Cure helped craft Uptown and New Orleans’ cocktail scene and remains a must-stop for drinks fans of all types.
Since opening in 2009, Cure has become one of New Orleans’ most-revered cocktail bars. The Freret Street mainstay offers a variety of drinks mixed up by some of the city’s best bartenders, alongside a collection of bottles that should make any aficionado happy. A fan of locals, tourists, and industry professionals, this Uptown spot has something for everyone, as well as a variety of small plates and snacks that’ll coat the belly as you order another round.
Dim lighting and loud music create an atmosphere guided by those behind the bar. The menu changes twice per year and reflects the changes seen both at Cure and in the city that surrounds it.
Sam DeLucia, General Manager at Cure, tells us…
Please describe Cure as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
Walking through the doors of Cure, your gaze is immediately pulled towards the bar. Our bar is the focal point; our selection is both extensive and attentively curated- much like the knowledge of those who stand behind it. Maybe, you order from our drink menu. Possibly a classic, to start, or one of our seasonal originals to get a feel for where the bartenders’ tastes lean at the moment. Or, you sit down and allow yourself to be guided through the experience. The music is loud, the lighting is dim, the atmosphere is created by the bartenders working at the moment- much like the cocktails. And if you choose, they will do the same for your drinks. Once you begin a conversation with any of our staff, you’ve given them the opportunity to tailor your experience. So, maybe you ask for a Dealer’s Choice, and your bartender has the chance to use the room to create the cocktail for this moment. One that combines the spirits, their knowledge, the ambiance, and yourself. And then, you get to drink.
How would you describe Cure in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
“Neighborhood cocktail bar”
Other than Cure, what else is happening in the neighborhood that you’re in?
I moved into my first ever apartment in 2007, six blocks from where Cure stands now. At the time, Freret Street was an entirely different place- all I remember was a boxing gym and a Domino’s. Now, the neighborhood has a new life: we have multiple bars, restaurants, burger joints, pizza spots, bike shops; you name it, it’s opened on Freret in the past 10 years. My two favorite spots on Freret are High Hat and Val’s, both restaurants within blocks of Cure. High Hat has been a go to lunch spot of mine since it opened over a decade ago, my forever weakness being the fried catfish and pimento mac n cheese. Val’s has excellent tacos and inspired cocktails, with an expansive and casual outdoor dining area.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
My favorite time to go to Cure is Monday night. Not only is it the easiest time to secure a seat at the bar, but it’s a service industry crowd, and everyone feels at home. We’re also starting our own break-even bottle night on Mondays next week, during which guests will have the opportunity to try a selection of pours (picked by Neal!) at cost. We have some really fun bottles lined up, like a 2011 Wild Turkey Rye, and I think it will be a great time for guests and staff alike.
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
One of my favorite things about Cure is that I don’t believe we have an average guest. Our drinkers come from all over and vary wildly, whether they are regulars or tourists stopping in. On any given day, we’ll have college students, bartenders, neighborhood residents, rescue divers attending a conference, and RTA bus drivers who have just finished their shift. The common thread is they all want a good drink, and they know Cure is where they can get one.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
Our drink menu changes twice a year, and I like to think of it as a living document. It’s a reflection of us, the Cure team, as much as it is an open door for guests to make their way through our bar. We have classic cocktails listed on our Happy Hour menu, Seasonal Cocktails (original creations from each member of our bar team), Cocktails We Love (originals from over the years at Cure), and Reserve Cocktails (for guests in the mood for high end spirits.) We take great care to ensure that there is something for everyone on our menu, and recently began to include “Zero Proof Cocktails,” non-alcoholic, original recipes from our bar team, who have put the same thought and intentionality into these as they do our alcoholic drinks.
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
My favorite menu cocktail often changes, but at the moment it’s our bar lead Liz Kelley’s “Side Quest.” It’s a sage, shiso, and apricot gin sour with rhubarb amaro, and it contains the perfect balance of unique and approachable that has made it one of our most popular drinks this year.
How much do drinks cost?
Our drink prices, much like our menu itself, include something for everyone- we have original cocktails for $13-$17, Happy Hour for $8, and Reserves for between $22-$60.
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favorite dish on the menu?
Cure has a small but exceptionally talented kitchen team, and we serve small plates, snacks, and meats & cheeses. My favorite dish at the moment is our Artichoke Brandade with Olive Tapenade, but the one that lives in my heart is our Cacio e Pepe Deviled Eggs.
What are the distinguishing features of Cure?
Cure’s distinguishing features are those that are shared throughout our team, from leadership to support staff: creativity, quality, and knowledge. These combine to create an intuitive service that is individualized to each guest but also to Cure itself.
What’s that music we hear playing on the Cure stereo?
Cure’s playlists are customized by the bartenders and myself to fit the mood, so throughout a Saturday night you may hear Tom Verlaine, Three Six Mafia, hometown heroes ranging from The Meters and Allen Toussaint to Hot Boys B.G. and Juvenile, when I’m there it’s a lot of DEVO- and sometimes the song will match your drink (Michael Beaugez’s Rhum Manhattan is named after the Robert Palmer song “Johnny and Mary,” which we do play often.)
Are there alcohol-free cocktails?
Yes
Hours:
Sunday—Thursday: 4pm — 11pm
Friday & Saturday: 3pm — 12am
Reservations:
Walk-ins welcome. Book a table via Resy.
Website:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curenola
Address:
4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115