Outdoor Drinking in New Orleans

‘Tis the season for outdoor drinking in New Orleans. Get some fresh air and grab a classic New Orleans cocktail on one of the city’s rooftop bars while taking in sweeping views of the Crescent City. If casual is more your style, enjoy a locally-brewed beer in a low-key beer garden. Whatever suits your fancy, you’ll find it in NOLA. Here are our top picks for places to drink outdoors...

...if you want to sip wine in a charming atmosphere

Bacchanal Wine

Live jazz nightly, a well-stocked wine cellar, and a romantic garden are just a few reasons why you might stop by Bacchanal. Nestled at the edge of the Bywater, Bacchanal feels like you’re rediscovering a hidden gem every time you walk in. Come for the cheese plates & wine, stay for the perfect vibe: the sounds of jazz beneath twinkling lights strung around the garden.

The Bower Bar

The outdoor patio at The Bower has drawn customers since their opening in 2019. Sip on a cold glass of wine and indulge on some small plates tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Magazine Street. The vibe is charming day to night.

The Delachaise

The Delachaise is one of those outdoor spots you hit the moment the weather turns for the better. Outdoor seating at this wine bar (that also boasts great beer & craft cocktails) is in the prime location: along historic St. Charles Avenue. Order food and drinks at the bar and experience a quintessential Garden District experience: sipping a glass of wine while watching the streetcars roll by. Also, just trust us and order the duck fat fries.

Bayou Wine Garden

This Mid-City spot has unmatched rustic charm with a neighborhood vibe. It’s off-the-beaten-path for visitors, so you’re sure to be surrounded by friendly locals here. Put Bayou Wine Garden on your list if you want top-notch wine, cheese, and charcuterie with chef-recommended pairings. The bar offers over a dozen wines on tap, a “come as you are” attitude, and delicious tapas.

Patula 

Patula is a quaint café located on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Enjoy coffee and pastries from Ayu Bakehouse in the morning hours and nosh on Caesar salads, ham sandwiches, and other small plates as the day wears on. Retreat to their secluded courtyard on a busy day in the Quarter for a well-earned break. 

Pluck Wine Bar 

Enjoy natural wine, cheese plates, and a charming atmosphere on the back patio of Pluck. With the view that expensive wine doesn’t necessarily taste better, enjoy glasses from as little as $10 while kicking back on the patio.

The Tell Me Bar 

Tucked away Uptown where you might almost miss it, The Tell Me Bar is worth the trouble of finding. With both indoor and outdoor seating, charmingly lit with string lights, the atmosphere is vibrant whether it’s your first or tenth time visiting. This bar features an extensive selection of reds, plus a nice variety of non-alcoholic and low-ABV options.  

...if you like cornhole, local brews, and crawfish boils

Parleaux Beer Lab

Parleaux Beer Lab is a hip find in the Bywater, and isn’t just a bar. It’s actually a microbrewery and taproom that channels the creative spirit of the surrounding neighborhood and its inhabitants. The outdoor seating is casual: think picnic tables with board games on them for friends or strangers to play together. Parleaux also hosts yoga classes, food trucks, and brewery tours. If you’re looking for the most local of local experiences in a cool neighborhood dig, Parleaux Beer Lab is your spot.

The Rusty Nail

The recently expanded patio of Rusty Nail allows for even more gatherings in the Warehouse District than before. This hotspot is known for attracting football watch parties and birthday celebrations, but it's great for a casual drink too. They have frozen drinks and a variety of beers on tap and rotating food options as well.

Bayou Beer Garden

If you were intrigued by Bayou Wine Garden, NOLA’s also got it in beer-form. Bayou Beer Garden, connected to Bayou Wine Garden by an outdoor courtyard path, is a casual, sports-bar atmosphere with countless beers to choose from (many of the local variety), and crawfish boils every week during crawfish season. Plus, it’s just steps away from Bayou St. John, where you can kick back pre- or post-beers.

Little House 

Little House is in the charming neighborhood of Old Algiers. Kick back with a cocktail in their yard, which has plenty of outdoor seating and crawfish when it’s in season. The Little House also hosts events such as trivia nights, live performances, and happy hours throughout the week. 

Bratz Y’all

Come to this Bywater beer garden for an authentic German biergarten experience. Bratz Y’all serves only German beer and wine and offers a completely German food menu. Take a seat at a picnic table outside or play a game of cornhole. You’re in for consistently good beer, a very laid-back vibe, and a funky crowd.

The Bulldog

An outdoor drinking roundup in New Orleans wouldn’t be complete without The Bulldog. Known for its dog-friendly outdoor patio and extensive beer selection, this is a New Orleans staple. There’s no frills about it - grab a beer, sit outside at the patio, and maybe catch a Saints game if it’s football season. 

… if you want the scenic view

Columns Restaurant & Bar

Columns on Saint Charles Avenue has always been a top spot for enjoying outdoor libations–there’s nothing quite as picturesque as posting up with a craft cocktail on their oversized front porch and watching the streetcars rumble by. The hotel underwent a major upgrade in recent years, and now features even more outdoor seating nestled amongst an abundance of lush greenery. 

Hot Tin Rooftop Bar

At the historic, restored Pontchartrain Hotel in the Lower Garden District, take the elevator alllll the way up to Hot Tin, its iconic rooftop bar. Grab your cocktail and drink it al fresco with some of the most spectacular views of the city.

The Bell 

Ambiance is key at The Bell, where it’ll feel like you’re stepping into an upscale English pub. The restaurant prides itself on being a “Guinness bar,” a place that knows how to pour and serve a proper pint of Guinness. There’s even a drink machine that dispenses frozen gin and tonic. Bask in the romantic nature of Esplanade Avenue while enjoying a pour outdoors.  

Pat O'Briens

Take in the courtyard view at the world-famous Pat O'Brien's. Cool off with an original hurricane cocktail and and settle in for some excellent French Quarter people-watching. Stick around to watch the lighting of the fountain every evening.

...if you want frozen drinks and plenty of seating

Wrong Iron on the Greenway

With a large patio, food trucks, extensive beers and frozen drinks on tap, Wrong Iron is great for groups. Located on Lafitte Greenway, it's the perfect place to bike to, as there are over 60 bike parking spots. Play a game of bocce ball while you're there as well.

Tchoup Yard

In the Irish Channel, you will find a hidden beer garden that offers a lot more than just beer. With dozens of seats, frozen cocktails, pool tables, and corn hole, Tchoup Yard is the ideal place to spend your day. Enjoy crunch wrap supremes and tater-tots from their kitchen and catch the game on one of their many televisions. 

Monday Restaurant + Bar 

One of the best places to enjoy cocktails outdoors is Monday. Serving fried seafood, sandwiches, salads, and entrées, the restaurant also does an all-day happy hour on Mondays where signature cocktails are half off. On game days, the place is packed outdoors where there are several TVs.  

Café Navarre 

Enjoy a frozen drink on the back patio of Café Navarre near City Park. Choose between a watermelon frosé, frozen Irish coffee, froscrew, frozen margarita, and so much more. There’s plenty of outdoor and shaded seating for enjoying your drink.  

Santa Fe 

Tex-mex is the name of the game at Santa Fe, but with a seafood twist. Enjoy reds, whites, margaritas, sangria, and more off their drink menu. Perhaps the best part of all is the expansive outdoor seating on picturesque Esplanade Avenue, where you can people watch for hours.