1. Discovering New Orleans’ Hidden Cocktail Scene
New Orleans is a party town known for its energetic nightlife on famous avenues like Bourbon Street, with endless choices for bar hopping. However, sometimes, the secret to a good drink is a secret location.
2. A Tour with Deniseea Taylor
In this episode of Walk With iBestTravel, cocktail influencer Deniseea Taylor takes viewers on a tour of New Orleans, which she fondly calls “the cocktail capital.” Taylor showcases her favorite local bars—specifically speakeasies—providing insights into their locations, how to gain entry, and what to order once inside.
3. The Allure of Modern Speakeasies
Modern speakeasies capture the atmosphere of the Prohibition era, when alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States during the 1920s. Revelers had to drink in secret, and these hidden bars featured unmarked doors and even passwords for patrons to gain entry.
4. First Stop: Double Dealer
The first stop on Taylor’s tour is Double Dealer, located underneath the famous Orpheum Theater, built in 1918. Taylor walks down a backstage hallway and through a false door before arriving in the lush, low-lit bar adorned with neon signs and curtains that evoke the theater’s rich history.
Double Dealer manager Joe Diaz explains that the bar is situated in what used to be the theater’s “air conditioning” room, where ice blocks were stored to keep the building cool. He mixes a drink using mezcal and Aperol, named the Blind Viking, along with the bar’s most popular cocktail, the Ultimately, made with gin, cucumber, and jalapeño syrup.
5. Exploring the French Quarter
Before heading to the second bar, Taylor walks through the French Quarter, where viewers discover that Bourbon Street is home to more than just bars and food; the historic buildings feature some of the city’s most interesting architecture.
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6. The Saint Bar & Lounge
Arriving in the Lower Garden District, Taylor enters The Saint Bar & Lounge, a spot with a hometown bar feel. Taking shots from plastic cups, she chats with a local about how the bar often maintains an energetic atmosphere without feeling too crowded.
7. Good Trouble Lounge: A Private Speakeasy
Lastly, Taylor arrives at Good Trouble Lounge, a modern speakeasy requiring private messaging on Instagram for potential entry. Inside, she demonstrates how to make a classic New Orleans cocktail, the daiquiri. While most envision this as a frozen drink, here it is served straight up with coconut simple syrup for a touch of jazz.
In closing, Taylor reminds viewers to drink responsibly and always tip their bartender.
