I have always loved this authentic Bywater dive bar. Beers are so cheap and the music cover is…read morearound $20. Don't want to pay, or prefer less noise? Then get your drink and hang out on the front porch, the acoustics are great and you can hear the music perfectly. The bands are often local, some of whom have found success outside NOLA but still come back to their local audiences. Don't forget the free rice and beans served around midnight. The local crowds are enthusiastic, you feel like you are at a local house party.

Vaughan's is one of the coolest dive bars in the US. It's a ramshackle, cash-only pit that looks…read morelike it escapes condemnation through black magic. It's incredibly cheap (import bottles at happy hour were $4, and cocktails looked dangerously large and strong) and popular among the locals who avoid the French Quarter and its tourist-centric economy. I was there on a Thursday for a local jazz band, and it was...packed full of people having a great time for a free (!) band playing hours of insanely energetic and technically proficient tunes. This will be a destination for me if and when I'm ever back in NOLA.

Back in town, and my A/C is completely dead. So,went looking…read morefor a place that had the MLB package, so I can watch my CLE Guardians. Would like to avoid Caesar's, since the rest of the time I live in...Vegas. Yelp indicates here. Nicely cooled and darkish, like I prefer. On two consecutive days , the barkeeps accommodated my request to show the G's on a side TV.Comfortably wedged in, next to the ATM, enjoyed my games, and my drinks, and a few stories swapped with a few other patrons. Just what I needed, when I needed it! Highly recommended.

A bar with cats?! So many bars are dog bars but give me a cat bar and I'm in my happy place…read more I'm not really a dive bar kinda gal these days but J & Js is an example of why dive bars in New Orleans are the best in the world. It's approachable, as in the crowd isn't sketchy, the bartender is actually nice and while rough around the edges, you don't have to worry about glass (or a dead rat) being in your ice. Note on the dead rat: a bartender friend told me he found one once in a bar that he worked at on Bourbon. And the good stuff about a dive: cheap cheap cheap drinks. Two beers and a call vodka/soda eleven bucks? I don't jest! But the cats are what's bringing me back.

This is not your dad's Bud Rip's Old 9th Ward Bar (OK that's a mouthful) and though I saw I had…read moregiven it a generous 5 stars back in 2013, I feel it's much improved (and woman-owned, so of course it's much improved, heh!) Back then I was all about the OG dive bars of New Orleans and let's say while I'll always have a soft spot for these venerable institutions, my tastes are a little different. Like, now I rarely drink hard alcohol and I cannot fathom drinking cheap wine. So I was glad to see they have a decent rose and the inside is as charming as it ever was, but there's pretty sidewalk seating with flowers. And the drink prices are still shockingly reasonable! Love love love it.

I went there a couple of weekends ago after finishing a mentorship session with my mentees. My…read morephone died while I was there, so I couldn't access my card to pay my bill. I explained the situation to the bartender and asked if I could leave my ID and card with them while I quickly went home a few blocks away to get my charger. They agreed, so I left and came right back. When I returned, there was an older Black man in the bar who I hadn't seen before. He appeared to be homeless or struggling with substance use. Because we were both Black, staff seemed to assume we were together, which felt odd. He asked me to buy him a beer, and I agreed, just trying to be kind because I understand how difficult things can be. While I was sitting there trying to charge my phone so I could access my payment, a different bartender--a blonde woman--suddenly started yelling at me to leave, also directing the same hostility toward the man. I kept trying to explain that I just needed a few minutes to charge my phone so I could pay my tab, but she continued to berate me and told me to get out. Because of that, I wasn't able to settle my bill as I had intended. I wouldn't return to that bar again, even though it's close to my home. I'm not from here, but the experience felt deeply uncomfortable and, honestly, racially charged.

Want authentic New Orleans local bar scene with music, red beans and rice? Come here!read more

Interesting neighborhood dive bar with a tiny dance floor of gritty concrete. They have a soft…read moreswing band on Monday nights and I don't think they sell food. There was a cover charge of $5 and the doorman did check ID which was funny to me. Lots of random chairs and interesting paraphernalia decor.

I just want to acknowledge that Bar Redux serves some of the best veggie burgers in the city. The…read moreblack bean one with grilled pineapple is just *chef's kiss.* And the portobello burger is just as delightful, and feels healthy as well. They are always well dressed, never dry, and they come with a side of crispy, satisfying fries. On nights when they're out of burgers, I order the grilled veggie tacos, which are also delicious. They are a bar, yes, but they take pride in their food and it shows. I've never once gotten a bad meal there, nor a weak cocktail.

After hearing great things about this tiny bar, we popped in late night for a quick drink and a…read moreburger. From the outside, it doesn't look like much but once you enter the bar is quirky and opens up to the outside patio area. The bartenders were super friendly and greeted up right away. I'm told the owner is always around and she delivered our burgers. Overall fun spot and great burger if you're hungry after 10pm.

I had a great time at this bar. It was within walking distance of our Airbnb so we stopped in for a…read morenightcap. Ended up having two cocktails and two beers, playing shuffleboard with some strangers, talking tattoos with a patron who was obviously a regular, and then ordering a pizza to the bar. Good selection of liquors and beers on tap. The bartender was fantastic and funny and a very pretty silver fox. It was such a chill place to hang out and the drinks were well priced (and cheaper if paying with cash).

Bartenders = They remember your drink and your name. friendly and beautiful people…read more Food = sometimes but when there was we still speak of it fondly.

One of my favorite local spots/bars in the bywater!! There's always an event happening here, and…read moreyou're bound to run into atleast one person you know. There's not typically any food here but sometimes on the weekend, there will be a guy smoking meats just outside. Great smoking area outside too (enter through the doors to the left under the inside balcony) . Very cozy and very new orleans. Really cool glory hole in the women's bathroom!! Walking distance to other bars/restaurants in the area. Great addition to your bar hopping for the night.

I'm from out of town and stumbled into Saturn Bar by pure cosmic luck. This place is exactly the…read morekind of weird, wonderful, slightly unhinged energy I was hoping to find in New Orleans. The drinks are flowing, the music's great, and the vibe is just the right mix of grungy and magical. But the real star of the show? Maggie. Blonde, tatted, effortlessly cool, and somehow managing the chaos behind the bar like it's a casual Tuesday? It's giving ballerina that survived a mosh pit. While I was there, just minding my own business, I noticed someone try to dramatically wave her down. I was lowkey kinda shook. Like, sir, are you hailing a taxi? Signaling a rescue plane? Even I, as a third party observer, knew that wasn't it. She handled it calmly and with total queen energy; no drama, just a quiet reminder that Saturn runs on the unspoken rules of hospitality. Honestly, respect. Maggie is THE moment; the kind of bartender you become a regular for. The owners clearly know what they're doing as this place feels like a beautiful fever dream you want to keep coming back to. I came in for a boilermaker and left with a new favorite bar. Five stars. No notes. No waving.

The Chart Room is a must stop on every trip to New Orleans. It always draws a fun crowd, and often…read morea lot of locals, which is great. Bartenders and vibe are very cool. It was cash only forever, but last year, they started taking credit cards. There are 2 ATMs inside, if you want to pay cash but don't have it on you. Great music playing, plus a jukebox. Martini was great and iced cold - even gave me 3 olives! My husband got a hand crafted Hurricane which was one of the best we've had in New Orleans! You can also get a quick (or longer) massage next door at a good Hands!

I thought I reviewed this spot already. This is a hole in the wall neighborhood bar. Lots of locals…read morestop in here. I stop here every trip to New Orleans and before I know it my whole afternoon is gone. Very basic alcohol selection with a few craft beers. They prefer cash but they do take card now. I pay cash because we are having one more and moving on. Never happens. I think we were here 3 hours last trip. Such friendly staff and patrons. Watching football n chopping it up. We probably spent maybe $30 drinking the Saturday afternoon away, made new friends. No food here so we end up leaving when we start starving and then end up coming back for a nightcap. Don't let the hole in wall appearance fool you. Worth the stop on your next trip.

Best slap burgers in town....The best place to stop in for a tasty, quick meal. This place always…read moregives me that "home" feeling. The food is always fresh, hot and delicious. Staff is great. Stop in for a tasty burger!

Best burger and fries in NOLA!!!! I highly recommend Marie's. Also the service was above and…read morebeyond, done with a sincere smile.

Someone called it a vortex and there's no better way to describe it. $5 g n t's check! I love a…read moregood dive.

Hate the name but really liked the place. Cool environment, chill bartenders, and a nice location…read more Good for a relaxed night out with friends