Travel Guide : New Orleans Part 2 Liquid Courage

Now on to drinks and entertainment of sorts. I love to indulge in a good beer or tasty cocktail, but when your in a new city you want to go and explore and not stay cooped up in a bar all evening. Like Vegas, in New Orleans you can take your drink to go, which for me not only keeps me from drinking too much, but also allows you to explore while enjoying the beverage of your choice. Not to mention drinks are not over priced like New York or LA. My favorite part of the drink scene in NOLA is they have Abita ( a good local beer) everywhere and a great cocktail selection.
 Check out my food post for happy hour deals, this post is strictly drinks and entertainment only!

Your first stop should always be Pat O'Briens off Bourbon Street. There is a side entrance off of St. Peter street that I suggest using instead. I try to avoid walking down Bourbon as much as possible since it's so busy. Now they are most famous for the Hurricane, but if you dare to go down that road good luck. It's big and very strong and is too sugary for my taste. I go with the mint julep, this was the first place I had ever had one and it's now one of my go to drinks when in town! It too is strong, but I am a Bourbon drinker so it doesn't bother me!

If it's a nice day sit out in the court yard! Also, they have a piano room inside that can get pretty crowded, but is also amazing.

They do charge you a deposit for the glasses, but when you pay your bill they reimburse you unless you want to keep the glass.

If you want one to go they give you a plastic cup!

The Bombay Club is a new spot I went to on my last trip and I wish I was able to go again before leaving. It has a really cool gentleman's club vibe and there is live Jazz at night! Their bar is gorgeous and it's a cool spot to go to if your looking for a quieter spot to sit and have a nice cocktail!

Now if your down to spend a little more $$, travel to the The Sazerac Bar. It's located in the Grand Roosevelt Hotel. Their cocktail list is very impressive, but try the Ramos Gin Fizz. Watching the bartender create this beautiful cocktail is mesmerizing and an experience all on its own.

If your looking for some good jazz music go to the Spotted Cat off Frenchman. This is one of my favorite spots to go to, the music is amazing and different every night. It is very busy on the weekends and in general Frenchman is where most of the locals go, so just check it out. Even if you think you don't like jazz, your wrong and you will after coming here!

Best picture I have, but you get the picture. Crowded jazz club!

This next bar is what I like to imagine bars looking like in old New Orleans. Lafitte's offers cheap drinks and a cool atmosphere. All stone and pretty small, it has this quaint vibe that is a great place to start or end a night. Watch out for the Purple Drink, share one, they are strong and will give you a brain freeze, but this is the go to for many of my friends when we come here. This too is in the quarter, but on the edge of the epicenter so it's not as crowded. It's a home base for my friends and I if any of us get separated.

Another music and overall entertainment venue, One Eyed Jacks. I've been to burlesque shows, arm wrestling competitions and even saw Arcade Fire when they were performing the Second Line for Bowie when he passed. Look ahead to see what is going on the nights you're in town cause there is always something cool you can check out! It's a nice change of pace other than drinking at a bar.

If your in the Garden district and your looking to get into something a little more outside the box check out The Saint Bar & Lounge. They have dj's on the weekend, and it doesn't get busy until midnight, but it is a really cool dive bar and I haven't been to many other places like it. If your staying in the quarter it's about a $10 lyft drive away and is in a pretty low key neighborhood, but if you want to take a step outside your comfort zone try it out!

This should give you an idea of what this bar is like, underground and out there. It's not an s&m club, just a unique bar.

Last but not least, the Carousel Bar. Inside the Hotel Monteleone this place is just mind blowing. They have an actual carousel that rotates, slowly of course, but still it is so fun to sit at the bar and go around and around! They have a nice cocktail list, clearly the fact that there was a carousel blew my mind enough to forget what I got to drink. Even if you don't get a cocktail just go and take a look, get that selfie and enjoy!

I mean come on look at that thing!

I will end on this. There are hundreds of places to go and trust me there are tons I haven't put in this post, but these are just some of my favorites that show you the diverse nightlife New Orleans has to offer! As always, if you don't get white girl wasted and stick with your friends you can have a kick ass time!