GET OFF BOURBON STREET
It's fun for a stroll, but not where you want to spend the night
TRAVELS●
Good trips / zero filler
31 CLICKABLE PINS
EAT DRINK MUSIC SEE + SHOP
CITY MAP / LOUISIANA / 31 SAVED PLACES
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans is a hedonistic wonderland, with all kinds of depth to it. The music, the food, the vibe— absolutely incredible— especially if you can stay off Bourbon Street. There are a lot of amazing things in the french quarter, but the very best things are a little farther afield.Every active place from the saved list is pinned above. Click a number for the short version, then jump straight to the full recommendation.THE CITY / QUICKLY
Bourbon street is worth looking at once, and it can be very good people watching if you like to see tourists doing the dumbest shit ever. Some of the bars on this list are even on bourbon street or super close to it. I highly recommend that you pull yourself away and check out the places on this list that are a little bit outside of the area. Specifically if you want to go to a street of bars with live music, then Frenchmen is a much better alternative. I'll make a guide about it later, but belive it or not, coming during Mardi Gras season is actually awesome. You'd think it would be just a big tourist thing, but it isn't. The whole town celebrates together all across the city and the tourists are mostly a side note who never leave the quarter.
AVOID THE HEAT
DO NOT GO TO NEW ORLEANS IN AUGUST. You have been warned :)
BE SAFE
If you do end up getting Hammered on Bourbon street keep your wits about you. Taking money off drunk tourists is a city pass time. Your phone or wallet can disappear quickly.
LOCAL RESOURCES / NEW ORLEANSCHECK THE
CHECK THE
LOCAL BOARDS.
For things happening while you're in town, these are useful local calendars to check alongside the map.
01 / THE MUSIC CALENDAR
WWOZ Livewire
The first stop for who is playing, where, and when across New Orleans.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗02 / LOCAL MUSIC + CULTUREOffBeat
A deep local calendar for clubs, neighborhood venues, and music culture.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗03 / ARTS + GOING OUTGambit
Music, film, food and drink, comedy, design, and smaller happenings.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗04 / FESTIVALS + CITYWIDENewOrleans.com
A broad check for festivals, cultural events, cocktail events, and citywide weekends.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗
Buffa's
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGo for the jazz brunch on Sunday! It’s a SCENE. Also known for their burgers.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Verti Marte
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBest sandwiches ever! Get the “all that Jazz” and the “royal feast” (open late!)
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · iconic dishes ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Frenchmen St
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAvoid bourbon street and go out here instead!! Waayyyy better everything, more live music, less frat vibes 😁
GOOD FORLive music
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
B J’s Lounge
Bywater dive bar with a pool table and live music on select nights. Check its calendar to see who is playing.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Bar Redux
Relaxed Bywater neighborhood bar serving pub food, with an outdoor courtyard and stage. Its schedule includes live music and other events.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Zimmer’s Seafood
Family-owned Gentilly seafood market and counter known for boiled crawfish, fried seafood, and po-boys, including hot sausage and seafood options.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Frady’s One Stop Food Store
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat Po boys (roast beef recommended)
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Singleton’s Deli
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEVietnamese style po boys— special pho only on Saturdays
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAnthony bourdains favorite bar in the world
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Adams Street Grocery & Deli (UpTown)
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat po boys in uptown
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTELocal food
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · iconic dishes ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Tipitina’s
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTERecommended place to go dancing to live music off Frenchman
GOOD FORLive music
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Jewel of the South
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTECocktail bar recommendation
GOOD FORBar or drinks
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · bar guide ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
N7
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTECute patio— recommended as a date spot
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Preservation Hall
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEYou will need to check the schedule and line up super early! (Worth it!!)
GOOD FORLive music
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Acamaya
Contemporary Mexican seafood restaurant in the Bywater from chef Ana Castro, with mariscos, Gulf seafood, and handmade tortillas. Reservations are recommended.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Saint-Germain
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEFancy restaurant with tasting menu
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
The Dungeon
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat little goth bar just off the main drag
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Adolfo’s Restaurant | Italian
Small, cash-only Creole-Italian restaurant above Frenchmen Street known for seafood, pasta, and its Ocean Sauce. Seating is first come, first served.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Siberia
St. Claude bar and live-music venue with local punk, metal, and other bands. It also hosts trivia, comedy, and burlesque; check the calendar.
GOOD FORLive music
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Bar Tonique
Casual cocktail bar near the French Quarter known for classic drinks, house cocktails, and weekday happy-hour specials. It is open daily.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · bar guide ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Acme Oyster House
Busy French Quarter seafood restaurant known for raw and chargrilled oysters, po-boys, gumbo, and other Cajun-Creole dishes. Expect a line during peak hours.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · iconic dishes ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Royal Street Inn & R Bar
Faubourg Marigny guesthouse with a neighborhood bar downstairs, close to the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street. The bar also hosts regular events.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTESuper old bar! Look up the history. Cool textures here.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · classic cocktails ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
M.S. Rau
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEIncredibly expensive stuff here, fun to see it. They let Shalyn wear a necklace worth 10 million dollars 😂 There is also a vault in the back with a super expensive painting. They will unlock it for you to have a look!
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
Small French Quarter museum covering New Orleans Voodoo through historic relics, paintings, sculptures, altars, and other artifacts. It also offers guided walking tours.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Museum of Death New Orleans
French Quarter museum with graphic exhibits on death, crime, serial killers, funeral history, and mortuary practices. Displays include crime-scene photos, coffins, skulls, and mortician equipment.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Old Absinthe House
Historic Bourbon Street bar in a building completed in 1806, known for absinthe drinks and classic cocktails. The original bar and absinthe fountains remain inside.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater New Orleans · classic cocktails ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗