Late Night Itinerary

There are many things that draw visitors from all over the world to New Orleans – the fascinating history, rich culture, and incredible food rank high. But most visitors know that after their tours have ended, and the fantastic meal has been consumed, its time to hit the town and have an unforgettable night. Between our jazz clubs, cozy bars, and luxe lounges, New Orleans has what it takes to create the night of a lifetime – night after night. Whether you’re only able to party it up in the Crescent City for one night or if you and your friends have an entire weekend to devote to the late-night culture of the city, we’ve put together a collection of top-notch watering holes.

Night 1
Uptown

Night 1 Summary 1. Columns Hotel Bar 2. Jacques-Imo’s 3. Maple Leaf Bar 4. Bulldog Bar 5. St. Joe’s Bar 6. Tipitina’s or Le Bon Temps Roule

The Columns Hotel

Jacques-Imo's

The Bulldog

Tipitina's

While there is way more to New Orleans than bars and booze, the city does have some great late night hang outs, and while there may be a lot to chose from, there are certain destinations you simply can’t miss out on!

Uptown New Orleans has a lot to offer in the way of hip bars, great restaurants, and hoppin’ music clubs. Since it is about 15 minutes away from Downtown by car, we suggest taking a cab. While a lot of cabs tend to hang around the most popular haunts, you can also give a cab company a call and they’ll come right to you!

Start the evening off with a drink at the Columns Hotel Bar, a great spot for either before or after-Dinner drinks. Have a cab drop you off at this palatial mansion-turned-hotel on historic St. Charles Avenue. Grab a spot on the porch, order yourself a classic New Orleans cocktail, and take in the beauty of the Avenue at dusk. The seating inside is equally enjoyable; rich mahogany and plush seating gives patrons a feeling of Old New Orleans charm – a perfect match to a refreshing drink.

When it comes time for some dinner, have a taxi bring you to Jacques-Imo’s, a traditional New Orleans favorite located in the heart of Uptown. This funky restaurant serves up a variety of Creole and Cajun comfort food including fried roast beef po-boys, alligator and shrimp cheesecake and barbeque shrimp, just to name a few. Show up early or be prepared for a wait, as the restaurant tends to fill up quickly. Pass the time by swinging next door to Maple Leaf Bar for a drink while you wait for your table. This Uptown bar almost always has live music later into the night. Before you know it, the time will be up and you’ll be feasting on decadently delicious dishes among the funky artwork and energetic vibe of one of New Orleans’ favorite dining institutions.

For the true beer connoisseur, there’s no better place to stop along the way than the Bulldog Bar. It’s a great place to sit back and try one of the 50 beers on tap or 100 different brands available by the bottle. This quaint neighborhood bar features a great outdoor patio, and also offers indoor seating as well. It’s the perfect place to gain momentum again after a big meal and fuel up for a big night ahead.

Another great bar to stop at for a quick drink or two is St. Joe’s Bar located at the corner of Magazine St. and Joseph St. This neighborhood bar offers a great beer selection as well as several specialty drinks – most notably, their blueberry mojito. While there isn’t a great deal of indoor seating, the patio bar in the back is the real gem of this unique watering hole. The covered-outdoor bar is surrounded by wrought-iron tables, perfect for gathering with friends under a plethora of red-lanterns dangling from the ceiling. The undeniably hip vibe is ideal for conversation and plan for the next stop of the night.

Uptown has great venues to hear music in a setting that’s usually much more local than touristy. Along with the aforementioned Maple Leaf Bar, Tipitina’s and Le Bon Temps Roule also offer great shows in laid-back environments. After dancing the night away, call a cab and crawl into bed – believe us, you’ll be ready for a little rest.

Night Two
Marigny/Frenchmen Street

Night 2 Summary 1. Port of Call 2. Snug Harbor 3. d.b.a. 4. Spotted Cat 5. Café Brasil/Blue Nile/Apple Barrel 6. Hookah Café 7. Igor’s Checkpoint Charlie’s

Port of Call

Snug Harbor

d.b.a.

The Spotted Cat

With a big night out Uptown last night, you may be feeling the need for a quieter, more laid back night out on the town. Swing by Frenchmen Street in the Marigny for some live music in dimly lit and indisputably cool locations. No matter what kind of music you want to hear – jazz, blues, funk, reggae – you’ll find it in one of these hip, yet totally unpretentious, bars and clubs. Most don’t require a cover either, so you can feel free to wander in and out at your leisure without worrying about spending too much money.

If you haven’t already eaten dinner, head on over to Port of Call – the lower French Quarter establishment known for their amazing burgers, and delicious baked potatoes. While Port of Call is the perfect place to fill your stomach before a night out on the town, you can also get the night started with a Neptune’s Monsoon, the bar’s signature drink which comes in a huge plastic cup, so if you don’t finish it at dinner, you can always take it along until your next destination.

The best part about Frenchmen Street is that no matter which bar you end up wandering into, you’ll find good music and great people. Start the night off with a cocktail and some jazz at Snug Harbor. Grab a table by the stage or opt to stay up closer to the bar. If you haven’t eaten yet, they also offer everything from seafood to steaks to make sure you get a good meal in your stomach before hittin’ the town again. The shows usually start at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., but make sure you check ahead to see who is playing and when.

From there, walk a few doors down and check out d.b.a. – a local favorite that offers live music and a huge selection of beers on draft, as well as a great wine menu. The bar has an artsy and cool vibe, making it a great place to either sit and drink with a group or catch up one-on-one with that special someone.
Once you leave d.b.a., walk across the street and check out what’s going on at the Spotted Cat. This intimate venue offers a wide range of performances that’s perfect for both groups of friends and special dates. Live performances generally happen twice a night, with the first show at 6:00 p.m. and the second at 8:30, so you can either swing by for a surprise or check on the schedule to see who is playing and when. Café Brasil, Blue Nile, and the Apple Barrel are also good locations for live music, and they’re all located within a few doors of each other, so you can check them all out without having to go very far.

If you still feel like getting in one more bar, walk up the street to Esplanade and discover Igor’s Checkpoint Charlie’s. This late-night watering hole offers live music, bar food, and a good game of pool if you’re in the mood. You’ll also only be one block away from the French Quarter, so getting home won’t be a challenge. If you’re really tired, cabs usually swarm the area, so grab one and head home – you’ll need the rest for your final big night out on the town.

Night 3
French Quarter

Night 3 Summary 1. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop 2. The Old Absinthe House/Napoleon House/French 75 Bar/Carousel Bar 3. Preservation Hall 4. House of Blues/One-Eyed Jack’s 5. Harrah’s New Orleans 6. Pat O’Brien’s 7. Cat’s Meow 8. Gold Mine Saloon 9. Café Du Monde

Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop

Old Absinthe House

The Napoleon House

Preservation Hall

House of Blues

Pat O' Briens

Go out with a bang on your third and final night out on the town! You’ve always heard about how much fun the French Quarter bars are - find out for yourself with this insider’s guide to the perfect night out.

After dinner, take a right down Bourbon St. back into the quarter and walk until you hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop – the perfect place to stop and get a quick drink before really hittin’ the town. This historic building dates back to 1772 and provides the perfect location for getting a feel of old New Orleans while gearing up for a long night ahead. Other great historic bars include The Old Absinthe House, Napoleon House, The French 75 Bar at Arnaud’s or The Monteleone Hotel’s Carousel Piano Bar. Each of these destinations offer the perfect atmosphere for a classic New Orleans cocktail and a little friendly conversation.

Make sure to check out the schedule for Preservation Hall – it’s an experience you simply can’t afford to miss. There’s no bar here, which makes it the perfect pla ce to take a little rest from drinking and just enjoy the music. Make sure you also check out the schedule for concerts at both the House of Blues and the Parish Room, located next door to the larger House of Blues restaurant and venue. One-Eyed Jack’s also offers great live shows in a hip environment. Once the concert is done, you’ll be ready to hit the bars again!

Feel like havin’ a date with lady luck? Harrah’s New Orleans is open 24 hours a day and offers entertainment, poker, slots, and table games so everyone from the first-time gambler to the highest of the high rollers is sure to have a good time getting in on the action – who knows? You might even walk away a few bucks richer!

If gambling is not your thing, venture back out onto Bourbon St. and make your way up to St. Peters Street, where you will find legendary Pat O’Brien’s. Grab a seat outside in the courtyard bar and enjoy the tasty – but potent – Hurricane cocktail alongside the awe-inspiring fire fountain. From there, you can head inside to the Piano Bar to hear classic tunes played by dueling pianos. Sing along to your favorites, or just sit back, sip your drink, and listen to the music.

Head back to Bourbon St. and stop in at Cat’s Meow for a little karaoke. Even if you don’t want to sing, its always entertaining to watch others belt out the lyrics to great songs – plus, you might even get to watch a friend embarrass themselves up on the mic.

If you’re not quite ready to call it a night, head over to the Gold Mine Saloon, located on Orleans Avenue and Dauphine street. This late-night dive offers dancing, drinking and even flaming shots, for the brave drinker.

If you’re hungry for a snack of some kind, don’t worry – there are plenty of late night options. Lucky Dog hotdog carts line the busy streets of the French Quarter and have become a staple for late nights out downtown. If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, make sure you swing by the legendary Café Du Monde for some beignets and strong coffee. No trip to New Orleans is complete without at least one plate of these delicious fried doughnuts, and while they taste amazing at any time of the day, they’re even better after a long night out.

Depending on what time it is, there’s no denying you’ve had an action-packed weekend. Make your way back to your hotel and crawl into bed for some much needed shut-eye.