Going to New Orleans with some friends (late 20's) in March. This will be our 1st time! Looking for the real NO/Cajan feel. Does anyone have suggestions on bars/clubs that play cajan music or have that kind of atmosphere so that we can get a feel for the town. I know that Bourbon Street has a million bars but we aren't looking for a frat party. Thanks.

Understand that New Orleans is not in Cajun(note spelling) country, it's in Creole country. For true Cajun music and atmosphere you would have to make the 80 mile drive west to Layfayette. NO has some clubs with Cajun music though, like the Maple Leaf (long tradition, not too touristy). For homegrown NO music check out Presevation Hall.

Thanks for the clarification. As I said it's my first time so I don't really know what to expect. I just want to get a feel for the town. I'll try Preservation Hall and the Maple Leaf.

Rock N Bowl is the Cajun Music Capitol of New Orleans. There are dance lessons too. At Carrollton and Tulane Ave. The two Cajun Restaurants, Mulates and Michauls are OK. Try the music clubs by Tulane, Carrollton Station, Jimmies, F$M Patio and Rosies, then on to Tips.

Be sure to stop in Cooter browns at River Bend. Try Magazine Street for a change of pace many bars and restaurants but for a different crowd that the Bourbon Street groups. Magazine Street Merchants have a web page.

New Orleans is not very "cajun." Try Lafayette, 2 hours west.

Cooter Browns is full of frat boys which is what Nadine was avoiding.

Thanks everyone! Anyone else have any suggestions?

I always recommend Pat O'Brien's bar for the NO feel, you can hang outside by the fountain (weather should be great when y'all go) or the sing along dueling piano bar is a blast. Drinks are among the cheapest in town here too. Have a great time & be careful!

Nadine,
You might want to check-out Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. It is on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip (?) Anyway, its on Bourbon a few blocks past the gay bars.

Go watch Johnny at the piano. Sing alonhg on a few songs. Trust me, its a blast.

Oh yeah, the building looks like it will fall down. That's probably because it is the oldest continuous bar in the U.S.

Can anyone second that Johnny is worth the time?

ttt

Go down Magazine street to Le Bon Temp Roule. Good music, no cover charge, lots of locals. Try to go on Wed for Kermit Ruffin

Lafitte's is one of the best bars in NO, and not too touristy either.

CHeck it out. a hidden gem.

Is Bryan Lee still playing at the Old Absinthe?

LOVED Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and Johnny on the piano! Also, we caught some great jazz at Snug Harbor on Frenchmen Street. It's in the Faubourg Marigny district, just across Esplanade from the FQ, and there are a number of cool bars, clubs and restaurants on that strip of Frenchmen. It's out of the tourist scene as well.

We enjoyed the Bombay Club a lot. They had a jazz trio going on a Friday night - definately not a frat party. Pat O'Briens wasn't bad either.

Nadine,

If you are on Bourbon and want a club without the heavy frat boy feel, try Club 544 if Gary Brown is playing.

Saw him last Friday and he is probably the most polished and personable of the performers on Bourbon. A mix of blues, R&B, and soul.

Nadine: We were in New Orleans last week. On Bourbon at a bar called Lastrada we found a great zydeco band (Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers). They are only there on certain nights. We went back to see them a second time before leaving. They started around 9:00 pm the nights we were there.