New Orleans Speakeasies and Drinking in the French Quarter

New Orleans has always marched to the beat of its own brass band, and nowhere is that spirit more alive than behind unmarked doors, tucked-away courtyards, and candlelit cocktail bars that reward the curious. From historic hideaways in the French Quarter to modern speakeasies serving inventive libations, this city knows that the best drinks often come with a side of mystery. Come discover the hidden side of the Big Easy—one perfectly crafted cocktail at a time.

I feel like I’m betraying the New Orleans food culture by simply talking about drinking.  Probably the best food city we have visited.  But for this trip, we were there for Tales of the Cocktails, the annual industry conference for bar owners, bartenders, brands, and all alcohol trades and enthusiasts.  And wow, were we underprepared yet blown away by this conference.  All the sessions, all the tastings, so much information and so much fun.  Not to state the obvious, but you can’t out-drink or out-party people in the bar industry.

We had limited speakeasies, so I am going to talk about them and then cover a few drinking spots that we found to be absolutely worth your trip.

The Vault

The Vault is a relatively new (one year old as of July 2026 writing). A small venue at the Westin New Orleans Hotel.  It is invite only, you can contact the hotel if you are a guest or find someone in the know.  We know, and we love the exclusivity. We were invited for a 400 Conejos night and were very excited after talking with Nathan, the bar manager.  Spoiler: Nathan is going on our best people of 2026 list!

The Entrance

Take the elevator by the valet entrance to the 11^th floor, the elevators open to this amazing bar called Observatory Eleven. Gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows and fantastic decor, and huge round bar. But that is not why you are there, don’t get too distracted.  At the bar let them know you are there for The Vault and they will call someone to come get you.  This is all I can tell you, because I value the secrecy of their experience. But just go with the guy who comes out, trust that all will be as it is supposed to be.

The Experience

There is a secret knock.  There is a little surprise awaiting you when they open the door and you will momentarily feel like “WHAT? What is THIS?”  But trust your sisters.  When you are led to your seat you will feel the ambiance, the prohibition era-feel with the fireplace, decor, and attention to details that was put into this room.  The room has a reddish glow, but the overhead lighting has that antique feel where they flicker every once in a while, and if it isn’t intentional, it works.  On the record player is Post-Modern Jukebox, which is high on my list of great music.

The cocktail list is developed by only the bar manager and the two bartenders; there are typically 5 drinks on the rotating menu.  The ingredients can be a little out there, but they work together and make an amazing palate boost.  We were blessed with some one-on-one time with Nathan and the bartender of the night, Vickey.  We were treated to stories of how The Vault came into existence, Vickey’s background story (which was brief but amazing) and his creations will blow your mind when you find out he only has 2 years of experience (of not just bartending, but drinking alcohol!!).

This night was spectacular.  Going on our best bars list, going to be raved about for a long time to come, and Nathan and Vickey will be on our Best People of 2026 list.

The Shaker Rating

Definitely hidden.  Task to get in (reservations and a knock). Theme is a great 1920’s feel.  Service is beyond all expectations, kind, informative, and warm.  Cocktails were fantastic. Our first was a mezcal and saffron creation of Vickey’s, but also a limoncello espresso martini, and my Silk and Saffron spiced rum, cardamom, cherry, pineapple, mango explosion was incredible.  The Vault absolutely gets a well-deserved 5-Shaker rating.

Sister Side Note (ssn) – this was truly one of the most enjoyable experiences we’ve had. Vickey has a exceptional palate for pairing spirits and savory flavors. The Mezcal Sultan (the drink Patti mentioned above) was one of the best mezcal cocktails I’ve ever had.

Tragos Amargos

Inside Taquerias Carnalito on Poydras Street.  Go get yourself a taco, it smelled and looked so good.  Tragos Amargos was new, it had only been open for weeks as of July 2026.

The Entrance

In the corner of the taqueria is a juke box, select the Tragos Amargos song on the juke box and then hit play.  This will open the door to a small mirrored, red-lit room, where the hostess will greet you and take you past the hostess stand and into the bar.

The Experience

Tragos Amargos feels very 70’s disco era, with a balcony overlooking the bottom floor, the wood accents, and a DJ setup at the oblong center bar.  Music was good and not so loud that we couldn’t talk.

Calvin was awesome, funny, and engaging.  He explained the three categories of cocktails very well – the savory page, the page of classics, and the page where the cocktail changes from the first sip to the finishing taste.  When Peggy didn’t like one of her drinks, he said “yeah, I feel the same way, I just couldn’t tell you what to like and not like” and then he easily got her a new cocktail.  My cocktail was called Chilla Killers (like Chilaquiles, one of my favorite breakfasts), it was so unique and won best of the table. Loved our experience at Tragos.

The Shaker Rating

Definitely a shaker for service. A shaker for the cocktails, although weird, they did work and were exactly as described.  A shaker for the cool jukebox task to get in (and reservation are suggested).  And a shaker for theme. And a shaker for hidden.  Tragos Amargos did an amazing job and definitely deserves the 5-Shaker.

Potions

We did not get to experience Potions, due to a private party (and you know how that pisses us off – keep those things confined to a Tuesday night).  However, we had a new Tales of the Cocktail friend make it there the evening before, so we are including her reviews; if you know the Tales experience and friendships made, you understand our trust.

The Entrance

Pations is located inside Fritzel’s European Jazz Club on Bourbon Street, you must first go a block around the corner to the Vampyre Boutique.  They have your password and go check out some of the local artistry from the NOLA vampire enthusiasts while you are there.  There is a card they will give you, you take it back to Fritzel’s to the courtyard in the back.  Find the gate keeper/bouncer/security/Crypt Keeper.  Hand him your card and tell him, “The vampire sent me”.  (this is as far as we got before being told NO).

The Experience

The words that come to mind are “Victorian” or maybe “Gothic”. Let’s just say, if you are an Anne Rice fan, this is your new bar. Are you already picturing Red Velvet? You know it’s got red velvet, mood lighting, wrought iron, heavy drapes, mirrors, antique furniture. Lestat would be found here if he were in New Orleans. Sticking to the speakeasy theme, it is not just low lit, it is low noise, stepping off Bourbon Street, this is definitely a chill, moody vibe. Please, please, please take this for what it is, a nod to the taboo, underground, goth experience and not view it as a cheesy over themed bar; they nailed this for the intention behind it. Go fill your vampire hidden desires, soak it in, and drink it up.

The Shaker Rating

One for Hidden. One for Task. The cocktails lean into an apothecary/potion, name to match like “nightshade”, so we are giving it a shaker for cocktails. We are taking it down a half a shaker for mediocre service, but understand that Tales is a long drinking week, and it was packed. It is a full shaker for theme, but like I said, know what you are going into, embrace it, and have fun with it.

Double Dealer

Double Dealer is located in the basement of the Orpheum Theater, literally 600 ft away from our hotel!  They are only open Thursday to Saturday, so we had one shot since we were leaving on Friday.  And of course, there was a private party on Thursday.  Boo!  Confine that shit to Mondays and Tuesdays. HARRUMPH!!!

And this looked so cool too, it was the one I was most looking forward to.

Now, I pout.

We will try to catch them next time.

More Drinking in New Orleans

Jewel of the South

Starting off strong in New Orleans, we hit up Jewel of the South for a Tales of the Cocktail event.  Walkable from our hotel on Canal Street, we entered through the outdoor patio that was shaded from the sun and had its own outside bar. We were in desperate need of some air conditioning, so we headed inside.  A gorgeous inside bar in dark wood keeps the atmosphere feeling intimate. 

The staff is what makes the Jewel of the South absolutely outstanding!  The attention and care shown by the staff is what makes this one of the best places for a sit down, craft cocktail evening.  Food is spectacular, get one of everything, share with your friends, but try it all.  Go have a romantic evening, go take the girls, or take your sister, just have a night of feeling pampered and spoiled by life.

ssn – Jewel of the South was recently awarded Number 6 on the 50 Best Bars in North America.

Latitude 29

Do you love a good tiki bar?  We do!  But do you like loud and tacky or subtle and fun?  We are in for both, but there is definitely a difference, and they each have their place. Latitude 29 is the subtle and fun version.  Owned by Tiki legend Beachbum Berry, known for having revitalized the Tiki movement.  He is the guru and has done it up for us in New Orleans. Lots of straw and bamboo decor, great lighting and fabulous tiki drinks, tiki glasses, and wood carvings taking you right into the heart of a Polynesian paradise.

We shared a Jet Pilot for the table, because sometimes you need a huge bowl of alcohol and a lot of straws.  Jet Pilot?  Should be renamed Jet Fuel!  Whoa, make sure you share with everyone!

We worked our way through several more drinks, the food was awesome, the atmosphere and service was on point. It was a great night spent with great friends. A little bit away from the hustle of Bourbon Street, but still in the French Quarter.  It is worth the deviation from the party crowd.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

An iconic New Orleans bar that is worth visiting. It is old, like really old.  And said to be haunted by the ghost of Jean Lafitte (privateer, entrepreneur, sailor, diplomat, spy – dear Jean did it all).  Lafitte was known in New Orleans at the man who could get things (akin to Red from Shawshank). This spot used to be an old blacksmith shop and is the said to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the US, dating back to the 1700’s.

What this means for your visit is an aged brick building with a huge fireplace in the middle.  It feels slightly dirty, but in a charming, old-fashioned way, not in a “didn’t clean” kind of way.  The history here speaks for itself.  Previously frequented by Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, it is now a little more understated but absolutely belongs on your To Be Visited list for drinking in NOLA.

Pat O’Briens

Another New Orleans institution for drinking, I was hesitant because I was picturing loud, tacky, touristy and nothing I needed in my life.  Then I visited!  Several rooms down a hallway, to a back patio with a bar, and two extra rooms and the far end of the patio with two other bars. This is absolutely worth stopping in for a Hurricane. Oh yes, Pat O’s is famous for its Hurricanes.

We opted for the dueling pianos bar, and even at 4 in the afternoon it was happening and fun.  I would love to sit on the patio when it is not 97 degrees outside, so I’ll add that to my list and yours for spring and fall great patio places.  Still get the Hurricane, just to say you did it.  And pop into some of the other rooms and bar spaces and find your comfy spot.

ssn – Pat O’Brien’s is just mandatory. Full stop. Drunk on Hurricane’s, singing along with the Dueling Piano’s is just an unmatched New Orleans experience.

Old Absinthe House

This is Bourbon Street, well, how I want Bourbon Street to be, minus the “Gentleman’s Clubs” and the frozen daiquiri stands.  Old, classic, and boozy.  Just a big bar in the middle, standing side rails, and decor that has been there for many, many decades, including cards and drawings on the wall from patrons. This is where you want a standard, classic cocktail, no gimmicks, no hoity-toity weird creations, just a solid drinking establishment.

The Alibi

The Alibi is just a great dive bar.  Near Bourbon St, just about a block back from Canal Street is this fantastic dive bar. Dark, no windows, a long bar, tall tables, a great staff, and great drink specials.  The Alibi checks every box for what we want in a downtown drinking spot.  Fantastic music pumping in, and we can’t fail to mention the $5 extra-large Everclear Jello shots served in plastic syringes. 

Sazerac Bar

A New Orleans classic bar.  This one is in the Waldorf Astoria, and is beautiful and upscale, and bougie.  And we loved it.  Plus, we loved the huge group there for the Terri’s Divorce Parade, matching T-shirts, signs, and great attitudes.  The Sazerac was strong, but the Ramos Gin Fizz that gets rave reviews I found to be not cold, not fizzy, and not impressive beyond the amazing foam top.  The room was beautiful, but the drinks did not wow us.  However, if you want a classic, Sazerac Bar is the place to you want to start your drinking experience.

ssn – bonus – the Waldorf greeted us with champagne, just for walking in the door!

Backspace Bar

We are including this as we popped in during a FIFA match, and all the bars around were packed.  The Backspace is a long skinny bar, tables and chairs for patrons to the right.  Not huge, not spectacular, just a good ol’ drinking spot.  The food looked amazing, the drinks were great, including a boozy peach tea that was reminiscent of Savannah, a berry gimlet, they do classic cocktails with a twist – nothing outlandish or funky, but some great options for ingredients you have heard of in flavors you crave.

However, the bartender hilariously didn’t understand the concept of no ice in your water, so they probably aren’t going to make you something wild and exotic unless you are very specific with what you want.

New Orleans Wrap-up

We clearly did not get to enough spots but Tales of the Cocktail really kept us busy! But the thing about New Orleans is that there is always plenty of food to eat and plenty of drinks to drink! You almost cannot go wrong!

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Our Ultimate List & Ratings of US Speakeasies
• Las Vegas
• San Diego
• Austin
• Chicago
• Seattle
• Denver
• Colorado (outside of Denver)
• Kansas City
• Paris
• London

Others in the Day Drinking Series

• Savannah
• Seattle
• Boise
• Dallas
• Reno
• Kansas City
• Santa Fe