New Orleans is a Mississippi River port city of about 384,000 people in southeast Louisiana, known for the French Quarter, jazz and brass bands, Creole and Cajun food, Mardi Gras, above-ground cemeteries and the streetcar-lined Garden District.
New Orleans nightlife centers on live music: Frenchmen Street for jazz clubs, Bourbon Street for loud tourist bars, the French Quarter for historic cocktail bars, and Uptown's Oak Street and Napoleon Avenue for funk and brass. Bars in New Orleans may serve alcohol around the clock, and open containers of alcohol are allowed on the street in plastic cups in the French Quarter.
Frenchmen Street has the Spotted Cat, d.b.a., the Blue Nile and Snug Harbor; the French Quarter has Preservation Hall, Pat O'Brien's, Lafitte's and Fritzel's; Uptown has Tipitina's and the Maple Leaf Bar.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Frenchmen Street bands play from about 6 PM to 2 AM, and the busiest time is 9 PM-1 AM Thursday through Saturday. Bourbon Street peaks after 10 PM. New Orleans bars can stay open 24 hours, but many close earlier on weeknights.
- Average drink
- Cocktails $10-16 (US$10-16), beer $5-8 (US$5-8), hurricanes $12-15 (US$12-15); music covers $0-30 (US$0-30), Preservation Hall tickets about $25-70 (US$25-70). Tip $1-2 per drink or 18-20% on tabs.
- Dress code
- Most bars and music venues are casual. Fine-dining rooms and a few hotel bars prefer smart casual; shorts and flip-flops are fine on Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street.
- Cover charge
- Hours, covers and show schedules change often; check each venue's website or calendar before going.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Frenchmen Street
A few blocks of jazz clubs and bars in the Faubourg Marigny, popular with locals and visitors.
Best for: Live jazz and brass
Bourbon Street
The French Quarter's main party street with bars, strip clubs and daiquiri shops.
Best for: Big-night-out crowds
French Quarter side streets
Classic bars and speakeasies on Royal, Chartres, Conti and Rampart streets.
Best for: Cocktails and history
Oak Street and Napoleon Avenue
Uptown music venues away from the tourist zone.
Best for: Funk, brass and blues
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Carousel Bar and Lounge
Revolving carousel bar in the Hotel Monteleone serving classic cocktails
Known for: Revolving carousel bar in the Hotel Monteleone serving classic cocktails
Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Sazerac Bar
Art deco hotel bar known for the Sazerac and Ramos gin fizz
Known for: Art deco hotel bar known for the Sazerac and Ramos gin fizz
The Roosevelt New Orleans, 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
Pat O'Brien's
Birthplace of the Hurricane cocktail, with dueling pianos and a courtyard
Known for: Birthplace of the Hurricane cocktail, with dueling pianos and a courtyard
718 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar
Candlelit 1700s cottage bar at the quiet end of Bourbon Street
Known for: Candlelit 1700s cottage bar at the quiet end of Bourbon Street
941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Bar Tonique
Serious craft cocktail bar with a long classic menu
Known for: Serious craft cocktail bar with a long classic menu
820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Erin Rose
Narrow dive bar off Bourbon known for frozen Irish coffees
Known for: Narrow dive bar off Bourbon known for frozen Irish coffees
811 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
The Spotted Cat Music Club
Intimate jazz and swing club on Frenchmen Street
Cover: No cover; drink minimum or tips for band
Hours: Daily; bands play evenings and late night
d.b.a. New Orleans
Frenchmen Street bar with a deep beer and whiskey list and live music
Cover: Cover varies for headliners
Hours: Daily from afternoon; music in the evening
The Blue Nile
Two-floor Frenchmen Street venue for brass, funk and jazz
Cover: Cover varies by act
Hours: Evenings; check calendar
Fritzel's European Jazz Pub
Small Bourbon Street jazz pub with traditional bands
Cover: No cover; tips for band
Hours: Typically evenings; confirm on website
Maple Leaf Bar
Uptown Oak Street bar famous for funk and brass music
Cover: Typically $10-20 (about US$10-20)
Hours: Evenings nightly; shows from about 10 PM
Preservation Hall
Landmark traditional jazz hall with short, seated sets
Cover: Tickets about $25-70 (about US$25-70) per show
Hours: Multiple 45-minute sets most evenings; buy tickets online
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
Seated modern jazz club with dinner
Cover: Tickets about $20-40 (about US$20-40)
Hours: Evening shows; check calendar
Tipitina's
Famed Uptown concert hall honoring Professor Longhair
Cover: Tickets about $15-50 (about US$15-50)
Hours: Shows most evenings; check calendar
The Howlin' Wolf
Warehouse District rock, funk and brass venue
Cover: Tickets about $10-40 (about US$10-40)
Hours: Shows most evenings; check calendar
Chickie Wah Wah
Mid-City listening room for singer-songwriters and roots acts
Cover: Tickets about $10-30 (about US$10-30)
Hours: Evening shows; check calendar
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Bring a valid government photo ID; the legal drinking age is 21 and passports are accepted from foreign visitors.
Use rideshare or taxis late at night; keep to well-lit, busy streets such as Bourbon and Frenchmen, and avoid walking alone through empty blocks beyond the French Quarter edge.
Carry drinks in plastic cups on the street; glass containers are not allowed outside venues.
Tip live bands via the tip jar or app; most Frenchmen Street clubs have no cover and rely on tips.