An exploration of proto-tiki — the Caribbean rum drinks that existed before Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber codified the tiki canon — founded by Nick Detrich in a Decatur Street space whose crumbling plaster walls and exposed brick provide an aesthetic of beautiful decay that mirrors the drinks' historical excavation. Cane & Table does not make tiki drinks; it makes the drinks that tiki drinks descended from, using rum, sugarcane, tropical fruit, and spice in combinations that feel both older and more alive than their mid-century descendants. The rum selection is extraordinary and the bartenders treat it as a spirit library.
Location
French Quarter, New Orleans
Map
Insider Intel
Ask for whatever the bar is most excited about from the current menu — the cocktails rotate and the bartenders have strong opinions about what is working best. The Missionary's Downfall (rum, peach, mint, pineapple) is a recurring favourite. For rum exploration, describe your preference (funky, aged, agricole, overproof) and the bar will pour something revelatory from the back shelf. The Caribbean snack menu is underrated and worth ordering alongside drinks.
Early evening from 5-7pm when the light through the Decatur Street windows illuminates the distressed walls and the bar has elbow room. The food menu runs until 10pm. Weekend evenings fill quickly. The back room is quieter and good for groups of four to six.
The 'beautiful decay' aesthetic is deliberate — the crumbling plaster and exposed brick are part of the design language, not signs of neglect. The rum list extends far beyond what the menu suggests; ask the bartenders what is hiding on the back bar. Cocktails run $12-16, which is fair for the quality and originality. The building has a long history on Decatur Street and the space itself contributes to the experience. Card and cash accepted.