A trip to New Orleans is, of course, centered around eating and drinking. But when it comes to the latter, it’s all in the details. You need to specify exactly what you’re looking for when you ask for a recommendation from a local—because this town has it all. Looking for a no frills dive? Cocktails and bar bites? Speakeasy? Historic haunt? Wine bar? There’s no way to hit ‘em all when you fly south, but you can certainly scratch beyond the Hurricane-guzzling crowds on Bourbon Street. From glitzy classics to glorious watering holes, these ten favorite New Orleans bars will start or finish your night off properly in the Big Easy.
Chandelier BarChristian Horan / Four Seasons
1. Chandelier Bar
When the Four Seasons New Orleans opened its doors in August 2021, it brought with it a flurry of new clientele to the Central Business District, straddling the French Quarter and Warehouse District. Guests will see why the minute they enter the property—greeted by 15,000 twinkling crystals comprising the centerpiece chandelier that gives the opulent lobby bar its name. Pull up a bar stool under the twinkling lights or settle into a shady nook with a signature Chandelier Martini. Served in the same cut crystal as the grand chandelier, this work of art is a blend of dry and aromatic gins (or vodka, if you prefer), extra dry vermouth, citrus bitters and herbal mist. The elegant spins on the classics offer visitors and locals alike a satiating representation of New Orleans drinking culture—while elevating the hotel lobby bar experience several notches.
Eponymous with the bitters that New Orleans is famed for, Peychaud’s is a definitive staple in the city’s bar scene within the Hotel Maison De Ville. The building is the former residence of Antoine Amédée Peychaud, the creator of the patented bitters that became a hallmark in New Orleans’ signature Sazerac cocktail. The brick courtyard, enhanced with flora and a trickling fountain is, thus, the ultimate spot to indulge in this famed beverage.
You’ll hear the jazz floating out of the multi-story Bacchanal Wine as you approach—and immediately know you’re in the right place. Entering this coveted, no-frills venue, you’ll then peruse a noteworthy selection of wines (including funky picks, like natural and orange varieties) before picking a bottle and letting the team build a sensational charcuterie board for you—to be served in their open courtyard with some front-row music. Come back for Sunday jazz brunch to sip in the famed New Orleans sunshine.
For a semi-local hotspot with a long, revolving list of beers on tap and sound devotion to craft whisky, Avenue Pub is your answer. It’s a stand and drink kind of place, so be prepared for the casual atmosphere of this corner venue, but if you’re in the mood for bar grub and can snag a seat, their burger and pub beer dip is a way to make an afternoon or evening out of your visit—and the best excuse to try even more beers.
For a serious sip into New Orleans history, enter this swanky Parisian-style lounge at the Eliza Jane hotel just a couple of blocks from the French Quarter. The lobby bar is part of seven storied warehouses repurposed by The Eliza Jane—which include, most notably, the former Peychaud’s Bitters Factory and The Daily Picayune newspaper. Paying homage to this history, The Press Room is adorned with the likes of antique typewriters and books, brass lighting and original brickwork that transports imbibers to a different era. The minimalist bar is ideal for a quick drink—or a long sink into a velvet armchair.
Renowned for their daily $5 martini happy hour (3-8pm), this vibrant, conveniently located bar in the Royal Frenchmen Hotel is frequently shortlisted as one of the city’s best spots to sip the world’s most classic cocktail. Abuzz at all hours, The Royal Bar offers an ever-rotating calendar of live music—so paying a few extra bucks for a cocktail during a show is well worth it even if you miss that happy hour deal.
Self-proclaimed as the city’s “first freestanding craft cocktail bar,” this unpretentious, neighborhood spot is where to lean into those classic New Orleans cocktails. Start with a Sazerac, then move on to any number of punches, coolers, sours, and slings that will definitely require a second and third visit. The menu lists the cocktails’ origin dates and offers daily $6 specials—including Daiquiri Tuesdays and Mai Tai Sundays.
Tucked into Toulouse Street, The Will and The Way’s poppy shutters draw guests into a warm, wooden interior bedecked with flickering candles. A small but mighty house cocktail list matches a craft menu of snacks and mains that are perfect for either kicking off your night or satisfying a late night craving. Though a classics section on the menu can easily draw your attention, this is a spot to dabble in the new. Specialty concoctions include the Cash Money Dillionaire (pisco, carrot, ginger shrub, dill, lemon and soda) and the Salto del Pastor (blanco tequila, cynar, sweet vermouth, serrano and an orange twist).
This local dive is easily recognizable from its eye-catching street art portraying cartooned jazz musicians. Opened in 1994 as a shrine to New Orleans music, the venue closed for a number of years before being reopened by Kermit Ruffins, bestowing the new name to the original Mother In Law Lounge in 2014. Always a party, this is a spot to come get responsibly rowdy while still enjoying some live music most nights of the week.
If you tend to get cocktailed out, this one’s for you. Even though wine bars can intimidate the casual oenophile, you won’t find this at Pluck. All about dissociating the pretentious wine stigma, their laid-back, soulful atmosphere is the place to come and try wines you may have never heard of—including small, ethical producers and reasonably priced bottles. Ask the sommeliers for recommendations. Rest assured, if they pour something you don’t like, they’ll keep pouring until they find the right match.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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