In NOLA, the girls and I went to explore quite a few local and toursity bars. Here are some of the bars & local activities we explored!
Live Jazz
The Maison - Live Jazz Music & Bar
The Maison is my new favorite bar for live jazz music, located in the French Quarter. This bar is located a bit off the main touristy spot, Bourbon Street and more of where locals go for night life. I saw the best brass jazz band, the City of Tress Brass Band! The vibes were very chill and we were able to get a table near the front, which was nice as it was near the front but we also had the option to go on the dance floor.
Preservation Hall - Live Jazz Music Performance
Preservation Hall is a jazz music venue, where we watched a jazz show. The band was very seasoned and had even played and recorded with Eric Clapton! The show was great, and the band were very impressive. One thing to note that we did not realize is that Preservation Hall is purely a music venue, the venue is a small room with wooden benches and there are no drinks or anything allowed in the shows.
The Jazz Playhouse - Live Jazz Music & Burlesque
The Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta has a burlesque show with live jazz music. The show was OK, I have seen a better shows in NYC, however they also cost a lot more - I guess you get what you pay for. It was a good event to attend for an occasion such as a bachelorette, however I am not sure if I would attend otherwise. The main performer and producer was fantastic, however the other performers were ok. They made sure to be inclusive and interacted with the big parties and let Jayme showcase her burlesque skills.
Wine
Bacchanal
Bacchanal is an outdoor wine spot, with a backyard patio kind of vibe. They have a shop in the front of the venue where you can purchase bottles of wine and select cheeses that they will put into a cheese plate for you! Depending on when you go, they may also have a live band playing on the stage. There is also an indoor space with a balcony if you want to watch from up above.
Bars
Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone
The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone is very cool, it is an actual rotating carousel. You sit around the carousel and move around the bar. Depending on the timing the hotel may also have live jazz music in the main room. If you want to guarantee a seat, I would suggest going when the bar opens. However given the impact of Hurricane Ida, the bar and all of NOLA was pretty empty.
Lafitte’s is the oldest bar in the US, with parts of the building dating back to 1722. Lafitte’s is known for their Voodoo Daiquiri, aka Purple Drink, which is a grape frozen slushy like drink. At night, they have live music played on the piano in the back area of the bar. It is rumored that the bar is haunted and Lafitte comes to look after the bar as well as hit on women in the bathroom - HAHAHAHA.
Pat O’Brien’s
Pat O’Brien’s is known for their Hurricane, is a bright red drink full of a lot of different liquors. What’s great about Pat O’Briens is they have a nice outdoor courtyard, which is great for large groups!
French 75 Bar
French 75 is a cute French inspired bar with a James Beard Award and ranked Top 5 in the country! This is a great spot for a drink before of after dinner. They have a lot of nice cocktails, including the French 75, which is their signature cocktail.
Check out some of the yummy restaurants and cafes I visited here!