Working our way through Eater's NOLA dive bar list. Here we are at the Mayfair. It's Thursday 9.30pm, quiet, just 8 other patrons. Buzzed in and served two $5.00 vodka soda cocktails. Nothing to complain about here. Genial bartender and friendly customers. Dark and dingey and not loud. Couple of seats outside for the smokers. A few blocks from St Charles if coming by streetcar. read more

On the dive bar tour, this is one place you might list as best experienced under the influence. Cheap booze, lots to look at, the ceiling in particular is a work of art (in progress) and a easy to get along with crowd. Don't be put off by having to be buzzed in, but I'd still park near the front door. As NOLA neighborhood dive bars goes, this is right in there and on my regular places to visit when in town. Cash is king here, no CC's accepted. read more

Mayfair Lounge - a woman sitting at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Definitely one of my favorites in the neighborhood, Lydia and Denise always make me feel like I'm at home. Everyone here just seems to want to have fun and throw back a few drinks after work. Cash only doesn't bother me but some people prefer cards and they have an ATM inside so you don't have to go anywhere if you forgot your bills at home. The ceiling has some pretty cool decorations too! I swear I see something new everytime I go read more

One of the great dives of New Orleans. This place has all the old school vibe you want in a New Orleans neighborhood dive bar. The bar itself is so old who knows how old. The beer is cheap and cold. Great late night last stop if you live uptown. read more

This is one of my secret (not-so-secret, anymore) spots for Mardi Gras as well as a great neighborhood bar to shoot pool with friends. You have to get buzzed in, so there is an element of safety that I enjoy. I used to live near here, so I'd walk over to play pool on occasion. There was a very sweet bar maiden here that wore a scarf around her neck. I can't remember her name but she was always very delightful. It's cash only, but they have an ATM that I think has a $3.00 service charge on it. There is also a real live telephone ON THE WALL that you can use if your cell is dead and you've been abandoned. How many bars still have communal telephones?! Props, Mayfair. They also have a few poker machines and a brand new fancy jukebox that you can load up with your favorites while playing pool. They have two tables and a handful of decent sticks, and enough room that you don't feel like you're asking someone to move every time you take a shot, but you're also not totally cut off from the rest of the bar. Mayfair is clutch during Mardi Gras. They move out the pool table in the main area, and it becomes an excellent dance floor to make slo-mo videos that rival Vidal Sassoon commercials. Just sayin'. There is also a bathroom for girls, and one for boys, and I've never had a difficult problem getting a drink or using the restroom during Carnival. Pro-tip (that I actually stole from a friend): They have a hell of a lot of stuff hanging from the ceiling, great for a rousing game of drunken iSpy! This is a great place to take a casual date if they're okay with a little smoke, a competitive game of pool, decent drinks, and, well, iSpy. ;) read more

Mayfair is right down the street from Superior Grill, but I had never heard of it before. This is very surprising since I fashion myself a dive bar aficionado. Most of the time I have visited a bar that requires you be buzzed in, I am in fear of being murdered. They are normally quite shady and have buzzers to prevent nefarious characters from entering. Apparently I met their standards since as soon as I buzzed, I was let inside. Inside Mayfair is definitely a dive. There were pool tables in the front and a nice bar towards the side. The highlight of my visit was the fact that you could order a full, or half pitcher of beer. I had never heard of a half pitcher, but the bartender made sure I knew it could save money. Like he others have said, Mayfair is cash only. If you're in the area and want a true dive, hit the buzzer and get a half pitcher. read more

This is my kind of bar. To me, its exactly what a bar should be. A small cozy dimly lit atmosphere with eclectic decor off the beaten path. Stiff cheap drinks served by bartenders that dont have a hardened past- just average people making a buck serving their regulars. Theres a couple pool tables, tv's, juke box and the right amount of bar stools. Its cash only but theres an atm inside. I dont want to go on too much bc I dont want to ruin its off the radar charm. I even hesitated writing the review but the good yelper inside me had to share. read more

New Orleans, Louisiana --- "The Mayfair Lounge" is a "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite "must-be 21 buzzer-in" dive bar ... The atmosphere is comfortable with decades of assorted bar flair covering the ceiling, with much of it attached to 2 old-time metal bed springs ... a mysterious bar gutter and drain runs along the base of the bar, used for cleaning snd/or one can only imagine ... the age of the bar was not known by the bartender Kayla, but much older than the 37 years current owner has owned it ... day 041 "DUSA 2017" (Discover USA) day 194 "666 Bars of 2017" / bar 190 "Run-A-Way Bill" was here! #RunAwayBill #DUSA2017 #666BarsUSA 04.04.17 read more

See all

THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL! To begin this epic encounter, I need to expedite the story voyage process with, I was 11 White Claws in...Black Cherry of course! I stumbled into the ringer as if it was made for my finger to find my long awaited mermaid Ariel princess alone at the bar. I knew this was the perfect time to use my best one-liner... after a few pretend waves to locals and back stretches I proceed for execution. I ask ma'am is your last name cigarette....? cause i wanna get you lit and put your butt in my mouth! It work flawlessly.... within twenty minutes she was rubbing my erection under the bar. It was lent and i promised hayzeus christo i wouldn't masturbate until the easter bunny came too! Nonetheless, I couldn't withstand Ariel's salty mermaid stroke and ejaculated in my pants at the bar. I ordered two jelly shots and never saw the seawhore again! BEST NIGHT EVER! read more

This is my favorite bar in New Orleans!! I consider this place a mixture between the tv show Cheers and the restaurant Olive Garden because when you're here, you're family and everyone knows your name. They are a cash only bar with an ATM, pool tables, and video poker machines. They also sell some snacks for when ya get hungry. They have cheese crackers, SLIM JIMS (my favorite) chips and more. The bar tenders are very friendly and easy to get along with. On Wednesday night they have pool night. The regulars come out,bullshit, and have fun. It's a great time. It's a great place to start your night, end your night, or just stay there the whole time. Whatever floats your boat. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

First off, the Mayfair is not a tourist bar and that is definitely to its credit. Example: you have to ring the bell to get in. No credit cards, one beer on tap (the king of them, natch), dirt cheap pitchers and an eclectic crowd. As in: I was asked by a (motor)biker about my mountain bike outside, a gallery owner from magazine st hawked me her wares and promised free wine for everyone who came in on fridays and I got waxed on the pool table by some seriously hard-looking 20 somethings. A great place to get away from the camera-carriers and Tulane jetset. Also offers free food on college and nfl gamedays and the vast majority of lighting from christmas and black lights hung from the bedsprings above the bar. This place deserves a trip, if only for a pitcher of bud and a lung full of marlboro from the ladies posting up on the video poker machines. read more

I have been here once and I will probably never be back. The place isn't bad and the staff is super nice, but I HATE bars where I have to get buzzed in. I know it's supposed to make me feel safe, but the buzzer has the opposite effect on me. I get buzzed in and then the questions start popping into my head. "Why do they need a buzzer?" "What happened that the manager finally said 'We need to start buzzing people in'"? "What is the criteria for NOT buzzing someone in?" "THAT dude looks a little suspicious. How did HE get in?" It's just a whole lot in my head when I am trying to just relax with friends. No thanks. There are too many nice bars in the city. Ok, now I'm sounding like a snob. In conclusion, good place that would be better if I wasn't worried about the buzzer. read more

We drove past and I saw the sign...never heard of the bar, since I'm never up that way, but with that old sign and the classic sounding name, it seemed good to me. Every city has an old man's bar called the Mayfair, they are usually good places to drink...just one of those things. Walked in, varied crowd; ages and dress, mainly older than 30...out of fashion ties, classic New Orleans....I liked the look immediately The day bartender sneered at me as soon as we walked in "We don't take credit cards" Kinda mean. I don't resemble the little rich cartoon character from Monopoly, so I was a bit taken aback. I don't even carry id or a wallet, so that's not the kind of sneer I usually face at a new bar. Lucky for me, I love all bartenders, grumbly or not...so we stuck around. For 5 or so hours. Great decor, second bartender was super nice, bottles of beer not as cheap as my usual dives (2.75 a bottle and my shot of Jameson seemed really pricey) but its a regular bar that gave off a pissy and pleasant vibe at different times. Good enough for me, my recommendation is how I feel...I'd go back if I was nearby...but am hardly driving across town to return. So if you see it, stop and drink. All local New Orleans bars have their own character and in the end, they are all alright.. read more

This is a pretty solid dive bar that is cash only. This is a bar that you have to ring a bell and get buzzed in to enter. I've seen some crazy things in here during Carnival time and had some very good times here. They usually have pool tables but they often take them out during Mardi Gras time to make room for all the crazy people that take over. During the rest of the year this is always a decent bar to go to and hang out at for interesting conversations and the bartenders usually have some interesting things to say. It gets way too smokey in here for my taste and the lack of accepting credit cards discourages my more frequent appearance in this venue but it is always worthy of a visit. read more

Just your good ol' neighborhood dive bar! You actually have to buzz in to get inside, but once you're in, you'll find plenty of interesting conversation, cheap drinks, and a fun game of pool. I don't know why I don't come here more often because I like coming here (I have a thing for dive bars). It was my go-to bar during Mardi Gras (short bathroom lines and drink lines). Just make sure you bring cash! Only negative for me: too smoky. read more

Mayfair Lounge - Bathroom Art - Dive Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Great locals dive. If you're lucky Ms Gertie will sit on your lap guys! Nothing compares to the high tech mood lighting of The Mayfair! Always interesting conversations to be had with the other regulars . read more

Mayfair Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Fun dive bar. Pretty small so it was packed on a Weds night with college/grad school aged ppl. Don't expect fancy mixed drinks here and they only accept cash. Ambience is fun with christmas lights, dark lighting, and upbeat music. read more

Whether its Denise, Uriah or Jack: you will have fun and get great drinks at a great price. Meet new people and see old friends. Great mega jukebox, pool tables, good seated bar and a Ton of fun. Plus they have a stock pile of booze and fun characters!! Come stop by. May even see me and my crew. Cheers!!! read more

Mayfair Lounge - Mixing drinks during Mardi Gras!! - Dive Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Hey there Mayfair Lounge didn't see you standing there in some obscure corner near Touro all alone with your buzzer door. These are one of those great finds that I am happy to still have in my NOLA life. She may not be the prettiest bar, she may not be the classiest bar, she may not have Kokomo on the jukebox (don't ask), but I'm kind of digging your style Mayfair. This is one of those great dive bars that you feel comfortable in once you get past that buzzer. I would like to preface that I was here on a Sunday afternoon, not a Saturday night, so I have no idea what their typical crowd is like. They have a small bar, two pool tables, and a jukebox. That's pretty much it. Fancy cocktails? Nope. 10 beers on tap? Nuh-uh. Solid bottle beer selection, dark smoky comfortable environment? Yep. At least they have Africa on the jukebox. read more

Ah, the Mayfair. One of the definite go-tos when visiting the area. Unpretentious dive bar with friendly staff and a Cheers-like atmosphere. A lot of regulars, so everyone knows your name after showing up a few times. You can't be bored here either: there are 2 pool tables for some friendly, competitive games; a few gambling machines; One of those new-fangled jukeboxes loaded with awesome tunes; a TV usually on some sports channel; and plenty of people willing to chat you up. Staff here are all amazing, genuine people. I like what Kris A. said "Stiff, cheap drinks served by bartenders that don't have a hardened past - just average people making a buck serving their regulars". That sums it up perfectly! But I could be a little biased, some of them are my friends ;) Yes, you have to get buzzed into this establishment. Not sure why this bothers some people, but I have never felt unsafe here. And YES, bring ya dollah dollah bills, cuz this place is CASH only! ATM inside. read more

i love this bar. crowd is all different ages and types, there are pool tables and drinks are dirt cheap (and cash only). It's a great place to just chill out and feels special because of the bell you have to ring to get in. overall, i'll be back for more. :D read more

Mayfair Lounge is a solid neighborhood dive bar. Although I live nearby, it's not my bar of choice usually (Hello Kingpin!) but the other night I really fancied a Chinese (August Moon) so headed in here for a quick drink while I waited for my food. It's only my second or third time here with the last time being a random night during Mardi Gras and largely, it was a pretty similar experience. On both occasions, I felt like I walked into a private party that I wasn't invited to. This time, food and cake were set up on a table, music was pretty loud and the crowd was super drunk for 8.30pm...drunk enough for one reveler to say to another; "I know we don't know each other but X loves the f**k out of you so that's enough for me". Definitely the funniest thing I heard while I was there. Maybe it was that kind of night, or maybe it's just that kind of bar, I'm not sure. In terms of drinks, there's America on draft (so obviously make sure you avoid that) or a fridge full of bottles, lots of good local, domestic and import. My Belgian beer...from Colorado was $3.50-ish. CASH ONLY. Overall, staff are nice, there's a decent range of beers, people watching is good and there's a ton of things hanging from the ceiling that are worth checking out. read more

random spot that i sought out after leaving Pascal's Manale. Crazy beads and lights hanging everywhere, small space, but very smoky. Got a drink to go here, but noticed that they had a list of pumpkin drinks, not expected at a divey spot. Probably a fun spot for a few drinks overall. read more

A great little oasis as far as smoky dive bars go and hey you're in NOLA so live it up. Strong cocktails and witty bar maidens (Jill). We stayed at the Hampton Inn located just around the corner so it was an excellent place to kick off our night! read more

Weird little dive bar. Cash only. Must ring the doorbell to get in. Only a couple of beers on tap. Video poker machines. But a fun place to hang out after a night of out. read more

I cannot believe the service we just received in this establishment. We came in, bought 6 beers, and started to play a game of pool. A few minutes later, the bartender came and aggressively accused us of smoking weed on the bathroom. Trust me, we would have fessed up if it was one of us. It wasn't. We tried to explain this but she insisted that it wasn't "one of her friends" who was already there. Again, it wasn't us. Anyway, we continued to play pool, then bought two songs on the juke box. As our first song started to come on, we all got visibly excited... and then they cut the song off. So, apparently when you pay money for a song, the bartender who mistakenly assumed that you smoked weed in the restroom can decide to turn your song off. In other news, as we were leaving it looked like the bartender and her friends ("who didn't smoke weed in the bathroom") were playing dice on the bar. We had been super excited to go to this bar but will now never return. Bummer. read more

In light of my trip to New Orleans this year and last year, I wanted to rate this place. Friends of mine that call NOLA their home, bring me here every time I visit. It just has this cool vibe that lets people relax and converse. Drinks are reasonably priced to cheap, perfect! Perfect place to just chill, play pool, and drink read more

I am a bartender . I was completely sober when I went to this bar . I took a shot and it went down funny and threw up . I WAS MORTIFIED AND COMPLETELY EMBARRASSED. I gave the bartender 20 dollars and apologized and asked her to give me tools to clean my own mess because it was not her responsibility to clean it in my eyes . She responded by cursing at me and telling me to get out . I took the 20 out of her hands and cursed her out . SHE IS A FUCKING BITCH ! I was so nice about it ? I was clearly MORTIFIED. She can go to hell read more

I had a few too many cocktails here and in the morning I realized I had neither my keys nor my favorite hat! Distraught I returned to the Mayfair thinking the worst. But awesomely they had found both items and tucked them away in their lost and found. And they were super nice and didn't give me any grief. A great bar!!! read more

Awesome owner, Miss Gertie, awesome regulars, Captain Scott, fantastic bartenders if your nice...one cuts the "perfect piece of cake" :), wishing like all hell we could be there...every time we've been in N.O. visit every night. Love the people, love the bar....great place to make friends..... Love you all! Pam & Fred read more

always my go to. homey, nice, tugboat pilots and harlots, students and lawyers genuine and genuinely loved. read more

I was recently in the Mayfair as well and a person walked in the bar asked for a shot and got sick everywhere the bartender was more than nice to this person and asked if they were ok the response was you are a B***h don't call me out and make me embarrassed. I asked the said person to watch what you say to a women. The response was I'm a bartender I know the service. No one has the right to bully someone. The person in question was asked to leave many times and was more than insulting to the bartender and people around him. Up to the point I offered to step in and work the situation out on a different level. Once again the bartender was more than fair. The person should be happy the bartender is a kind person. Mayfair is a great place locals have been coming for years along with tourists who hear about a amazing bar where you can have the best time and dive into New Orleans. One thing you can't do is go puke on a bar and tell the ever so sweet bartender to go f herself and clean it up and not expect a local to stand up to you and then you run like a scared child. Very sad. I hope everyone takes this to heart and responds to negative reviews they witness. read more