Best Nightlife in Mid-City

"1403 Washington Ave., (504) 899-8221; www.commanderspalace.com. Duck fat-seared bluefin tuna is served with Meyer lemon grilled greens and sweet potato boulangere with miso-lemon grass veal bone jus and foie gras ganache. Reservations recommended."

"Po-boys have always made great outside eats, and Parkway has embraced the alfresco push wholeheartedly by essentially creating an entire outdoor restaurant. Diners can set up at one of Parkway’s plethora of patio tables (tented for rainy days) to down one of the city’s best sandwiches. Hits are too many to count, from exquisitely fried shrimp (make it a surf and turf by adding roast beef and gravy) to hot sausage."

"This Mid-City po'boy purveyor has been a favorite for decades, featuring affordable drinks and some of the best po'boys around town. Proudly local and full of characters, the eatery was made extra-famous by a visit from then President Obama, and has been featured on a variety of TV shows. While waiting for your sandwich, peruse the memorabilia and pictures that adorn the walls."

"Parkway has been around for over a century, since 1911 to be exact. Legend has it that the name poor boy, also referred to as po’ boy, comes from the Great Depression era when a sandwich was created to be given free of charge to transit strikers. Folks have been clamoring for Parkway’s poor boys ever since."

"Starting out in Mid-City in 2008, The Ruby Slipper Café has grown to five locations in the city. But the expansion has not diluted the genius menu that puts a New Orleans twist on breakfast and brunch faves. The bloody Mary is one of the best in the city (yes, there's bacon), and the innovative menu features a lengthy list of Benedicts (cochon de lait, crawfish-and-grits, fried green tomato), sweet offerings (Bananas Foster pain perdu, stuffed French toast) and even lighter offerings (a "skinny" version of their signature migas)."

"What you're getting: Chicken St. Charles Though the Ruby Slipper has multiple locations around town, it’s best to hit up the Mid City original for a morning meal of fried chicken. Served over a biscuit and topped with poached eggs, the Chicken St. Charles is brought together by a creamy pork tasso sauce. And if that alone doesn’t do it for you, pair it with one of the six other eggs Benedict variations on the menu for just $15."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. It's a beautiful day to enjoy our BEAUTIFUL outdoor seating area!. Welcome to this cheery cafe that has been serving tasty Southern brunch fare in a laid-back atmosphere."

"Opened by chef Mike Stoltzfus and his wife Lillian Hubbard in December 2008, Coquette is a Garden District stunner, from its gleaming floors and crisp linens to its architectural details and warm exposed brick walls. Chef Stoltzfus proffers innovative southern cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced product and pastry chef Zak Miller does the same, with an emphasis on unexpected twists that elevate dessert into something ethereal. He uses seasonal fruit, fresh herbs and surprising flavors like smoke and heat to bring something special to the table."

"Irish ChannelChandelier-adorned bistro known for innovative Southern cuisineThere are few things as sexy as feminism, so head to Coquette to enjoy the makings of a badass woman-run kitchen. Though chef Kristen Essig also recently opened the neighborhood restaurant Thalia, her Irish Channel mainstay is the better option for impressing a date. Beginning your meal with the $40 Pappy Old Fashioned (proceeds go to a local food bank) is a nice way to start."

"(400 Dauphine St.) This 24-hour full-service restaurant and bar in the French Quarter is always available and ready to accommodate. You will find a wide variety of options on the menu ranging from traditional New Orleans fare to downhome comfort food, all under $20. Deja Vu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long and is available for dine-in, carry out or delivery."

"Hands down best (I Know, I know...) Bloody Mary in the Quarter, possibly New Orleans... And the food is way better than you think when you walk…"

"Set near one of the oldest ports in the nation, this restaurant — housed in a Creole-style cottage — draws upon New Orleans’ culinary heritage for its menu. As Michael Symon said, they’re “creating local cuisine through a scope of Caribbean flavors.” The tropics shine through in dishes like the Crispy Rum Ribs, which are seasoned and grilled, then braised in a mixture of three-year-aged Guyanese rum, poblano peppers, onions, ginger and garlic. After a three-hour turn in the oven, the tender meat is dipped in buttermilk and a house-blend flour to ensure an extra-crunchy crust once fried."

"Peacock Room is the restaurant in the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot downtown, the the restaurant snagged Chris Lusk, a longtime New Orleans chef who has cooked at Restaurant R’evolution, Cafe Adelaide, and the Caribbean Room, for a menu of dishes like fruits de mer pho made with cashew hoisin, grouper, shrimp ramen, and crab boulettes; chicken and eggplant fricasse with tomato and toasted farro; and black lentil vadouvan curry. The cocktail program is also a standout, curated with hard-to-come-by spirits and cocktails like the Primp and Preen, made with mezcal, white rum, orgeat, fresh citrus and blue curaçao; a Ruby Bridges made with gin, Cynar, citrus, strawberry, and basil; and the Sackcloth and Ashes, with Toki Japanese whisky and Amaro Montenegro (and mysteriously, “umami”)."

"The elegant restaurant in the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot downtown has a killer cocktail program, thanks to Paula Echevarria, a longtime NOLA cocktail creator and writer. The beautiful bar is curated with hard-to-come-by spirits and serves cocktails like the Primp and Preen, made with mezcal, white rum, orgeat, fresh citrus and blue curaçao; a Ruby Bridges made with gin, Cynar, citrus, strawberry, and basil; and the Sackcloth and Ashes, with Toki Japanese whisky and Amaro Montenegro (and intriguingly, “umami”). Helpfully, each specialty cocktail includes a few adjectives to help anticipate the flavors of the drink."

"Chef Chris Lusk is killing it at the sexy new Peacock Room lounge in the newly opened Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in the CBD. His goal was to cook food that he’d want to eat after some time drinking at a bar — and that mission is accomplished in spades. Add his haute burger to the fancy chef-driven winners in town, an ample house-ground patty topped with bacon, Boursin cheese, crispy shallots, and tomato jam on a brioche bun."

"The Delachaise occupies a precious sliver of uptown real estate between Aline and Delachaise Streets, with its front patio embracing St. Charles Avenue. There, patrons can pass a pleasant evening sampling the kitchen’s ever-changing specials (like Oysters Delachaise, poached in absinthe cream, or house smoked salmon dip) or the much-loved goose fat pommes frites. Further uptown, sister restaurant Chais Delachaise on Maple Street offers ample outdoor seating as well."

"The historic streetcar and beautiful mansions along St. Charles Avenue create the perfect backdrop for a great night at The Delachaise. You can’t go wrong with a pretty solid wine selection, along with house wine specials. Take in the sights and sounds of Uptown New Orleans while sipping on the outdoor patio, or journey indoors for a cozy atmosphere."

"This wine bar located on St. Charles Avenue has a uniquely-shaped outdoor space with a good amount of seating. Order food and drinks at the bar. A server delivers it to you when it is ready."

"MarignyWith three stages and a restaurant, this Frenchmen St music hall is bound to have something up your alley, if your alley is one in which you like to boogie. (Yes, we said “boogie.”) It features live music every single day, too, so whenever the spirit takes you, you can show up and see who’s ripping it up on stage, from jazz to funk, with almost every act a seriously danceable one."

"A post shared by Vanessa (@gowitdaflov) on Oct 1, 2017 at 8:52am PDT. ‘Aint no party like The Maison party’ this is what the whole city says about this place tagged the ‘funs paradise’. You can spend all day and all you’ve got in this bustling club because of the lively bar, the beautiful restaurant and the glamorous nightlife."

"These bars are the place to be: Snug Harbor, d.b.a., The Spotted Cat, Apple Barrel, The Blue Nile and Maison."

"If you have wheels and are staying outside of the city, or need a break from the New Orleans hubbub, this small day spa in the heart of Old Metairie fills the bill. Along with the usual facials, massage therapy, nail care and waxing, Serenity offers the It Works!. line of products for body contouring along with nutritional supplements."

"Enter Serenity Spa and discover an environment that will renew, rejuvenate and replenish your body, mind and spirit. For an hour or an entire day, their full-service spa is the perfect setting for you to be thoroughly pampered. Indulge in a spa treatment to relieve your stress and worries."

"Pamper your mind, body, and spirit at their day spa and hair salon in Lakeview. At My Spa By The Park, they offer the very best in personal care and comfort. Their professionals are committed to providing you with the highest quality salon and spa service."

"The Ritz-Carlton Spa, is a luxurious spa where the soul is nourished, the spirit is revived, the body is transformed and the path to a more satisfying sense of well-being awaits. Revel in nature’s beauty while enjoying their signature service, a “zero gravity” massage performed as you sway gently in a rocking hammock, delivering you into true tranquility."

"First we make the world revolve around you, then we gently slow it down...". That's the mission at the luxe Ritz-Carlton spa, a place where bubbling fountains and expert service set the stage for a welcome retreat. This is by far the grandest spa in town, complete with draped chandeliers and beau monde elegance."

"For over three decades, Pho Tau Bay has remained a go-to place for Vietnamese food in New Orleans - and with good reason. Their traditional Vietnamese menu features an extensive selection of authentic dishes, drinks and sweets. Begin your meal with their signature, freshly prepared spring rolls made with shrimp, pork, vermicelli and fresh herbs."

"Pho Tàu Bay, family-owned and a local favorite, recently reopened its doors in the Central Business District. Sometimes it has caramelized flan for dessert, the perfect counterbalance to a satisfyingly salty broth."

"Though it was named after him and offered to him as a place of refuge after his exile from France, Napoleon never made it here. Still, this 200-plus-year-old landmark carries on with his name, serving thousands of Pimm’s Cups and muffulettas to locals and tourists alike. Grab a seat in the courtyard and keep an eye out for the ghosts that are said to haunt the place."

"The home was originally built by Nicholas Girod, the mayor of New Orleans. Girod later extended an invitation in 1821 to Napoleon to reside in the mansion as a refuge during his exile. Although Napoleon never made it to New Orleans, the name has been attached to the mansion ever since."

"On a typically hot July summer day In 1966 my fiance, now wife, and I first entered Napoleon House for a late afternoon drink. We were greeted by a…"

"It doesn’t take long to notice that New Orleans has a love affair with hats. Nothing compliments a suit and bowtie better than a hat from Meyer’s. Family owned since 1894, this world-class hat shop is the very best."

"Congo Square is located within Louis Armstrong Park, just north of the French District. It is a location steeped in history as the the enslaved of New Orleans would gather here on their day off to set up a market, sing, dance, and play music. There isn’t much here now, but the tiles and tress make for an interesting composition steeped in untold history."

"Inside, there are iconic sites like Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s. There are also sculptures, a duck pond and plenty of green space where you can relax after spending your morning walking around the city."