The maiden voyage to JLT was done with NOLA as destination, and while there for sure are more places in Dubai Marina, JBR or DIFC, it was definitely worth the trip. With a decor matching the music, NOLA should appeal to most of the cocktail die-hards out there - it’s like being transported to New Orleans; food wise, cocktails, interior and music. Be sure to try the Truffle Mash and the Hemingway Daiquiri (or Papa Doble, if you want to be fancy).
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday there’s music acts to accompany your cocktails - so order a Momma’s Po’ Boy to accompany your Old Fashioned and dream away to Bourbon Street to the tunes of live jazz.
Atmosphere: 7/8
Hidden behind a level -1 parking lot in Armada Bluebay Hotel, Jumeirah Lake Towers, this hard-to-find New Orleans inspired gem delivers a warm ambiance, decent range of cocktails, up-market bar food, and last but not least - jazz influenced music to die for.
Cocktails: 5/8
The classics are carefully curated and handled with respect.
Bartenders: 5/8
A decent lineup of bartenders that all seem to have understood the importance of being friendly and interested in their guests - pair that with an apt handicraft, and you get NOLA.
Ice: 4/8
A big shovel of small ice cubes in each cocktail - but unfortunately it’s not always that quantity makes up for the lack of quality.
Armada Blue Bay Hotel
Cluster P
JLT