-
Rivershack Tavern
In Jefferson, upstream from Riverbend beside the levee, is an advertisement-adorned roadhouse, which probably hit its prime in the 1940s. It's packed with students, older bikers and hospital staff (hopefully not heading back to the surgery room). It has a good selection of beers on tap. If you're hungry, the lunch specials are pretty good.
-
Saenger Theatre
New Orleans' premier site for major touring troupes. It's worth the admission just to see the ornate interior of this fine 1927 theater.
-
Saturn Bar
The very definition of saturnine. The Saturn is admirable for going to so little effort to make its patrons feel at home. Light comes only from two cosmic neon lamps, boxes are stacked about the room and there is not a comfortable seat in the place. But locals have an enduring love for the Saturn, and often hold parties and events in the ramshackle back room. Late at night, hipsters are drawn to the Saturn, but they haven't succeeded in colonizing it. All in all, a great bar.
-
Sazerac Bar
In the Fairmont Hotel, a real classic with gorgeous art-deco murals, and it's the originator of the eponymous beverage.
-
Snug Harbor
In the Marigny, the city's premier contemporary jazz venue is all about world-class music. Ellis Marsalis has a standing Friday-night gig.
-
Spotted Cat
It's always worth checking in at this friendly space while on Frenchmen St. It's about as intimate as it gets, with a 1ft-high stage crammed into a room full of tables and an upbeat crowd congregating in the bar and out on the sidewalk. Shows often start early here ( or ), making this a good place to start the evening, and a convenient link between dinner and visiting the clubs on Frenchmen St.
-
St Joe's Bar
You gotta love a saint named Joe, even if he preferred to be called Joseph. This neighborhood boozer is pretty down to earth but manages to feel classy, and even a little churchlike. The narrow front room broods with hand-carved wooden crosses and church pews, but the piety stops there. The stereo plays more jazz and swing and seems strangely lacking in Gregorian chants. The ordinary Joes who pack into the place - many of 'em working stiffs in their early 30s - have a good time and don't appear to be feeling at all guilty about it.
-
Tipitina's
Always drawing a lively crowd, this legendary Uptown club rocks out like the musical Mecca it is: local jazz, blues, soul and funk stop in, as well as national touring bands.
-
Tony Seville's Pirate's Alley Cafe
The narrow pedestrian alley hidden in the shadow of St Louis Cathedral is a natural spot for a tiny little bar, and Tony Seville's fits the bill perfectly. It's owned by friendly folk and has the atmosphere of a little Montparnasse hideway with no claim to fame. You can snag a stool at the bar and meet the regular characters who seem to drop by every few minutes, or claim a table out on the alley and soak up the atmosphere of the old Quarter.
-
Vaughan's
On Thursday night, Vaughn's is as good as New Orleans gets. That's the night trumpeter Kermit Ruffins raises the roof and the crowds spill out onto the street. Between sets Kerm often dishes out barbecue from the smoker on the back of his pickup truck. The rest of the week, Vaughan's quietly serves the neighbourhood well.
-
Advertisement
