Historic Bars In The French Quarter

Historic Bars To Visit In The French Quarter, New Orleans

Historic Bars French Quarter + Cocktails To Enjoy

Home to a multitude of pubs, dives and bars throughout the different city districts, you are guaranteed to find a place to wet your whistle in New-Orleans, wherever your night (or day) may take you. Amongst the hurricane (pun intended) of bars that line the streets and alleys of the French Quarter, it’s easy to overlook the historic gems dappled throughout the district. Frothed with history, culture and some cocktail originals founded in the city, what better place to start than in the heart of the old city?

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With 300 years of history on its shoulder, the highs and lows of the city, it’s economic and cultural influences shaped the flavours and cocktails in restaurants throughout. Walking along the street, it’s not hard to feel that the buildings here have a life of their own; more memories than we will ever come to know. And it’s almost guaranteed there will be live jazz in the morning or evening at any of these establishments. And its also the birthplace of a multitude of delightful and strange cocktails.

Without further a due, below are some of my favourite historic bars I got to visit on my most recent trip to New Orleans. Enjoy!

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The Court Of The Two Sisters

I couldn’t help but put The Court Of The Two Sisters on my number one spot, and I’m being biased here but it was hands down an amazing place. If you’ve seen the courtyard tucked away in the back, you would know why. It boasts a glorious 199-year-old Wisteria strew through a wrought iron trellis’ that engulphs almost the entirety of the  “ceiling” space in the open courtyard. And although not in bloom in my photos below, it’s still a spectacular sight to see in any season, especially in one of the largest historic courtyards in the city.

As you enter the establishment, the wrought iron “charm’ gate will be the first thing to greet you. Imported from Spain, it is said that it was blessed by Queen Isabella. Thought to bring luck and charm to anyone who touches it! (make sure you give it a squeeze on your way in!).

Cocktails to Try Here:

• Not a Sisters’ original, but a courtyard Speciality the Bayou Bash.
• Mint Julep

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Antoine’s

Known as one of the oldest family-run fine-dining restaurants in New Orleans, it dates back to the 1840’s in origin, but not in location, having moved a block down from its birthplace in 1868. It is also where Antoine’s son, Jules created the first ever Oysters Rockafeller (the sauce still remains a family secret to this day). The ambience is classic and fancy in the dining area, but it does boast a large front end bar as you enter the establishment. It is often booked out for events, so you may have to revisit this location a second time (next day) during your vacation to get a chance to dine in.

Cocktails to try:

• Straight Bourbon (they carry many types)

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Broussard’s

One “Great Dames of the city”, this is a classic Creole restaurant with Parisian culinary history, dates back to the 1920s. Broussard’s serves exquisite dishes where French dishes and local spices continued to blend into what is now New Orleans cuisine. Historically housing many exciting social events, it has had celebrity, political and literary visitors alike.  It is more of a formal dining experience when it comes to the food. You may still enjoy it bar side or for brunch in their beautiful courtyard.

Cocktails to try here:

• Ramos Gin Fizz – Gin, lemon & lime, orange flower water
• Sazzarac

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Jean Lafitte: The Old Absinthe House

Jean Lafitte was a pirate working out of the upper floors of the old absinthe house building (a previous importing firm). The history is long but very little has changed in this old bar, even the same water dripping fountains for serving Absinthe are still used. Step into this iconic bar and enjoy a drink as you are transported back in time 200 years to when pirates and others got rosy-cheeked within these brick walls.

There are two locations called the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans but the historic location is on the corner of Bourbon and Bienville Street in the French Quarter. And I guess it’s not hard to guess what the historic drink is to try here.

Beverage to Try:

• Absinthe 

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Pat O’brians

New Orleans is home to a cocktail called the “Hurricane.” And although most bars will serve this fruity dangerously alcoholic cocktail, I encourage you to enjoy it at none other than Pat O’brians (the bar where the cocktail originated). One glance at the drink menu, you will easily find the page with ‘sizes’ in which you can order a hurricane. Will you dare order a 3-Gallon glass of hurricane?

Cocktails to try here:

• The ‘Hurricane’ is a regional alcoholic beverage made of a variety of spices, juice and a hefty load of rum. Be warned this is not a drink for the weak of heart as many of the hurricanes in the ‘smaller’ sizes will be packed with at least 4oz. of rum for a regular sized drink.

Pat O’Brien also has some amazing seafood cakes, fried duck with spicy sauce and jambalaya if you are feeling some good pub eats!

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Of Worthy note:

Sorry, no pics for these ones!

• Carousel Bar & Lounge: Where the Pimms cup made its debut from overseas and a hugely popular drink. All bars will carry this beautiful fruity concoction (and a must try if you are visiting the city). I highly recommend it but did not enjoy it at the original location.
• Tujague’s: The origin of the strangely green minty delight called the Grasshopper. Imagine drinking a liquid After-Eight Chocolate, it is the best way to describe the flavour. Delicious and refreshing especially for mint lovers like myself!

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