New Orleans Nightlife

New Orleans has a nightlife that is as diverse as it is abundant. It draws people from around the world, in some measure because the bars and clubs are permitted to remain open 24 hours and it is one of the few places in the USA where you can consume alcohol on the street provided it is in a plastic container.

The French Quarter (known locally as ‘The Quarter’) is the main hub, with Bourbon Street at its centre. Bourbon is a brash, neon-lit street full of bars, restaurants and (towards the west side) strip clubs. The locals are more likely to go to neighbourhood bars on Decatur Street.

Jazz is generally considered to be a New Orleans' creation and the city is constantly buzzing with music. There are dozens of live venues, as well as numerous jazz trumpeters and other buskers on the streets. Those in the know head to Frenchman Street, where some of the city’s best musicians play informal bars and clubs, often for a small cover.

Listings are available from the daily newspaper Times-Picayune (www.nola.com/entertainment), the free monthly publication OffBeat (www.offbeat.com), as well as from free weekly Gambit and the monthly New Orleans Magazine (www.neworleansmagazine.com). Gambit's affiliated online outfit (www.bestofneworleans.com) also posts weekly cultural events and performances. In preparation for your trip, listen to the live stream of WWOZ (www.wwoz.org) to get to know the local music scene.

Tickets are available from the venues or from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), which levies a surcharge per ticket.