“New Orleans makes it possible to go to Europe without ever leaving the United States,” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
There’s a saying you don’t need a good guidebook to see New Orleans, just a good pair of shoes, and there’s no doubt you will stumble into a great bar around every corner in NOLA.
Don’t forget to explore beyond Bourbon Street to discover even more of the best bars and pubs whether it be in the French Quarter, Uptown or Treme. Here are 8 of the hottest bars in New Orleans.
#1
Bourbon Cowboy (Bourbon Street)
Whether it’s day or night, the Bourbon Cowboy is a happening honkytonk with drinks flowing, smiles all round, a cool upstairs balcony for people watching and punters having a crack at the menacing mechanical bull downstairs. This is certainly a pub featuring some of the coolest country acts you’ll ever see.
#2
The Little Gem Saloon (Rampart Street)
Don’t you love it when just about every hot venue in town is booked out and your in-the-know Roosevelt hotel concierge whispers in your ear some undiscovered gem that you should try? So it turns out this one was indeed a gem, The Little Gem Saloon, around the corner from all the action and a little charmer that bursts with awesome flavours dished up from the restaurant while one of New Orleans’ finest acts is performing on stage. This bar offers a modern twist on an historic space that first introduced New Orleans’ jazz to the world and is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Superdome and streetcar line, and within blocks of the French Quarter.
#3
Candlelight Lounge (Treme)
This modest little cinder-block building is a real discovery out in the burbs. The bar serves beer and simple mixed drinks, and it’s one of the few places in town you can buy a “set up”, which is a half-pint of liquor, can of soda, bowl of ice and a few plastic cups. Wednesdays feature the Treme Brass Band an ensemble that performs acoustically. It’s a little ripper away from all the noise.
#4
Tipitina’s (Napoleon Ave)
Step outside the Quarter and into Uptown for a venue that all the locals rave about – you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for a high-energy venue where it’s as much about dancing as it is enjoying some bevvies. Tipitina’s serves up a dose of Cajun Music once a month and just about everything else on the other nights including funk, rock, jazz, burlesque and indie. Its charm lies in its compact size, dim lighting, poster-laden walls and an atmosphere that seriously buzzes.
#5
The Maison (Frenchmen Street)
Say hello to jazz guitar heaven, a cosy venue where balancing four beers and four plates of gumbo on the tiny tables can be a challenge, just ask me! This upbeat music bar features some of the finest brass bands kicking about in NOLA and Monday open mic nights are also well worth popping in for to check out some rising talent. It has a crackerjack balcony lounge and is another of those haunts the locals love.
#6
Funky Pirate Blues Club (Bourbon Street)
Without question Bourbon Street in New Orleans explodes with a smorgasbord of interesting pubs and bars, and music lovers are advised to slip into some “down and dirty blues”, as one punter told me, at the Funky Pirate. Adorned with pirate décor and “Lil Funky” the party pirate firing up the atmosphere, the music is pumping with internationally acclaimed Big Al Carson and the Blues Masters strutting their stuff while partrons sample the venue’s renowned Hand Grenades and Shark Attacks.
#7
21st Amendment Bar at La Louisiane (Iberville St)
Oh the irony of drinking a Sazerac in the 21st Amendment Bar! It’s a hot spot that pays tribute to the end of Prohibition with a serious 1920s vibe. This is the place to dabble with some of New Orleans’ most creative cocktails. Must slip into the Acme Oyster across the street beforehand.
#8
Fat Catz (Bourbon Street)
A popular one for tourists, there’s always a good DJ by day and ripper bands by night. But be warned – those shot girls at the bar are dangerous and don’t be surprised if you’ve suddenly consumed copious amounts of jello shots while rocking out to some sweet music. Fat Catz is all the rage in New Orleans at present for a smokin’ hot house band called RockBox.
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