Nightlife
New Orleans nightlife is world renowned—so much so that it would be hard to believe that the city could live up to its reputation. However, one thing New Orleans has always been good at is throwing a party. And not just at Mardi Gras. Locals are always up for a good time. In fact, they make it a priority. Therefore, just as it is hard to find a bad meal in the Big Easy, it is equally difficult to find an entertainment venue where people aren’t having fun.
Though some are better than others, the following listings should provide a pretty good time. They were chosen for uniqueness or simply being the best at what they do. There’s every type of after-dark diversion, from the gentility of sipping martinis on a Victorian porch to the recitations of beat poets and folk singers who seem to have just stepped out of a time machine; the smooth sounds of traditional jazz to the raucous fun of a Cajun fais do do. One thing’s for sure: If you can’t have fun in New Orleans, you can’t have fun anywhere.
Now get out there—and make sure you’re back by dawn.
1. Bombay Club
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 586-0972
Address: 830 Conti St.
Description: People don’t meet in this stylish club; they rendezvous. Subdued lighting, intimate booths, and live piano music make this one of the most elegant bars in town. There’s a full selection of domestic and French wines as well as 85 different signature martinis including the Breathless, made with Skyy vodka and white crème de cocoa along with a splash of Godiva liqueur and served in a chocolate-rimmed glass; the James Bond 007 features Absolut vodka, Boodles gin with a splash of Dubonnet—shaken, not stirred—and served with a lemon twist; the Cajun King martini has Absolut pepper and citron with dry vermouth and spiced Tabasco olives.
2. Cats Meow
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 523-2788
Address: 701 Bourbon St.
Description: When the Cats Meow opened its doors in 1989, karaoke was somewhat of a novelty. And believe it or not, 15 years later this place is still packed pretty much every night with guests singing their hearts out. The music is a mix of hits from the ’50s to today, including rock, disco, dance, and hip-hop. Happy hour runs 4 to 8 p.m. Mon through Thurs and 2 to 8 p.m. Fri through Sun and features three-for-one drinks. Housed in a structure dating to the 1820s, the bar also features two balconies overlooking Bourbon Street as well as an intimate courtyard.
3. Chris Owens 500 Club
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 523-6400, (504) 495-8383
Address: 500 Bourbon St.
Description: The show opens at 9:30 p.m. Thurs through Sat when the house band Latin Rhythms and the undisputed Queen of Bourbon Street, Chris Owens, take the stage. What ensues is an energetic and entertaining floor show performed to the hilt by Ms. Owens much as she has for as long as most people can remember. Not to be missed by those who enjoy dancing and a good nightclub act “like in the old days.”
4. Fritzel’S European Jazz Pub
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 586-4800
Address: 733 Bourbon St.
Description: An unobtrusive yet historic building constructed in 1831 provides an intimate setting for talented local musicians as well as touring international jazz groups that take the stage nightly at 9 p.m. The eclectic crowd of tourists and locals combined with German beers and well-chilled Schnapps make for a lively European pub atmosphere. No wonder this is an after-hours hang out for “off duty” musicians looking for a late-night jam. There’s a one-drink minimum.
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 225 Decatur St.
6. Lafitte’S Blacksmith Shop
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 593-9761
Address: 941 Bourbon St.
Description: Dating to the 1770s, this dank and dusky bar is housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings that lore tells us once belonged to pirate Jean Lafitte. The place still feels like a pirate could walk in the door any minute. People can find privacy in the quiet, darkened corners created by the crumbling walls and exposed beams. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
7. Margaritaville Cafe/Storyville Tavern
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 592-2565
Address: 1104 Decatur St.
Description: Singer Jimmy Buffett developed a love for New Orleans through stories he heard from his grandfather, a steamship captain who frequented the city’s port, and later when Buffett started his musical career here. His laid-back Margaritaville Cafe/Storyville Tavern in the French Quarter is the place to find performances by local talents. Live music is offered Fri through Sun (hours vary so call ahead) with no cover charge. The cafe features a varied menu with local delicacies as well as themed specialties such as the “Brown Eyed Girl” Triple Chocolate Pie.
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 500 Chartres St.
9. Oz
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 593-9491
Address: 800 Bourbon St.
Description: A gay dance club, Oz often sports a mixed crowd who dance the night away to club music from the ’70s to the ’90s spun by DJs like Bull and Tim Pflueger. There are manager’s drink specials all night, and at 11:30 p.m. the games begin. Wed is drag show night, when the Ladies of Oz take the stage. Hours are Mon and Tues 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Wed 1 p.m. through Mon 4 a.m.
10. The Palm Court Jazz Cafe
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 525-0200
Address: 1204 Decatur St.
Description: Jazz for grown-ups is an appropriate description of this elegant setting featuring exposed-brick walls covered with a collection of music-themed photographs, linen tablecloths, a classic mahogany bar, and mosaic tile floors. The club, located in an old French Market warehouse, offers a variety of Creole dishes and live traditional jazz music five nights a week at 8 p.m. The cover charge is $5. Reservations are highly recommended.
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 718 St. Peter St.
12. Preservation Hall
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 522-2841, (504) 523-8939
Address: 726 St. Peter St.
Description: There are two universal truths associated with this traditional jazz hall: (1) You will wait in line to get in, and (2) you will be glad that you did. This dilapidated French Quarter landmark is the closest thing you will find to a living museum. Inside the small, dimly lit club, jazz lovers stand or sit on the floor to experience America’s only original art form in its purest rendition. A number of the regular musicians are in their 70s or 80s and helped develop jazz during the early part of the last century. Shows are nightly 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and admission is $10. Be forewarned, this is simply a performance hall. No alcohol is served, but guests are welcome to bring their own and Pat O’Brien’s is conveniently located right next door.
13. Howlin’ Wolf
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 522-9653
Address: 907 South Peters St.
Description: The Howlin’ Wolf is the rock club in New Orleans, booking the top touring groups and lots of underground must-see shows. It’s where serious musicians go to hear music ranging from Harry Connick Jr. and The Foo Fighters to Jimmy Page, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffet. The exterior of the new location features a mural, a recreation of a New Orleans neighborhood featuring Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, created renowned local artist Michalopoulos. Ticket prices vary, depending on the artist but tend to run from $5 to $25.
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 715 St. Charles Ave.
15. Lephare
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (504) 636-1890
Address: 529 Gravier St.
Description: As hip a place as you’d likely find anywhere in Manhattan, LaPhare aesthetically and architecturally is a Vahalla of cool offering an eclectic mix of old exposed-brick walls, slightly crooked raw wood columns, and cushiony contemporary furniture groupings designed to get youngish professionals to let down their hair. Enjoy cocktail hour perched by the large windows facing the street—perfect for watching the local and visiting glitterati pass by. Theme nights keep the joint interesting—there’s free salsa lessons and dancing on Tuesday (starting at 7 p.m.), Thursday Rock Night (9 p.m.), Friday’s Beauty and the Beat (9 p.m.), and Saturday night’s Stellar starring DJ Jive starting at 10 p.m.