New
Orleans Entertainment By Uma
Dongre |
At nightfall,
New Orleans gets ready to outdo the previous evening - partying so hard, the whole
city seems to transform into one wild party beast.
To
fully enjoy the New Orleans nightlife, just follow your bod as it shakes to the
pulsating rhythms of Jazz, Rhythm, Blues, Cajun and Zydecko….With liquor flowing
freely 24 hours a day, the party seems to go on and on…
Late
nights belong Bourbon Street, so start early to pack more variety into your itinerary.
Enjoy
an evening of sophistication at the Theater of Performing Arts at Baronne Street
, where the New Orleans Opera Association performs annually. Fairmont
hotel in the neighborhood adds to the street's historic significance with
their lively tradition of hospitality since 1893. Another historical classic,
the Baronne
Plaza is worth a visit, with beautiful stained-glass skylights adding to the
lobby's old-world charm.
Catch the works
of local playwrights at The Contemporary Arts Center on Camp Street or enjoy a
riveting performance at the Southern Repertory Theater ( Canal Place ). Theater
buffs will love the drama and musicals performed year-round at the New Rivertown
Repertory Theater at Minor Street , Kenner .
Add
a spot of gaming to your schedule with the Treasure Chest Casino ( Williams Blvd
, Kenner ). Located on Lake Pontchartrain , the casino boasts of Vegas-style gaming
with 900 slot machines, 50 gaming tables and “the area's largest poker room”.
As
you make your way towards the French Quarter, don't miss the excitement at Harrah's
New Orleans Casino on Canal Street . Nearby, The
Wyndham Canal Place (Rue Iberville) offers majestic views of the historic
French Quarter and the Mississippi River. A swim in their heated rooftop pool
can be extremely rejuvenating.
Close
to Bourbon Street , the historic Cotton
Exchange Hotel (Cardondelet St.) is the same building that inspired impressionist
painter Degas to paint one of his most famous works, the New Orleans Cotton Exchange.
The
artistic at heart will head for Napoleon House Bar and Café on Chartres
Street- a favorite haunt of the literati, with its muted grandeur and escapist
ambience. Chartres Street is also famous for The Old Ursuline Convent built around
1750.
With your finer sensibilities thus
fulfilled, it's time to feel the raw, unstoppable excitement that's…(you said
it) Bourbon Street ! JW
Marriott serves as an entrance to the French Quarter and is conveniently close
to Bourbon Street revelry.
Top Bourbon
Street picks include Pat O' Brien's - famous for its Hurricane drink. While there,
you can choose from the courtyard, main bar, patio, restaurant bar, piano bar
and the Briar's Suite. Pat O' Brien's has a St. Peter's Street entrance that brings
you close to Preservation Hall, with a choice of fantastic shows themed with old-time
Jazz. Yo Mama's Bar and the Secret Room ( St. Peter St. ) offers a choice a “over
50 different tequilas” and “the finest burgers in the Quarter”.
Back
on Bourbon, don't miss Cat's Meow with a chance to go live on “Burbocam” for all
your friends to see! The boisterous Karaoke nights attract songbirds of different
feather. Even Britney Spears has graced this favorite hangout of the lovers of
rock and country.
For classic New Orleans
romance, your best bet is the Ramada
Plaza on Bourbon. Their relaxing and intimate lobby bar serves some of the
finest authentic New Orleans cocktails.
Add
a dash of history to your partying at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. The Bar today
is housed in the building that dates back to 1772 and was once owned by the pirate
Jean Lafitte.
Big Daddy's Gentleman's
Club on Bourbon Street boasts the “prettiest girls in the South” offering great
adult entertainment. Choose from the inviting main stage area or the VIP room.
On
Royal Street , the Carousel Revolving Car at Monteleone
Hotel provides a panoramic view of New Orleans as a live pianist regales guests.
As your party spirit wanes, take a leaf
out of Travel & Leisure, which claims that “If New Orleans is the best place
in the country to party, then International
House is the best place in New Orleans to sleep it off.” Amen to that.
