I always tell people that New Orleans is the best place to go if you want to feel like you’re in another country without leaving the U.S., and I stick by it. New Orleans is a land unto its own, with such a unique and rich culture you’d think you were visiting some extremely enjoyable independent nation instead of a major American city.
People tend to think of New Orleans as a kind of southern Las Vegas, which, in my opinion, is a sin akin to thinking Margot Robbie’s only contribution to cinema is The Wolf of Wall Street. Sure, plenty of people treat New Orleans that way, but it’s offensively inaccurate. If I had to categorize what kind of girlie I am, it’s a good-food, fancy-cocktails, immersive-aesthetic, historical-architecture, art-nerd girlie. What I am NOT is a party hardy, heavy drinking, big crowds, nightlife girlie—and New Orleans is one of my favorite cities of all time. I lived there for three years, and will never stop working to rehab its reputation from “massive frat party” to “culturally fascinating city with the best food and people ever.” Don’t believe me? My husband doesn’t drink and loves a 10 p.m. bedtime as much as I do, and it’s one of his favorite places as well.
What makes New Orleans so amazing? It’s undoubtedly the rich and distinctive culture resulting from a myriad of diverse influences, including French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, Vietnamese, Honduran, and more. The result is nothing short of the best kind of alchemy. While Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street are all fun and good, I personally think the best way to do New Orleans is less centered on partying and more on exploring, eating, and hanging out like a local. New Orleans has a regional cuisine based on French technique, using local Southern ingredients, flavored with Caribbean, West African, Spanish, and so many other influences. It’s a place where you can get an amazing bagel in a city best known for a massive Catholic religious festival, then nurse your hangover with a big bowl of pho and a crawfish empanada. You can see beautiful historic art and natural landscapes, then relax with a Vegas-worthy neon drink at a bar that’s been in operation since 1722. New Orleans—there’s truly no place like it.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Hotel St. Vincent (Lower Garden District): Originally built in 1861 and restored in 2021, this 75-room hotel located in the stunning LGD neighborhood has beautiful rooms, a stunning pool area, and outstanding dining options.
Selina Catahoula Hotel (Central Business District): Located just a quick walk from the quarter, this renovated 1845 Creole townhouse is an intimate oasis with airy, modern, yet cozy rooms, a gorgeous rooftop and patio, and delicious Peruvian food and cocktails.
Margaret Place (Lower Garden District): Located in an 1854 Greek Revival home on Margaret Place Park, this adults-only, five-room boutique hotel seamlessly blends the painstakingly preserved aesthetics of the historic building with calming modern design for a truly transporting and restorative stay.
Ace Hotel (Central Business District): Also a quick walk from the quarter, Ace Hotel New Orleans has mastered a modern yet warm and vintage-feeling interior. With a beautiful bar and coffee shop (and a great rooftop pool--see below), it’s a fun visit, even if you’re not planning to rent a room.
What to Do in New Orleans
Have a Pool Day: The Country Club is probably my favorite place in the city. Half restaurant, half pool, all fun, the Country Club is located in the Bywater, a problematically hipster-gentrified district that is still very much worth visiting. It's basically a restaurant in a renovated house with a pool out back, and it's my number one destination during the dog days of summer. Go there, hang by the pool, get your drink on, get the mac and cheese when you need a snack, then go to Pizza Delicious nearby for dinner. Afterward, go watch the sunset from the amphitheater with a beautiful view of the city at Crescent Park across the street. Be warned, the Country Club can get very busy, and going early in the day to ensure admission is your best bet. They also have a great brunch–and an even better Drag Brunch–which makes for a very smooth, mimosa-lubricated transition to the pool in the afternoon. I miss this place every day. When I go, bury me at the Country Club.
The Drifter Hotel is another pool/bar situation. Drifter is a pastel tropical dreamscape of a motel with a retro, midcentury vibe. They often have a DJ and food trucks and can definitely get a bit rowdy, especially on Sundays. If that’s your vibe, then this is absolutely the place to be to forget Monday’s on the way. And if a day party vibe doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s always the calmer rooftop pool and bar at the beautiful Ace Hotel downtown.
Museum Hopping: New Orleans isn’t known as a museum town particularly, and I think that’s a mistake. Did you know that New Orleans has a museum ranked #2 in the world by TripAdvisor users? It’s The National WWII Museum, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Giving rare equal attention to both the European and Pacific theaters, this museum is an immersive, educational, and moving experience that no history buff should miss. There’s so much to learn and see that I’ve been three times and would still go back.
NOMA, or the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park, has great special exhibitions, very thoughtful curation, and a permanent collection that’ll make any SoGo (Southern Gothic) fan’s heart skip a beat. There’s also the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden next to the museum; admission is free, and it’s one of my favorite places in the city. With works by name-brand favorites such as Renoir, Henry Moore, Frank Stella, Robert Indiana, and Louise Bourgeois, it’s absolutely worth a visit and a stroll.
Speaking of Southern Gothic, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is an absolute dream, full of fascinating folk art and crowd pleasers like Aioli Dinner by George Rodrigue (yes, the blue dog guy). Both here and NOMA are chock-full of examples of the South’s specific aesthetic and artistic legacy.
Last but definitely not least is the Voodoo Museum. It’s tiny, spooky, conveniently located in the Quarter, and is the perfect size for a quick side trip. Not only do you learn a lot about the history of voodoo, but you learn fun things like what a zombie whip is. People rarely seem to go, but in my opinion, it’s definitely worth the time and the extremely reasonable price of admission.
A Park Date: New Orleans has outstanding parks that are certainly worth a detour. Gorgeous Audubon Park is exactly what you would imagine as the ideal SoGo park. There are lots of beautiful structures beyond the famous fountain out front (especially if you stroll to the back!) and oak, cypress, and willow trees dripping with Spanish moss. The park is not too big, so it’s a great place to take a bite-sized strolling detour or just sit in the grass and unwind while admiring the turtles and local water birds. Plus, the park has the very pleasant Audubon Zoo, with a fun swamp animals exhibit to visit if you want your gator fix without having to get up close and personal with them in less ideal circumstances.
City Park was originally a place New Orleanian gentlemen would meet to duel for their honor under the oaks; now, it not only houses NOMA and the accompanying sculpture garden but it serves as an oasis in the middle of the city. I personally love renting a kayak and paddling through the winding river part of the Bayou St. John (which runs through the park) and taking in the moss-covered oaks and historic structures lining the banks like the stunning peristyle. There are also botanical gardens, restaurants, bike rentals, and basically anything else you could want for the ideal park day.
Music & Dancing: Any visitor to New Orleans should definitely try to catch some live music. Remember, New Orleans jazz isn’t La La Land jazz, but lively, brass band, dancing music. Rebirth Brass Band is a famous, Grammy-winning band that plays Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf uptown. Soul Rebels plays Thursday nights at the bar Le Bon Temps Roule, if you’re looking for a more intimate vibe. Tipitina's is a famous venue that has great shows all the time, as does Preservation Hall in the Quarter.
For shows downtown, don’t you dare go to Bourbon Street: Frenchmen Street in the Marigny is a quick walk from the Quarter and filled with much better, non-touristy bars and venues playing live music. Maison is a good place for a clubbier vibe; DBA is awesome for live music, and 30/-90 is good for more intimate music listening experiences. Dragon's Den, right off Frenchmen Street, has a chill patio with live music downstairs and a sometimes clubbier vibe upstairs. If you are feeling more of a dinner-and-a-show vibe, Three Muses is the place for you. There's also a cool art market on Frenchmen that's worth going to between bars. But honestly, just walking up and down the street and seeing what looks good is a perfectly fine way to go; if a place looks fun that night, it probably is. (And best drunchies here is hands-down a hot dog from Dat Dog.)
French Quarter: New Orleans is so much more than the Quarter, but that doesn't mean the Quarter isn’t genuinely unmissable. With its historic buildings and gorgeous architecture, your visit to the Quarter doesn’t have to be just about beads and booze on Bourbon Street.
If you’re not a party animal (we’ll address what to do if you are below, don’t worry!), the best time to see the Quarter is in the morning, when it’s not too crowded or hot and has been freshly hosed down. Take a walk down Royal Street, which is lined with some of the best antique stores in the country, and take a peek at the various shops and art galleries. My favorite stop is Bourbon French Perfume, which has been operating since 1843 and still carries the exact cologne that Napoleon used to wear (so if you’ve always wanted to smell Napoleon, now’s your chance!). Cafe Amelie is an adorable little spot to end your stroll, located at the end of Royal in an old carriage house. Meander through Jackson Square and check out the street performers, take a gander at St. Louis Cathedral–the oldest cathedral in North America–and stroll along the river on the Moon Walk promenade (not named after Michael Jackson, but after former mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu). Last but not least, check out Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, a voodoo shop on Bourbon with excellent browsing and very reasonably-priced preserved baby alligator heads.
If you do want to party hardy on Bourbon Street, just be warned that not every neon-lit, Hurricane-slinging tourist trap is actually a good time. The best places on Bourbon are the ones locals deign to hang at, starting with Pat O’Brien’s Piano Bar. This institution is a 100-year-old, multi-room extravaganza with basically any vibe you could want: there’s the piano lounge with dueling piano shows, the chiller indoor bar area, and the rowdy outdoor patio. Make sure you check out all the historic photos and memorabilia on the wall here.
There’s also Gold Mine Saloon, and one of my favorites: the reputed oldest bar in America, Lafitte’s BlackSmith Shop, named after the infamous Louisiana pirate Jean Lafitte. Old Absinthe House is another bar on Bourbon good for old-timey vibes and old-timey absinthe drinks. Erin Rose is a chiller, more neighborhood-vibe bar famous for frozen Irish coffees and serving Killer Poboys in the back. Lastly, the French Quarter is home to New Orleans’s main LGBTQ going-out spot. The area around the intersection of Bourbon and St. Anne is full of great queer hangs and clubs, and is worth walking around, exploring, and seeing what fits your mood.
Swamp Tour: These would necessitate going outside the city, but if you have time, it’s definitely worth it. The swamps are beautiful, and if it's warm enough, you're basically guaranteed some gator sightings (and might get to feed them some marshmallows, their favorite treat!). If you’re considering a day trip out of the city, this is the one to do (and for the love of God, please stop going to the plantations).
Where to Eat in New Orlean
Peche (Central Business District): One of the best meals I've ever had, and truly such a good representation of what New Orleans cuisine really is: inventive, fresh, satisfying, and explosively flavorful. All hard things to do with fish, being so delicate, but that Southern yen for big flavor combined with traditional technique creates some truly excellent dishes. I would also recommend getting a main and not doing just small plates, as the small plates are good, but the mains are great. Peche comes to us from New Orleans culinary superstar Chef Donald Link, who also helms Herbsaint and Cochon. The duck confit with dirty rice at Herbsaint and the boudin balls at Cochon are both life-changing, and any or all three of these restaurants are great choices to kick off your New Orleans food tour.
Dakar NOLA (Lower Garden District): Once just a pop-up, Dakar is now in its own brick-and-mortar space serving fine-dining Senegalese food and is so, so good. Chef Serigne Mbaye started out at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, then worked at Michelin-starred heavy hitters Joel Robuchon and Atelier Crenn before coming back to New Orleans. They offer a tasting menu that explores, in their words, “the deep connection between Senegambia and New Orleans through food.” That connection equates to a delicious and unforgettable meal that is one of my favorite dining experiences to date.
Clesi’s (Mid-City): You hear New Orleans, you think crawfish. I hear crawfish, I think Clesi’s. This is my favorite spot to scratch the crawfish boil itch if you don’t want to wait for your friends to throw one. Get a few pounds of the succulent, spicy crawfish with sausage, potatoes, and corn, and enjoy the indoor-outdoor casual atmosphere that feels like you’re in someone’s backyard in the best way. It may be a bit out of the way from the tourist areas, but if you’re going to get crawfish on your visit, it’s worth Ubering to do it right. Bevi’s is another good place for crawfish, and if oysters are more your thing, old school Casamento’s for chargrilled oysters and oyster po’boys is where it’s at.
Bearcat (Uptown & Central Business District): New Orleans has some amazing brunches–as the home of shrimp and grits, beignets, and all things French and covered in hollandaise, we would expect no less–but Bearcat is consistently my favorite. Bearcat has great classics like pancakes and eggs but shines the most with creative Southern takes like crawfish-smothered biscuits and, oddly, the best pork chop I’ve ever had in my life, accompanied incongruously but deliciously by tender paleo pancakes. With plenty of lighter options, including vegan ones, I genuinely could happily eat here every weekend. Other great brunches are Toast (get the aebleskivers!) or sample funky local favorite, Elizabeth’s, in the Bywater.
Marjie’s Grill (Mid-City): Marjie’s is another one of those NOLA restaurants you just couldn’t find anywhere else. Marjie’s combines seasonal Gulf Coast fare with Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, resulting in flavorful barbecue and seafood dishes like chili butter shrimp and smoked Mississippi beef belly with miso and curried zucchini salad. Marjie’s proves there’s a lot more that goes with smoky, slow-cooked meats than regular ole BBQ sauce, and the sweet, sour, and spicy Asian flavors create some truly original and delicious dishes.
Commander’s Palace (Garden District): A fine-dining classic and local favorite, Commander’s Palace has been serving quintessential Creole cuisine for over 130 years. Culinary pillars like Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme have cut their teeth there, and the food remains as delicious, well-executed, and uniquely New Orleans as ever. It may be a bit less polished than some of the other fine dining options, but it’s a lot of fun, and the food is arguably some of the best. Get the turtle soup with sherry (trust me) and take advantage of their classic 25-cent martinis over lunch–recently limited to only three per customer, which is probably for the best.
Arnaud’s (French Quarter): This might be controversial, but this is my favorite fine dining restaurant. Galatoire’s is great, as is Brennan’s, and I have sadly been disappointed many times at Antoine’s; however, I have always had consistently well-executed and classic food at Arnaud’s. Get the souffle potatoes and the frozen praline or bananas foster for dessert, check out the secret Mardi Gras museum upstairs, and get a French 75 at the attached bar, the birthplace of the French 75 that is also named–you guessed it!--the French 75 Bar. Note: be sure to check dress codes in New Orleans, especially for the fine dining restaurants; they might not let you in if you’re not in compliance.
Cane and Table (French Quarter): This used to be my favorite place for drinks in the city, with its ambiance like a classy Pirates of the Caribbean tavern and the most extensive and well-thought-out menu of rum drinks on the planet. However, they pivoted more towards food during the pandemic, and when I revisited, I was amazed at how good it was. Their Caribbean menu was delicious and creative, and both the inside and the patio were romantic and gorgeous. Good restaurants in the Quarter can be rare, and this gem is so far on the edge of the neighborhood that it’s essentially (and fortunately) hidden from tourists. For more of a fine-dining Caribbean vibe, check out Nina Compton’s amazing Compere Lapin in the Warehouse District.
Po’ Boys (Everywhere): As much as I wish I could recommend a definitive best po’boy in the city, that would be like trying to name the best pizza in New York: impossible and explosively divisive. I am going to just leave my favorite here, Guy’s Po boys in the Uptown neighborhood, because my favorite po’boys are grilled or fried shrimp, and Guy’s has excellent ones. Zara’s Lil’ Giant Supermarket is a close second for me in the Uptown area. For roast beef po’boys, you can’t beat the famous Parkway Bakery and Tavern. Another wonderful classic is over-100-year-old Domilise’s, serving both excellent roast beef with debris (look it up) and fried seafood po’boys in a no-frills space. For fried oyster po’boys, the equally historic Casamento’s is a favorite. For po’boys in the Quarter, Johnny’s Po-Boys is a classic, but my favorite by far is Verti Marte at the end of Royal Street, open 24/7 and the best drunchie meal of my life. (Disclaimer: these are just my opinions. Please don’t send anyone after me or my family. If you have a place you think is better, feel free to DM me, and I will check it out and update this list as appropriate, scout’s honor.)
Jacques-Imo’s (Uptown): All those New Orleans dishes you’ve heard about, like crawfish étouffée, shrimp creole, gumbo, jambalaya, blackened redfish–here’s where to get them. This Uptown institution often has a wait (we strongly recommend going early), but is a great one-stop shop for all the amazing Cajun and Creole dishes you’ve always wanted to try. Think alligator cheesecake would be gross? It’s not, and you better order it (it’s a savory appetizer, not a dessert–don’t freak out). Go here before a show at the Maple Leaf Bar nearby for the perfect Uptown night.
Saba (Uptown): Another unique dining experience, chef Alon Shaya combines his Israeli roots with his love for his adopted hometown of New Orleans to create a delicious Middle Eastern-inspired menu using local Southern ingredients. Like all good Middle Eastern restaurants, the dip game is exceptionally strong. Don’t miss the spicy lamb ragu hummus, and try not to fill up on the pillowy fresh-baked pita bread before you get your main.
Willie Mae’s Scotch House (Mid-City): This icon has been serving the best fried chicken and other soul food in the city since 1957. Be warned, there is always a line, but it is absolutely worth it. A James Beard Award recipient and the Food Network’s “Best Fried Chicken in America,” Willie Mae’s is an example of how no matter how humble the origins, if you have great food, the people of New Orleans will make sure you become the legend you deserve to be.
Pizza Delicious (Bywater): What’s in a name? Sometimes, all you need to know. Pizza Delicious serves up thin-crust slices with a solid beer menu and the best garlic knots I’ve ever had. It’s a great casual spot in the Bywater right near the river and my mother’s favorite travel meal–she’s very picky, so trust me, you should listen to Nancy on this one.
Dat Dog (Multiple Locations): Yes, it’s just a hot dog place, but it is so much more. Hot dogs being perhaps the one culinary love from my youth that I’ve carried into adulthood, this place is basically heaven. It has every type of dog and sausage you can think of, and in my experience, the staff are highly-educated hot dog sommeliers who can help you pick the ideal artisan dog for your mood. It also has just about every topping you can think of, including New Orleans-inspired options like creole mustard, crawfish étouffée, and andouille sauce. Both Uptown locations have a lot of outdoor seating, making it a great place to go with a group, especially considering their excellent beer selection.
Lilly’s Pho (Lower Garden District): New Orleans has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the country, and there’s so much great Vietnamese cuisine to choose from. However, my favorite is Lilly’s Pho on Magazine Street. Having grown up in an area with endless pho options, I still always hit up this quaint, cozy little spot when I’m back in New Orleans.
High Hat Cafe (Uptown): When I was living in New Orleans, nothing could cheer me up better than a trip to High Hat Cafe. It’s cozy, clean, comfortable, classic, and with Louisiana and Mississippi Delta soul food that tastes like it was made by the most talented grandma in the country. Some of my favorites are the smoked chicken, the pimento mac and cheese, and the boudin balls. Don’t miss whatever their special dessert is (usually a phenomenal pie of some sort), and check out their website for what special they have that day of the week. If you want to take a break from rich or super fancy food while traveling but still eat well, this a the perfect low-key, family-friendly place to do it.
Empanola (Uptown): Are empanadas what you came to New Orleans for? Probably not. Is Empanola a beautiful example of how New Orleans cuisine can meld seamlessly with the culinary traditions of other cultures? Absolutely. The crawfish étouffée empanada is one of my favorite bites of all time, and everything else is tasty and extremely portable–perfect for the vacationer on the go (or the vacationer who is too hungover to use plates and utensils).
La Petite Grocery (Uptown): If you want to plan a romantic date during your trip, this place is one of my favorite locales, an opinion I felt very justified in when I saw Solange Knowles there on a date night. The beautiful space used to be an old grocery, and the interior is timelessly cozy and classy, serving creative spins on New Orleans classics. Take your lover, play Lady and the Tramp with the turtle bolognese, and don’t miss the blue crab beignets.
Cafe Du Monde (French Quarter): No trip to New Orleans is complete without getting the famous beignets with cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde. There’s nothing like a hot, fresh beignet nestled in a mountain of powdered sugar accompanied by a mild, milky chicory coffee to cut the sweetness. I strongly recommend going during off-times, like early in the morning, late at night, and during normal meal times, as the line can get extremely long. Remember, it’s open until 11 PM, so if you find yourself peckish and in the mood to play Tony Montana with some sugar piles after hitting the Quarter bars, the later hours are a good time to stop by.
French Truck Coffee (Multiple Locations): With multiple locations throughout the city, you can absolutely make this local chain your go-to fueling station throughout your trip. The coffee is great, the pastries and snacks are delicious, and each location is an adorable oasis for the weary traveler.
Creole Creamery (Uptown): This ice cream spot is a local favorite that serves a ton of delicious flavors, with many NOLA-inspired options like King Cake, Magnolia Flower, and Creole Cream Cheese. It’s the perfect destination for an after-dinner walk after dining uptown.
Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls (Uptown): If you prefer to cool down with a non-dairy option, you absolutely have to try New Orleans’ official summertime treat, the snowball. Soft shaved ice is combined with syrup and toppings, is then scooped into Chinese food take-out cartons for maximum holdability.
Where to Drink in New Orleans
Bacchanal (Bywater): This originally hipster-y locale is a mix between a high-end wine bar and a backyard party, and it somehow works perfectly. You pick your wine and cheeses from the front inside portion, then take your seat on the gorgeous patio. They usually have live music, and the twinkled-lighted vibes are immaculate. The food here is good but a bit pricey for the portions, so I would recommend Bacchanal more for afternoon hangs, pre-dinner, or post-dinner drinks.
Cure (Uptown): This beautiful and intimate space showcases New Orleans mixology at its finest, and as the birthplace of many a famous cocktail, that’s saying something. Perfect for a first date, a fiftieth date, or a small group of friends.
Columns (Uptown): There is no better space to enjoy the Victorian beauty of New Orleans than the porch of the Columns Hotel. Take the old-fashioned streetcar to this space on the mansion-lined St. Charles Avenue and enjoy a mint julep under the oaks. Even though it has lots of modern drink and food options, the Columns Hotel always feels like a step back in time.
Brennan’s (French Quarter): “But you just said this was a restaurant!” I did, and while Brennan’s is indeed a historic fine dining restaurant, it also has a champagne happy hour from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Monday, and is thus an excellent place to grab a drink in the Quarter. Sit on the gorgeous patio, lurk on the epic interior, gaze at the live turtles in the fountain, and make sure to order some of their excellent bar snacks like crispy shrimp, gourmet french fries, and black truffle croque monsieurs.
Jewel of the South (French Quarter): Set on the edge of the Quarter in a 19th-century Creole cottage, Jewel of the South is a chill, classy, and romantic cocktail option that feels miles away from the hedonistic frenzy of Bourbon Street. Cozy up with a date or some friends, and be sure to order the unappealingly-named but delicious Brandy Crusta.
Hot Tin (Garden District): This rooftop bar atop the Pontchartrain Hotel has a 1940s-inspired interior and a view almost as good as their cocktails. If you want a clue as to how moody and transporting the space is, Anne Rice once lived nearby and was apparently inspired by this historic hotel, which even appears by name in one of her books.
Hungry Eyes (Uptown):This neon-filled salute to 80s nostalgia specializes in martinis and what the creators call “luxury drinking food.” A perfect place for when half the group wants dinner, and the other half wants to cut right to the boozy chase. If the 80s-chic interior doesn’t sell you, the martini happy hour absolutely will.
Zony Mash Beer Project (Mid-City): Both a beer-lovers dream and a live music venue set in a historic old theater, there’s always something going on at Zony Mash. Go for a chill drink with a group of friends, or go for one of their many events, and be sure to check their Instagram to keep up to date on performing artists, shows, movie screenings, and more. Other great places for beer lovers and big groups are Tchoup Yard and Nola Brewing Company.
R Bar (Marigny): Calling itself “a community center with $2 High Lifes” and “a secular church of lackadaisical good times,” R Bar is a safe bet for a good night. You can usually count on a fun and rowdy crowd of Marigny hipsters, even on the days they’re not doing events like seasonal crawfish boils or $10 shot-and-a-haircut specials (Monday nights, and tip your barber, please and thank you).
St. Joe’s Bar (Uptown): This funky dive-ish bar somehow seamlessly combines its old-school interior with esoteric decor like their Chinese lantern-filled courtyard. It’s a great neighborhood spot devoid of tourists and is best known for their blueberry mojito, of which they also make a great N.A. version.
Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge (Uptown): The Greg Louganis of dive bars. This dive dives HARD. It’s lit only by Christmas lights and has an ominous red glow appropriate for the vibe. If you’ve been to Bonnaroo and this sounds familiar, yes, the Bonnaroo version is named for the New Orleans one. I would not recommend going before midnight, ever. It’s the best place to end up after a night out, or the worst. Experts only.
Ode to the Crescent City by local artist Allison Skopec