Hit These Bourbon Street Bars in New Orleans

Mention to anyone that you are going to New Orleans, and it will only be a matter of time before the topic of Bourbon Street comes up.

While the Crescent City is jam-packed with historical sights, brassy sounds and stimulating neighborhoods, the French Quarter's most rambunctious road still captivates. On Bourbon Street, you will find tourists from all over the world—and more locals than you might expect—living it up and letting their cares fade away into the night.

Where to go for a drink on this street loaded with options for libations? Here are some of the best, and they are all located just steps from the Royal Sonesta and its famous Bourbon Street balcony rooms.

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Cats Meow (701 Bourbon Street)

One of the country’s most preeminent karaoke bars, you are guaranteed to have a good time at “Cats”. Gregarious emcees play the role of host, comedian and keeper of the peace as people gather from the afternoon onwards to belt tunes out and indulge in heavily discounted cocktails.

If you didn’t pack your singing shoes, sneak upstairs to the balcony and watch the happenings on the street outside.

Mango Mango (Multiple Locations)

Mango Mango is the place to go when you need a frozen daiquiri and a slice of pizza. (Trust me, you will need a frozen daiquiri and a slice of pizza at some point of your night on Bourbon Street.)

Mango Mango’s rainbow-hued neon signs beckon all to sit down, slurp away and refuel themselves for the rest of the evening.

The Famous Door (339 Bourbon Street)

The Famous Door might not be the most famous bar in New Orleans, but it is a solid stop on a Bourbon Street pub strut. There’s always live music playing here, and its relatively small size keeps things intimate versus too rowdy.

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Tropical Isle (721 Bourbon Street)

Anywhere else, you may be tempted to shy away from an establishment that calls itself the “Home of the Hand Grenade.” Here, you are going to want to make a beeline for it.

The Hand Grenade is the Tropical Isle’s signature cocktail, and they also claim that it is New Orleans’ strongest drink.

Regardless of its potency rankings, you’ll fall quickly for this melon-flavored tipple served in a neon green grenade-shaped tube. You may even spot a giant hand grenade mascot walking around glad-handing. (Yes, go ahead and snap a selfie with him.)

Johnny White’s Hole in the Wall (718 Bourbon Street)

Johnny White’s is arguably the French Quarter’s best dive bar, and this satellite location on Bourbon Street keeps the same chilled vibe as the original. You will always find good people and quality drinks here at very reasonable prices: the perfect antidote to the anarchy outside.

Old Absinthe House (240 Bourbon Street)

The Old Absinthe House has been serving up cocktails since the 1800s, making it one of the oldest bars on Bourbon Street. Their signature drink is the Absinthe Frappe—an ode to the bar’s past as an absinthe den—which is served up alongside other New Orleans classics like the Ramos Gin Fizz and Planter’s Punch.

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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon Street)

The oldest bar on Bourbon Street, walking into Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is like taking a step back in time. It is reputed to be the oldest structure in America that is currently being used as a bar and is also alleged to have been a contraband storage facility for legendary New Orleans pirate Jean Lafitte.

While some of those details are up for debate, the characterful brick walls, candlelight and a reserved atmosphere found nowhere else on Bourbon Street are all undeniable.

The Funky Pirate (727 Bourbon Street)

The Former home of legendary crooner “Big Al” Carson, The Funky Pirate is still one of the best spots to hear good live music on Bourbon Street. And since it’s owned by the same people as Tropical Isle, you can grab a hand grenade here too.