Experiment, Expand and Expose Yourself to Summer Happy Hours

In a city full of endless libations, we have the amazing job of stopping in to check out many of the coolest places in town. This week we take your picks to task and test the cocktails at places you recommended.

We want to give a big thank you to the reader who simply wrote four little words, “You must try DTB.”

DTB (8201 Oak St.) has been open just over a year and is currently promoting its new summer happy hour. It runs from 4 – 7 p.m. There is a healthy list of craft beers and cocktails to chose from on their menu. The most recent beer addition is the refreshing and crisp tasting, Urban South Lime Cucumber. The fun thing about this bar is that all of the beers are from Louisiana breweries.

“It’s a blast supporting local beer and we are happy to represent the local beer scene," said bartender Tommy Byrne. "There are so many great beers to choose from and sometimes we will rotate brews just to keep things exciting.” The bartending team here likes guest involvement. In fact, bar manager, Tim Webb explained how one cocktail was inspired by a customer who wanted a drink with cucumber juice. And Voila! The Garden Ghost cocktail was created and put on the menu with Ghost tequila, cucumber juice, grapefruit liqueur and citrus. Also, keep in mind Negroni Week is going on now, and DTB partnered with Bols to give a nod to the red light district. The bar is pouring Negroni’s out of finely designed light bulbs. Webb says, “everything is about presentation and we love creating fun ways to serve great cocktails. We want our customers to feel special.” It’s likely this bar will use the light bulb presentation all year long.

New Orleans Social House (752 Tchoupitoulas St.) has its summer happy hour happening 4 – 7 p.m. daily with modern craft brews, craft cocktails and west coast wines. On Friday’s from 4 p.m. until close, the bubbles bar is in full force with discounted glasses starting at $4. Bubbles by the glass is a fun way to sip through summer with great champagne. “We try to create a summertime fun environment where folks can enjoy great spirits and kick off with weekend with the bubbles bar,” said bartender Tyler Guillory.  Also, bartenders use whats called the Coravin process to pour wine. This is a way to pour wine without opening the bottle using a thin needle to pierce the cork. The wine pours out through the Coravin device, which creates a pretty cool presentation in our opinion. NOSH has a DJ spinning on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturdays.

Emeril’s (800 Tchoupitoulas St.) started a summertime happy hour that changes weekly. Monday to Friday you can get select wines and cocktails for $5 from 5 – 7 p.m. There is also an option to get $5 wines paired with $5 small plate selections. “We like to offer great deals all summer and we make it fun by having specialty wines you might not find easily in the city,” said Ray Gumpert, general manager. Also, look for the team at Emeril’s to start its themed regional pairing. This is going to be a fun and thirst quenching stop you definitely want to consider making.

These are of course just a few local happy hours in and around New Orleans. Keep the recommendations coming. If you have a favorite happy hour or cocktail place you want us to check out, let us know so we can share it with everyone.

Cheers!

 

 

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