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    The Upper Quarter

    4.4 (45 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Closed 1:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)

    The Upper Quarter Photos

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    THE UPPER QUARTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - The Upper Quarter

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    David G.

    One of the best hidden secrets in the city. The crawfish boil here on Thursday is arguably the best in the city. They use tobacco pulp from Avery Island to give it an extra kick I've never experienced before. They make the tobacco in barrels, and the left over residue that drys up in the barrel happens to go extremely well in a boil. And since it's right at the end of March, the crawfish were huge. The bar has the original floor dating back to the 1890s, which gives the place a old bar feel. In the back patio you are surrounded by condos on the 1st and second floor, that were once slave quarters, and brothels. I got all this information from the owner Jeff, who is a super nice guy, who gave us the history of the building. Definitely in my rotation now!

    Joe M.

    Great little neighborhood bar with limited seating. Friendly people, quiet on the night we went. Bartender was on top of it, educated and helpful with tips on the local area. We just had a few drinks, a shot for a buddy who's no longer with us. Was easy to sit around and enjoy ourselves with out to many crazies. If I lived in the area I would most certainly make it my local spot.

    Dive bar prices. French quarter locale
    Marc R.

    A small neighborhood bar that appreciates locals and tourists alike. Dive bar prices in upper end of the French Quarter. Worth the few extra steps.

    Jamie T.

    Some of the best crawfish boil I have ever had. Jeff did a great job. Love this place.

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    cool bar off of bourbon. cozy, not a huge beer selection, and friendly staff. was a great place to get away from normal NO craziness.

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    Jeff T.

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    Review Highlights - The Upper Quarter

    It was great being away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon St which isn't really our thing.

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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
    Second bar
    Second bar
    Lemon drop martini and old fashioned

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    Lemon drop martini and old fashioned
    The Spotted Cat Music Club

    The Spotted Cat Music Club

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.9 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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    The Upper Quarter - bars - Updated August 2026

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