Welcome, lushes, to a multi-part mini series diving into the Tales of the Cocktail event! Tales of the Cocktail is an annual trade conference, festival, and gathering of cocktail and spirits industry professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana, and this year, Chrissy was lucky enough to attend – as an official media member! Talk about a Boozy Blondes dream come true!
Every summer representatives of the global beverage industry meet to celebrate and advance the innovations shaping this industry. They cover everything from wellness, sustainability, history and emerging trends. You can find everyone here from new Indie brands to well-known heavy hitters!
This year (2024) marked the 22nd year of Tales of the Cocktail. From July 21 – 26, 2024, representatives from 52 countries hosted 400 unique events showcasing 290 brands! How do you choose what to taste, where to go or who to meet? It’s a mystery how Chrissy narrowed down her schedule, but tune in over the next few months, because you’ll get a behind the scenes listen as to how things shaped up for her. It was a lot of work sampling spirits, interviewing legends, absorbing industry education and of course attending some badass boozy parties!
The girls are so excited to share this mini series with you – and be sure to keep an eye out for the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail dates which will be released this fall!
The Boozy Blondes are still taking you through one of their favorite cities, New Orleans, and this week they are sharing some hidden gems in the city. While some may be more popular now, if you find yourself off of Bourbon Street, you can dive into the Crescent City culture and take in the “locals” experience.
For the DOE, the girls chose Happy Thursday, a fizz-free spiked refresher with a variety of flavors like Black Cherry and Mango Passionfruit. At just 4.4% they are crushable choice, especially on a warm day – or a day talking about the hot and humid Big Easy!
To start this journey the girls begin at one hole-iest of hole in the walls they can think of: Coop’s Place. Coop’s Place in the heart of the French Quarter on Decatur Street. This 1983 staple hasn’t updated much since they opened and their slogan is “Where the not-so-elite meet to eat.” It’s a fantastic no-frills watering hole with down home prices where you can experience the true taste of New Orleans while sucking down an ice cold beer straight from the bottle. When you visit, be sure to go all in with the sampler platter. But definitely bring some tissues along, because it’s so spicey, your eyes and nose will most definitely be leaking!
From here, the blondes take you to one of their all time faves, Bacchanal’s Wine Bar. This place is definitely one of a kind. It’s part wine cellar, part grocery store, part restaurant, part jazz club and part backyard party. It’s known for its charcuterie boards, and you can browse the huge selection of wine, then take a bottle with you to the courtyard tables where you can enjoy the live music. They also have a treehouse bar that serves some pretty great cocktails.
Bacchanal is strictly 21 and up, and they don’t do reservations. They have Happy Hour and free wine tastings on certain days of the week, they also offer a wine club, gift cards, and a full menu for dine in or take out, plus they have live music every day. Be sure to follow them to keep up with all the great happenings at this (not so much anymore) hidden gem.
Apple Barrel Bar is up next on the list, the smallest bar in New Orleans! Don’t let that fool you. They know how to pack in big fun. Located below the beloved Adolfo’s Restaurant in one of Frenchmen Street’s historic buildings, restaurant owners Adolfo and Kim had their first date at Apple Barrel in 1990. The bar still holds true to their vintage 90s charm with classic cocktails, cold beer and great bands. The girls have a great time every time they venture in!
Apple Barrel is 21 and up only, and cash only. Remember that – cash only! They have live music 7 nights a week and you can check out the band schedule on their website.
Pro tip…if you go Thursday thru Monday, you can hit up the Frenchman Street Art Market next door to Apple Barrel.
No trip to New Orleans is complete for the Boozy Blondes without paying their respects at a favorite local haunt (literally), Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This bar is located on the corner of Bourbon & St. Philips in the French Quarter. Named after the famed privateer turned pirate, Jean Laffite who may have once hid out here, the establishment is one of the oldest buildings used as a bar in the United States, dating all the way back to 1722!
Today you can find a full liquor bar and lively atmosphere in the dimly lit historic space that transports you back in time. With indoor and outdoor seating, and late night piano music, this bar is a must stop on our list.
The next bar is nestled inside the amazing World War II Museum, American Sector. Their slogan is “Freedom tastes better here,” and they’re open to the public without requiring admission to the museum 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm.
There are two entrances, one on Magazine Street and one on Poeyfarre Street, or you can enter through the museum like the girls did. They mix up patriotic themed cocktails, and the food is really good too.
The American Sector Bar & Restaurant offers reservations online and they even cater and host events in their private dining room. If you have the time, pay a visit to the World War II Museum; it will not disappoint.
Another hidden gem on the list is Backspace Bar & Kitchen. This tiny, cozy, eclectic bar on Chartres Street has brick walls, an old fireplace, some soft seating and bar seating. The drink prices might be some of the best in the French Quarter with $2 PBRs and $3 lite beers. And they have a killer selection of local brews and a great comfort food menu. They offer different daily specials, happy hours and seasonal items follow them on Instagram to stay connected and informed.
Those bars wrap up the hidden gems the Boozy Blondes have enjoyed together. Chrissy has explored many more over the years and takes listeners through an eclectic collection of local haunts and boujee bars around the Crescent City:
Napoleon House in the French Quarter on Chartres Street. Built in 1797 this place offers an unbeatable French Creole ambiance. They’re famous for their Pimm’s Cup & Muffuletta. Go for lunch for some excellent Happy Hour specials in a gorgeous historic building.
Effervescence on North Rampart StreetGorgeous upscale champagne bar, great food. Hit up happy hour b/c it can be pricey. Cutest web address – Nolabubbles.com!
The Country Club on Louisa Street in the Bywater.This boujee old mansion/turned restaurant has a pool, which is key in the hot summer months. You can get a pool pass for the day for around $20 and enjoy great cocktails and food poolside or inside if that’s more your speed. They also do Drag Brunch on Saturdays. Pool is 21 and up only.
Arnaud’s – Richelieu Bar One of the oldest bars in NOLA, this speakeasy-esque bar specializes in obscure creole cocktails made with lost recipes from a bygone era. Ask a server to take you to the Richelieu Bar. If it’s open you might get the bartender to share the history, ghost stories and all, on your visit.
Turkey & Wolf Funkiest 80s throwback nostalgic bar/restaurant with concoctions you could never dream up on an acid trip. Must try: The fried bologna sandwich. They have wine, beer, canned boozy beverages and cocktails.
Hot Tin Rooftop & Bayou Bar on St. Charles This 1940s artist loft penthouse/turned rooftop bar in Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District, with great view of the city and craft cocktails. Don’t miss the historic Bayou Bar downstairs too.
Pluck Wine Bar Located on Girod Street in the Warehouse District, Pluck offers upscale wine in a casual environment, welcoming all price points of world-class wine away from the tourist crowds. They have a food menu as well. Don’t miss the addicting Plucky popcorn!
Elysian Bar Find this sister restaurant to Bacchanal in the Peter & Paul Hotel in the Marigny. It’s located inside an old church rectory. This place has it all: café, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and the space is divided into so many beautiful little parlors, atriums, courtyards and gardens. Chrissy’s favorite is the iconic Jewel Box Bar. Snag a seat at the bar and experience true mixologists at work. Their cocktails & James Beard nominated menu are excellent.
Bar Marilou This tiny, boujee, speakeasy on Carondelet Street serves up out of this world cocktail concoctions, hosts live jazz and even does High Tea with cocktails served in teapots on certain days. Definitely make reservations!
Vessel – in Mid City on Iberville. One block off the Canal Street Trolley stop. It’s inside a 1914 church where the ceiling is modeled after a ship’s hull. “Vessel” is more than just a name; all drinks are served in the proper vessels they were intended to be served in. Pro Tip: Make a reservation for happy hour and enjoy the happy hour food and drink menu.
Cane & Table Cane & Table serves some of the most unique Cajun-Cuban influenced tiki cocktails in the world. Named one of the “Five Best New Cocktail Bars in America” by Bon Appétit, Cane & Table offers an outstanding cocktail menu with an extensive collection of unique & obscure liquor. Amazing food too!
Jewel of the South This classy southern tavern won Tales of the Cocktail Spirit award for best cocktails in 2022. It is also listed as one of the top 50 bars in North America; the cocktail menu is out of this world! With inventive and world class techniques blending ingredients and flavors you won’t find anywhere else, these cocktails are truly unforgettable. Chrissy still dreams of the Carrot Colada cocktail she had there.
Which of these hidden gems have you visited? Share your thoughts with the Boozy Blondes! Send them an email or DM them on Instagram!
Settle in, lushes. The Boozy Blondes are about to take you on a “jazz parade” through the Crescent City – New Orleans, Louisiana! This is Chrissy’s favorite city in the country, and admittedly, Molly has warmed up to it over the years. In this episode the girls take you on a tour around town, dropping it at different hotel bars to listen to some great jazz music! Chrissy dubbed this tour a jazz parade, hence the episode title. (There is no traditional parade referenced at all!)
The DOE is a New Orleans classic – Romas Gin Fizz. This drink is delicious but very labor-intensive. It combines gin, citrus, simple syrup, egg whites, heavy cream, orange flower water and club soda. The original recipe called for 12 minutes of shaking! (Molly thanks Chrissy for all her hard work making this masterpiece!)
The parade started at the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons. Chrissy drank an espresso martini, Molly and Phil had the World’s Fair Fizz (gin, lemon, wildflower honey, egg white, butterfly pea flower tea and Champagne), and Rainer enjoyed a glass of Reposado. This is a fairly new bar which seats 85. Visit the website for special events and experiences like “celebrate like a local” and “Oysters Take Flight.”
The second stop was not at a hotel, but at the Mahogany Jazz Hall. The bar offers live jazz music 7 nights a week! The bar is very small and intimate and hosts pop-up Burlesque shows. This place also serves Absinthe in the traditional French style!
Next on the parade was the Sazerac Bar in the Grand Roosevelt Hotel. Each one in group ordered the New Orleans classic Sazerac. The bar is very small and doesn’t offer reservations, so it can be tricky to get a table here. If you visit, ask to speak with Russ Bergeron, the mixologist/historian on site. He helped reopen the Sazerac Bar following Hurricane Katrina. Fun fact – they serve about 40,000 Sazeracs each year!
The group moved on to the Davenport Lounge in the Ritz Carlton from here. This was definitely a group favorite! The lounge is named after its resident musician Jeremy Davenport and his band. The piano bar lounge is the perfect place to listen to favorite sing-a-longs, sip craft cocktails and enjoy mouth-watering munchies! Chrissy drank an Aperol Spritz and Molly sipped on Prosecco.
The final stop on the parade was the Polo Club at Windsor Court Hotel. It’s another great place for food, cocktails and live music. The ambiance is reminiscent of of a private English club boasting an aristocratic charm and the old fashioneds are fantastic!
These five stops were perfect for a night out sampling hand crafted cocktails, New Orleans classics and delicious light bites. This sampling is a tiny piece of all the jazz clubs NOLA has to offer, but it was a great start for the Boozy Blondes! Do you have a favorite jazz bar in New Orleans? Share it with the girls!
Boozy Blondes 