New Orleans Nightlife Tips by Cabana_Boy

Bridge Lounge: Bridge Lounge Bridge Lounge Review

The Bridge Lounge is another one of my favorite "locals," especially for happy hour and caipirinhas. From all the pictures of dogs hanging on the walls to the stone bar tops, it's truly one of the best of neighborhood bars around.

Address: 1201 Magazine St., Nola

Directions: One block away from the I-90 hi-rise on Magazine.

Phone: 504-299-1888

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The Apple Barrel: The place for swamp boogie... Apple Barrel Review

Looking for some swamp boogie??? If so, you are looking for the legendary Coco Robicheaux and there is no better place to catch him than the Apple Barrel. Coco and the boys usually play the Barrel every Saturday night...

The Apple Barrel is about as big as a two car garage and doesn't look like it's change much in half a century...it's got a real worn in, dusty sort of look to it...few tourists go to the Apple Barrel (or to the Marigny for that matter) so the people are tripped out locals, which is the norm for the Barrel. Anyway, the Abita Ambers are cold (and fairly cheap), the crowd is mellow, Coco is...well...Coco and the Techno-swamp is red hot.... The Apple Barrel is truly a haven for the down trodden soul, while drinking at the Barrel it will seem that all is right in the world...

Address: 609 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA.

Directions: In the Faubourg Marigny

Phone: 504-949-9399

Theme: Live Music

Vic's Cafe: No pommes allowed & watch out for the drop bears!! Vic's Kangaroo Cafe Review

Vic's Kangaroo Cafe is a great little dive bar on Tchoupitoulas in the Warehouse District........if you're looking to get away from the "yuppie-ness" of Lucy's or the "snobbiness" of the Wine Loft and you're stranded in the Warehouse District, head to Vic's and give the didgeridoo a blow....

Address: 636 Tchoupitoulas Street New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions: Near the corner of Girod and Tchoupitoulas in the Warehouse District....

Phone: 504-524-4329

Theme: Eating and Drinking

House of Blues: House of Blues House of Blues Review

Well, it's been another great night of music in New Orleans, Jazzfest is winding down this weekend and the city's bars and clubs are filled with local, regional, national and international talent.

Earlier this week, I had introduced several friends of mine to a band called "Gomez" from the UK. Surprisingly enough, one of those friends spotted "Gomez" as one of the bands playing at the House of Blues this weekend. Naturally, we got tickets, drank lots of gin-n-tonics before, during and after the show. "Gomez" sounded great and the NOLA House of Blues was cooler than I had anticipated.

Dress Code: Like Kurt Cobain said, "come as you are..."

Address: 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA. 70130

Directions: In the French Quarter...

Phone: 504.529.2624

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans/

Lucy's: A retired Surfers' Bar Lucy's Review

Address: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA.

Directions: At the corner of Girod and Tchoupitoulas in the Warehouse District...

Phone: (504) 523-8995

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.lucysretiredsurfers.com/

dba: dba in the Faubourg Marigny d.b.a. Review

dba has quickly become my favorite bar in NOLA. With an impressive selection of high-end booze (especially whisky, scotch & tequila) and a great decor set in an old store front, this place has it going on... dba is hip, but not stuffy. There is also a good selection of beers from around the world (heavy on Belgian ales) as well as the local favorite, Abita, from just across Lake Pontchartrain. It also has to be said the women serving up all these lucious beverages can also captivate one's eye (like the chalkboard listing all the drinks above the bar).

In addition to the barmaids and libations floating behind the bar, dba also has a very small stage for live music. Given it's size, it's a great place to see music as the chances are you will be sitting right next to one of the musicians. I saw The Instigators, a blues band from Sweden, there a few weeks ago and sat right next to the drummer...groovy.

Address: 618 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 70116

Directions: In the Faubourg Marigny

Phone: 504.942.3731

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/