As college students, we all–for the most part–have at least one thing in common: we like to go out. Once in a blue moon (or every weekend), we close our computers and textbooks, and switch them out for ‘going out tops’ and shiny black boots.

Being a Loyola student puts us in a special category. We’re in New Orleans, the city that stays up all night and sleeps until 11 a.m. at the earliest–where Uptown has evolved into our own little college town, where globs of Tulane frat brothers travel in herds everywhere, donning their signature polo shirts & khaki shorts. Here, the bars and venues are nothing short of endless. There’s one on almost every corner. 

So, you and your friends find yourselves in your freshman suite in Buddig Hall, pondering over your destination for the night. The Boot? Bruno’s? Where to go? What to do? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a compiled list of three do’s and three dont’s–places you’ll want to check out, as well as places you’d be better off avoiding: 

#6: TJ Quill’s 

Dearest apologies to devout TJ’s fans, but TJ Quill’s Bar over on Maple Street unfortunately takes last place for a few reasons. For one, it is of extremely popular opinion that TJ’s is consistently low in terms of attendance. It’s simply not a huge favorite, hence why it is ranked at the bottom. Other than that, relevant Google reviews suggest an unfriendly vibe coming from the staff. Critics dislike recently inflated drink prices and added service fees. On top of that, here’s a personal anecdote: throughout my college career so far, no one has ever seriously asked me, “Do you want to go to TJ’s?”

#5: The Palms 

Loyola students like the Palms for its ambient neon lighting, decent music, spacious atmosphere, and outside patio seating. Besides those positives, it’s also one corner away from the Boot Bar & Grill, another popular spot, which makes it easily accessible if you’re coming over from the main campus. The primary reason why the Palms is ranked so low is due to the fact that it only opens two days a week, Thursdays & Saturdays, whereas the other candidates keep their doors open daily. Aside from that, multiple people have complained about their lack of consistent deals/high prices. Lastly, when they are open, it tends to lean towards either one extreme or the other: completely dead or utterly overcrowded, and you never know which way the pendulum will swing. 

#4: The Boot 

The Boot, deemed “the #1 college bar in America” by US Weekly, has evolved into Uptown’s own cultural landmark. New Orleans tourists travel far and wide just to see what all the hype is about, and Tulane and Loyola students are there almost every night. Some positives of the Boot: they tend to have huge events. For instance, last year’s Super Bowl LIX watch party and this year’s Love Island USA Reunion one–they have daily deals, Broadway Pizza is next door with pretty decent appetizers, staff are efficient when it comes to long lines, it’s 18+, and it takes about five minutes to walk over from Loyola’s main campus. The reason why it’s ranked in the bottom three is due to repetitive music, the heat caused by overcrowding (as well as a lack of cellular service), and just because Loyola students tend to prioritize the other places on this list. With that being said, the Boot holds a special place in many students’ hearts, as well as mine. I think it’s at its best when not many people are there, only because it serves as a great spot to talk/chill with friends closer to campus. 

#3: Gasa Gasa 

 Gasa Gasa, the esteemed venue on Freret Street right next to Domino’s Pizza is an amazing place to catch live music with your friends. Not only do they have a nice outdoor patio with a bar and a DJ (as well as quite good food, like plantains and tofu skewers–shout out to my vegans!), but it’s also an entirely different world on the inside too. For one, it’s mainly Loyola-centric, as our music college actually invests in Gasa. Think cool people, cool outfits, cool music. There are dark chandeliers all over the ceiling cascading purple lights along the walls, synchronized perfectly with the vibrating bass line of your favorite Loyola band. Tickets are typically $10 and for  a good cause, helping  artists grow! In preparation for this piece, I wanted to do Gasa justice, so I asked someone who could help me do just that for help. Here’s what Violet Johnson, a sophomore Music Industries major, had to say about Gasa: “It’s such a great space for artists to showcase their talents, make industry connections, and build friendships within our community. I really think Gasa is going to be the spot.” 

With that said, I wholeheartedly agree. I think Gasa could evolve into a hallmark spot for Loyola students of all majors if we show up and give it a little love. 

#2 F&M Patio Bar

Coming in at the second best spot to go out is none other than F&M Patio Bar on Tchoupitoulas Street. A favorite with upperclassmen, the concept of “Fumps Friday” has turned into a weekly holiday as the popular consensus is that Fridays are the best time to go. There’s generally a mix of Tulane and Loyola patrons alike, and the vibe isn’t as chaotic as some of the other bars on this list. People have decorum and conduct themselves appropriately while simultaneously enjoying themselves–they practice etiquette. F&M’s is also extremely versatile: there’s an upstairs as well as a spacious downstairs, a photobooth, a large patio with abundant outdoor seating, they play good music, you can grab a bite to eat, and the ambiance is just right. Adorned with the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights, it isn’t too bright or too dark either. The only major qualm with F&M’s is that it requires transportation via Uber because it’s so far away–like, even if you were to take the streetcar, you’d still have to walk a mile. Other smaller qualms provided to me by lovely anonymous primary sources: sometimes they have a cover (typically during Mardi Gras), and they can allegedly be picky with who they let in, but I don’t blame them. I respect the hustle. 

#1 Bruno’s Tavern 

Yes, Bruno’s Tavern on Maple Street is number one. You can agree to disagree, but hear me out first: Bruno’s is the best because of its versatility. Not only is it 19 and up–more collegiate  friendly–but they have deals every single day. For instance, on Thursdays you can play pool for free and on Tuesdays you can get wings for 50¢ a piece, and you simply cannot forget about Wine Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, Loyola students walk over to get full bottles of wine for only $5, where we sit and talk with our friends in booths until everyone else shows up. Bruno’s, in my opinion, is the perfect third space & thus is inherently democratic. They have something for everyone–whether you want to sit and hang around, get up and dance in an extremely crowded area chalk full of our student body, or pretend to not know how to play pool so your campus crush can show you–they have it all. It’s close to campus, free to get in, the mac and cheese bites are superior to the ones at Broadway Pizza, and you’ll probably have a night to remember.