Best Happy Hour in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit. The energy that the town gives off just by walking down the street is something you cannot recreate. There are so many things to do in NOLA besides drinking on bourbon street, but let’s be honest, chances are if you are visiting the French Quarter, you plan on having a few cocktails. Before we left for vacation I began looking up things to do, where to eat, etc., the typical vacation research. Since we were going on somewhat of a budget I added an extra step – locate the best happy hour in New Orleans. I have shared this list with numerous friends who have visited and decided it was time to share my research with you.

Please note that these are definitely not all of the places you can go, these were just some that I have found to be a great mix of environment and deals for those who are on a budget.

Orleans Grapevine

The name should have given it away, but this is a wine bar. It has great food, but what it is most known for is having two happy hours daily. You can go from 4pm-6pm or 10pm-12am daily for a different happy hour wine and specialty drink each day. And don’t forget to ask about the bacon happy hour. If you come during happy hour, you will receive a cup of bacon as well. Yup. Bacon.

Tableau

Tableau is on the nicer end of happy hours, so don’t expect to see a lot of the expected New Orleans behavior. The dress code is upscale casual and jeans are discouraged. Monday through Friday they have $5 drinks from 5pm-7pm. If you are looking for a nicer place to grab some drinks and a delicious meal, but want something a bit classier, Tableau is perfect.

Empire bar at Broussard’s

Staying in the more upscale realm, you should also check out the Empire Bar at Broussard’s. Monday through Friday from 4pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2:30pm-7pm you will find inexpensive drink options as well as some small plates and sandwiches to fill you up.

Sobou

“A Spirited Restaurant South of Bourbon” hosts happy hour daily from 3pm-6pm with drinks and bar snacks ranging from $3-$6. It was created by the Commander’s Family of Restaurants so you know everything is well prepared and tasty.

Brennan’s

This French Quarter landmark is one of my favorite places we dined at. They are known for their Brennan’s original, eggs hussarde, but if brunch isn’t really your speed, be sure to go for Bubbles at Brennan’s. Monday through Thursday from 2pm-7pm in the Courtyard and Roost Bar, Fridays from 9am-7pm in the Courtyard and Roost Bar, and Fridays from 9am-2pm in the Main Dining Room, treat yourself to half off bottles of champagne. You also have the option of getting a specialty bubbly cocktail as well. Be sure to pair some of the bubbly with their bar snacks – you won’t want to miss dining here.

Royal Sonesta

Inside Royal Sonesta New Orleans you will find three bars that have great happy hour specials. Desire Oyster Bar on Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm offers $5 house cocktails and wine, $4 import draft, $3 domestic draft, and $1 oysters. Le Booze on Monday through Friday from 4pm-6pm offers $5 house cocktails and wine, $4 import draft, $3 domestic draft, and 1/2 appetizers. The Jazz Playhouse on Monday through Friday from 5pm-7pm offers $ margaritas, red wine, white wine, Abita Amber, and bartender’s choice. Great if you want to try out a few places without having to run from one side of bourbon street to another.

The Bombay Room

The Bombay Club is a live music martini bar that hosts happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 3pm-7pm. You can sample European-inspired Louisiana dishes while listening to live jazz played by local artists each night.

Meauxbar

A few blocks up from Bourbon Street you will find Meauxbar who hosts happy hour on Monday through Thursday from 5pm-7pm. It is a beautiful French bistro that will take you out of the typical New Orleans noise and allow you to relax and be transported with classic cocktails and modern interpretations.

Kingfish

Every day from 2pm-7pm Kingfish hosts a happy hour the has inexpensive local beers and 1/2 off their wine glasses, as well as small plate specials. It isn’t as high end as some of the other bars, but it also isn’t somewhere you’d run into party people either. If you’re looking for great food and cheap drinks, you won’t go wrong here.

Bar Tonique

Their big draw is “handcrafted cocktails without the pretense” and they live up to it. They have daily specials from 12pm-5pm featuring $5 cocktails such as aviation, Frenchmen’s dark & stormy, moscow mules, Old-fashioned, Pimm’s Cup, and Sazerac. They also offer daily specials so be sure to check with your bartender for any current offers!

Hermes Bar

Inside New Orleans staple Antoines, you will find Hermes Bar. It used to be one of the famous dining rooms, but now serves classic NOLA cocktails with wine and beer selections. Monday through Friday from 4pm-7pm you can get $4 house brand cocktails and house wine, $3 imported beers, and $2 domestic beers. Enjoy the atmosphere at Antoine’s Restaurant without breaking the bank.

Salon by Sucre

Salon by Sucre may only be open Thursday through Monday, but they have specials anytime they are open. From 4pm-7pm you will find $6 cocktails, wine, and food specials, from 11am-3pm every day they have bottomless mimosas, and every Monday from 10am-7pm they offer up to 50% off red & white wine bottles. You can also stop by for afternoon tea!

Cafe Adelaide

Another Commander’s Family of Restaurants location, Cafe Adelaide has happy hour. Or happier hour as they call it – daily from 3pm-6pm, and on Thursday nights it is extended until 8pm! You will find food and drink ranging from $3-$6 to enjoy.

Cat’s Meow

I saved my favorite two for last. Cat’s Meow is a karaoke bar located on Bourbon Street that is the perfect place to go to get the most bang for your buck. Every day from opening until 8pm they have 3 for 1 drinks. You read that correctly – 3 for 1 drinks, meaning if you order 1 beer you will be handed three. If you order one cocktail you will receive one with 3 shots in it. You can’t beat it. The drink special should give it away, but this is definitely not the upscale bar to sit back and enjoy. This is the bar you head to if you want a party scene at any of the of the day.

Razzoo bar and patio

Razzoo has the same special as Cat’s Meevery dayyday from opening until 8pm they have 3 for 1 drinks. The biggest difference between this and Cat’s Meow (although both are awesome) is Razzoo has live bands. So you don’t have to listen to people attempting to sing bad karaoke all night if that isn’t your thing.