New Orleans - Nightlife

From sleek lounges to funky dives, no place is more serious about merriment than New Orleans.

Party hardy is the motto in the French Quarter. The district rocks from Rampart Street to the river and Canal Street to Esplanade. You can always find somewhere to drink, dance and hear Dixieland, jazz and Cajun music.

Faubourg Marigny abuts the French Quarter. Its main music track, Frenchman Street, is where the locals go for a few sips and to hear innovative modern jazz at places like the unpretentious Café Brasil, the intimate Snug Harbor and the Praline Connection where spicy food and spice music are a good mix.

Think glamorous lounges and piano bars in upscale hotels to saloons and Tex-Mex bars specialising in margaritas and a lot of places in between. Conventioneers, locals and those with big and small budgets find their way here.

Because this is Tulane University country, many of the bars uptown are quintessential college hang-outs. It is true you may feel out of place if you are over 30. But look around: there are still a few lounges where you will feel at home.

Take cash (not all bars accept plastic) and expect to pay a cover charge or a two-drink minimum in many bars. You can drink in the street, as long as your poison is in a plastic cup. Rest during the day - most bars are open from the afternoon to the wee hours. The evening's first music gigs may start as early as 6pm and the last one about 11pm.

Walk in the French Quarter to Tuxedo Jazz Band at Tradition Hall Volume II. Listen to A Celebration of New Orleans Music to Benefit MusiCares Hurricane Relief 2005 or Higher Ground Hurricane Benefit Relief Concert during Mardi Gras.