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    May Baily's Place

    4.2 (66 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Open 3:30 am - 11:00 pm

    May Baily's Place Photos

    MAY BAILY'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Jennie C.

    Always my go to when in NOLA. Seems to be the same staff. Drinks are great, ambiance is where it is at. I love this place so much. Frequently featured in ghost tours as being the first original brothel. Never seen the spirits sadly but hopeful!!

    Nice relaxed atmosphere.
    Richard E.

    The drinks were top notch and the relaxed and classy interior was a great atmosphere. They had live music the night we were there and that was great also.

    Hurricane
    Annie D.

    This was the bar connected to my hotel and I knew about its history so I wanted to visit. It was a really cute place and nicely decorated. It was also bigger than I thought it would be and has a piano for live music. I just got one drink and it was big and strong. I sat at the bar and sipped my drink. The bartender was fine. There was a couple in the bar that asked about the history of the place and even though the bartender had been there for a long time, she didn't really share much which was kind of disappointing.

    Hunter S.

    Just underwent a large renovation. Tasteful, attractive inside. Nice, cordial bartenders. Very small cocktail list, maybe five or so drinks? With some wine and beer as well. I tried a couple of the light liquor drinks based in gin and vodka. Both light and easy to drink. Small, low lights, not crowded, intimate. Very easy access if you're staying in the hotel. Main reason I didn't rate higher is secondary to the very small drink list, which hasn't changed, best I can tell, since last year when we were here.

    Jen W.

    Went here a few years ago and revisited tonight on a haunted history tour. I remembered it being Smokey and grungy. Tonight it was clean and you could see everything clearly. Might be because I was sober so you may want to have a couple drinks and show up later for the darker vibe. We sat outside in the courtyard smoking area and ended up having a really great time chatting about nostalgia like cassettes and pagers. The crowd matters. Still, a great bar to feel like a night crawler.

    Gift champagne from Jennifer!
    Barrie C.

    I just want to say WOW. I LOVE this place. Jennifer was our bartender both nights we were in and not only was she super knowledgeable with the drinks- she talked about the bar and was just so very sweet. She let us stay after close while she cleaned up (We are staying at the Dauphine next door) and was so accommodating. She even gave us a bottle of champagne to enjoy at midnight because it is our anniversary. I have never had such a wonderful experience at a bar. I will always make time for this place when I am in town. Thank you!!!!

    The Original License
    E F.

    So the license actually hangs on the wall from 1857 when May Baily had a license essentially to have a Brothel as a business!! You would never know the place is there if you are not a local or staying nearby. It is like a step back in time and part of the attraction is the history. It remains in the same structure but has a blend of some of the history with some very modern furnishings... very eclectic! The bar is lovely and the bartender very friendly and the drinks we had were made to perfection. It was late night and not terribly busy we stopped in with friends and it is indeed a lovely way to wind down an evening... I could also see starting an evening here or just stopping in for drinks anytime really. There was no live music etc and I don't know if they even do that or have the need?? It could become a favorite - my list does grow - but it is New Orleans!!!

    Snazzy art work

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    2 years ago

    Drinks are great. Very busy when we went. Service was good. Clean. Nice vibe to it.

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    3 years ago

    craft cocktails here are delicious! really sweet bartender! also fun for anyone who loves haunted historical stories!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - May Baily's Place

    Review Highlights - May Baily's Place

    We're staying at the Dauphine and we love this hotel and the free drinks they give us when we stay here.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    The Carousel Bar & Lounge

    The Carousel Bar & Lounge

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    What's more fun that getting your drunk on while taking a leisurely spin around a well-appointed…read moreand historic bar? We got lucky. Walking in at 1:30 on a beautifully sunny Wed, we fully expected a wait. Instead, our two empty seats beckoned to us like a pretty girl winking at us across a bar in college. Marvin has been promoted to Beverage Manager. He left his bar in very good hands. The two young dudes carrying his torch were great. Very friendly and well aware each time we finished our drink and needed a reload. They're well-trained in the art of concocting the Sazerac we love. Sitting for 2 hours watching the regular turnover of the precious seats at the Carousel is still big fun. And having a friendly chat with the constant turnover of strangers sitting next to us is part of the unique charm of the Carousel Bar. As we were leaving Corey the bartender let us know management is shutting down next month for a few weeks for much needed repairs & renovations so the Carousel can add another 50-60 years to its legacy.

    This is a fun spot, if you can grab a spot by the bar. It is first come, first served, so just grab…read morethe seats by the lounge and move to the bar when spots open up. It rotates slowly, so you won't get dizzy... The cocktail list looked interesting, but the two we had tasted pretty standard, inline with what you'd expect from a hotel bar (it is inside Hotel Monteleone). There is a small bar bites menu - the Cubano was tasty but a bit overpriced at $18. The service was okay. We ended up getting water from our server that brought us food as the bartenders were too busy making cocktails. There was a jazz band playing on Thursday night when we visited.

    Photos
    The Sazarac
    The Sazarac
    Lemon drop martini and old fashioned
    Lemon drop martini and old fashioned
    Second bar

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    Second bar
    The Spotted Cat Music Club

    The Spotted Cat Music Club

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    We were hesitant because there were only a few people sitting at the bar when we walked in. It…read moreturned out that was the band, which meant it was just the two of us girls, so we decided we'd just have a drink and see what happens. It was 2 p.m. afterall, so not a lot of people were out in general. Turns out the band was great! Then people started trickling in and there was a good crowd enjoying the music with us. We had a great time, chatted with other patrons and a few of the band members. Good drinks, prices are on the higher end at ~$15, but still affordable. I had a Pimm's cup which was refreshing, they are served in souvenir to go cups that are really cute. Glad we decided to stay! A great time was had.

    Before I start, this is my review based on my experience. I've noticed some people complain about…read morethe music, paying the cover charge, seating or the size of the venue. I'm not here to argue any of those points. I will say this: expecting live musicians to perform for free until you decide whether they're worth paying is ridiculous. The cover is usually only $5...$10 max. If that's a dealbreaker, this probably isn't your place. Stay home and stream Spotify. Now... I have some friends in town, and whenever that happens, a Monday night trip to the Spotted Cat is basically mandatory. I've been coming here for years and years. Yes, it's super touristy now, but it still gives me the warm fuzzies every time I walk through those doors. So I'm presenting the "compliment sandwich" review. Never heard of it? You start with a compliment, slip in some constructive-ish criticism, then end with another compliment. Supposedly people receive feedback better that way. Let's see. First, the music. Outstanding. Chris Christy wasn't what I thought I wanted to hear until I actually heard him. I felt completely transported. Man, can that guy play the guitar. It felt kinda like gypsy music. Then came the Frenchmen Street Allstars. The last time I saw them, they had a different lead singer and, honestly, they kind of felt like a completely different band, aside from the phenomenal drummer. This version did not disappoint. It was a great mix of jazz and New Orleans standards. Both bands were great! **Now a note to management.** Great music isn't enough. The bar should be every bit as memorable as the stage. Forgive me, I didn't get the bartenders' names, so I have to describe them by physical traits. The first bartender, the guy with the mountain of curly hair, was friendly enough and made decent drinks. Later, another bartender with a short haircut took over and made the best drinks of the night. Then there was the bartender with the black and hot pink hair. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. She rarely smiled, her demeanor felt unwelcoming, and it almost came across as hostile. On top of that, the drinks she made were so weak I genuinely wondered if there was any alcohol in them. Seriously. They were that bad. Here's my philosophy: if you're going to be grumpy, aloof, or have some other off-putting trait, you'd better make a mean drink. Years and years ago there was a bartender named Curtis who wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows, but that man could make a cocktail. I didn't need him to smile because the drink did all the talking. If the drink is mostly soda, though, friendliness becomes a lot more important. Unfriendly and bad bartending is a double whammy. She must be somebody's child or partner because I can't think of any other reason to employ a bad bartender. I hate to belabor the point, but the drinks aren't cheap. Cheap and bad I can take. For another comparison, there's another bartender there, I'm pretty sure her name is Chris. She's been there for years. She's all business. Maybe a little surly. Who am I kidding? A lot surly. But she's a character. More importantly, she makes a great drink. That's the kind of personality that somehow fits the Spotted Cat perfectly. Now let me end with the final piece of "bread" on my compliment sandwich. The doorman deserves his own review. That gravelly-voiced "Welcome to the Spotted Cat!" is part of the experience. Then he absolutely hammers that stamp onto your wrist. Somehow you don't even mind because you know what's waiting on the other side: incredible music, a fun room, and one of the best nights you can have on Frenchmen Street. Just don't let the bartender with the pink and black hair make your drink.

    Photos
    High seats by the door
    High seats by the door
    Spotted Cat
    Spotted Cat
    The Spotted Cat Music Club

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    Mahogany Jazz Hall

    Mahogany Jazz Hall

    4.6
    (280 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    THIS IS A MUST SEE/DO THING IN NEW ORLEANS!! We were recommended to go here from some friends. It…read morewas our favorite thing we did in Nee Orleans. It feels like culture. The music is fantastic! There's a vibe to the musicians where they feel that they all know one another. We saw two different groups perform. The cocktails were delicious and craft! Really really loved! Wish we could come here every weekend! For others trying to understand how it all works, you don't have to purchase tickets to go. You can't make reservations. You just show up and grab a seat. It's a tiny little space but truly amazing. GO!

    We were looking for a place to grab a cocktail before out dinner reservation elsewhere and we…read morestopped in here. Getting here right after they opened for the evening, before the live jazz started, we were able to chat with the staff (which we love to do) and they were very engaging and chatty. I also noticed they do a proper absinth service here and they offered one of the largest Absinth menus I've ever seen, so I had to try something interesting and different and went with the Texas made Opal Absinthe. Before selecting it, I asked the young lady who was handling the bar and she gave me her description, which I have to say was spot-on to what I ended up drinking. Another drink we got was great as well, and made with fresh juices. The vibe and venue is great here... I love jazz and I would love to return sometime to listen to the live jazz while enjoying their amazing adult beverages!

    Photos
    Local band
    Local band
    Mahogany Hall Swingers featuring Roderick Paulin
    Mahogany Hall Swingers featuring Roderick Paulin
    Framed artwork in ladies bathroom

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    Framed artwork in ladies bathroom

    May Baily's Place - bars - Updated August 2026

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