5 New Orleans Bars You Must Visit This Mardi Gras

With so many great bars to visit in the area, both on and off of Bourbon St., we've made a list of some of our favorites for you to try this year.
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As we roll up to Mardi Gras, which has arguably become one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the U.S., some of us are lucky enough to find ourselves heading to the heart of the party -- New Orleans. With so many great bars to visit in the area, both on and off of Bourbon St., we've made a list of some of our favorites for you to try this year.

5 New Orleans Bars To Visit This Mardi Gras
Tujagues(01 of05)
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New Orlean's second oldest bar was originally opened as a restaurant in the early 19th century (complete with a brothel on the second floor according to rumors). It is in this storied location that it is believed Brunch was invented and the famous Grasshopper cocktail was created. Only three short blocks from Bourbon Street it is worth the short walk to enjoy a little piece of New Orleans History. (Map)Must try drinks: Tujague's has three drinks worth your time: The Grasshopper, which was invented here, The Pimm's Cup (the Pimm's is made in house from scratch) and The Ramos Gin Fizz (it is one of the few places that makes the drink from scratch with real egg whites). For more information check out this video. (credit:Flickr:Beau B)
Pat O'Brien's(02 of05)
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Opened during prohibition in 1930 when much of the city’s residents didn't really care for the 18th amendment, Patty O's has become a destination for New Orleans' residents and visitors alike. It was here in the 1940's that a bartenders’ competition was held to invent a rum-based drink to help sell off the surplus of rum (at the time bar owners were forced to buy up to 50 cases of rum to get 1 case of decent scotch or whiskey). The winner created a comprehensive mixture of fruit juices and rum and when it was served in a hurricane lamp-shaped glass the original Hurricane was born. (Map)Must try drink: This one is easy, the Hurricane of course. For more information check out this video.Photo Courtesy Of Peter Dutton
Henry's Uptown Bar(03 of05)
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Henry's Uptown Bar--During Mardi Gras everything happens on Bourbon Street, making it the most crowded place in the city (and possibly the U.S.). If you get a little tired of the crowds and tourist trap bars head up Magazine Street to Henry's Uptown Bar. This local's favorite was founded in 1901, is located along the Mardi Gras parade route and is one of the last places Lee Harvey Oswald visited before making that fateful trip to Dallas (the house he lived in is within walking distance of the bar). The history and simplistic nature of this place make it a great location to watch the parade or to simply sit and enjoy a conversation over a few cold ones. (Map)What to drink: This isn't your typical New Orleans over-sugared-drink spot; stick with the classics, like a shot and a beer or simplistic mixed drink. Check out this video for more. Photo Courtesy of Nick L.
Arnaud's(04 of05)
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It was 1918 when Count Arnaud, a local wine merchant, made a wager with his customers that he could open and successfully operate his own restaurant. Almost 100 years later Arnaud's is not only still operating, but also has one of New Orleans’ most colorful pasts. With a history of serving "coffee" during prohibition--which led to multiple fines Count Arnaud is rumored to have been proud of--extravagant dining, hauntings, an in-house museum and a cocktail menu to die for, this place is a must-visit during your wobble down Bourbon Street. (Map)What to drink: The must-try drink is The Rebennack - Created by Arnaud's own Chris Hannah it is a modern twist on classic drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan. They also do an outstanding Sazerac; one of the best in the city. For more information check out this brief documentary.Photo Courtesy Of Jan Kronsell
More Historic Bars(05 of05)
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No trip to New Orleans should ever be considered complete without a trip to this legendary dive. Originally opened in 1900 or 1904 depending on who you ask it has a long, checkered, and yet distinguished past, which just so happens to be shrouded in mystery. Take its odd hours (7 p.m. until 7 a.m. and things really don’t get going until after 2 a.m.), the fact it is lit only by red christmas lights, its true careless attitude to the world outside, and then wrap it all up in a building that looks like it may fall over any minute (though it did manage to survive Katrina) and then plop it down in the the middle of a New Orleans neighborhood five miles from Bourbon street and you have the quintessential dive bar in New Orleans--maybe even the U.S. This is a true gem of a bar and one which we would willingly spend days in. (Map)Must try drink: The Possum Drop, a simple yet unique concoction named as such because the night it was created a possum fell out of the ceiling and onto a patron's head--you simply can’t make this stuff up.)

For more information on historic bars across the country check out Bucket List Bars, available on Amazon or anywhere fine books are sold.

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