French 75 Bar is a historic, cocktail-focused bar inside Arnaud’s Restaurant at 813 Bienville St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, in the French Quarter of the United States of America. Its custom-built late-1800s bar and vintage bar-back give the room its period character, while its 2003 reinvention established a serious program of premium spirits and classic drinks. Travelers come for precisely made New Orleans cocktails, the intimate old-Quarter setting, fine cigars, and a Sunday brunch built around drinks as much as food.
What to Expect at French 75 Bar
The centerpiece is the original custom-built bar, installed in the late 1800s, with its vintage bar-back still in place. The room began as a gentlemen-only area; when the Casbarian family renovated Arnaud’s and reopened it in March 1979, it became the Grill Bar. In 2003, it took its present French 75 identity, concentrating on premium spirits, classic cocktail technique, and cigars. The effect is formal without being theatrical: sit at the bar for the fullest view of the bartenders’ work, or settle into the compact lounge for conversation.
Drinks are classically focused but not frozen in time. The bar uses locally sourced ingredients alongside house-made syrups, drams, and liqueurs, giving familiar forms a New Orleans accent. Its name points naturally to the French 75, but the broader draw is the depth of the cocktail program. On Sundays, French 75 Bar offers an intimate, cocktail-forward brunch with a limited à la carte menu and brunch-specific drinks. For a larger Arnaud’s history outing, the restaurant’s Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum displays costumes and Mardi Gras memorabilia connected to the Arnaud’s family.
- Late-1800s bar and bar-back: Original vintage fixtures anchor the room’s historic atmosphere.
- Classic cocktail program: Premium spirits, house-made syrups, drams, and liqueurs shape the menu.
- French 75 cocktail: Order the bar’s namesake drink as a fitting introduction to its French-meets-New Orleans point of view.
- Sunday brunch: A walk-in, limited-menu brunch pairs daytime dishes with brunch-focused cocktails.
- Fine cigars: Cigars remain part of the bar’s 2003-era identity for guests who enjoy that tradition.
French 75 Bar at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
| Neighborhood / Area | French Quarter, one block from Bourbon Street and near Canal Street |
| Operating Hours | Tue–Thu 5:30–10:30 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–11 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; closed Monday |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free entry; no tickets. Food and drinks are purchased separately. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45–90 minutes for cocktails; allow 1.5–2 hours for Sunday brunch. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Canal at Bourbon streetcar stop is about a 5-minute walk; paid French Quarter garages and lots are nearby. |
| Official Website / Phone | arnaudsrestaurant.com / 504-523-5433 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive near the 5:30 p.m. opening if you want a quieter first drink and a better chance at bar seating; later evenings are better for the energy of the Quarter but can be tighter in this small room. There is no ticketed admission. Sunday brunch is offered on a walk-in basis, so arrive at the start of service for the shortest wait. For an evening tied to an Arnaud’s restaurant meal, use the restaurant’s reservation system and confirm current bar availability directly with the host team.
From Canal Street, walk down Bourbon Street and turn onto Bienville; the Canal at Bourbon stop is served by the Canal Streetcar routes. Drivers should expect paid parking rather than street parking, with French Quarter garages and surface lots within a short walk. The venue has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom facilities, though the historic bar room is compact; contact Arnaud’s in advance for the most comfortable table arrangement and step-free arrival guidance. Within 5–15 minutes on foot are the Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone, Preservation Hall, Jackson Square, and the restaurant-lined blocks of Royal and Chartres streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times to visit French 75 Bar?
Early evening, close to the 5:30 p.m. opening, is best for a calmer cocktail and bar-seat availability. The bar is open Tuesday through Thursday until 10:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. Sunday brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Does French 75 Bar charge admission or require reservations?
There is no admission fee and no ticket price; guests pay for what they order. Sunday brunch is walk-in. Reservations are useful when pairing cocktails with dining at Arnaud’s, especially on busy French Quarter evenings.
How much time should I budget for French 75 Bar?
Plan 45 to 90 minutes for one or two cocktails and time to appreciate the historic bar. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for Sunday brunch, or longer if combining the visit with dinner at Arnaud’s or the Mardi Gras Museum.
Is French 75 Bar family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?
Families are better suited to the daytime Sunday brunch than a late-night cocktail visit. Wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom facilities are available; because the room is intimate and historic, call ahead for seating and arrival assistance.
When planning your New Orleans travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in New Orleans, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Presbytère, 2 Bourbon St, and Arnaud's (nearby).
