Any good places to go in New orleans or Las Vegas?

[trumpstylz]

I'm helping plan a bachelor party in either Bourbon street in N.O. or Vegas.

Any specific places I should plan on going- Bourbon or non-bourbon related?

If its NO, I figure we'll have to go somewhere and order a sazerac coctail, made with rye of course.

I don't really know a whole lot about vegas.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[sku]

Craftsteak in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand has a very nice Bourbon selection and a really impressive single malt scotch selection.

Here's a brief description from my last visit: http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2010/05/whiskey-wednesday-vegas-whiskey-at.html

[jburlowski]

Ditto on sku's Vegas suggestion of Craftsteak at the MGM. Best selection in town and good bartenders.

Bellagio used to have a great selection (including all the VWs). In fact, just a few years back you could get comped with AHH blue wax! Because of the recent tough times the selection is down to the more typical few. (They're selling some of their bars to independent operators.)

But, if you like cocktails, you can't beat the bartenders at the Petrossian Bar (just off the main lobby at the Bellagio). Craftsmen (and women) of the old school.

Off the Strip, try the Whisky Attic which is upstairs from the Freakin' Frog (which has hundreds of craft beers) near the UNLV campus. They have several hundred whiskies available, including a broad bourbon selection.

[ratcheer]

The best cocktails I had in New Orleans were at the bars of a couple of nice restaurants: K Paul's, Nola, and The Commander's Palace. The Sazerac I had at K Paul's was sublime.

Tim

[dean_martin]

I went to NOLA in November. Asked a similar question here and got some GREAT and memorable recommendations:

Sazerac Cocktail at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel

Bourbon House Oyster Bar

from beeradvocate.com, beer-related recommendation: Avenue Pub on St. Charles and Stein's Deli. (We didn't have time to fit in Stein's.) We hit the Avenue Pub and loved it. That's where we started our first night because it's outside the FQ and worked our way back to the Sazerac Bar then to Bourbon St. On the second night we ate and drank at the Bourbon House Oyster Bar before seeing Iron and Wine at the House of Blues. Awesome weekend that made the annals of our family history.

[bcrossan]

Whiskey Attic in Vegas is a great place. Good beer and whiskey selection. Make sure to email Adam the owner before you go so he can meet you there and do a more thorough tasting for you. That was his advice to me last time I went

[trumpstylz]

Thanks for all the input guys. If you think of anything else, lemme know!

[jburlowski]

The best cocktails I had in New Orleans were at the bars of a couple of nice restaurants: K Paul's, Nola, and The Commander's Palace. The Sazerac I had at K Paul's was sublime.

Tim

[ratcheer]

The Commander's Palace also does a great, hand-made, mint julep!

Yes, every cocktail I have had there was excellent. Especially an absinthe milk punch at brunch!

Tim

[squire]

Ah, Sunday brunch at Commanders, good memories.

[jdodso3]

Just checked out The Commander's Palace website. It looks like a place you must stop when you visit NO. I will definitely have to add that to my list of places to go.

[squire]

Commanders is the only place I go every trip, the others are visited but not each trip.

[callmeox]

O'Shea's Casino in Vegas.

Not much of a prime spirits joint, but the Vegas equivalent of a casino in a frat party. I had a blast there shooting craps all night and drinking well bourbon.

[ratcheer]

Just checked out The Commander's Palace website. It looks like a place you must stop when you visit NO. I will definitely have to add that to my list of places to go.

[TNbourbon]

After you've shot your (monetary; go to Vegas and rent a car otherwise:shocked:) wad at Commander's Palace, go to Coop's Place, way east on Decatur (near the Farmer's Market) for local, flavorful (both food AND atmosphere) dining (or lunching) at ordinary prices. The drinks are mixed strong, too, and Abita is on tap!

http://www.coopsplace.net/

I've no wish to deceive you -- it's a hole-in-the-wall 'joint'. But, it's fun, cheap, and tasty! (P.S. -- if you value your pride, DON'T wear your Mardi Gras beads through the door.)

If you go for dinner, the line at the door should tell you something. Especially once you note the dinginess inside. (Hint: they ain't lined up for the white-linen treatment!)

[TomH]

For pure atmosphere, we enjoy French 75 Bar at Arnaud's Restaurant. Whenever we are in New Orleans we have to stop in at least once for a quiet drink before walking Bourbon Street. I normally get a Sazerac. While their selection is nothing to write home about (Old Overholt is their rye of choice) they make a very nice cocktail and the bar is a perfect place to enjoy a drink. For those who enjoy cigars, they are smoked there (they also sell them).

[trumpstylz]

I've no wish to deceive you -- it's a hole-in-the-wall 'joint'. But, it's fun, cheap, and tasty!

That's what I love about New Orleans!

[squire]

Head West on Decatur to The Hostel, 329 Decatur, and try some of Chef Richards chargrilled oysters. Not something I would normally order but Richard talked us into trying them and they are exceptional.

[trumpstylz]

Awesome. It's lookin like we're goin to new orleans. Definitely stopping in at Commanders palace. Keep em comin!

[squire]

Check with Commanders before dropping by, they may be booked solid.