The list of things to do and places to go in New Orleans is endless. Not literally, but it must stop at one point.When you start adding up the bands, bars, clubs, galleries, restaurants, shops, museums, spas and everything else that this city has to offer-the list does seem quite endless – not to mention daunting when trying to decide what to do on a Friday night. We are a party town, and we’re famous for it. So for those of us who are 21 and older, the list gets even longer. But the following is a much shorter list of great things to do around town that will hopefully break down that endless list into something totally do-able.Last week, we featured great places for freshmen, but this week, it’s all about The Others … 21 and older. But, remember, like those Smirnoff and Bailey’s commercials say, “Drink Responsibly.”
Oh, and United Cabs’ dispatch number is 522-9771. Put it in your phone. Seriously, put the paper down, put it in your phone and then pick the paper back up. Do it.
WHAT’S HOT
Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant701 Tchoupitoulas St.523-8995www.lucysretiredsurfers.com
This isn’t exactly known as a place to find hundreds of old men with leather-like skin in Bermuda shorts saying “hang ten, man.” But you might still find one or two squashed in the corner of this place during their normally busy weekends.Stop by for $1 Taco Tuesday from 4-7 p.m., late night happy hour on Fridays from 9-11 p.m. or “The Biggest, Best, & Most Happening Happy Hour Downtown” on Saturday nights. For a little more fun in the middle of the week, go on Wednesdays for Open Mic Night. Amateur comedians compete for your laughs and enough tips to cover their bar tabs. Oh, and there’s drink specials.
The Bulldog3236 Magazine St.891-1516bulldog.draftfreak.com
The Bulldog has always been a popular hangout with Loyola students, but with the addition of their new patio, the bar now has the capacity to accommodate more of them.Wednesdays is the famous collectible pint glass night. With each pint you buy from a selection of more than 50 beers on tap, you get to keep the glass. This spot is great to get some late night grub too. Try the chili cheese fries. They might be fattening, but in the morning you probably won’t even remember you had them.
Rock n’ Sake823 Fulton St.581-7253www.rocknsake.com
This sushi joint, true to its name, is rockin’ every Friday and Saturday night.On the weekends, they feature live bands and some of the best sake around. They don’t just serve plain sake; they turn them into drinks that are works of art. In the heart of the Warehouse District, Rock n’ Sake’s sushi rolls are delicious and inexpensive. Pick a couple of your favorite rolls and splurge on one of their off-the-wall drink creations. Who would’ve thought that raw fish and vodka would go so well together? Although, the only way some people will eat raw fish is after an excessive amount of vodka.
Republic828 S. Peters St.528-8282www.republicnola.com
Housed in the former space of The Howlin’ Wolf in the Warehouse District, this club has been the most happening club among the eclectic and stylish youth of New Orleans since Jan. Hot off the celebrity appearance of DJ AM on Aug. 27, Republic offers its patrons the hottest in New Orleans music, fashion and entertainment. With a new fashion show every month, a new band performing every weekend and the famous DJ Kemistry mixing every Thursday and Saturday night, Republic is a great place to go to have a blast all weekend long. Try the Republic Lemonade; it’s not exactly the kind you used to sell outside your house for 25 cents when you were five.
DATE NIGHT
One Restaurant and Lounge8132 Hampson St.301-9061www.one-sl.com
It is painful to include One in this list because it will no longer be a secret anymore, but it is honestly one of the best kept secrets in all of Uptown. Everything from their award-winning duck and okra gumbo with homemade boudin to their char-grilled oysters is phenomenal. You can’t make a wrong choice. But one choice that it pivotal is where you sit. Request seating at their food bar near the open kitchen to watch chef Scott Snodgrass create his scrumptious dishes. For all you guys out there trying to impress a lady, show off by ordering her a glass of wine from their superb selection. Make reservations and bring the plastic. Prices aren’t exactly like a 2 for 1 at Tuck’s.
Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone214 Royal St.523-3341
When you don’t feel like having drinks at an ordinary bar, take your date for a spin around the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone. Converted from of an old carousel, patrons encircle the bartenders who serve up drinks galore. Take a second to focus on the intricately-detailed bar and you’ll soon realize that it is by no means ordinary. It’s moving. The bar slowly rotates in a complete circle every 18 minutes. Don’t have too many cocktails because it could result in you falling off the bar stool. By the time you get back up, your date might be on the other side of the room.
Jackson1910 Magazine St.529-9599www.jacksonnola.com
The official cocktail of this year’s Tales of the Cocktail was the rum Baja martini. It hailed from the relatively new restaurant Jackson, housed in Sugar Magnolia’s former location right where Magazine Street splits. Their cuisine can best be described as classic New Orleans cuisine meets contemporary New Orleans cuisine with a fusion of local flavors and ingredients. Their Creole Cajun filet mignon with crawfish etoufee might be $28, but it’s worth your boyfriend’s money, ladies. And don’t forget to try that rum Baja martini.
ALTERNATIVE
Drag Bingo at OzOz800 Bourbon St.593-9491www.ozneworleans.com
Why not win cash while having a great time drinking and dancing? Every Friday and Sunday night, Oz’s finest drag queens call bingo numbers while toasty patrons cross their fingers in hopes of winning the grand cash prize. After bingo, stay for a night of dancing at the hottest dance club in New Orleans. For a little extra fun, know your drag name before you walk in the door. For your first name take the name of your first pet. And for your last name use the name of the first street you lived on. For example, a certain Maroon editor in chief’s drag name is Annie Perlita.
CHILL OUT
Dos Jefes5535 Tchoupitoulas St.891-8500www.dosjefes.com
This relaxed Uptown cigar bar is a great spot to round out a night of dancing or clubbing. On the weekends it’s a great place to sit, smoke a cigar and listen to the live music. Choose from their vast selection of cigars, including flavored cigars such as vanilla or cinnamon for the brave. The pool table in the back surrounded by couches is the perfect spot to unwind. Try the outdoor patio adorned with twinkle lights and plastic furniture. For the cigar snob, the cigar curious or the eager beer drinker, Dos Jefes is an ideal spot.
Shiloh4529 Tchoupitoulas St.895-1456
If you’re going more than 30 miles per hour down Tchoupitoulas, you might miss this hot spot. Classified as a hip-hop club, this hole-in-the-wall club offers a mix of hip-hop, reggae and rap music sure to satisfy any dancer’s craving. It’s the perfect place to either dance or hang on the comfy couches in the back underneath weird neon waterfall art. The DJs are always playing a mix of older and newer music, never missing a beat with the smaller crowd of regulars. No real drink specials … but the beer is cheap, and who can pass that up?
Le Bon Temps 4801 Magazine St.895-8117
“Let the good times roll,” is the name and the feeling of this Uptown hot spot. The good times are rolling from the second you step in the door until the wee hours of the morning. You can catch one of New Orleans’ greatest brass bands, Soul Rebels, every Thursday night around 10 p.m. They definitely put on a show you don’t want to miss. You can dance to the band in the back or sit, smoke cigars and drink in the front bar. But there is a bar in the back if you get thirsty listening to the band. Thursdays can be depressing because it’s not quite yet Friday, but at Le Bon Temps you’ll feel like it’s the weekend already.
Whiskey Blue 333 Poydras St.207-5016
This ultra-chic Los Angeles-style bar and lounge inside the W Hotel is a great place to see the crème de la crème of New Orleans fashionistas and socialites. Yes, New Orleans does have socialites. Put on your best heels or, for the guys, your best blazer and be ready to pick up a tab of only one drink because just one will cost you a pretty penny. The Cosmopolitans are the best in the city, and the alcohol content is enough to knock you on your feet, but that’s the price you pay to be fabulous. Relax on one of the chaise lounges or couches and watch the beautiful people walk by. Then go to the bathroom because then you’ll be the beautiful people walking by.
Nicole Wroten can be reached at [email protected].
The band Jealous Monk performs at Shiloh where live bands perform every weekend and where reggae night is held every Thursday.
