The bars in New Orleans are centered on drinking and socializing with a distinctive and cultural flare. Uptown New Orleans is not exempt from this sentiment. From college bars to old and haunted watering holes, Uptown has options for any nightlife setting. Here are our top picks.
A rowdy bar on Freret Street, Publiq House is a warehouse bar. It’s trendy with the brick-walled aesthetic, and it serves quality beer and cocktails. Being set in a warehouse, Publiq House has the trendy urban flare while also being able to practically hold large numbers of crowds. The Publiq House is an upscale comfort bar that holds the promise of a lively time.
Monkey Hill operates as more of a night time cocktail lounge. However, it’s humble. It’s basically a dive bar with lounge seating and affordable cocktails. With vintage lounge couches, large bar seating, and TVs, Monkey Hill Bar is a destination for any kind of drinking activity. Great for sports, nightlife dancing, and conversational drinking, Monkey Hill Bar is the jack-of-all-trades.
Right in Uptown’s Garden District, the Prytania is a down to earth dive bar. The crowd varies from night to night, but the Prytania has a steady local following. With very cheap drinks, especially for the Uptown district, and rotating food trucks serving bar grub, the Prytania is dedicated to affordable drinks and the local food community.
Parasol’s functions as both bar and po’ boy/Creole restaurant. Focused on the bar part of this combination, Parasol’s expertly serves reasonable drinks with high standard service. The food is just as good, though (especially the po’ boys). Located in the Lower Garden District, Parasol’s is a locally known dive bar operation with a balance of locals and tourists.
Mayfair Lounge is one of the best bars in the Uptown district, but it’s also one of the better bars in the entire city. The bar is relaxed with its demeanor, offering casual drinks with the option of conversation, but the décor is far from relaxed. With Mardi Gras beads, Christmas decorations and neon strings hanging from the ceiling, Mayfair Lounge has a big personality. Good jukebox, too.
The Kingpin is the epitome of a no frills bar. It’s smoky (smoking very much permitted) with the accentuated flare of cheap drinks. A conversational dive bar, the Kingpin is the casual bar stop serving up both beer and liquor.
F & M Patio Bar is a gem in the Uptown district. With a balance of both tourists and locals, F & M serves to both demographics with a lively pool table, dartboards, and an outdoor patio. The place looks a little run down, but it adds to the experience. Drinks are cheap and include both beer and liquor.
Down the Hatch is a restaurant and bar that serves Cajun bar food along with their reasonable beer and liquor. Down the Hatch is an ideal sports bar with their New Orleans bar food and the typical American drink specials. Open late, Down the Hatch is the lively sports bar of Uptown district.
