Want to know the best places to find your New Orleans spirits (not the ghost kind)? With nightlife comes a plethora of bars that could be mentioned, but only the best dive bars in NOLA are being highlighted here.
While there is
no shortage of bars or spirits in New Orleans, there are specific dive bars
that you want to include in your nightlife explorations. Each of these 10 NOLA dive
bars has unique touches and features that will make your evening a special one. And if you drink too much at any one of these spots, be sure to know how to survive a hangover afterwards.
10 Best New Orleans Dive Bars
1. Snake and Jake's Christmas Club Lounge
7612 Oak St., (504) 861-2802
snakeandjakes.com
Tucked away on Oak Street, Snake and Jake's Christmas Club Lounge keeps it jolly all year long. Adorned with retro holiday decor, Snake and Jake's is a small, late-night neighborhood dive bar that is open every night of the year, especially Christmas.
Celebrated as a coveted New Orleans dive bar by locals, Snake and Jake's opens daily at 7 p.m., with happy hour specials starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays. This bar's intimate and welcoming feel will have you pulling an all-nighter, and, if you're lucky, you may even get a visit from Jake, Snake and Jake's famous bar cat.
2. Pal's Lounge
949 N. Rendon St., (504) 488-7257
instagram.com/palsloungenola
A beloved Mid-City neighborhood bar, Pal's Lounge has been the perfect place to grab a drink and a quick bite to eat since it opened its doors in 2002. Every day from 3 p.m. until around 3 a.m., this bar buzzes with patrons looking to unwind with a good time.
Pal's Lounge isn't just your average watering hole. With affordable and adventurous cocktails like the Honey Rose Lavender Sangria or the Bacon Bloody Mary, Pal's is a great hangout spot to watch the next game or to challenge your friends to a game of air hockey.
3. Lots a Luck Tavern
203 Homedale St., (504) 483-0978
Popular among New Orleans residents, Lots a Luck Tavern is a cozy Navarre neighborhood gem with a rich history and no shortage of entertainment. Step inside, and you'll be greeted by friendly bartenders offering a drink selection that's guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of palettes.
Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Lots a Luck Tavern features an array of games that can turn any evening into a lively competition. There's always something at Lots a Luck to keep the fun rolling, so whether you're rounding up a group of friends or dropping by for a drink, you'll find yourself coming back time and time again.
4. Toulouse Dive Bar
738 Toulouse St., (504) 522-2260
facebook.com/ToulouseDive
Remember how spirits in the beginning solely referred to drinks? Unfortunately, spirits take on another meaning when discussing Toulouse's Dive Bar. With an interior filled with skull-framed mirrors and hidden bathrooms on the bookshelves, this dive bar is "off the Bourbon Street crowd."
Toulouse strives to maintain their old-school French Quarter vibe yet always has exciting and delicious drinks to offer bar-goers. With their slot machines, pool tables, and charisma, find this bar hidden beyond the beaten path, previously referred to by customers as a dungeon. Visit them anytime from 2 p.m. to 6 a.m!
5. Kingpin
1307 Lyons St., (504) 891-2373
facebook.com/kingpinnola
Become your own bar kingpin with a visit to a dive bar located in Uptown. A casual and friendly atmosphere is what you will find at Kingpin, with friendly bartenders who welcome anyone whether they are from New Orleans or just visiting. Find the most extensive beer selections inside this simple bar, as well as darts and table shuffleboard.
Come casually dressed to watch your pick of current sports games or sidewalk concerts performed right in front of Kingpin's. With hours from 3 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., find time in your day to have your pick of any drink and excellent service and entertainment.
6. Mayfair Lounge
1505 Amelia St., (504) 895-9163
facebook.com/themayfairloungenola
Nothing can get more New Orleans than Mardi Gras beads, colors, and throws; nothing, except the love of spirits the city has. Find these two iconic aspects of New Orleans culture combined within Mayfair Lounge's interior. With a ceiling decorated in Mardi Gras throws, walk into a colorful and truly welcoming environment.
Although this bar is cash only, find your time well spent with their pool tables, video poker, visual appeal, and great company. It's also a great spot to go during your Mardi Gras season and the whole year to reignite your New Orleans soul. Open from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.!
7. Brother's Three
4520 Magazine St., (504) 897-9912
instagram.com/brothersthreelounge
Open from 12:15 p.m. to 4 a.m., Brother's Three is an old-school, local dive bar that will make New Orleans residents feel right at home. Found in Brother's Three is a vintage jukebox, various arcade games along their wall, and bar seating for all guests. Being known for laid-back and local vibes, Brother's Three is a family-owned and operated bar that has been around for over 50 years.
Serving traditional-style crawfish boils and supporting their local community, Brother's is the best place for you and your friends or family to have a comfortable time with a full bar. Great prices, amazing people, and an excellent selection of liquors and beers.
8. The Alibi
811 Iberville St., (504) 522-9187
alibineworleans.com
With just a few steps from Bourbon Street, find yourself at The Alibi, a great excuse to spend your night drinking international beers and feasting on bar food. Open 24 hours a day, The Alibi is best known as a must-visit spot during Mardi Gras season and is known to have the most nightlife action in the French Quarter.
Serving more than just your typical bar food, find yourself enjoying cheese fries, seafood, and burgers in addition to their selection of over 100 beers. Finally, set the tone for your visit with a jukebox holding any selection of music you could dream of. Whether inside or outside, get to really be immersed in New Orleans nightlife with this bar's atmosphere, location, service, and more.
9. Boondock Saint
731 St. Peter St., (504) 525-4950
facebook.com/TheBoondockSaintBar
Ever heard of Boondock Saints, the movie with Norman Reedus and Willem Dafoe where they work together fighting the crime-ridden streets of Boston? Whether you have or you haven't, you should definitely make sure to check out Boondock Saint in ghe French Quarter.
Boondock Saint is an intimate Irish pub serving a number of beers on tap. Aside from this, Boondock Saint is a great for hanging out, is inexpensive, and has a nice location. Service has been described as quick, with truly authentic Irish-inspired drinks. Find your daring side at Boondock Saint between the hours of 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
10. Saturn Bar
3067 St. Claude Ave., (504) 949-7532
thesaturnbar.com
Plan your own fun and space-filled journey when visiting Saturn Bar, which provides its customers with the ultimate bar experience. Serving more than just a full bar for guests to enjoy, this bar also has the best entertainment.
Every visit, expect a different alternative band, guest DJ, and dance party to be going on. The colorful lighting, great crowd, and friendly service will be sure to draw you in. Open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., enjoy an after-lunch or dinner party that will send you to the moon or even Saturn!
Dive Into These Fantastic Dive Bars in New Orleans
With all this information, you are probably well on your way to exploring some of these 24-hour and late-night dive bars! With each, get a greater taste of what New Orleans nightlife is all about and what you may have been missing. Whether it is finding yourself in a bar based on a crime film, a dungeon-like bar, or a Mardi Gras paradise, it is certain you will not be bored in any place you visit.
Next time you're out and looking for someplace low-key to go, try one of these top 10 dive bars in New Orleans. One of them is sure to be the right fit for you. Cheers!
