New Orleans has no last call. Bars literally never close. This is both a blessing and a curse. Here’s how to navigate it.
The Main Areas
Frenchmen Street
Where You Should Actually Go
This is it. The real New Orleans music scene. Every bar has live jazz, brass bands, or funk. Way better than Bourbon Street, with a more local crowd.
Must-hits:
The Spotted Cat Music Club Standing room only, incredible jazz, zero pretension. This is the quintessential Frenchmen experience. Get there early if you want to see the band.
d.b.a. More space than Spotted Cat, excellent live music, great beer selection. Good spot when Spotted Cat is too packed.
The Maison Three floors, multiple bands playing at once. More of a party vibe. Good late night.
Blue Nile Upstairs balcony overlooking Frenchmen. DJs and dancing late night after the live music winds down.
Bamboula’s Late night dance party spot. This is where you end up at 2am dancing to brass band remixes.
Bourbon Street
Get It Out of Your System
Look, you’re going to walk through it at least once. That’s fine. It’s messy, loud, touristy, and kind of fun in small doses.
What to actually do there:
- Get a Hand Grenade (the neon green drink) — it’s tradition
- Walk the length once, taking it all in
- Pop into Pat O’Brien’s for a Hurricane in the courtyard
- Leave and go somewhere better
Skip: Most of the clubs. They’re overpriced, aggressive, and not worth your time.
Magazine Street
The Chill Alternative
If your group wants drinks without the chaos, Magazine Street in the Garden District has cute bars and restaurants. More wine bar vibes than dance floor.
Good spots:
- The Bulldog — 50 beers on tap, great patio
- Cure — Best cocktails in the city
- Barrel Proof — Whiskey bar with 300+ bottles
The Bywater / Marigny
The Artsy Side
Funky, eclectic neighborhoods with dive bars, art galleries, and a bohemian vibe. Good for groups who want something different.
Check out:
- Bacchanal Wine — Wine bar with live music and a backyard
- The Country Club — Pool, hot tub, restaurant, very NOLA
- Saturn Bar — Weird and wonderful dive bar
Rooftop Bars
Hot Tin
Best Views
Rooftop of the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District. Stunning views of the city skyline, craft cocktails, stylish crowd. Perfect for sunset drinks.
Alto
The Trendy One
Rooftop at the Ace Hotel. Pool during the day (hotel guests), bar and DJ at night. Young, hip crowd.
The Catahoula Hotel Rooftop
The Hidden Gem
Smaller, less crowded, great pisco cocktails. Nice for a more intimate group hangout.
Dance Clubs
If your group wants to actually dance (beyond the live music venues):
Republic
The Big One
Large dance club in the Warehouse District. Multiple rooms, bottle service available, DJs on weekends.
Santos
Late Night
Opens late (midnight), goes until 6am. Electronic music, serious dancing.
The Drifter Hotel Pool
Summer Only
Not a club, but they do pool parties with DJs. Very fun, very Instagram.
Cocktail Bars
For the group that appreciates a well-made drink:
Cure
Best Overall
Apothecary-style cocktail bar. Serious drinks in a beautiful space. This is where bartenders drink.
Bar Tonique
French Quarter Adjacent
No-nonsense cocktail bar. Classic drinks done perfectly. Cash only.
The Sazerac Bar
Historic
Inside the Roosevelt Hotel. Where the Sazerac cocktail was invented. Gorgeous room, impeccable drinks.
Jewel of the South
Upscale
James Beard award-winning bar. Historic cocktails with modern technique.
The Perfect Night Out
Early Evening (6-8pm)
Start with cocktails at a rooftop bar. Hot Tin for views, or Cure if your group is cocktail-focused.
Dinner (8-10pm)
Eat somewhere great. You need the fuel.
Prime Time (10pm-1am)
Head to Frenchmen Street. Start at The Spotted Cat, then bounce around as you hear different bands.
Late Night (1-3am)
If you’re still going: Bamboula’s for dancing, or The Maison’s upstairs.
Very Late Night
Late night eats: Verti Marte (the “All That Jazz” po’boy), Clover Grill (24-hour diner), or Dat Dog.
Safety Tips
- Stick together — Use the buddy system, especially late night
- Watch your drinks — Standard bar safety applies
- Uber/Lyft everywhere — Don’t walk alone at night
- Know your limits — No last call means you have to set your own
- Stay hydrated — Seriously, it’s humid and you’re drinking a lot
Bach Night Ideas
The Classic
Dinner → Frenchmen Street → Live music until late
The Fancy
Rooftop cocktails → Commander’s Palace → Sazerac Bar → Jazz
The Party
Bourbon Street (briefly) → Dance club → Late night eats
The Chill
Bacchanal Wine → Bywater bars → Early-ish night
Questions about planning your nights out? Contact us.