The Best Bars To Sit And Read A Book In New Orleans

Just because you're trying to relax doesn't mean you need to stay inside.

by Alex Galbraith | August 21, 2018

While our city is renowned for bringing the party to whomever wants it, sometimes we just want to relax with a well-crafted drink. There’s nothing wrong with bringing whatever you’re reading along with you to a much-loved stretch of pine. Where other cities’ residents might be forced to try their hand at amateur mixology, forced to decide between dealing with a raucous bar or unwinding, the overwhelming amount of options in this city means that we have quite a few spots to mellow out with an expertly made cocktail.

We’ve compiled a few of the best places for booze and a book below.

Vessel NOLA

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bly4AOhHy91/?hl=en&taken-by=vesselnola

Maybe it’s the former church setting, but crowds tend to keep it down inside this Mid-City tapas and cocktails spot. Order a smoky mezcal paloma and try to make up for all the times you pretended to read-along on Sundays.

Twelve Mile Limit

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHmhIuH7GZ/?taken-by=12milelimit

This Mid-City living room isn’t always a quiet place. Catch it on Monday when they dole out food for neighbors or during the monthly Heatwave! dance party, and it’s anything but amenable to someone looking for quiet. But if you dip in on a random afternoon, chances are you’ll find little more than a few locals with odd work schedules and some friendly bartenders. And if you find yourself needing a little air and space to yourself, the fenced-in patio is waiting for you.

The Abbey

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmjzq1iBbzG/?taken-at=224833927

The Abbey is a dive’s dive full of Quarter rats of the highest order. So, your mileage may vary if you’re looking for a little quiet. But if you hit the cash-only spot at just the right time, you’ll find plenty of space to relax and a few service industry veterans to commiserate with.

Carousel Bar

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmt2VtXHwI2/?taken-at=1023895291

Don’t go on the weekend when this highly Instagrammable locale swells with tourists. But any other time– provided you can tolerate the slow spinning of the namesake bar– this bar has a grasshopper that will go great with whatever you’re reading.

Sidebar NOLA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSroePQDfu5/?taken-by=sidebarnola

This quiet bar’s very name brings to mind people speaking in hushed tones. And when the courthouse-adjacent dim bar doesn’t have a folk band playing it lives up to its moniker.

Sazerac Bar

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmmAFMgnb2A/?taken-at=215678169

Tucked away inside the Grand Roosevelt Hotel, this bar attracts a different crowd than the ones just on the other side of Canal Street. The high-back chairs and classic cocktails are perfect for a little solo relaxation.

The Starlight

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfETms_g6OX/?taken-by=starlight_nola

This spot was an oasis from the Bourbon Street madness when it was known as Bar Mon Cher. Now under new management, it doesn’t seem like much about the bar’s vibe has changed. Built into a largely untouched two-story house on St. Louis Street, the whole place gives off a casual, parlor kind of atmosphere. Grab a drink and find a corner while you wait for the bands to start.

Stream original series on the Very Local app

What is Very Local?

Very Local is your best source for shows about local communities, bringing you 24/7 access to news from your trusted local news source, weather updates, and more. The Very Local app also brings you fresh, untold stories from your city and communities like yours, with exclusive original shows and local stories specific to where you live. Get the channel to stream Very Local free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.

Follow Very Local on Facebook and @VeryLocal on Instagram for more

Alex Galbraith

Alex Galbraith

He has a distinct voice that you will come to know more as you follow VL NOLA. He has shown himself to be an intrepid entertainment and culture writer, who always knows about the best events, happenings and performers before anybody else. Now, he’s going to tell you all about them here at Very Local NOLA.

Download the Very Local app to stream all of the Very Local original series for FREE!

Download the Very Local app to stream all of the Very Local original series for FREE!