A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Nightlife Experience in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of America’s premier destinations for celebrations and nightlife, attracting both locals and tourists to its colorful bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Deciding on the best nightlife experience in the City of Music, however, might seem intimidating at first. To help ensure that you get the full experience of New Orleans’ unique brand of nightlife, we’ve made this comprehensive guide to all the great things that the city has to offer.

What to Expect from a Night Out in New Orleans

No matter your preference for age, activity, or type of nightlife spot, chances are that New Orleans has something to offer you and your friends. A night out in the city typically starts out with dinner over traditional Cajun and Creole delicacies such as jambalaya and gumbo and usually wraps up with some type of performance such as live jazz or burlesque.

The dancing gets going anywhere between 10 PM to 1 AM most nights. Most bars will have a cover fee (typically $3-10) but the party usually goes until around 4-5 AM. There is usually a one-drink minimum, which is usually around $10, but varies by bar.

Before planning your night out, it’s important to consider when is the best time to visit New Orleans for a party. The city is well known for its annual Mardi Gras celebration around February and for hosting festivals such as the Satchmo Summerfest and the French Quarter Festival in August and September. Other holidays are notoriously busy as well, including St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. While these holidays can be a lot of fun, expect significantly larger crowds than normal, with long lines to get into bars and wait times for drinks.

Popular Types of New Orleans Nightlife Spots

New Orleans is known for its huge array of exciting bars, pubs, and nightclubs sprinkled across the city. To get you started on a proper night out in the Big Easy, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more popular spots.

Bars and Pubs

• The Irish House – Located in between the French Quarter & Arts District, The Irish House is well known for its selection of craft beers and signature Irish whiskey cocktails.
• Coin-Op – A bar-arcade with dozens of classic video games from the 80s & 90s and a wide selection of craft beers on tap.
• N7 – This Italian wine bar located in the Warehouse district offers a wide selection of carefully chosen wines from Italy.
• The Saint – Boasting two floors with 60 different beers on tap, The Saint is located near the French Quarter and offers a unique mix of live music, food, and drinks.
• O’Henry’s – Located near Tulane University, O’Henry’s features live performances from local musicians every Tuesday & Thursday alongside an impressive selection of craft beers.

Nightclubs

• Hi-Ho Lounge – Hi-Ho Lounge features live jazz music seven nights a week as well as a late-night barbecue on Sundays.
• Electric Cowboy – Located just 10 minutes outside of downtown New Orleans, Electric Cowboy is well known for their high-energy country music.
• 12 Mile Limit – 12 Mile Limit is an underground dive bar featuring great music, delicious food, and cheap drinks.
• The Republic – A multi-level nightclub located in the Warehouse District that plays a mix of EDM & Hip-Hop music.

Overall, New Orleans has something for everyone when it comes to a great night out and is sure to provide an unforgettable experience. Additionally, taking a tour of some of the city’s best bars and pubs has become increasingly popular. If you want to check out multiple places over the course of an evening without worrying about transportation, we highly recommend checking out the New Orleans Pub Crawl by Bus. This tour combines local bars with popular pubs for an experience that you won’t soon forget and guides you along your journey between each spot so that you don’t miss a beat during your night out!

No matter your preference for activity or type of nightlife spot, chances are that New Orleans has something to offer you and your friends. From enjoying traditional Cajun and Creole dishes at a local restaurant to taking in some live jazz while sipping on a cocktail at a historic pub – experiencing New Orleans nightlife is truly one of a kind. If you’re ever in town make sure to check out some of these spots so that you can get the full experience!