Clover Club

The drinks at Julie Reiner’s decade-old Smith Street staple are, simply put, among the best you’ll ever have. Clover’s Sazeracs can go toe-to-toe with any version sold in New Orleans; bartenders here were turning out superlative mai tais long before the modern tiki trend took hold; even house cocktails are consistently more interesting — and less overwrought — than they are at lesser bars. In addition to excellent drinks, the bar is spacious, and the door policy is what you’d call “very democratic” (you can just walk in, and the staff seems genuinely happy to seat you — imagine that), so you won’t get stuck standing in line waiting for a bouncer to grant you access. Serious drinkers should avoid the family-friendly brunch hours, but you have to give Clover Club credit for that, too, since it means even new parents — who, let’s be honest, probably need a stiff drink more than anyone — can seek refuge here.