New Orleans

Napoleon House

The place to go if you like the thought of good drinks in a more than 200-year-old building whose owners are proud that the interior hasn't been repainted since World War I, with classical music playing over the sound system. Napoleon never made it here, as he died before the local plan to rescue him from exile and start his empire afresh in Louisiana could be carried out. Napoleon House also serves good sandwiches and a limited food menu, with service at a speed somewhere between leisurely and glacial-- don't stop here if you're in a hurry to be somewhere else.

Mo-Su 11:00-22:00

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop

Piano bar towards the end of the touristy part of Bourbon Street, lit entirely by candlelight. Supposedly once the in-town headquarters of pirate & smuggler Jean Lafitte, many colorful stories are told about this location. They pour great Hurricanes.

Mo-Su 10:00-02:00 · Limited wheelchair access

Molly's at the Market

A great Irish/Quarterpunk bar, long a favorite of bohemian locals.

10:00-06:00 · Wheelchair accessible

Bar Redux

Bar Redux is an off the beaten track hidden at the end of the world in the Bywater area of New Orleans. The bar's slogan says it all, "Come as you are.... Stay as you like". The interior is decorated with personal items of music memorabilia and retro pop culture treasures. The Bar's exterior features a unique art mural by Street Artist, Michael Roman. The vintage 1936 red neon BAR sign invites you in. Inside you will find a seductively lit area dominated by the infamous 100-year-old (Joe Arones Bar) U-shaped bar from Minneapolis, MN. The bar has a partly covered patio that is decorated with architectural salvage and original art. Homemade pub food and creole classics come out of the kitchen till around 1AM.

Mon-Fri 4PM till close, Sat Sun 2PM till close · inexpensive

Friendly Bar

Gay neighborhood bar where locals gather to hang out in a no-pressure atmosphere.

Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Parasol's

Old Irish neighborhood bar. Also serves po-boys and seafood. Their block party on St. Patrick's Day is always jammed.

11AM-2AM daily

Pat O'Brien's

Famous for strong Hurricanes, Mint Juleps, TNTs, Purple People Eaters; popular tourist hangout for a reason. Has been trendy for generations. Has an impressive fire/water fountain and patio.

Fr-Sa 10:00-04:00; Su 10:00-02:00; Mo-Th 12:00-02:00 · Wheelchair accessible

Phoenix

Gay neighborhood bar by day, catering to the leather crowd at night. Also the official United Cab stand for catching rides back into the French Quarter.

24 hours

St Roch Tavern

This is the sort of edgy dive where you will leave with both a strong impression and an opinion of the place. New Orleans bounce rules most nights, but Sa nights past 1AM turn into a punk party with plenty of dancing. Other times there may be brass bands, R&B, and other eclectic local entertainment. Otherwise, it's just a real dive of a place, with regulars who may or may not be friendly... Drinks are real cheap, the Mexican food is a nice change of bar food pace, there is occasional free red beans and rice, and there are a bunch of dogs milling about at virtually all hours.

Daily 5PM-extremely late; kitchen open until midnight

Saturn Bar

This is a strange old bohemian dive with some of the city's funkiest and most bizarre decor-soaked in neon and covered in old-school sci-fi posters (sadly, the old jukebox that only played Frank Sinatra's Witchcraft regardless of what you picked is defunct). Drink cheap beer, whiskey, or Southern Comfort. Don't expect them to know how to make fancy-pants mixed drinks. Occasional live music. Rumored to be the favorite of Nick Cage.

Mon-Sat 5PM-late, Sun 6PM-late

Tropical Isle

Home of the Hand Grenade, "New Orleans's Most Powerful Drink", is a staple of Bourbon Street decadence. Definitely a must-try.

Wheelchair accessible

Pal's Lounge

Authentic old Mid-City neighborhood bar. Air hockey table. Eclectic crowd. Don't leave without taking a look at the men's room.

The John

Relaxed neighborhood hangout with rockabilly, country, and punk on the jukebox. Named for the gold-painted toilet seats that serve as stools at the tables. With inexpensive stiff drinks served up in Mason jars, this spot for locals offers one of the best deals on Frenchmen St.

The Maison

The place to go for dinner + jazz (pretty energetic jazz), with the largest dining room on the street, and three stages for music.

Blue Nile

A staple of the Frenchmen Street set of music venues, Blue Nile serves up funk, blues, jazz, and New Orleans-style brass bands. A plus is the big dance floor. Unlike most places in Marigny, though, it often charges a cover, so be sure to sample the music from outside before making the decision to go in.

The Dungeon

Two dark gothic bars (having split up some ten years ago) open at midnight. The "Original Dungeon" has a bit more cooler atmosphere, but fewer patrons, since it's a little harder to find--down an alley next to "Front of the Dungeon." The Front of the Dungeon's bathroom is a hoot, hidden behind a secret door in the bookcases, and with a toilet so bad as to be borderline unapproachable.

d.b.a.

New York style bar on Frenchmen, if you need a bit of sophistication when you drink. Great selection of beers, and frequent live music.

AllWays

Lounge in the front, small theater in the back. The hub of fringe theater, plays, bands, and variety shows often. Very friendly and comfortable for all.

Carousel Bar

Renowned for generations for the slowly rotating "Carousel" section; also has non-rotating seating.

Apple Barrel

Sometimes has live music too. Local characters, low prices, no attitude.

Brieux Carre

Small craft brewery located off of Frenchman St. Has a good selection with a primary focus on sours and stouts. Good pilsners.

Molly's On Toulouse

Molly's Irish Pub

A local Irish pub with a pool table & the best juke box in the French Quarter. Irish Car Bombs are $5.50! Great selection of Irish Whiskeys.

Buffa's Lounge

Small bar room in the front; the big room in the back (also accessible from the side door on Burgundy Street) hosts live music and other events, including a popular jazz brunch on Sundays.

No Dice

Local bar with more of a Marigny than 7th Ward vibe; also has live music and other events some evenings.

Bullet's Sports Bar

Not quite as rough as the name might suggest. Sometimes hosts live jazz combos, including local favorite Kermit Ruffins - this is a more intimate venue than the more famous jazz halls visitors are likely to catch him at.

Mimi's in the Marigny

The toniest bar in the Marigny (but hardly pretentious), with billiards, Galaga, occasional live music, and tapas served from the restaurant upstairs. Good selection of beers and specialty drinks. Hip Hop and Funk DJs Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of singles on the weekends.

Bacchanal

Wine shop, offers wine by the glass—and irregularly has visiting chefs prepare gourmet treats. Now offers lunch too.

11AM-midnight daily

Cafe Lafitte in Exile

Claims to be the USA's oldest gay bar ("in exile" since the original Lafitte's (see below) went straight back in the Eisenhower Administration). Everyone welcome.

24 hours daily

Fritzels

Best known as a trad jazz venue, but also has a bar with good draft German beer even when there isn't live music.

Tu-Sa 11:00-02:00; Su 11:00-00:00; Mo 16:00-00:00

Iggy's

Neighborhood bar with a lot of neighborhood characters; very friendly for all. Frequently serves food.