is charming, elegant, and intimate.

Come here for a proper cocktail in a beautiful space before dinner or for a nightcap that feels special without being overdone. 727 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The Spotted Cat Music Club

The Spotted Cat is one of the best live music bars in New Orleans and such a fun Frenchmen Street stop. It is small, lively, and packed with the kind of music that makes you instantly understand why people fall so hard for this city.

This is not about a complicated cocktail menu. It is about the room, the musicians, the energy, and the joy of hearing incredible live music up close. 623 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

The best bars in New Orleans are all about personality. Some are historic, some are polished, some are loud and music-filled, and some are simply perfect for a great glass of wine. Whether you are sipping milk punch at Brennan’s, listening to jazz on Frenchmen Street, or settling into a moody hotel bar, NOLA knows how to make a drink feel like a memory.