Barrel Proof
Bar · Central City ·
Vast whiskey selection, craft cocktails, seasonal pop-ups, and happy hour
Vast whiskey selection, craft cocktails, seasonal pop-ups, and happy hour
"This low-lit, low-key bar serves as a kind of introduction to the Lower Garden District, given its location at the start of the neighborhood on Magazine Street right past Calliope. It matches the LGD’s hip but classic vibe — not overly pretentious or try-hard, just funky and cool. The succinct cocktail list is simple and straightforward but expertly crafted, while the whiskey, bourbon, and beer lists steal the show. And, like any great bar dedicated to drinks, the food is done entirely by pop-ups, consistently hosting some of the best in town." - Eater Staff
"Listed as opening at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and on Wednesday, Jan. 22 the listing specifies hours of 4–11 p.m." - Clair Lorell
"Located just west of downtown in the Lower Garden District, Barrel Proof is a spacious whiskey bar that serves lots of cocktails and under-$10 beer and shot combos. Really though, you come here for the 390 varieties of whiskey that they pour. If you get hungry after a few drinks, they serve food until midnight from local pop-ups like Matchbook Kitchen and Daddy Hot Bird." - megan braden perry, zella palmer
"For the sixth year, an enduringly popular Christmas pop-up is taking over a hip Lower Garden District bourbon dive at 1201 Magazine Street and turning it into a holiday oasis. In addition to familiar over-the-top cocktails, new drinks for 2024 include the Stocking Stuffer (bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry, amaro, cinnamon syrup, iced “hot” chocolate, aromatic bitters, and marshmallow) and the Crooked Antler (brandy, ruby port, vanilla liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, chestnut orgeat, lapsang tea, acid-adjusted orange, aromatic bitters, nutmeg, and peated whiskey spritz). Hours: weekdays 4 p.m.–midnight; Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m. The residency runs now through December 31." - Clair Lorell
"For the sixth year running, hugely popular Christmas pop-up bar Miracle has taken up residency at LGD bourbon dive Barrel Proof, transforming it into a holiday oasis. Among the twelve specialty drinks on the cocktail menu is the Jingle Balls Nog, a hot and creamy drink with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla, and nutmeg; and the hot buttered rum with aged Jamaican rum, velvet falernum, mixed spiced butter, oat milk, and nutmeg. Part of the fun is the festive glassware; so try ‘em all." - Clair Lorell