A couple weeks ago, someone posted a question regarding New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. New Year’s Eve has never been a big holiday for me, it’s been a few years since I did much besides watch football, and, well, people in New Orleans seem to celebrate most every night like it is New Year’s Eve. There’s always the countdown at Jax Brewery by Jackson Square, but, aside from that, here are few suggestions from me.
Following your dinner (I’ll try to make suggestions regarding food in another post), I would spend my evening catching some live music – good live music. Music, as with many things in New Orleans, is often chosen based on what part of town you are spending your evening. I’d generally begin with the French Quarter since I’d guess that most people are staying in that vicinity. However, nothing really grabs my attention even though there will still be many good places to spend the evening. Great standbys in the Quarter are the Piano Bar at Pat O’Brien’s and “Late as Usual” at the Original Tropical Isle. The former is home to the Hurricane, while the latter is where you can find the Hand Grenade while listening to Jimmy Buffet and CSNY covers. Both bill their drinks as “World Famous.”
The Marigny, more specifically, Frenchman Street, is where good food and music can be found close to the Quarter. On the downriver side, Frenchman is often used for movies but viewers always think is the Quarter. Shows to catch here on New Year’s Eve include Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters playing at d.b.a., and the Soul Rebels at the Blue Nile. I’d give the Soul Rebels a slight edge music wise, but I prefer hanging out at d.b.a, so I think I’d choose d.b.a.
Moving to the Central Business District (CBD) on Quarter’s upriver side, Ludacris is playing at the Masquerade at Harrah’s Casino. A bit further upriver in the Warehouse District, you can find the Rebirth Brass Band at the Howlin’ Wolf if you missed them Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf Uptown (Note: you’re likely to find Scott Van Pelt – like him or hate him – at one of their shows). A little further upriver you can catch Eric Lindell at the Circle Bar on Lee Circle. Of these choices, I think I’d catch Eric Lindell, but the Circle Bar is an incredibly small venue. That is, seeing shows there cuts both ways… intimate, but crowded. I caught Jason Isbell there a number of years ago right after he left the Drive-By Truckers. It was jammed, but my wife and I stood less than two feet from him – almost face to face – the entire show. Memorable.
Uptown is where you’ll find the last shows on my list. If I’m out I’ll likely end up at one of these since I live Uptown and generally prefer to stay closer to home on New Year’s Eve. However, I am not you – on vacation with much to experience in this great city.
Tab Benoit is at Rock ‘n’ Bowl, which, as titled, is a place where you can rock while bowling a few frames. He’s an absolutely amazing guitarist. There’s also the New Year’s Party at the Maple Leaf Bar where Big Sam and Friends are playing. The Maple Leaf is where you can catch Rebirth every Tuesday of the year. Finally, my top overall choice of the night is Tipitina’s. There you’ll find Galactic featuring the California Honeydrops. My guess is that this show, if any on the list, will sell out. Say hi to my fraternity brother Pete if you make it.
I hope this list was helpful, informative and not too long. I’ll try to have more soon regarding bars and restaurants soon.
