Neal Bodenheimer is the Managing Partner of CureCo., the acclaimed group behind
Cure, Cane & Table, and VALS in New Orleans; Partner of Dauphine’s in Washington,
DC; runs beverage operations at Peychaud’s at The Celestine; and is the Co-Chair of
the Board of Directors for Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.
The New Orleans native opened his first bar, Cure, in 2009, which quickly gained
national recognition as a pioneer of the city’s craft cocktail movement. Among other
accolades, Cure has received the James Beard Foundation Award for “Outstanding Bar
Program,” was featured on both The World’s 50 Best Bars and North America’s 50 Best
Bars lists, received Excellent status from the Pinnacle Guide in 2024 and in 2025 was
named the “best bar in the U.S.” by Food & Wine Magazine as part of their annual
Global Tastemakers package.
In 2012, CureCo. introduced Cane & Table to the historic French Quarter. The bar
garnered significant critical acclaim, including being named among the “Five Best New
Cocktail Bars in America” by Bon Appétit, one of the “Best Bars in America” by Food &
Wine, and one of the best restaurants in New Orleans by The New York Times. In 2020,
the group introduced VALS to Freret Street in New Orleans, a neighborhood gem
offering traditional and regional Mexican-inspired cuisine and an agave-focused menu.
The following year, Bodenheimer partnered with Long Shot Hospitality to open
Dauphine’s in Washington, D.C. The Michelin-rated restaurant’s beverage menu is built
around the playful spirits and iconic cuisine of New Orleans. Later in 2021,
Bodenheimer brought Peychaud’s to the French Quarter with a focus on perfecting
classic drinks such as the Sazerac, French 75, and Vieux Carre.
In 2022, he debuted his first cocktail book, Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix
‘Em. The book received an IACP award and was a finalist for a James Beard Media
Award, both in 2023. Later in 2023, Bodenheimer was recognized as “Drinks
Professional of the Year” by the VinePair Next Wave Awards.
Generously supported by Vanessa & Chuck Ames