Clink glasses over flights of bubbles at Effervescence.
Girls’ Night in Nola is just the thing for leaving the work woes and kiddos behind for a lil’ wine and female friend time.
Yes, please!
Erase any mental stereotypical images of bachelorettes throwing back skinny Hand Grenades on Bourbon Street. We’re guessing that toxic and tacky is not your style—nor ours.
How about rooftop bars with insane craft cocktails and city views, swanky lounges with Parisian flair and restaurant hot spots for shared plates and Champagne? {clink}
Milk Punch has got you covered!
Here, 7 sophisticated (well, mostly) suggestions to fill a stress-free weekend full of flavorful bites, inventive cocktails and a taste of the New Orleans nightlife scene.
- Barrel Proof
It’s a neighborhood whiskey bar and that sounds like a dude place, but if your tribe is cool enough, start here. Dark as a college dive bar, blaring rock music with cocktails and a wall of whiskeys. Throw back a bottle of Miller, have frozen Margs or a proper Manhattan and live the Lower Garden District “high life.” Now go get dressed.
Barrel Proof
1201 Magazine, New Orleans
Happy Hour, 4 to 6 pm.- Bar Marilou
Super swanky luxe library for libations and a posh pregame! If the fringed tiger print brass barstools and lush banquettes don’t blow your mind, the cocktails surely will. Bar Marilou, inside Maison de la Luz hotel, is like popping by a designer’s impeccably-appointed pied-à-terre for drinks. No dining tables, just lounging, but they do have fantastic nibbles (now encouraged since re-opening post covid so order the Pommes Marilou, oui oui!) and the hotel lobby via secret passageway is not to be missed.
Bar Marilou
544 Carondelet, New Orleans
Make a reservation on their web site and- Effervescence
Feeling sparkly and bubbly? Plan on dinner at this Champagne-themed restaurant and lounge. It never needs to be a special occasion to toast the Champs and the bites at Effervescence are bursting with amazing flavors. You’ll become obsessed with the smoked paprika popcorn, the creatively curated flights, the Champagne bottle art by Kurt Pio (tip: find at Orange Gallery on Royal) and clink glasses to a festive, fabulous night out in Nola.
Effervescence
1036 North Rampart Street, New Orleans
Check new brunch options also!
Reservations: Book here
- Copper Vine
Whether it’s lunch in the lush patio garden, popping by for a glass of wine or a delicious laid-back dinner, Copper Vine is always a good go-to. Think truffle fries, jumbo lump crabmeat deviled eggs and a new arugula sunflower seed salad! Sustenance is key, ladies. Next door to Vintage Rock Club and just across from the Civic Theatre and walking distance from Smoothie King Center if you happen to be catching a show.
Copper Vine Wine Pub
1001 Poydras Street, New Orleans
See more on the concept.
- Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel
Tennessee Williams was here, but no literary novel could capture the vibe of this rooftop bar on the Penthouse floor of the historic Ponchartrain. Go just before sunset to score seats inside or make it a going-out destination after dinner. There’s often a line to take the vintage elevator up and can be crowded, but the craft cocktails and panoramic perspective of the Mississippi River and modern day New Orleans architecture are always worth the wait.
Hot Tin
2031 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans
Reservations now required (Open Tabl) and serving Sunday brunch; 21+- Justine
Take me to Paris where everything is neon pink and super chic! Justine is a dream for lunch, brunch or dinner with plenty of fabulous photo ops. And since it’s in the French Quarter, you may literally feel like you’re on a European vacay. Cocktails, Champagne, a killer DJ…See more on Milk Punch from our Style feature.
Justine
225 Chartres St., New Orleans
Tip: Photo made with Robby the Maitre’D in the entrance is highly encouraged.- Vintage Rock Club
Video killed the radio star and if you still want your MTV back, take a time machine up to the second floor of this Poydras late night discotheque. Visually intoxicating (well drinks and beer only so don’t expect a fancy cocktail menu), sing along with Whitney and move like Madonna to pop-rock hits, big teased hair and all. Warning: time flies when you’re having this much retro fun, so they may be sweeping the floor before you realize it’s 2 am.
Vintage Rock Club
1007 Poydras Street, New Orleans
Friday, Saturday nights
Reserve a VIP Section. Doors open at 9 pm but best to show up around 10pm
Pop the corks! Flights of Cava, rosé and Champagne at Effervescence.
The best late night calorie burn ever!
Pick your pour with wines on tap at Copper Vine.
Prepare to be obsessed!
The neighborhood whiskey bar Barrel Proof starts rocking at 4 pm
Frozen drinks and an urban hipster scene at Alto atop Ace Hotel.
Drool-worthy decor and bites at Bar Marilou. (Photo by Rush Jagoe)
What to wear: You can be never be overdressed in New Orleans so sparkle on! Pack a dress for a fancy brunch, comfy shoes for shopping and anything you don’t want to ruin if walking the French Quarter. A hat for sun protection is always a good idea and the climate is tropical so be prepared for random showers!
Shop till ya Drop: Unleash the tribe in the French Quarter and walk up and down Royal Street and Chartres.
Royal Street musts: Rue Royale, Krewe sunglasses, Gallery Orange, plus plenty of antique and fun souvenir shops.
Chartres Street musts: Hemline, UAL and other funky little finds.
Drive or uber Uptown to Magazine Street to hit a big variety of shops from high-end interiors to cheap chic clothing. It’s long and spread out so driving is not a bad idea to park, shop and repeat. A few musts: Perch, Rivers Spencer, Hazelnut, Stella Dallas, UAL and Hemline and lots in between.
Cheers!!
Check more Punch Lists:
Best Burgers: The Top 5 List
Beyond the Booze: 7 Things to Do Besides Sitting in a Bar
Follow Milk Punch on instagram @milkpunchofficial