10 Best New Orleans Dive Bars
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.
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. Verret's Lounge
1738 Washington Ave., (504) 895-9640
facebook.com/verretsnola
Just five minutes away from New Orleans' beautiful St Charles Avenue is Verret's Lounge. This homey dive part is very popular and was even named as the city's best dive bar by nola.com.
In addition to their refreshing drinks, the bar offers special events such as. their holiday potluck. Visit their Facebook page to see what they have going on.
3. High Grace NOLA
733 St. Peter St., (504) 218-5649
High Grace NOLA is an upscale dive bar that is open 24 hours a day. Voted one of the best dives in New Orleans by both Where Y'at Magazine and Gambit, this place is absolutely worth checking out with your closest friends.
Some of their signature cocktails include the Caribbean Port City, Trail by Fire, and the Lavender Lemonade. Visit their website to see their daily specials.
4. 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. 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.
5. 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.
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.
6. 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.
7. 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. Find time in your day to have your pick of any drink and excellent service and entertainment.
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.
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.
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!
