The best places to grab a drink in New Orleans

Whether you’re planning on popping the question or looking to impress visitors, The Peacock Room at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot ticks those boxes—and more. The vibe at this sultry spot—which also includes live music—is Vegas meets boudoir, all gilded cages and vintage wallpaper. The smart cocktail menu features classics such as negronis and sazeracs, plus newer, more playful libations such as the Hell-Cat Maggie, a mix of rum, elderflower liqueur, IPA, and fresh fruit juices. If you’re not imbibing, opt for a zero-proof drink including the peachy and citrusy Fuzzy Drama. Inventive American bites from chef Samuel Peery include a signature smash burger and roasted Louisiana oysters with Calabrian chile butter and aged manchego.

This lush Poydras Street oasis features one of New Orleans’s prettiest patios. But at its core, the spot is a charming wine tavern, helmed by executive chef Amy Mehrtens, whose previous experience includes a stint at NOLA stalwart, Commander’s Palace. Occupying the former home of Creole stalwart Maylie’s, the 6,000-square-foot expanse boasts 30 wines on tap and a lively list curated by sommelier Emily Walker. Decadent plates, such as pappardelle pasta with short rib ragu and gulf fish amandine—arguably the city’s best spin on the Creole classic—pair superbly with whatever you’re drinking.

Welcome to church. Soft light pours through stained-glass windows at this gorgeous repurposed house of worship, just off Canal Street. A lineup of 12 different glasses for drinks service exemplifies just how serious this place is about its cocktails. Chef de cuisine Willie Cooper creates winsome coastal Mediterranean dishes, such as seared scallop risotto and crab boiled shrimp salad. Sip drinks on the lovely covered patio, equipped with misters to take the edge off the heat.

Antoine’s is the country’s oldest family-run restaurant, dating back to 1840. That pedigree extends to its Hermes Bar, where classic cocktails aren’t just served, but where they debuted. The bar menu is composed of faithfuls such as sidebars and sazeracs, along with zero-proof drinks such as the pomegranate-forward Mardi Mocktail that still feel fancy. Order oysters Rockefeller at the bar—they were invented here, after all—or graze from a selection of salads and sandwiches, including a stellar wagyu burger. Bonus points for the live music on weekends.

Rest assured, when the Saints play, every TV at Bobby Herbert’s Cajun Cannon is locked on the game. Opened by the legendary Saints quarterback in 2014, this sports-themed restaurant and bar is chock full of team memorabilia. The kitchen dishes local faves such as seafood gumbo, fried seafood, a blackened catfish po-boy, and red beans and rice, plus oversized burgers and steak. Tropical drinks and margaritas include the formidable 60-ounce Cajun Cannonball, a punchy mix of tequila and fruit juices with a rum topper—built for two.

Named for chef Emeril Lagasse’s daughter, Meril is a lively Warehouse District space. Its many draws include a horseshoe-shaped bar leading to an expansive dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Girod Street. Chef de cuisine Bergen Carman oversees a menu that’s playful and global: there are Italian-accented flatbreads topped with mortadella and burrata, and bar snacks that beg for a craft beer, such as fried turkey necks with mojo sauce. Housemade pastas, hearty entree salads, and an impressive batch of vegetable sides round out the spirited American menu. To drink, there are craft cocktails, local beer, and an impressive cordial collection.

This stylish restaurant on the corner of St. Charles and Girod is best known for its impeccably seared prime steaks topped with butter, but the bar scene is something special, made for dress-up occasions, business dinners, and sophisticated mingling. There is a deep well of single malts, along with fun cocktails and an international wine list. Stop by between 4 pm and 6 pm on Tuesday through Friday for some of the city’s top app and drink specials.

This newly opened light-filled brewery is a breath of fresh air in the CBD. Chef Shannon Bingham offers the likes of roasted gulf fish, confit beef cheeks with salsa verde, sandwiches, salads, and snacks such as spicy fried green tomatoes. All make ideal companions to the 15 house-brewed German and British drafts or wine list, which highlights smaller producers. It all adds up to a laid-back drinking experience, well-suited for easygoing dates and leisurely catch-ups with friends.