Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Bayou Gauche

"Last on our list of the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans: nestled in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893, known for its award-winning food and its lively atmosphere. With some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans and whimsical Louisiana charm, Commander’s Palace is a quintessential New Orleans upscale dining experience. Not to mention they offer 25 cent martinis during lunch with a full entree (limit 3 per person)."

"Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm."

"You can’t miss the grand turquoise Victorian restaurant Commander’s Palace when you’re strolling through the Garden District and it shouldn’t be skipped!. Enjoy a fine Creole dining experience that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time."

"Only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the fresh oysters in Parkway Tavern’s Po Boys are seasoned with garlic and cayenne pepper and then served in classic style on Leidenheimer’s bread. Like many of the best New Orleans Po Boy shops, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is located slightly off the beaten track. However, it’s worth the extra effort to travel to this Mid-City institution by cab/uber or streetcar (Canal St #48)."

"The Po-Boy was invented in New Orleans and is a staple food with local’s so needless to say it’s a must eat in New Orleans. The most popular Po-boy with local’s and visitor’s alike are the shrimp or oyster Po-boy but at Parkway Bakery and Tavern they serve the most unbelievable Surf & Turf Po-Boy’s you will ever have!. Trust us on this one."

"Arguably the most prolific New Orleans brunch spot, Ruby Slipper serves brunch all day long at its four locations around the city. According to the owners, Ruby Slipper was inspired by the strong sense of homecoming they felt when returning to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Ruby Slipper supports local suppliers and composts coffee grinds for local farmers."

"Ruby Slipper Cafe serves a New Orleans twist on Southern brunch favorites 7 days a week. We are a scratch-kitchen, using fresh ingredients from local purveyors whenever possible. Our coffee Read more..."

"Cheery cafe serving signature omelets, Southern brunch fare & cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. Open for breakfast and lunchDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-525-9355"

"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."

"The soft glow from hanging chandeliers and exposed brick walls set the stage for a relaxed, romantic meal. Make a reservation or enjoy an impromptu memorable meal at their 14-seat bar where the beer and wine lists are just as impressive as the always-changing menu. 2800 Magazine St., (504) 265.0421"

"Every neighborhood needs a hangout, and the dwellers of the Garden District's elegant mansions tend to spend their time at this fabulous corner...Read More"

"500 St. Peter St., (504) 522-2999; www.corneroysterhousefrenchquarter.com. Char-broiled oysters are topped with Parmesan and herbs and served with French bread. Reservations accepted."

"Enjoy a relaxed and cozy atmosphere, clever cocktails and pub fare with a twist at this French Quarter tavern. The menu adds creative touches to pub mainstays, drawing from local flavors and what’s in season (think fried oysters topped with celery, remoulade and Crystal hot sauce gel). At the bar, you’ll find frozen drinks, craft cocktails, bottles of wine and regional beers."

"American , Bar Food"

"Courtyard’s doubled its interior space, gussied up the courtyard, and put a damn wine on tap, but don’t worry. It’s still the same laid back dog-friendly joint with plenty of hoppy (and non-hoppy) beers brewed in house as well as guest taps from other breweries. Scott Wood’s brewery has gotten slightly bigger and exponentially better over the past 4 years, and that trend will almost certainly continue."

"When most people think of New Orleans bars, they picture people slamming down sugary Hurricane drinks and mass-produced beers. While there’s certainly plenty of that going on, the city is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene. One of the best bars in New Orleans to get your hop fix is Courtyard Brewery."

"Open for just under a year, The Courtyard Brewery has already changed the New Orleans beer game. It provides a very different—but still excellent—craft beer experience from the nearby Avenue Pub. Co-founder Scott Wood brews and sells his own beers amongst a variety of hand-picked guest taps."

"A staple of Cajun and Creole food in the Big Easy, Pat O’Brien’s motto has always been to “have fun.” People from all walks of life travel to enjoy their specialty drinks and top-notch food. Get a taste of that New Orleans air with the help of their New Orleans Trinity: a cup of red beans and rice, jambalaya, and chicken gumbo. Of course, you can’t leave Pat O’Brien’s without trying one of their fabulous cocktails such as the Hurricane, The Skylab, Pat O’s Lemonade, and many, many more."

"One of the most famous cocktails of New Orleans, the Hurricane (also locally known as the Slurricane), was developed right here at Pat O’s. The courtyard in this iconic French Quarter bar is probably its biggest draw card, and the constant live music playing keeps this spot feeling lively at all hours."

"One of the most respected clubs in the Marigny, this nearly-two-decades-old offshoot of a New York bar has the feeling of an ancient institution—in part because the building itself dates back to the 1880s, but also thanks to the many acts that have graced its stage. The vibe and the cover charge vary from night to night, but one thing's for certain: d.b.a.'s hard-earned rep means the music's as consistent as its lengthy craft beer list."

"This music club and beer bar has the best selection and best vibe in downtown New Orleans. Just outside the French Quarter on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, d.b.a. has live music every night — including free early shows most nights — and a great draft list. It was the only place in town where I could find Brooklyn Pennant Ale (before it was discontinued)."

"As you can see, there’s no shortage of nightlife options in the Marigny District. Another favorite is D.B.A. Located in the heart of the Frenchman Street music district, this New Orleans nightlife hot spot is hip yet not trendy. And, it caters to a respectable crowd so it’s a great spot to go to avoid the riff-raff that other bars can attract."

"Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré is one of the longest-running local theaters in the United States (founded in 1916). As the name indicates, it’s a more intimate theatre setting with a seating capacity of just over 300 seats. Located just off of Jackson Square, this venue is primarily used for the performing arts, including dramas, musicals, comedies, and children’s productions."

"The theatre was originally built in 1906 and completely renovated in 2011. The venue is now used for concerts, plays, films, corporate events, and private parties."

"On a rainy afternoon in New Orleans, there's no better place to be than the balcony of the historic Prytania Theatre, cooking up some honest to goodness Hollywood romance with your real-life love interest. Opened in 1915, this charming theater is the oldest in the city and the only single-screen left in Louisiana. Couples can share gelato or a freshly made cappuccino during daytime favorites like Citizen Kane or Some Like It Hot or cuddle up for midnight screenings of cult classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show."

"At more than 100 years old, the single-screen theater in Uptown is a step back in time, with red velvet ropes, balcony seating and family-friendly screenings of hand-picked classic films."

"Located in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter, the French Market is a grand bazaar that serves as much as a cultural meeting place as it does a market space. In addition to hosting stall after stall of vendors hawking handmade goods and artisanal foods, the market doubles as a venue for a daily flea market and a twice-weekly farmers market. The French Market boasts the superlative as the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the United States, making it a part of living Louisiana history.More"

"The French Market is a six-block-long bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold as many as 220 vendors on a busy day. You can shop for local art, t-shirts and hats and all things Mardi Gras while enjoying New Orleans street music and the aroma of fresh gumbo and jambalaya from the food stalls. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"The French Market is a bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold up over 220 vendors on a given day. You can shop for paintings, clothing and specialty items while enjoying the famous New Orleans street music and smells of fresh gumbo and jambalaya. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"Bourbon Street is a little overdone as a New Orleans tourist go-to, but some must-see gems that are worth visiting remain. One of them is the Musical Legends Park, which is a small park showcasing the musical and cultural background of New Orleans, Louisiana, teeming with a rich heritage. Throughout the park, there are life-sized, intricately made statues in bronze of many famous local musicians."

"What is particularly noteworthy on Bourbon Street is New Orleans Musical Legends, a cozy park with live jazz music flowing daily. There’s outdoor seating available for you to enjoy the music and it’s connected to Café Beignet (the BEST beignets), if you’d like a snack along with your musical enjoyment."

"If you want a place that is surrounded by musical history, then the Musical Legends Park should be on your list. Sit and sip on a drink and eat some beignets while you listen to live music. Artists display their artwork around the park."

"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."