This Mid-City cocktail dive bar with its world-class beverage program and rotating food pop-ups offers everything one is looking for in a neighborhood bar and much more.
New Orleans is not short on bars, but 12 Mile Limit still manages to deliver something unique by combining the best parts of a cocktail bar with a dive bar. What does that mean? Great drinks in a laid back atmosphere, where offshore oil workers mix with hip tattooed youngsters. The bar is made from lumber reclaimed from a house destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. There’s a CD jukebox and a pool table. And, of course, a patio to enjoy those muggy delta nights. Meanwhile, a rotating schedule of pop-ups that feature everything from pub grub to Latin or Filipino give visitors something to snack on as the pour down another one.
Owner T. Cole Newton tells us…
Please describe 12 Mile Limit as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
Walking through the front door of Twelve Mile Limit early on an average evening, you’re likely to find a half dozen neighbors chatting at the wood-topped bar (made from lumber reclaimed from a house destroyed in Hurricane Katrina) and sipping on cans of beer or one of our signature craft cocktails. Later in the evening you might encounter a lively crowd for trivia, bingo, comedy, or one of our dance parties. Continue into the bar to find a vintage CD jukebox, pool table, and cozy patio.
How would you describe 12 Mile Limit in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
“cocktail dive bar.” It’s the title of our book!
Other than 12 Mile Limit, what else is happening in the neighborhood that you’re in?
Twelve Mile Limit’s immediate neighborhood is all homes – we’re a bar fully enmeshed in a residential neighborhood. (This used to be much more common than it is today.) We’re a block away from one of the city’s most popular Irish bars: Finn McCool’s. As you venture farther out into our Mid-City neighborhood, you’ll find other neighborhood bars, high-end cocktail bars, restaurants, shopping, and some of the best people in the world. Because of its walkable nature and variety of cultural amenities, Mid-City was recently named the 7th “coolest” neighborhood in the world, the only US neighborhood in the top 10.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
The best time to get to the bar, aside from happy hour, really depends on the night. If you want to sip on a drink when it’s just a chill neighborhood hangout, coming in on the early end is the way to go. (We open at 5pm most days.) If you want some more excitement, a lot of our evening programming starts at 8 (trivia, bingo) or 9 (karaoke, dance parties). It all depends on the vibe you’re looking for that night!
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
Our primary demographic is defined by proximity to the bar, and our neighborhood is very diverse. You’ll typically see 50-something offshore oil workers mixing with hip tattooed youngsters, mostly because they all live within a couple of blocks of us and of each other. On the weekends, we tend to get more people from outside the neighborhood, be they tourists or just coming in from a different part of the city. We also get a lot of progressive political organizers and candidates, given our strong leftward stance on labor, criminal justice, women’s rights, and other issues.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
The primary focus is on accessible, original craft cocktails, but usually a couple of classics make their way onto the list too. We also feature an extensive beer list, both macro and craft. Recent changes in the legal landscape have allowed us to offer beverages infused with THC, which is a fun option for guests who would want to socialize and catch a buzz but aren’t interested in alcohol.
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
Our signature drink is The Baudin.
How much do drinks cost?
I’ve attached a copy of our current menu to give an idea of cost and selection.
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favorite dish on the menu?
We have a rotating schedule of pop-ups providing food to our guests, with Third Wheel being our anchor tenant. They serve dinner on Wednesday and Friday, plus brunch on Sunday mornings. They often feature local char-grilled oysters on Fridays, which are heavenly, and they bake all of their own bread, so their sandwiches are exceptional.
Other pop ups feature Filipino, Latin, or standard pub grub options.
What are the distinguishing features of 12 Mile Limit?
We offer a world-class beverage program in a friendly, approachable, off-the-beaten-path dive bar environment.
What’s that music we hear playing on the 12 Mile Limit stereo?
Our music choices are very eclectic. Guests can peruse our vintage CD jukebox, which features artists like The Who, OutKast, Sylvan Esso, Bill Withers, Weezer, and Johnny Cash. When the jukebox isn’t playing, the bartender is allowed to pick the music. Some gravitate towards 80s synth, while others prefer contemporary hip hop. I try to discourage anything too aggressive or experimental, but other than that anything goes!
Hours:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Fri, Sat: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Sun: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Reservations:
Walk-ins only.
Website:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/12milelimit
Address:
500 S Telemachus St, New Orleans, LA 70119