One of the pleasures of being in New Orleans is the legality of sipping on what I like to call a “walking around drink.” When walking with a drink in your hand, you can’t be in a rush, lest you slosh that lager down your shirt. Drinking while walking makes you slow down and appreciate all that’s lovely around you: beautiful architecture, swinging music or someone in a pirate costume on a random Thursday.
Scott Glab at Sidney's with an assortment of local beers
The go-cup is ubiquitous on all New Orleans streets, not just those in the French Quarter. Locals often grab a drink to savor while walking the dog, visiting local art markets and festivals, and certainly while walking home from a favorite neighborhood watering hole. But the concentration of folks enjoying a drink on the go has to be in the French Quarter. While every location that serves alcohol will happily supply you with a plastic cup to take your drink with you (no glass on the streets, please), one of my favorite places to stop in for a beer on the go is Sidney’s. Located on the lower end of Decatur Street, under the mighty protection of the golden statue of Joan of Arc, Sidney’s offers one of the best (and best priced) single beer selections in the city.
Not only is Sidney’s likely to carry your favorite brand of beer (from Budweiser to Chimay and everything in between), but they have a wide selection of locally brewed beers as well. Local breweries are flourishing, making everything from summer-friendly strawberry brews featuring Louisiana berries to dark stouts, perfect for fighting a chilly breeze off the river. Abita, Heiner Brau, Lazy Magnolia, LA 31, and NOLA are all lined up, chilled and ready for a taste test. Sidney’s also sells spirits and features a shelf with everything you need to make some iconic New Orleans cocktails, including Sazerac Rye, Herbsaint, Peychauds Bitters and Pimms. Not sure what to get? Then seek out Scott Glab, beer aficionado. He and the rest of the knowledgeable staff are happy to help you choose the right brew for you. Scott notes that this section of Decatur is where everyone comes to start walking around the Quarter, which is why Sidney’s is my go-to place for a French Quarter “walking around drink.”
Sidney’s Wine Cellar
917 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504-524-6872
Open 7 days a week 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sidney’s on Facebook
Elizabeth Pearce is a culinary historian at the Hermann-Grima House, where she directs their hearth cooking program. She also gives cocktail and culinary walking tours of the French Quarter. When she’s not drinking or talking about drinking, she’s writing about drinking at Neat with a Twist. To find out more, visit Elizabeth’s website.
FREE Weekly Roundup!
Enter your email address for updates on all the best things happening in New Orleans.
Follow Along!