The Chart Room...The Quarter's Best Kept Secret!

TYPE: BAR
LOCATION: Chartres @ Bienville, French Quarter
PRICES: Cheap!

The Chart Room is a locals favorite...why? Simple, really cheap, really strong drinks. The staff here, Lisa, Chris, Will and the rest of the crew are super friendly, remember what you drink and know how it's done in the Quarter. It's a little off the beaten path of Bourbon and Decatur Streets and that's a good thing. The very dimly lit, old world charm of the place is a draw all it's own too. The patrons tend to be mostly locals with a sprinkling of "in the know" tourists. This is one of the few places probably in the country where you'll find Miller High Life on tap for a measly $2. Order a Jager shot and WATCH OUT...it's really about three shots according to most bars pouring standards and will only set ya back $4. Compare that to about $7 on Bourbon St. for two thirds less hooch! The crowd usually comes in shifts...afternoon, early evening and late night after the service folks get off work. Just a short walk from Jackson Square, The Chart Room is a real gem in a sea of French Quarter drinking haunts, one you'll want to come back to time and again (or until AA intervenes) :-)

Best reasonably priced breakfast in The French Quarter?

The Camellia Grill on Chartres St. nom nom nom! :-)

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Laffitte's Blacksmith Shop...oldest bar in America!

BAR
LOCATION: corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip
LIVE MUSIC: Piano favorites
DRINK PRICES: Moderate


Legend has it that the pirate brothers Lafitte,  Jean and Pierre, used this location as a blacksmith shop, which served as a front for more lucrative, illegal pursuits (including the trafficking of slaves). It's also rumored to be the oldest building still standing in the entire Mississippi Valley. Since the '40s, however, it's served as a watering hole for locals, tourists and celebrities such as Tennessee Williams.

Sparsely decorated and lit--just barely--by candles, Lafitte's is a small, dark and cozy cavern, a place where many local nightcrawlers like to wind up an evening of bar hopping. Traces of its old identity remain, most notably in the form of the central fireplace.Many of the French Quarter's ghost tours meet here for departure and return for post tour libations. There is LIVE sing-a-long piano music in the back which is usually top notch. There is also a garden patio which is very cozy. The corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip is a great place to people watch but far enough away from the sleazy part of Bourbon St. to feel comfortable. Bottom line? Great drinks, great people watching, great music and old-world charm. Not the cheapest prices in the Quarter but well worth it for the atmosphere...check it out!

French Quarter Fun!

Hello world!

Welcome to the New Orleans French Quarter Fun blog! Just to give you a little of what you can expect here, we will be exploring all the fun things to do, cool places to go, music, entertainment, nightlife, parties, festivals, tours, history, art and theater that the French Quarter has to offer. All of the posts will have specific suggestions for tourists and locals alike. So whether you are planning a vacation to the French Quarter, a new resident or a long time local, check here each week for exciting new things to see and do in New Orleans famous, historic French Quarter!