November 27, 2023
’Tis the season for feeling thankful and festive! What better way to kick up our heels than to get out of the house and do a little shopping while treating ourselves special? One of my merrymaking holiday traditions is to shop with my naughty and nice girlfriends in the Quarter, stopping to sip a few cocktails that we refer to as “jingle juice” along the way to add extra cheer. Not just the usual eggnog or mulled wine, because the holidays are synonymous with celebration. Christmas trees, Kwanza kinara, and Hanukkah menorahs aren’t the only thing getting lit this season!
We are excited to visit a new cocktail bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Elegant and old-school, Fives specializes in excellent bites, but cocktails steal the show! Fives Bar, named after the old-fashioned slang for a five-pack of cigars, is a raw bar located in a small, inviting space on St. Ann Street in Jackson Square’s Lower Pontalba building, a National Historic Landmark dating back to 1851. The charming interior features a wooden oval bar with a green marble top under an antique chandelier. Executive Chef Paul Terrebonne of Columns and Bar Manager James O’Donnell, previously of The Four Seasons, have a pared-down menu featuring a selection of oysters, caviar, raw seafood and dishes such as tender Beef Tartare, roasted bone marrow and yellowfin tuna crudo with a swirl of sweet, salty and citrus flavors. I’ve heard we need to leave room for Crème Brûlée for dessert! A beautiful fully-stocked bar puts out cocktail classics, New Orleans signatures and Fives specialty drinks like the Mama Don’t Smoke. First, they use Ardbeg Scotch to rinse the glass. Then Ron Colon coffee-infused rum, Amaro Ramazzotti, smoky lapsang souchong syrup and dashes of Bitter Queens Tobacco bitters are artfully combined. I can’t wait to taste La Belle Creole! It is crafted with Old Forester Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon juice and egg white, with a float of Beaujolais on top. The Rebujito uses Valdespino sherry, Key Lime Cordial, soda water to top and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Wine, beer and a selection of martinis are also available. Fives is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Jackson Square at 529 St. Ann St.
High Grace NOLA may just be our favorite upscale dive bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Just steps off the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street, you’ll find a welcoming and cozy vibe with wonderful cocktails at a good price. This brand-new bar takes over the space formerly home to legendary French Quarter dive bar Johnny White’s. The space has a new look thanks to blue-tinged lights and dark wood, along with a few neon signs and funky murals, but still has a classic dive bar feel. For some added excitement, High Grace is having fun lighting drinks on fire in their festive specialty cocktail, Trial by Fire. A combination of tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and passionfruit puree is topped with soda and garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel. Then a fire is set using a sugar cube with a splash of Everclear. After it is set on fire, cinnamon is sprinkled to create a sparkling effect. It tastes as good as it looks! Or you may sample their Caribbean Port City, a combo of spiced rum, coconut puree and lime juice topped with pineapple juice and garnished with the cutest tiny rubber ducky! Dive in 24/7 at 733 St. Peter St.
Nestled in the heart of downtown New Orleans lies the city's most eclectic and unique place for pleasant conversation, an array of delectable morsels and an impeccably prepared cocktail. Baroness on Baronne offers a tremendous selection of spirits, a variety of house-made syrups and a talented crew with a relentless streak of creativity. Cocktails here never disappoint!
Here you are not a customer, but a guest of honor. There’s romantic decor, moody lighting and a menu stacked with fresh, creative house cocktails and well-done classics. The Baroness is dedicated to preserving the artistry and sophistication of classic cocktail creation as well as the ambience and high standard of service set forth by many generations of bartenders.
Try Flower Power Fizz, a delightful mixture of vodka, hibiscus and strawberries. It’s a refreshing floral taste that will bring you to the garden. A crowd favorite for over a decade has been Little Boy Blue, a sensual mix of vodka, lavender and sage. Or go for the classic revitalizing Pimm’s Cup with seasonal berries and Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based digestif, topped with ginger ale. The Pimm’s Cup started as a health drink in 1840’s London and is a favorite at Wimbledon and here in New Orleans. Start your New Year’s resolution early and enjoy this cocktail for good health! The Baroness at 339 Baronne St. is open noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 4:30 to 11 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
A delicious destination in the heart of the French Quarter is The Bombay Club. Set back from the entrance of the Prince Conti Hotel, it is the perfect hideaway to slip away from the hustle and bustle and savor small bites and drinks as intoxicating as the Crescent City herself. It specializes in craft cocktails, single malt scotches, ports, reserved bourbons, top shelf martinis and premium cigars. They host live music nightly.
If you prefer tequila, try Good Karma; it is a perfect combination of Patron Reposado, cardamom simple syrup, an egg whit, and ground Garam Masala, a spice blend often found in Indian food. Or try Bonita Rose, a mixture of Milagro Tequila, Lillet Rosé which is a fruity aperitif, fresh lime, Ruby Red grapefruit and Ancho Chili Liqueur. My favorite is Baroness Clementine! It has Hendrick's Gin, Chamomile Mint Tea, fresh lime, Orange Curacao and St. Germain, a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers. If this cocktail doesn’t get you in a jolly mood, you may be a Grinch! Happy Hour is daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with select small plates, select cocktails for $5, select wine for $4, and select beer for $3 at 830 Conti St.
Located at The Frenchmen Hotel, Tiki Tock is a getaway within a Frenchmen Street getaway. Aloha is the welcoming spirit here with an adorable courtyard and rooftop bar and phenomenal cocktails! The cocktails are generous, the vibe is easy, and the tick of the tock moves a bit slower. They take a page from the tiki bars of yesteryear and serve it up with a modern twist.
Sample the Mt. Pelee Bowl, a scrumptious blend of Gray Whale Gin, La Favorite Agricole Ambre Martinique, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Passoa Passion Fruit liqueur, Velvet Falernum liqueur, mango nectar, orange, lime and El Guapo Cubano Bitters. This cocktail is built in the style of the classic Volcano Bowl. It's named after the volcano that erupted in 1902 on the island of Martinique where they make delicious Rhum Agricole in the traditional style with pressed sugar cane juice. Gin based, but with rich, vegetal notes from the Agricole and fruit from banana and passion fruit liqueurs, the Mt. Pelee Bowl is very tropical without too much sweetness. Or try their best-selling cocktail, Tally Me Banana! It combines Giffard Banane du Bresil, Rhum JM 80 Martinique, Ak Zanj Haitian Dark Rum, Real Coconut Cream, pineapple and lime juice and nutmeg. This is a complex upgrade to the Pina Colada. Premium cognac-based banana liqueur is the base and bright Rhum Agricole complements the ripe fruit notes and brings the drink closer to the dry side. Fresh grated nutmeg is the final touch that cements this as their keyholder club's favorite! Tiki Tock’s San Ildefonso Swizzle is made with Xicaru Silver Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Velvet Falernum liqueur, guava nectar, lemon juice and both Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. It combines smoky elements from mezcal with herbaceous notes from Genepy. Guava is the perfect tropical fruit element for Tiki Tock's answer to the classic swizzle. The San Ildefonso Swizzle may be their most refreshing and definitely their driest signature Tiki drink! Tiki Tock is located at 417 Frenchmen St. and they are open Friday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The holiday light displays in the French Quarter are nothing short of magical and we especially love cocktail crawling on Royal and Chartres for the best lights and shops. The old-world charm combined with twinkling lights, festive cocktails and brassy Christmas carols creates a scene straight out of an old Christmas movie. Cheers to all! May all of your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!
We are excited to visit a new cocktail bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Elegant and old-school, Fives specializes in excellent bites, but cocktails steal the show! Fives Bar, named after the old-fashioned slang for a five-pack of cigars, is a raw bar located in a small, inviting space on St. Ann Street in Jackson Square’s Lower Pontalba building, a National Historic Landmark dating back to 1851. The charming interior features a wooden oval bar with a green marble top under an antique chandelier. Executive Chef Paul Terrebonne of Columns and Bar Manager James O’Donnell, previously of The Four Seasons, have a pared-down menu featuring a selection of oysters, caviar, raw seafood and dishes such as tender Beef Tartare, roasted bone marrow and yellowfin tuna crudo with a swirl of sweet, salty and citrus flavors. I’ve heard we need to leave room for Crème Brûlée for dessert! A beautiful fully-stocked bar puts out cocktail classics, New Orleans signatures and Fives specialty drinks like the Mama Don’t Smoke. First, they use Ardbeg Scotch to rinse the glass. Then Ron Colon coffee-infused rum, Amaro Ramazzotti, smoky lapsang souchong syrup and dashes of Bitter Queens Tobacco bitters are artfully combined. I can’t wait to taste La Belle Creole! It is crafted with Old Forester Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon juice and egg white, with a float of Beaujolais on top. The Rebujito uses Valdespino sherry, Key Lime Cordial, soda water to top and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Wine, beer and a selection of martinis are also available. Fives is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Jackson Square at 529 St. Ann St.
High Grace NOLA may just be our favorite upscale dive bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Just steps off the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street, you’ll find a welcoming and cozy vibe with wonderful cocktails at a good price. This brand-new bar takes over the space formerly home to legendary French Quarter dive bar Johnny White’s. The space has a new look thanks to blue-tinged lights and dark wood, along with a few neon signs and funky murals, but still has a classic dive bar feel. For some added excitement, High Grace is having fun lighting drinks on fire in their festive specialty cocktail, Trial by Fire. A combination of tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and passionfruit puree is topped with soda and garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel. Then a fire is set using a sugar cube with a splash of Everclear. After it is set on fire, cinnamon is sprinkled to create a sparkling effect. It tastes as good as it looks! Or you may sample their Caribbean Port City, a combo of spiced rum, coconut puree and lime juice topped with pineapple juice and garnished with the cutest tiny rubber ducky! Dive in 24/7 at 733 St. Peter St.
Nestled in the heart of downtown New Orleans lies the city's most eclectic and unique place for pleasant conversation, an array of delectable morsels and an impeccably prepared cocktail. Baroness on Baronne offers a tremendous selection of spirits, a variety of house-made syrups and a talented crew with a relentless streak of creativity. Cocktails here never disappoint!
Here you are not a customer, but a guest of honor. There’s romantic decor, moody lighting and a menu stacked with fresh, creative house cocktails and well-done classics. The Baroness is dedicated to preserving the artistry and sophistication of classic cocktail creation as well as the ambience and high standard of service set forth by many generations of bartenders.
Try Flower Power Fizz, a delightful mixture of vodka, hibiscus and strawberries. It’s a refreshing floral taste that will bring you to the garden. A crowd favorite for over a decade has been Little Boy Blue, a sensual mix of vodka, lavender and sage. Or go for the classic revitalizing Pimm’s Cup with seasonal berries and Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based digestif, topped with ginger ale. The Pimm’s Cup started as a health drink in 1840’s London and is a favorite at Wimbledon and here in New Orleans. Start your New Year’s resolution early and enjoy this cocktail for good health! The Baroness at 339 Baronne St. is open noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 4:30 to 11 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
A delicious destination in the heart of the French Quarter is The Bombay Club. Set back from the entrance of the Prince Conti Hotel, it is the perfect hideaway to slip away from the hustle and bustle and savor small bites and drinks as intoxicating as the Crescent City herself. It specializes in craft cocktails, single malt scotches, ports, reserved bourbons, top shelf martinis and premium cigars. They host live music nightly.
If you prefer tequila, try Good Karma; it is a perfect combination of Patron Reposado, cardamom simple syrup, an egg whit, and ground Garam Masala, a spice blend often found in Indian food. Or try Bonita Rose, a mixture of Milagro Tequila, Lillet Rosé which is a fruity aperitif, fresh lime, Ruby Red grapefruit and Ancho Chili Liqueur. My favorite is Baroness Clementine! It has Hendrick's Gin, Chamomile Mint Tea, fresh lime, Orange Curacao and St. Germain, a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers. If this cocktail doesn’t get you in a jolly mood, you may be a Grinch! Happy Hour is daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with select small plates, select cocktails for $5, select wine for $4, and select beer for $3 at 830 Conti St.
Located at The Frenchmen Hotel, Tiki Tock is a getaway within a Frenchmen Street getaway. Aloha is the welcoming spirit here with an adorable courtyard and rooftop bar and phenomenal cocktails! The cocktails are generous, the vibe is easy, and the tick of the tock moves a bit slower. They take a page from the tiki bars of yesteryear and serve it up with a modern twist.
Sample the Mt. Pelee Bowl, a scrumptious blend of Gray Whale Gin, La Favorite Agricole Ambre Martinique, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Passoa Passion Fruit liqueur, Velvet Falernum liqueur, mango nectar, orange, lime and El Guapo Cubano Bitters. This cocktail is built in the style of the classic Volcano Bowl. It's named after the volcano that erupted in 1902 on the island of Martinique where they make delicious Rhum Agricole in the traditional style with pressed sugar cane juice. Gin based, but with rich, vegetal notes from the Agricole and fruit from banana and passion fruit liqueurs, the Mt. Pelee Bowl is very tropical without too much sweetness. Or try their best-selling cocktail, Tally Me Banana! It combines Giffard Banane du Bresil, Rhum JM 80 Martinique, Ak Zanj Haitian Dark Rum, Real Coconut Cream, pineapple and lime juice and nutmeg. This is a complex upgrade to the Pina Colada. Premium cognac-based banana liqueur is the base and bright Rhum Agricole complements the ripe fruit notes and brings the drink closer to the dry side. Fresh grated nutmeg is the final touch that cements this as their keyholder club's favorite! Tiki Tock’s San Ildefonso Swizzle is made with Xicaru Silver Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Velvet Falernum liqueur, guava nectar, lemon juice and both Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. It combines smoky elements from mezcal with herbaceous notes from Genepy. Guava is the perfect tropical fruit element for Tiki Tock's answer to the classic swizzle. The San Ildefonso Swizzle may be their most refreshing and definitely their driest signature Tiki drink! Tiki Tock is located at 417 Frenchmen St. and they are open Friday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The holiday light displays in the French Quarter are nothing short of magical and we especially love cocktail crawling on Royal and Chartres for the best lights and shops. The old-world charm combined with twinkling lights, festive cocktails and brassy Christmas carols creates a scene straight out of an old Christmas movie. Cheers to all! May all of your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!
