The Big Easy. Also known as my new favorite place. Besides renting a car at MSY Airport and driving straight to Mississippi, I hadn’t been to New Orleans since I was 10 years old. Needless to say, that was a much different experience that involved no hurricane drinks but definitely an infinite amount of beignets. When I was scheduled for a program in New Orleans, I was so excited to finally explore this vibrant city.
New Orleans is the definition of soul. The culture of NOLA is contagious, with jazz music buzzing through your ears everywhere you turn and the aroma of cajun food filling the air. The architecture makes you feel like you’re in a different era and the drinks are strong. I’m not sure why I ever left this magical place.
This post is a little different than my usual “happy hours near the convention center” posts because there’s no way you’re going to go to New Orleans and not head in the direction of the French Quarter. Also, lots of the convention hotels are spread out so you are bound to end up wandering away from convention center land. New Orleans has many amazing happy hour deals, but here are some of my picks in the French Quarter and Central Business District:
FRENCH QUARTER
Broussard’s
Fancy, fancy, fancy. Broussard’s screams “dress to the nines and hand me a glass of champagne, stat”. While they exemplify classic New Orleans elegance, they also appeal to us normal folks with a very reasonably priced happy hour.
- $5 Food Items: includes Crispy Shrimp Toast, Frites Fondue, Louisiana Seafood Slider
- $19.20 Bottles/$5 Glasses: one Blanc, one Rosé, one Rouge
- $.95 Daily Punch: yep, only 95 cents
Happy Hours: Daily 4-7pm
819 Rue Conti, New Orleans, LA 70112
Tableau
If you want balcony dining, Tableau is your place. New Orleans is famed for their expansive balconies offering views of the busy streets below, but rarely do you find great food and most importantly a great happy hour on one. They also have an outdoor courtyard if that is more your style. Tableau offers:
- $6 Select Small Plates: includes filet mignon sliders, seared yellowfin tuna, burrata bruschetta
- 1/2 off Wine & Beer on Tap: 4 varieties of wine, 6 of beer
- $5 Classic Cocktails: Cuba Libra, Dark & Stormy, Bee’s Knees, French 75
Happy Hours: Daily 3-7pm
616 St. Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Brennan’s
A pink facade is an immediate draw for me, and Brennan’s is so much more than just their colorful exterior. There is a secluded courtyard, numerous opulent dining rooms, and exceptional cuisine. Their bubbly-based happy hour appropriately matches the elegant ambience and includes:
- 1/2 off Bottles of Bubbly: yes, this even includes Veuve Clicquot Rosé for only $55
- $7 Bubbly Cocktails: try the Mr. Funk – cranberry juice, peach schnapps, sparkling wine
- Bar Snacks: $5 crispy creole black-eyed peas, $8 yellowfin tuna tartare, $10 lobster remoulade
Happy Hours: Tuesday – Friday 2-7pm
417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Bar Tonique
A happy hour that starts at noon every weekday does not surprise me for NOLA, but lucky for you this is actually a great happy hour. Cool bar, great drinks, amazing prices… yeah, I’d come here at noon for that (which I actually did). The best thing about an early happy hour are that early drinkers are usually quite the characters, so be prepared to meet some fun, interesting locals here.
- $5 Cocktails: Aviation, Frenchmen’s Dark & Stormy, Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, Moscow Mule, Whiskey Old Fashioned
- Weekly $5 Specials:
- Monday – Pimm’s Cup
- Tuesday – Whiskey Flights
- Wednesday – Moscow Mules
- Thursday – Caipirinhas
- Friday – Punch Special
- Saturday – Bacon Bloody Marys
- Sunday – Mai Tais
Happy Hours: Weekdays Noon – 5pm, Weekly All-Day Specials Daily
820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Balise
OYSTERS! A Nawlins’ must. Get your oyster fixin’ here with a great happy hour oyster deal. Head to their downstairs bar room to get in on the action.
- $1 Oysters
- $5 Craft Cocktails & Glasses of Wine
- Discounted Bar Bites
Happy Hours: Monday – Friday 4-6pm
640 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Sac-A-Lait
More oysters, not complaining. Extremely close to the convention center, this would make a great first stop on the happy hour train (I mean happy hour does start at 2pm).
- 1/2 off Oysters
- 1/2 off Beer & Wines by the Glass
Happy Hours: Tuesday – Friday 2-7pm
1051 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Fulton Alley
A bowling alley might seem a little random, but it was actually a blast. PLUS their happy hour is a great deal and it is extremely close to the convention center and convention hotels… strike! So what’s the deal?
- 1/2 off Select Bar Bites: think deviled eggs and cinnamon & raisin bread pudding beignets
- $6 Wines by the Glass and Select Cocktails: I enjoyed the Howitzer French 75 with Fighting Cock Bourbon, Lemon, Peach Bitters & Champagne
- Complimentary first half hour of bowling and shoe rental
Happy Hours: Monday – Thursday 5-7pm, Friday 11am-7pm
600 Fulton St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Safe travels y’all!
Best,
Chelsea Rose Martin
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