Potions Speakeasy

So randomly heard about this place from my server over at Alchemy..? Hard to find, but I appreciate that. Not me wandering around the alley trying doors when the guy finally asks if he can help me haha Free before 7p with my little invite card. Up the stairs, don’t step on the cat. I was not dressed for the occasion, possibly thought I was going to become the ladies dressed all gothicy next blood sacrifice. Appreciate they have some nice mocktails options. Wasn’t feeling drinking but had to check it out. Inside is a VIBE. Said no pictures so I snuck just a few. Definitely a really cool place. Loved walking out on the balcony to enjoy the view below. An experience for sure

This cozy little speakeasy was super fun! Everyone from the bouncer to the bartender was just wonderful! Everyone was super helpful and kind. The vibes were impeccable! We even got our tarot cards read and the reader was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. The drinks were also super fun! The love potion shot came in a little souvenir bottle and we also got sangria blood bags. I will be recommending this to anyone who goes!

Witchy fun filled with potions, spells, and cats. You must get a pass by figuring out a secret code from the Vampire Cafe to enter the Potion Speakeasy. You can also experience an absinth trip while you are at it. Have fun!

The people with bad reviews are a bunch of whiners. We came following a visit at the Boutique and were THRILLED. If you know the password and act accordingly (it’s not hard, read the directions) they’ll let you in, no problem. There was a couple in front of us that didn’t get in because they didn’t have the password and saw it on social media. We sat and waited for them to be done arguing. Clearly some of y’all don’t understand what a speakeasy is. We LOVED the environment. Honestly, our favorite spot. We could stay there all night and enjoy the ambiance. Well worth the money.

We have been coming to New Orleans for years and this was our go to spot. We have this trip been to the Boutique and the Vampire Cafe both experiences great. Were given the cards at each. However last night we tried to do our traditional evening at Potions and the door man despite us knowing the password would not let us enter because we didn’t have the card with us. In the past we haven’t needed the card, this was a first and again we had provided the correct password. I am very disappointed to say the least this is the first bad experience we’ve had affiliated with you all and it may be the last as both of us are pretty aggravated in even wanting to try an go back.

Fantastic place with fantastic staff. Let's address some of the negative reviews here: 1. It's a Members club. If you're not a member, you pay a door cover after 7:00 p.m. anyone giving a negative review because they had to pay to get in, should have just come before 7:00. Also, the door cover is for the entire night so you can come and go. 2. Outside of the club, smells like cat pee on hot days. There are cats in the vicinity. The cats are not inside the club and there is no cat pee in the club. Inside smells just fine. 3. Anyone leaving a review saying that the drinks come in cheap plastic cups, that's because you wanted to go on the balcony. Drinks come in fancy glasses and bottles unless you want to take it out on the balcony, in which case it's given to you in plastic.

What a fun speakeasy in New Orleans. It was nice to find a quiet spot in this area. And fun you had to get an invite of sorts in order to get in. After a certain hour there is a $20 cover. They had a fun drink menu. And the bartenders made me some tasty mocktails which I appreciated. And they shared suggestions for other places in New Orleans to visit. The balcony view was very cool. We did seem to have an issue with our tab though, we were charged ~$225 for 6 drinks including two N/A drinks.

I am writing to formally address an egregious incident that occurred at your establishment, the Vampire Lounge, on the evening of October 8, 2025 at apx. 10:30pm involving the reprehensible conduct of one of your employees, a bouncer, whose actions were not only unprofessional but also discriminatory, threatening, and in violation of basic standards of decency and respect. As a 100% disabled and retired military veteran, I was subjected to a humiliating and prejudicial experience that has left me deeply shaken and compelled to pursue this matter to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences. Summary of Incident On the evening in question, I entered the Vampire Lounge with enthusiasm, having been invited by a cashier—a slender young woman with facial tattoos—who provided me with a card to present following a reading at the House of Ra. Upon entering, I was using my cell phone to broadcast live, as is common in public settings, and approached the bar to inquire about the gatekeeper. After being directed to a gentleman seated near an orange cat, reading a book, I politely asked if he was the bouncer for the Vampire Lounge. Without provocation, this individual responded with immediate hostility, adopting a condescending tone and demanding to know if I was recording him. I clarified that my phone was not directed at him, yet he refused to engage further, summarily denied me service, and aggressively ordered me to leave the premises. His behavior escalated as he yelled at me in a demeaning and embarrassing manner, directing me to “walk faster” while I attempted to explain that I deserved to be treated with respect. This unprovoked aggression left me visibly shaken, humiliated, and overwhelmed in front of other patrons. As a retired veteran who prides himself on conducting himself with dignity and respect, I was appalled by this treatment, which appeared rooted in prejudice and unwarranted hostility. Disturbed by this encounter, I initially left the premises but, after reflection and consultation, decided to return to file a police report. While awaiting law enforcement, I observed the same bouncer on the balcony and attempted to engage in a civil conversation to address his behavior. Instead, he escalated the situation further by referring to me as “boy” in a deliberately derogatory and racially charged manner, a term that, given the context and his tone, was unmistakably intended to demean and provoke. When I informed him of my status as a disabled veteran, he dismissively remarked that I “don’t look disabled” and claimed he deals with “nuts” like me regularly, further evidencing his discriminatory attitude and contempt for individuals with disabilities. Later, after the police arrived and I filed a report, I encountered the bouncer again, a block away from the establishment, preparing to leave on a scooter. When confronted about his use of the term “boy,” he disingenuously claimed it was merely due to my gender, an explanation that defies credibility given the context. I informed him of my intent to pursue this matter further, to which he responded with a dare and a threatening statement, “You come back, and I got something for you,” indicating a continued intent to intimidate. I have emailed all my contact information privately and look forward to the resolution of this matter before further escalation.

I really enjoyed my time here! But I would definitely not pay a cover to enter; there doesn't seem to be any reason to charge such a high cover for a place with no live music or anything. The pub that it's in has no cover and has awesome live music. Also, many people are posting the password in the comments, but the vampires won't let you in without a formal invitation. They're vampires, what do you expect? ;) However from 4-7 it was free so that's when we visited. We went at 4pm sharp on a saturday and there was a long line to get in because they limit the amount of people in there at once. I respect that because it helps keep the experience better for the patrons inside. The bar is simply a renovated apartment with cute spooky decor and lots of seating. The drinks were decently tasty and there was a nice balcony. I just thought it was a nice place to get away from the noise for a little while in the quarter and rest before returning to the fray.

This was the spot we were most excited to try out on this trip. My fiancé and I love speakeasies and absinthe (we have an absinthe dripper at home!) Unfortunately Potions was an extremely disappointing experience. I will start off with a compliment- the vampire host in the courtyard was on point and absolutely on brand, very spooky and cool. However, it's laughable for a niche and highly curated cocktail bar to serve absinthe, chartreuse, and martinis in the cheapest plastic cups, especially considering the (fun and valid) rigmarole of getting an invite and the password. They aren't serving $5 shots or frozen daiquiris and people are coming for an experience. After waiting in line to get a drink (no visible open seats) we asked the bartender if all of the drinks came in plastic cups or if we could please request a glass, all of which were behind her. She very rudely snapped "not today! We're too busy to use glasses!" Okay... maybe reduce the capacity considering it's not a place people can just walk into anyway. It comes off as greedy and lazy because they know people will blindly go anywhere they see on social media. We ended up turning around and deciding to leave. There was a less than 0 chance I was going to pay $20 for a martini + tip to stand around and drink the martini out of a mouthwash cup. I hope management can take these criticisms constructively because the idea is really cool and this is a business we would have loved to patronize. It felt like false advertising after seeing cocktails being served in actual glasses online, and a letdown/money grab being overcrowded.

This fucking place is fucking bullshit. Lame tourist trap. Now the the drinks aren't bad if you're super drunk. But overall if youreblooking for a real vamp or goth experience it isn't it

I am very much into supernatural stuff so obviously when you come to NOLA you have a lot of great experiences to choose from. This was a fun spot located inside a restaurant. You have to go to a nearby shop and get the password then present it to an employee in the courtyard. He then unlocked the a hidden door and instructed us to go up the stairway. It's a rather small space upstairs, but it just guaranteed a very charming and intimate experience. There is a tarot card reader and a few small seating areas. Equivalent to the size of a couple living rooms. The balcony was awesome though. It was a gorgeous view of the city and great fun people watching. We grabbed a couple of drinks and enjoyed the interesting scenery.

Likely the best speakeasy I've ever been to. We got turned away the first night that we tried to get in because we hadn't done the research to get a proper invitation. And the vampire doorman wasn't about to let us simply smile and slide in. There's plenty of info online about where you'll need to go in order to get an invite. Simply lookup local vampire bars and befriend a bartender. Once you get inside the atmosphere and the drinks will make the work worth it. The room is covered in vampire/witch/voodoo decor, and the drinks are equally inspired. You'll have to suffer bourbon street to find it, but once up there you'll appreciate the location.

This is one of my favorite places in New Orleans hands down. I'm a huge Vampire/Anne Rice geek, so any chance to go to Potions, I will make it a point to visit the Vampire Cafe on Royal and get an invite (if one is available). I love the entire set-up - from the speakeasy aspect to the drinks and taking in the view from the balcony. The ambiance gives off that creepy vampire vibes and lets you image for a few moments that you are lost somewhere in Anne Rice's world, waiting for Lestat to step out of the shadows.

I feel like this is the most legit speakeasy I've been to! It actually takes some investigation to figure out how to gain entrance, I tried going straight to the Google location with the password I'd found online, but the doorkeeper was unimpressed and turned me away! The only clues I'll give you, so as to not ruin your fun, is that you need an actual invitation from the vampire to enter Potions. The physical invite is obtained from another vampire themed shop nearby. Once you obtain it, go through the restaurant to the courtyard and you will inevitably notice that no matter what people are wearing (we were here during Mardi Gras so costumes abound) there is going to be one bloke looking just a little bit seedier than the rest. He will take your name and invitation. Since the vampire's bar is very small, expect a wait and a cover. Up the stairs you go and into the richly decorated rooms with a purple velvet couch, candles, and general Gothic decor. The bartenders smile at you with pointed teeth and the potions and brews you have to choose from continue to set the scene. I loved that our entrance fee permitted us to come and go all day. There was a balcony to look off of and watch the Bourbon street craze, and best yet.. the vampire owns the sweetest ginger cat. We were lucky that the vampire's cat was out and about tonight, though as one can expect, he almost always had an entourage of admirers. We got some good time on the couch with Peppa; and being cat people, I gotta say this is the chillest cat ever. Noise, people, rowdiness, nothing bothered him. Every time we visit NOLA from now on, we will certainly go visit our friend the vampire.. mostly so we can pet his undead feline.

We love Potions! It's always such a fun experience! From getting the invite, to getting in, to the ambience and the balcony, it's amazing all around!

I received an invitation to visit this vampire-theme speakeasy from The Apothecary down the road. If you do get an invitation, follow exactly what the card tells you. I don't normally drink alcohol, so I asked the bartender for a recommendation who made the Forbidden Fruit. It is all liqueurs and was delicious!!! I went to the balcony to people-watch the folks on Bourbon St. Overall, it was a good experience. FYI: there is a cat roaming in the speakeasy.

The experience of getting into this bar was so fun. We went to the vampire boutique first and after shopping around asked if we could have an invitation. We followed the directions and found the doorkeeper for the bar. He could not have been more perfect for this job! Don't look him in the eyes for too long! The bar itself was small but worth a stop in for a drink and peruse. When we were leaving back out the secret entrance there were a bunch of tourists in flip flops and tshirts trying to get in without an invitation. If you're going to a vampire speakeasy in New Orleans I feel like you should dress appropriately but they probably would have been let in regardless if they had an invitation. Since they didn't, the vampire door guy warned us not to let them in by staring us dead in the eyes and shaking his head back and forth, no. Like I said, he was so perfect for his role and very persuasive so we did not let them pass.

What a great Speakeasy!!! This is a hidden bar and it's a great best kept secret. The atmosphere is great...comfy couches and chairs. Lots of drinks to chose from and games to play. Bartender was great as well. You can also go out on the balcony. Try to come before 7. After 7 there is a cover charge. Just remember...the vampire sent you. Thank me later.

Unfortunately, this place was a major letdown. The whole space reeked of cat urine (though I love cats!) and the drinks were underwhelming, even as a gimmick.

The bar back upstairs was beyond rude and demoralizing. I felt very unsafe there as a woman. He was physically in my space and I was told "we don't have the time or energy to dirty up a glass for you" when I asked if I could exchange my plastic cup for a real glass champagne flute. Women please be aware of this man working at this establishment. Bring someone with you or go in a group if you decide to go. You also won't need to pay the $20 cover before 7pm. Password is "the vampire sent me" and you can pick up the card to enter at either of the two locations. Let me save you some time though and only visit the other locations. Potions is a major tourist trap with verbally abusive male staff who harasses women. Very unsafe.

Neat, small hidden Speakeasy. The vampire like feel makes it a must do if you can get in. The drinks were very unique and different. The cover charge was a little steep for what it was, but it was the experience that was what made it cool.

Was so excited when receiving an invitation from our awesome waiter at the vampire cafe! When getting to the speakeasy part, the "vampire" was incredibly rude which immediately ruined the vibes. When I asked if he knew of the cat who runs arounds name he only said "yes" instead of actually saying. The actual speakeasy was a fun place with great drinks, but it the hospitality was lacking and I've never disliked a vampire before the bouncer vampire.

Got here at 4 pm when they opened. Absolutely loved it. The vibes were amazing. felt like I was hanging out in a vampires apartment. I got the potion shot, which was really good and I got to keep the vial! There was also the cutest cat! Balcony was nice to sit. It is very small so I can imagine it gets crowded. Service was fantastic, the bartender was very nice

I was in town from New York on business. I wanted to have a cocktail here after seeing the speakeasy vibe online. - I was told first to go to another bar and order a drink there to get a referral card - so far so good. I went to the Potions lounge with the card and password to be met by a gentleman dressed as a vampire. Still pretty good. Except after buying the drink at the sister bar and telling him the password he was only allowing me to enter with a $20 cover. I wasn't game , $20 cover to order a cocktail and bring alone was a bit much. He didn't bend so I never made it inside. Headed up to Frenchman street and sipped drinks and watched music at the Maison and the Spotted Cat. Love NOLA.

The atmosphere was pretty cool and the whole experience of finding the speakeasy was a fun short activity to do. the drinks were a little underwhelming and only tasted okay. for the price and the whole experience of the place i feel like they would make the drinks a little bit more interesting but they were just okay, no special cups, fun add-ins, or any interesting flavors unless you get the blood bags otherwise just basic cocktails with a fun name slapped on them served in plastic cups.

$20 each to get in and frankly it is nothing special. Kinda cheesy to be honest (two small rooms and looks like the decor was from the Target Halloween collection$ and the drinks are AWFUL. We did not even finish them. So, the vampire sucked $80 out of me and I did not enjoy it. No need to visit.

This place is a scam. $20 cover and they don't serve you drinks. I waited in line for over twenty minutes for the one bartender to serve three drinks ahead of me. Slow as shit and when it was my turn, she helped people who cut the line to another window. Left without a drink, $40 poorer. Absolute trash people in a trash bar. Don't buy into the hype, this place is a waste of your time, money and energy. And the doorman downstairs is a clown. He had zero class and is just there to take your money. It's all a scam.

Not really that great, unless you're a diehard vampire culture fan. The drinks were good, but the $20 cover was excessive. We spent $50 on a couple of cocktails and 20 minutes on the balcony overlooking Bourbon Street with maybe five other people. The decorations inside were interesting, but the vibe was still not worth $20+drinks.

A hidden gem! I won't spoil the fun of getting there (if you go to the Vampire Café or Boutique du Vampyre you'll be on your way), but it is absolutely worth it. I would call the atmosphere more Eclectic Occult than Vampire but the vibe was super chill. It was more like a parlour than a bar, with small groups sitting on sofas and quietly visiting or petting the resident cat. My one qualm was that it's too bad the drinks are all served in plastic cups rather than fun glassware to really sell the concept. The only upside to the plastic is you can bring it outside and overlook the street below from the gallery. Definitely a place I would return. If you go before 7pm, you don't need to pay a cover.

Heard about this place from a friend so we made sure to make a stop. It was such a unique vibe and we thoroughly enjoyed the different atmosphere compared to other spots on bourbon street. The drinks were delicious (highly recommend the blood drop martini) and it was very enjoyable to relax on the balcony to overlook bourbon street.

Loved it here. Has a nice balcony facing bourbon as well. I like that the guys working fit the theme

We got an invitation to the speakeasy after getting some drinks from the Vampire Cafe down the block! The speakeasy is hidden behind another bar which a worker had helped us find after standing outside in confusion for a bit! After finding the entrance in we were lead up by a very nice vampire and his cat! The aura of the speakeasy is so cool! It had dim lighting and very nice decor that was in the theme of spooky and vintage. The drinks there were all potion themed which I loved! There is also a really nice balcony which you can see everyone from the street. Really cool vibe and would defiantly go again!

I disagree with the negative reviews. I love my membership now granted it's new but I can easily just relax after work. The staff is friendly and spooky welcoming.

Potions is so much more immersive than I could have ever imagined The decor is nothing short of perfection in every way. The orange tabby "door man", velvet sofas, 300 year old building, the art, potions and drinks, staff and fellow guests all were as welcoming as if we had come home. This was definitely a highlight of our visit. The Love Potion was a beautiful combination of sweet and floral! If you enjoy the darker side of life, Potions is a must.

We visited this place 3 times during our short NOLA stay. It's beautiful and the service is very friendly. Everyone was so nice and welcoming.

Drinks were great, and the entire place had a unique theme. Can't beat the balcony right on bourbon street?

We went to the vampire boutique because I was recommended it as the witch shop used for one of my guilty pleasure shows, and they sell a lot of witchy vibe stuff, so I love it. While there Francise was telling us about their amazing owner and all the other locations (which we, of course, had to visit), they have the vampire cafe, the apothecary, and then Potions. We got Potions around 9, Cory was the door security, and he was super nice. It seems like everyone at their various locations are friends, and all speak so highly of each other and their owner!! I was surprised when we got up there on top of a loud jazz bar. It was a nice chill atmosphere. Tobey was our bartender, and she was wonderful. Our drinks were delicious. When we wanted to check out the balcony she anticipated and got us plastic cups for our drinks! We tried Conjure, the Holy Water & the Forbidden Fruit Peppa the cat was lounging peacefully while we all relaxed and talked.

Sketchy staff, taking advantage of people with subpar drinks. I have been to craft bars and speakeasies all over the world and it's extremely rare to be charged a cover, especially without any entertainment. This place charges $20 and it's empty inside. Ignoring that, you'd expect something special from the cocktails and they fell far short of expectations. This place seems intent on monetizing the idea of a speakeasy without delivering any of the true value or appeal. Do yourself a favor and stick to the many other options in New Orleans.

Drinks are amazing and strong. There was a $10 cover charge. Potions has access to the balcony where you can enjoy your extravagant drink and enjoy Bourbon Street night life. Inside is definitely a vibe and elegant.

So I will say that before I got my membership it was awesome. Now I feel that the staff is just rude and has attitudes. (Not sure why) I have been in hospitality for 30 years and I have come across my share of rude people but they take the cake. I paid a lot of money to come here so I would hope that their attitudes change. Their membership fees are not chump change for sure.

Shhhh! What a hidden gem. You must know the password to get in. Fun atmosphere, spectacular views on the balcony overlooking Bourbon street and a fabulous selection of drinks. We went two days in a row. A must to visit when in New Orleans.

Cute little spot and low key and romantic. Nice chill balcony. We went before 7pm so we didn't have to pay a cover. The vampire theme was a fun idea and so detailed. We learned how to play shut the box and played that for a bit while we finished a drink. Woman behind the bar was very nice and polite. Holy water was good.

a $20 cover charge and $15 ish drinks once you're inside felt kinda crazy, but super fun place and definitely worth the trip! themed cocktails are cute, the decor is awesome, we met the sweetest kitties & the staff was very kind! the balcony is also a big plus -- so cool to see bourbon from above!

This was my favorite bar in NOLA. You need a password to get into it (which you get from the vampire store near by). If you go before 7, there's no cover. We went early in the evening and it wasn't packed. It's a small, quaint spot with eclectic decor. It was very unique with a creative menu to theme. Kim was our bartender and was super welcoming and helpful. They also have a nice balcony to enjoy the scenery of the French quarter. I highly recommend!

We found out about this place after eating at the Vampire Cafe (highly recommend). The way you enter really made you feel like you were part of the experience and the drinks they made were amazing. If you are in New Orleans and are looking for a quieter spot that has a balcony, this is your spot.

I'll give them stars for the concept, quiet, and balcony access but overall I was a little disappointed. First of all, there is a $10 cover. When our party of 6 got there, the bouncer told us there is room for 4 only. Fine, 4 people paid and were let up. Less than 30 seconds later, a few people came out so I thought by friend and I are about to go as well. Wrong! In a span of a minute, the bouncer reversed the order of the line, forgot all about us and was about to let 2 randoms. Obviously I spoke up and we got it. Upstairs, the drinks were about $13-16. For the theme and the price I expected them to be good, they were not, and they were served in the smallest, ugliest disposable plastic cups. Then we wanted to go on the balcony. The bartender told us it was broken (?) and unsafe, 5 minutes later it was fine to go.

I visited this place, last November, during my first trip to New Orleans. It's a beautiful place, the bartenders were congenial, and the drinks were mostly good. (Though, the absinthe was quite a bit more watered down than I've usually had it. I don't think they sugared it either, which would've been traditional. Would've been nice to get a little more booze for your buck, with that particular one. There was another cocktail called Forbidden Fruit, though, that was deadly-delicious!) Also, I thought the music could've used a little more attentive curation. It didn't really lend to the elegantly spooky atmosphere that the decor was clearly going for. Billy Joel isn't very vampiric, you know? I guess you've gotta try to please the rubes, but... if you're going to a Vampire Speakeasy, you want an immersive experience, right? Mainstream, pop-ish stuff doesn't really fit that bill. I'm sure the people running the place have had it up to here with songs like Bela Lugosi's Dead, or Transylvanian Concubine, but... anything kinda dark and creepy would've been way better for the place than the music that was playing that night.

This was absolutely my favorite part of my first ever NOLA trip! And we made it here by complete accident! We walked into a vampire store that we seen while waking! I'm a hot sauce freak, so I had to buy some vampire hot sauce! While doing so, the cashier slipped me a card and said if I was looking for good drinks and a great time, to follow the instructions. A few blocks away, through a small bar and out the back door, we thought we were lost until a lady asked us for the password and then unlocked a door that lead us to a dark staircase. We followed the stairs up and entered an enchanting, dark and calming, beautiful lounge with a very kind bartender and a tarot card reader. Everything was magical and wonderful and I could have stayed up there for hours! I hope you get the chance to come here!

Such a cool place! Loved the location, the decor, and overall vibe. It was very relaxing and a nice break from the typical Bourbon Street bars. We were there Halloween weekend. The bartender was phenomenal. The drinks were great. Several of us also had tarot readings while we were there. We will definitely we back during our next trip.

If you have a cat allergy beware the entire place smells of cats. It's very dark and velvety. Not sure if we were just not in the mood but we usually like speakeasies and this was just not what we expected. We left very quickly even after paying the the $10 cover per person. Drinks were ok , expensive but ok. I wouldn't go back.

Livia OMG where do I start. . . She was wonderful! Very nice and informative, came out to get us when it was our turn.

This may be the most interesting and amazing bar I've ever been to. It's completely thematic and decorated with attention to detail, and being able to look down on Bourbon Street was so much fun! The drinks were different then your usual fruity tourist drink and you should definitely watch the bartenders prepare the ones with fire! ;-)

I love vampires. Write vampire novels, so when I discovered there was a vampire gift shop and secret vampire bar in the French Quarter, I was overjoyed. The whole experience was a little magical. This bar is situated above another, so you have to provide the password given at the gift shop and go through and out the back of the other bar and through a separate door to get to the secret lounge. Even the stairway leading up was cool. The walls were painted red and hung on the wall, along with other things, was a black and red ouija board with bats on it. I tried to find one like that on eBay with no luck. I wanted to steal it (lol, but I would never do that). There was also a picture of the classic Universal Monsters. Beyond that was a little foyer with cats living there. There was a sign on the door which asked that newcomers not let the cats inside. When we stepped inside, I fell in love. The decor was both whimsical and classic. Lots of velvet, comfy couches, beautiful little details...like a wine-bottle lamp. The ceiling was gorgeous. Witches brooms were hanging from the ceiling. It was like a Quidditch match with no riders, lol. The bartender looked like a twin to the red-haired beauty at the Vampyre Boutique. She was very patient with us. We wanted the full absinthe experience, as neither of us had sampled real absinthe before. I was impressed by her reverence for the drink when she asked if/when we planned to drive. I figured real absinthe was going to pack a major punch and I wasn't mistaken. She did the whole thing and let us record it on video. Real absinthe is, indeed, an experience. We say the sugar cube lit on fire, the little water machine (looked like itty bitty faucets). One of the coolest experiences of my life. We got the drink transferred into plastic cups so we could go out on the balcony. It was a Friday, early evening, but we had the space to ourselves. They were doing work down on Bourbon Street right below us, but there were still people walking by and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The drink itself I didn't like...as far as taste. I abhor black licorice, and that was all this tasted like...with a huge alcohol kick. I choked a little more than half down anyway because it was pricey (but understandably so for what it was) and the feeling it gives you is one of a kind. I'm a writer, and I love the place tequila takes my mind, but this really was a step beyond. If you've never had real absinthe before, you should try it at least once. This bar offers vampire tarot readings, and I really wish I'd sat for one. I definitely will the next time I return in 2020. Loved the decor, the balcony, the bartender was busy but took the time to entertain us and explain some things I never knew about absinthe. We tried to go back on Saturday to enjoy the balcony, but when we went, it was 7pm and the vamp bar didn't open until 9pm. That was disappointing but didn't dampen our first experience. It was a really cool place to go for fans of Goth and Vampire culture! No other bar like it in NOLA. It's great there's a bar that caters to people like me!

After a visit to the Boutique de Vampyre, the shop keeper gave our group the password for a speakeasy on Bourbon street. The red haired lass told us that they have a happy hour from 4:00 - 8:00 and there was absinthe to be had. We were sold. So we showed up at the place, gave the password and made our way up the dark and dank hallway on the creeky winding black staircase. It led up to a small bar which was very dimly lit but cozy in a come hither way. The red haired lass from earlier was mixing up some very unique drinks, some being absinthe based. She was also featuring some locally made artisan absinthe. The interior of the bar was decorated in an old world European style that had some hip modern elements. Our group had a variety of drinks. What stood out the most was the local green absinthe (there was also a red absinthe available). She did the whole process with the flaming sugar cube and absinthe drip water dispenser. It was mesmerizing and amazing. It was priced at $20 a drink but well worth it for the connoisseurs out there. The bar also featured a private balcony overlooking Bourbon street where we met some interesting characters. It was tres cool! I highly recommend checking out this speakeasy. One more reason to love NOLA!

New Orleans one and only Vampire speakeasy. How do you find it? Head over to Boutique du Vampyre and have a chat with the local shop keep. Not only will they tell you some fun vampire stories, but they will also give you the information needed to find and attain entry into this 1930's Paris style bar. The menu is very cool. Each drink has a magical quality about it. You can also purchase a unique tarot reading if the lovely Merita is in. Go check this spot out. My bet is, you won't be disappointed!

It was quite an honor to be invited to Bourbon Street's most secret speakeasy. After a lovely conversation with a local shopkeeper earlier in the day, she told me about the lounge just while we were on our way out and gave me a card with directions and our secret password. (Thank you Kim!) I'm not sure if other people have disclosed the location but I like to play along so I'll uphold the secretive tradition of this gold mine spot smack dab in the middle of the action. According to local legend, Potions is a vampire hangout and there are signs warning us humans to watch our backs. Pretty cool! I'm definitely digging the theme. The lounge is split into 3 rooms and a private galley overlooking Bourbon Street. The bar sits in the middle of the space and serves all three rooms at once. You'll find proper decor, plush red couches, and cozy light jazz in the background. They have a piano so I'm assuming they occasionally have live music. Vampyre Vodka, which is blood red, is used in a lot of their drinks, and they have an interesting mix of specialty beverages surrounding ideas such as love potions and elixirs. It was the absolute perfect spot to stop and have a low-key drink in the middle of a crazy evening. Despite being on the craziness of Bourbon, my favorite part about Potions was their ability to keep such an intimate setting. The woman who invited us that day even stopped by to say hello. I really fell in love with everything about this place! Talk to a local, be social and friendly and you just might get that sought-after invite!