The zone for twilight festivities
New Orleans has many noted bars, from Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (built in 1732); to the revolving Carousel Bar; to Pat O’Brien’s, where the Hurricanes flow freely; to the more recently opened Saints & Sinners, owned by actor Channing Tatum. But if you have an edgier or more adventurous sensibility, you’ll want to skip these popular French-Quarter taverns and head out to St. Claude Avenue in the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods.
Lining this 15-block stretch are some of the dingiest (in a good way) and fringiest watering holes in the city. The Saturn Bar was voted best dive bar in America (yes, there is such an award). From the outside, the graffiti-covered planks covering the windows make it look like a place best avoided. Open the door and you’ll be greeted by bizarre paintings, ratty booths, and six jukeboxes (none of them work).
Info
Address St. Claude Avenue from Clouet Street to Touro Street, New Orleans, LA 70117: Saturn Bar (3067), Hi-Ho Lounge (2239), Allways Lounge & Theatre (2240), Siberia (2227), Kajun’s Pub (2256) | Tip In New Orleans you don’t even need a bar to enjoy a stiff drink. It’s perfectly legal to walk the streets with open beer cans, filled to-go cups, or one of the monstrously large and brightly colored Hurricane or Hand Grenade containers. A word of warning to the uninitiated visitor: all drinking vessels must be either metal or plastic. You cannot walk the streets carrying your booze in a glass. For that, you can receive a ticket.
The Hi-Ho Lounge has live music ranging from hip-hop and funk to indie rock. Their best night is Saturday, when DJ Soul Sister hosts her Hustle dance party from 11pm to 3am with a lively mix of R & B classics, Motown, and techno-pop.
Directly across the street from Hi-Ho is the Allways Lounge and Theatre, where you never know what you’ll experience until you enter. The club’s stage hosts a variety of acts including poetry readings, burlesque performances, Drag Bingo with Vinsantos, and, on one disturbing occasion, amateur striptease night.
Siberia features punk, metal, bounce, and Slavic bands, plus burlesque and some of the worst comics you’ll ever hear. At the back of the bar, past the taxidermy deer and turkeys, is Kukhnya, a restaurant that serves Slavic soul food. Kajun’s Pub offers karaoke every night, and, during football season, doles out free Jell-O shots every time the Saints score a touchdown.
An entire night in New Orleans can be filled (to the brim) bar flopping along St. Claude Avenue.
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