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With its many apartment buildings converted from 19th-century warehouses and cotton mills as backdrop, the Warehouse District has become a real draw for locals and visitors alike with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs that cater to hip professionals. It's also home to the contemporary-arts scene, with dozens of galleries arranged throughout the district that host their own series of parties and celebrations.
Ernst has been operating as a bar since the first years of the 20th century, and the classic interior and upstairs balcony provide a welcome respite for conventioneers, lawyers from nearby firms, and service-industry folks winding down from shifts at area hotels. The classic menu includes local staples like red beans, po'boys, jambalaya, and burgers.
This New Orleans favorite has long been a premier venue and anchor of the Warehouse District club and music scene. With a great corner location in a converted warehouse, it hosts larger rock, funk, blues, Latin, and hip-hop shows nearly every night on the main stage, as well as comedy and burlesque shows. A side bar called The Den books more intimate events and offers a full bar with pub fare served until late.
Across the street from the convention center, this large venue seats 400, and the dance floor quickly fills with couples twirling and two-stepping to authentic Cajun bands from the countryside. Regulars love to drag first-timers to the floor for impromptu lessons. The home-style Cajun cuisine is acceptable, but what matters is the nightly music.
This rock club retains the rough-timbered feel of the cotton-and-grain warehouse it used to be. The club books touring hip-hop stars and rock bands as well as local acts, and DJs take over the sound system late at night for popular dance parties.
Nestled in between the overhead highway and a series of converted 18th-century warehouses, this discreet neighborhood bar can be difficult to find. With lively crowds, a great selection of scotches, a gorgeous dog-friendly patio, and Sidecar Oyster Bar next door for eats, it's worth the trek to get here.
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