Nightlife
The nightlife of New Orleans is the main draw for many tourists and honeymooners alike. Bourbon Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, is where jazz clubs, dance clubs, and cocktail bars spill music onto the street. You must go to the world famous Pat O'Brien's and try a Hurricane, a fruity drink that is known for its inhibiting qualities. You may also want to walk to the Cat's Meow or Razoo and try out karaoke, or even visit the Bourbon Street Blues Co. to hear some of your favorite blues tunes. A little bit further from Bourbon Street, on St. Peter Street, you can find the New Orleans Jazz Preservation Hall where you can hear the real stuff when it comes to Dixieland Jazz. Music is the lifeblood of New Orleans and is heard all night long, all over town. In the French Quarter the live music is (sadly) mostly rock cover bands with a few exceptions. House of Blues (225 Decatur Street, +15045292624) has a constant stream of big-name talent while scheduling locals and lesser touring groups in its auxiliary room, The Parish. The cool music scene that most visitors expect to find on Bourbon Street is actually a couple of blocks outside of the Quarter on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny. The big dog is Snug Harbour (626, +15049490696), the jazz club that features both big stars and locals. Café Brasil, a loose-limbed dance club, is a good spot for Latin-salsa music but doesn't limit itself (2100 Chartres Street, +15049490851).
Clubs open and close but you'll always find plenty of live, inventive music on the Frenchmen Street circuit. Two clubs are must-sees for music people, Tipitina's and the Maple Leaf. Tip's (501 Napoleon Avenue, +15048958477,), is a legend in the music world, with a special affinity for New Orleans funk and Delta blues The Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak Street, +15048669359), where the city's top brass, funk, R & B and zydeco bands play late into the night.
The gay club scene is one of the most vibrant in the U.S. Not only that, all the most popular haunts are within easy walking distance of each other, with the heaviest concentration along St Ann and Bourbon streets. Bourbon Pub & Parade Dance Club (801 Bourbon Street, +15045292107) is one of the most popular haunts in town. There are no strictly lesbian clubs but women will feel comfortable in all the gay spots.
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