Uptown Nightlife & Bars

Where to Drink in Uptown New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its cocktail culture, and Uptown is the perfect place to explore. From outdoor dining to streetcar cocktail crawls, there’s so much fun to be had. Pair that with some of the city’s best live music venues and the nightlife is unmatched. Breweries and distilleries are also in abundance in Uptown New Orleans. See some of our favorite spots below.

Uptown New Orleans Live Music Scene

Uptown New Orleans is bustling with historic live music venues in a neighborhood setting. At the edge of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street lies Tipitina’s, a New Orleans live music destination since the 1970s. Another Uptown venue that’s been around since the ‘70s is Maple Leaf Bar, where they’ve been funkin’ it up for over 50 years. Le Bon Temps Roule is an open-24-hour music venue with everything from brass bands to Southern roots music. You’ll find The Rabbit Hole right on the edge of Uptown New Orleans offering dynamic DJ sets and brass band musicians.

Popular Bars in Uptown New Orleans

In search of a watering hole in Uptown New Orleans? You’ve got no shortage of options. Starting with Magazine Street, visit Barrel Proof for fans of whiskey (and Santa-themed pop ups during the holidays). The Bulldog offers a casual setting for beer drinkers, while The Vintage is all about craft cocktails with a side of beignets. Over on Freret Street, Cure is a James Beard Award-winning cocktail bar with craft and seasonal cocktails, plus wine, beer, and cider. As far as sports bars go, Cooter Brown’s is the place to go.

Outdoor Drinking in Uptown New Orleans

Uptown New Orleans has some of the best spots in the city for outdoor drinking. Take a look at our Streetcar Cocktail Crawl and map the route out via streetcar! Our guide includes Bourrée, The Delachaise, The Chloe, Hot Tin, and other stops. Other popular spots for outdoor drinking include The Bower, Tell Me Bar, and St. Joe’s Bar.

Breweries and Distilleries in Uptown New Orleans

When it comes to breweries and distilleries, Uptown New Orleans is a special place. Complete with delicious cuisine and outdoor seating, the boom of breweries in Uptown just means the more, the merrier. Tchoupitoulas Street alone has a string of breweries including Urban South, NOLA Brewing, and Port Orleans. Utilizing Louisiana sugarcane, Happy Raptor is a rum distillery while Lula Restaurant Distillery has small-batch, hand-crafted vodka and spirits (and an excellent food menu to boot). Head to the Garden District for Courtyard Brewery and the Irish Channel for Miel Brewery. Check our Beer Lover’s Guide to New Orleans for more.