Carrollton Ave., 301-0938; www. shamrockparty.com
PUB GRUB Local bars offer a wide array of dining options, from small plates to full-fledged gastropubs. Here are some places with gourmet dining options and the relaxed atmosphere of a bar.
AMERICAN SECTOR
Patrons enjoy refined drinks and small plates at chef John Harris’ Bouligny Tavern.
bars provide opportunities for fun activities beyond pool, darts and Erotic Photo Hunt.
and weekly spelling bees. The Pinewood Derby should return in the fall, and the spelling bee is on indefinite hiatus, but until then there’s bingo on Sundays beginning around 10 p.m. (after a Treme screening). There’s also heavy metal trivia in between rounds. 2529 Dauphine St., 949-2009; www.lostlovelounge.com
BLUE NILE
OZ
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The selection of house-brewed beers typically includes a pilsner, the Vienna-style Red Stallion, a Munichstyle dark beer, a weiss (wheat) beer and a seasonal brew. There’s also an oyster bar and full menu from the kitchen. 527 Decatur St., 522-0571; www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com
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Not unlike its neighbors on Frenchmen Street, this bar offers nightly music on its intimate stage — but its other star is its beer altar, featuring dozens of international microbrews and craft beers. Bring cash for the cover charge for the bands (there are typically two shows a night). 618 Frenchmen St., 942-7371; www.dbabars.com/dbano
GORDON BIERSCH
The chain brewery features rotating seasonal brews and several regulars, like a hefeweizen, a Czech-style pilsner, and a Schwarzbier, a dark German “black beer” with a roasted coffee finish, all brewed in-house. The spacious bar also serves an eclectic selection of bar food. 200 Poydras St., 522-2739; www.gordonbiersch.com
LET THE GAMES BEGIN The pub quiz trend has spread to many local bars, and for those who are out of knowledge or tired of studying, there are new options. For anyone seeking an active drinking experience, these
Artist Will Smith hosts his “Drink ’n’ Draw” nights at the Blue Nile every third Sunday of the month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is usually at the Circle Bar, which currently is undergoing renovation. A live model will be present, and struggling artists can receive instruction upon request. 532 Frenchmen St., 948-2583; www.blue-nilelive.com
HI-HO LOUNGE
For those still into bar trivia but seeking some specialization, the Bywater music store Euclid Records hosts a music trivia night on Tuesdays at the Hi-Ho. Lefty Parker and music writer (and former Gambit contributor) Alison Fensterstock come up with the questions, which range from “very easy” to “super challenging.” Prizes include bar tabs, Euclid gift certificates, music memorabilia and more. The bar usually screens a music-related movie at 6 p.m., and trivia starts around 8 p.m. 2239 St. Claude Ave., 945-4446
LOST LOVE LOUNGE
This Bywater dive has proved to be the home for grown-up Boy Scouts and elementary school nerds. In the past it has hosted an authentic Pinewood Derby
This isn’t your grandmother’s church hall bingo: The legendary French Quarter gay dance club hosts drag bingo twice a week. On Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., sassy drag queens host the game that awards prizes including free cover for the weekend and other schwag. The bar usually has happy hour drink specials during the games. 800 Bourbon St., 593-9491; www.ozneworleans.com
It’s found inside the museum that’s dedicated to the crowning achievement of the “greatest generation” but the bar at John Besh’s spiffy, 1940’s-inspired restaurant draws representatives of all generations. They hoist retro cocktails, tiki drinks and custom-brewed draft beers while grazing through snacks like rabbit pate and crab pies or towering sandwiches served on butcher blocks. National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., 528-1940; www.american-sector.com
THE BOMBAY CLUB
With its deep booths, leather armchairs and dark wood paneling, there’s an urbane air inside the Bombay Club. Membership is not required to make a night of it at this club, where chef Ricky Cheramie prepares modern Creole cuisine and cocktail book author Cheryl Charming presides over the bar. Check out her themed cocktail specials on Mad Men Mondays or James Bond Tuesdays, while live jazz continues on weekends. 830 Conti St., 586-0972; www.thebombayclub.com
BOULIGNY TAVERN
Hidden under the highway at the edge of downtown, the Rusty Nail usually hosts bingo at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The next bingo night is scheduled for July 14. Prizes include free food and drinks, T-shirts and other items. 1100 Constance St., 525-5515; www.therustynail.biz
Chef John Harris made his name — and earned plenty of culinary accolades — at his restaurant Lilette. So it’s no surprise that the drinks at the bar he opened just next door share the spotlight with dishes like duck confit, gouda beignets and charcuterie. The sleek decor is an unabashed tribute to mid-century American design, and on any given night the well-dressed crowd is equally stylish. 3641 Magazine St., 891-1810; www.boulignytavern.com
SHAMROCK
CAPDEVILLE
THE RUSTY NAIL
The Shamrock might be New Orleans’ exclusively-for-grown-ups Dave & Buster’s. The proprietors have filled the old Rock ’N’ Bowl space with a whopping 23 pool tables, 5 ping-pong cages, foosball tables, shuffleboard, skee-ball machines, air hockey and many more amusements. The bar hosts ping-pong and foosball tournaments on Tuesdays, and pool tourneys on Wednesdays. 4133 S.
Anthems and guitar ballads dominate the jukebox, and whiskey bottles line the rafters at a Warehouse District tavern that wears its rock ’n’ roll allegiance as proudly as a concert T-shirt. Whiskey is also prominent on the list of cocktails, which the after-work crowd knocks back while rolling up sleeves for burgers topped with fried eggs, duck confit club sandwiches and bowls of poutine,
the Quebecois-style cheese fries. 520 Capdeville St., 371-5161; www.capdevillenola.com
MIMI’S IN THE MARIGNY
This two-story watering hole has long been an outpost for late-night eats in the Marigny, serving its traditional Spanish tapas menu well into the wee hours. Eclectic local roots bands perform upstairs, where sofas and table lamps lend the feel of a bohemian living room. Each Saturday, the vibe shifts to highenergy house party as DJ Soul Sister gets behind the turntables and everyone starts dancing. 2601 Royal St., 872-9868
MONDO
Chef Susan Spicer opened Mondo as a family-friendly restaurant in Lakeview, but it turns out that the roomy front bar became the neighborhood’s favored perch for creative cocktails and inventive nibbles. While the kid’s menu remains popular in the main dining room, the bar fills with people sampling wine and snacks like Thai meatballs, deviled eggs or wood-oven pizzas. 900 Harrison Ave., 224-2633; www.mondoneworleans.com
RENDON INN
It’s been around since 1933, but this backstreet Broadmoor joint isn’t your grandfather’s Rendon Inn. Thoroughly remodeled after Hurricane Katrina, it’s now a tavern with a wide selection of local craft beers on tap and a full menu by J’Anita’s. Check out the pulled pork and brisket, the redfish sandwiches, fresh guacamole and bacon-wrapped apricots stuffed with blue cheese. 4501 Eve St., 826-5605
SYLVAIN
This beautifully renovated old French Quarter address is now a place to get gourmet burgers and market salads, while the bar serves both craft cocktails and cans of Schlitz beer. The main dining room and bar have an antique feel, with mellow lighting and simple decor, while a narrow courtyard leads to a brick-lined cove and a few tables that seem seductively tucked away. 625 Chartres St., 265-8123; www. sylvainnola.com
THE THREE MUSES
People come to Frenchmen Street for food, music and drinks, and the Three Muses puts them all under one rather petite roof. PAGE 28