Happy New Year! As we move into 2025, we are looking forward to continuing to bring you, our readers, all the best that New Orleans has to offer. From dining to music, literature, festivals and the unique cultural touchstones that make this our special home, we hope to highlight all that the city has to offer, as well as the personalities behind them.
Talk about colorful tradition, our cover feature is a deep dive into the history of one of the more mysterious aspects; one that combines cocktail culture and artistic expression: absinthe. New Orleans has long been tied to the “green fairy” (as it is sometimes known), along with the bohemian writers and artists that came to prominence during its heyday. Today, that elixir is rebounding in popularity with local bars, both new and historic, creating innovative cocktails and expanding its history into a new era.
Our January issue is also when we reveal our new Tops of the Town list, as voted on by our readers. It’s a celebration of all of the local businesses that provide New Orleanians with the best service, support, style, flavor and flair throughout the year.
Speaking of celebrations, each year the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award recognizes an outstanding chef, restaurateur or hospitality expert that has contributed to the fabric of New Orleans. This year’s recipient, Dickie Brennan, embodies that tradition. Learn more about Brennan’s career with this month’s profile and how he continues to bring southern hospitality at its finest to the table.
Finally, we are turning the page for a refresh. We welcome some exciting new columns and have shuffled our pages to spruce things up for a new start to the new year. We can’t wait for you to take a look!
Send us a line! Have something you want to share with us? Email ashley@myneworleans.com.
