Bar Crawl: New Orleans' French Quarter And Beyond

View 150 Best Bars in America in a larger map

What comes to mind when you think of the French Quarter in New Orleans? Mardi Gras beads, Hurricanes, fantastic music, and of course, a vivacious nightlife scene. Wind your way on this crawl through some of the best bars that the city has to offer, beginning with d.b.a. and ending with the Bombay Club. 

For Enjoying the Local Music Scene

Where: d.b.a., 41 1st Avenue, (212) 475 – 5097

Treat yourself to some of the finest live music that New Orleans has to offer at d.b.a. Check the schedule online to see who will be donning the stage that night, and while you're there, find out which beers they'll be offering that evening on their rotating tap.

 

For Taking Advantage of Killer Drink Deals

Where: Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, 941 Bourbon Street, (504) 593 – 9761

The oldest continually occupied bar in the United States, this place was once, according to legend, owned by the pirate Jean Lafitte. The tiny open-air bar on Bourbon Street pours them cheap and fast to the point that you might actually start believing you're seeing the ghosts said to frequent the place.

 

For Partaking in a True New Orleans Jazz Experience

Where: Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peters Street, (504) 522 – 2841

OK, so it's not technically a bar, but Preservation Hall is a classic jazz club that leaves pretensions at the door, favoring an intimate setting and focusing on great music. BYO drinks while the house band plays three feet away from where you're sitting — sometimes on the hardwood floor.

 

For Enjoying an Original Hurricane

Where: Pat O'Brien's, 624 Bourbon Street, (504) 525 – 4823

Legendary bar owner Pat O'Brien gets credit for creating the original Hurricane during the 1940s. Enjoy one of these brightly colored cocktails in the outdoor garden and maybe even venture into the lively piano bar inside. (The bar is also known for being one of the oldest in New Orleans.)

 

For Ending the Night with a Strong Martini

Where: Bombay Club, 830 Conti Street, (504) 586 – 0972 

There's no question when it comes to ordering a drink at the Bombay Club that the answer will always be a martini. The broad array of offerings marks the historical journey of the martini — try the original Martinez or a more modern Skinny Chocolate Mocha-tini, depending on your mood.

 

Click here to view the rest of Bar Crawls: Best Bars in America