House of Hope and Joy
Live music & performance
Legendary local dive bar (one block away!) that has music almost every night
129 abantu bendawo batusa
Saturn Bar
3067 St Claude AveLegendary local dive bar (one block away!) that has music almost every night
Fun eclectic performances of every sort! Great for folks looking for burlesque shows.
264 abantu bendawo batusa
Allways Lounge and Theater
2240 St Claude AveFun eclectic performances of every sort! Great for folks looking for burlesque shows.
Amazing outdoor spot with live jazz, great food & cocktails, and a wine and cheese shop.
839 abantu bendawo batusa
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland AveAmazing outdoor spot with live jazz, great food & cocktails, and a wine and cheese shop.
Small bar with big outdoor space and good food. Often hosts performances outside.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar Redux
801 Poland AveSmall bar with big outdoor space and good food. Often hosts performances outside.
Come on Saturday or Sunday for drag brunch (call ahead for reservations!) or buy a day pass to their pool
451 abantu bendawo batusa
The Country Club
634 Louisa StreetCome on Saturday or Sunday for drag brunch (call ahead for reservations!) or buy a day pass to their pool
Karaoke every night! It’s slow earlier I’m the evening but picks up later.
220 abantu bendawo batusa
Kajun's Pub
2256 St Claude AveKaraoke every night! It’s slow earlier I’m the evening but picks up later.
Semi-hidden performance venue in the New Orleans Healing Center
52 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Istanbul
2372 St Claude AveSemi-hidden performance venue in the New Orleans Healing Center
Come for drag brunch on Saturdays! The food isn't great, but the entertainment is.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Artisan Bar and Cafe
2514 St Claude AveCome for drag brunch on Saturdays! The food isn't great, but the entertainment is.
Coffee & breakfast
Hipster coffee shop, close to Crescent Park. Locals often work from here.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Petite Clouet Cafe'
3100 Royal StHipster coffee shop, close to Crescent Park. Locals often work from here.
Satsuma Cafe
3218 Dauphine StCoffee shop, serves lunch too
Restaurants & Bars
Delicious Italian food (not the boring kind you get where you're better off making it at home. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. Definitely make reservations on weekend nights.
203 abantu bendawo batusa
Paladar 511
511 Marigny StDelicious Italian food (not the boring kind you get where you're better off making it at home. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. Definitely make reservations on weekend nights.
Elizabeth's
601 Gallier StRosalita's Backyard Tacos 🌮
3304 St Claude AveCheck the hours, they're usually only open til 2 and closed on Tues-Wed
140 abantu bendawo batusa
Bywater Bakery
3624 Dauphine StCheck the hours, they're usually only open til 2 and closed on Tues-Wed
Brew pub that makes its own beer and has lots of varieties on tap.
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Parleaux Beer Lab
634 Lesseps StBrew pub that makes its own beer and has lots of varieties on tap.
The Joint
701 Mazant StHonduran food with an in-house chef who changes up the specials regularly. I didn't know what Honduran food was either, just try it.
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Alma Cafe
800 Louisa StHonduran food with an in-house chef who changes up the specials regularly. I didn't know what Honduran food was either, just try it.
Local gay bar with great happy hour specials. A friend of mine is often set up outside grilling delicious meat, tell him Summer said hi!
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Phoenix Bar
941 Elysian Fields AveLocal gay bar with great happy hour specials. A friend of mine is often set up outside grilling delicious meat, tell him Summer said hi!
Food hall with lots of delicious vendors and great cocktails.
466 abantu bendawo batusa
St. Roch Market
2381 St Claude AveFood hall with lots of delicious vendors and great cocktails.
Sea Cave Arcade
3000 St Claude AveLocal arcade bar with friendly staff
I'm from NYC, so when I tell you this is closest thing I've found to NY pizza in the South, that *means* something.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Nola Mia Gelato Cafe
2230 St Claude AveI'm from NYC, so when I tell you this is closest thing I've found to NY pizza in the South, that *means* something.
Homemade pasta with punny names and a Flying Spaghetti Monster theme.
59 abantu bendawo batusa
Arabella Casa Di Pasta
2258 St Claude AveHomemade pasta with punny names and a Flying Spaghetti Monster theme.
Great cocktails on the edge of the Quarter with very few tourists.
173 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar Tonique
820 N Rampart StGreat cocktails on the edge of the Quarter with very few tourists.
Locally owned, LGBTQ-friendly tavern with pub grub, regular drag shows & outdoor tables.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Betty's Bar & Bistro
700 Burgundy StreetLocally owned, LGBTQ-friendly tavern with pub grub, regular drag shows & outdoor tables.
Melba's Poboys
1525 Elysian Fields Avenue24h spot for awesome southern food and po boys
GET THEIR BURGERS JUST DO IT 😂 I might be a little obsessed with this almost-hidden bar & burger joint. They’ve got a huge selection of on-tap beers, a lovely little backyard, and did I mention the burgers???
116 abantu bendawo batusa
Junction Bar & Grill
3021 St Claude AveGET THEIR BURGERS JUST DO IT 😂 I might be a little obsessed with this almost-hidden bar & burger joint. They’ve got a huge selection of on-tap beers, a lovely little backyard, and did I mention the burgers???
Shopping
She Comes in Peace
2025 Chartres StWonderfully weird sorta-alien-themed hair salon & costume shop
This is my favorite shop in the world. Beautiful, reasonably priced wigs in all sorts of styles and colors, and some REALLY fabulous custom wigs as well. They also sell jewelry.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Fifi Mahony's
934 Royal StThis is my favorite shop in the world. Beautiful, reasonably priced wigs in all sorts of styles and colors, and some REALLY fabulous custom wigs as well. They also sell jewelry.
There are no rules! Colorful and creative fashion. They have a Renaissance room and a leather room too.
No Rules Fashion
927 Royal StreetThere are no rules! Colorful and creative fashion. They have a Renaissance room and a leather room too.
Pet store AND art store? This local gem has both! And you may run into me bringing my dog to and from daycare. =)
NOLA Bark Market
3041 N Rampart StPet store AND art store? This local gem has both! And you may run into me bringing my dog to and from daycare. =)
Huge plant nursery that is wonderful to just wander around.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Harolds Indoor Outdoor Plants
1135 Press StHuge plant nursery that is wonderful to just wander around.
Musica
3302 Saint Claude AvenueVintage musical instrument shop with knowledgeable owner. They also sell vintage clothing
The Bargain Center
3200 Dauphine StreetThrift shop with lots of fun odd finds
Izeluleko zedolobha
Bhukha ngaphambi kokuthi uhambe
Great alternative spooky tour :)
A good friend of mine that grew up here gives a “Creeps and Freaks” cocktail tour of the quarter most nights. He’s an engaging storyteller with some great stories to tell! Ask for Ric. https://revelry.tours/tours/new-orleans/creeps-cocktails-tour/
Okufanele ukupakishe
Prepare for the heat!
First off, bring a refillable water bottle. Most restaurants and bars will refill it if you ask politely. The best rule I’ve learned is that keeping your core cool is the most important thing! Loose, flowy clothing is always better than something tight fitting. I personally tend to wear loose high waisted shorts/skirts and a crop top so that heat doesn’t get trapped between fabrics on my midsection. That polyester sundress might be super cute in the Midwest but it’ll give you heatstroke here! Look for rayon, linen, and other breathable fabrics. Get sun hats and parasols at the French Market :)