Issuu

November 2026

WhereYat.com

DINING • MUSIC • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE

Bar Guide // November 2026

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Bar Guide // November 2026

RISE AND BRINE

WITH THE MOTHER OF MARY

DRAGO’S METAIRIE

BREAKFAST Daily 8:00AM - 10:30AM

D R A G O S R E S TA U R A N T. C O M

Unlike any other. Undeniably for kids.

At Manning Family Children’s, kids are our sole purpose. All day, every day, for every child. If a child needs help, we stand ready with care unlike any other. And with the expertise, compassion, and support for anything a child might need, right here at home—and always regardless of ability to pay.

manningchildrens.org

INSIDE 32

NOVEMBER 2026

BAR GUIDE

BEVYS + BITES 08 IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK 10 NEW ORLEANS BAR GUIDE 16 A RUM STORY 20 COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH 22 LEARNING EVENTS AT BARS 24 VETERAN-OWNED SPOTS 34 FOOD NEWS 36 DINING GUIDE

18 PAINT THE TOWN PINK 30 LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE 32 FALL FESTIVALS' CHARITIES 42 TIES BETWEEN HAITI AND NOLA 44 FALL ON THE BAYOU 46 NOLA'S FIT FÊTE WEEKEND

ENTERTAINMENT 26 CONCERT CALENDAR 30 LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE 47 MOVIE REVIEWS

LAGNIAPPE 48 PO-BOY VIEWS

49 TALES FROM THE QUARTER 50 WHERE Y'BEEN

34 42

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Photos from top: courtesy of Ghost Manor, The Mortuary, Nathan J. Hilton, Bruno Guerroro, Gene Tagaban

FEATURES

INSIDE

10 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Christopher Grim Executive Editor: Burke Bischoff Assistant Editor: Donald Rickert Movie Editors: David Vicari, Fritz Esker

LETTER

from the PUBLISHER

Photo: courtesy of Christopher Grim

ottoms up. Savor this boozy Bar Guide that highlights some of the hottest locales in town. It includes everything from bare-bones dive bars to extravagant upscale lounges. Professional mixologists often say, “Bartenders are psychologists who can pour drinks.” With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Carrie Sagen-Severino explains how bartenders are the everyman’s therapist. She interviews well-known local barkeeps who share interesting tales of adventure and comedy. Rum has a deep historical connection to New Orleans via a Caribbean maritime trade. And while the Crescent City isn’t famous for its tiki bars, it is known for its thriving cocktail culture. Tim McNally shares the different types of rum, as well as cocktail recipes to make at home. Locals love their fall festivals. A great thing about our festivals is that they often benefit a worthy non-profit. Sober Fest is a fantastic example of a popular fête benefitting a great cause in Bridge House/Grace House. Tina Howell explores this important relationship of having fun while supporting those in need. Cheers.

Contributing Writers: Rebecca Fox, Arielle Gonzales, Emily Hingle, Tina Howell, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Tim McNally, Kim Ranjbar, Alya Satchu, Carrie Sagen-Severino, Kimmie Tubré, Celeste Turner Cover: Christopher Grim Director of Sales: Jim Sylve Photographers and Designers: Burke Bischoff, Gustavo Escanelle, Emily Hingle, Kim Ranjbar, Christopher Grim, Randy Schmidt, Henry Foster Interns: Henry Foster, Charli Lewis, Makenna Mincey, Rachel Passer, Alyvia Pierson, Catherine Streeter, Daisy Stuart

Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $40. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com. Logo ©2026 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952 Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com WhereYat.com

11:30am - 4:00am Serving food until 4am Pizzas, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches, Wings Over 100 Beers All Sports Packages Sixteen 65" TVs

– Josh Danzig, Publisher

Bar Guide // November 2026

Carousel Bar

If These Walls Could Talk:

// CARRIE SAGEN-SEVERINO

In a city founded in 1718, the walls have had more than three centuries to learn one essential New Orleans skill—discretion.

hey have survived fires, floods, hurricanes, renovations, reinventions, and, presumably, a few decisions nobody felt the need to revisit the next morning. Not every bar wall in New Orleans is 300 years old, of course, but they stand inside a city where hospitality has long been part business, part theater, and part neighborhood ritual. And behind those bars are the people who keep the whole thing moving. Bartenders do more than pour drinks. They remember names, referee bad ideas, celebrate engagements, meet generations of regulars, and know when somebody needs another round, water, or a ride home. New Orleans may draw people with architecture, food, music, and cocktails, but the people working the bars are often why a visitor comes back and a local claims a stool. Lisa Zumpe has been doing exactly that at the Chart Room since 1975. She started as a cocktail waitress before owner Ray Newman gave her a shot behind the bar, with one catch—a one-month probation. Decades later, Zumpe jokingly asked when he planned to take her off it. “Zumpe, you’re off probation,” he told her. Talk about job security. Around 2 a.m. one night, two K-Paul’s servers noticed a naked man standing on the corner. Zumpe called 911. While she was

talking to the dispatcher, the man walked inside. The dispatcher asked whether he was armed. “Definitely not,” Zumpe replied. Police eventually picked him up down the street. The visitor apparently thought nudity was legal in New Orleans. That may be giving the city a little too much credit. Julie Lacoste has watched another kind of history unfold from behind the Chart Room bar. When she started at 26, her Sunday regulars were mostly men in their 80s, settled into “their” stools with $1.50 frozen mugs of High Life and copies of The Times-Picayune. Twenty years later, she looked up from cutting fruit and saw younger faces in those same seats, glowing from phone screens and drinking seltzers and craft beer. One generation had handed the bar to another. Then came a visitor from India who watched his first second line pass down Chartres Street. His eyes lit up. Lacoste explained the tradition and

Chart Room

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

joked that he did not have to die or get married to have one himself. A week later, she heard another band approaching. She turned off the jukebox, looked outside, and froze. There he was. He had gotten his own second line and was dancing down Chartres. “Sometimes you get jaded as a bartender,” Lacoste said, until a moment reminds you “how truly special it is to work in the Quarter.” At Touché Bar, Donna has spent 27 years collecting the Quarter’s particular brand of theater. Ask what the walls would say, and she answers like someone who understands the bartender’s code. “I can’t tell the stories, but I know where the bodies are buried.” Fortunately, she will tell a few. During Mardi Gras, a regular’s husband was out with friends while his pregnant wife was home. When his buddies tried to drag him

to another bar to stay out all night, Donna got the friends out, locked the husband inside Touché with her, and called his wife to retrieve him. The couple still comes in. They still laugh about it. Then came a packed Saturday when a regular kept asking whether Donna knew who “Quentin” was. She did not. The guest eventually confirmed he was Quentin Tarantino, mingled with everyone, and left his number in her book. “I know who he is now,” Donna said. At the Carousel Bar & Lounge at the Monteleone, Beverage Manager Marvin Allen has spent 24 years watching guests become part of the scenery. One time, one gentleman ordered a cocktail, went to the restroom, and returned convinced someone had taken his drink. Nobody had. The Carousel had simply rotated while he was gone. Allen’s memories reach beyond the punchlines. He remembers Pete Fountain’s Half Fast Walking Club arriving on Mardi Gras morning, the night the Saints won the Super Bowl, and, most poignantly, reopening after Hurricane Katrina. Guests thanked the staff for simply opening the doors. To them, Allen says, it felt like proof New Orleans was coming back. Kimberly PattonBragg, now at Pulcinella!, moved to New Orleans from New York in 2004 and fell hard for craft cocktails, American whiskey, and what she calls “the madness of a restaurant.” She has the scar tissue to prove it.

Photos from top: courtesy of Hotel Monteleone, Chart Room

Conversations with NOLA Bartenders

Trying to cheer up a fellow bartender, Patton-Bragg launched into her “intimidance,” an aggressive running man delivered with a mean mug. Her foot snapped. Both bartenders laughed so hard they were useless for about 20 minutes. A week later, Patton-Bragg learned she had actually broken it. But some bar stories travel far beyond the bar. Patton-Bragg has ended up officiating weddings for two different couples who began as regulars. “You never know what comes up in conversation at a bar,” she said.

That may be the real reason New Orleans hospitality endures. The city can sell a room, a reservation, a cocktail, and a good time. What it cannot mass-produce is the person behind the bar who remembers your name, saves you from a terrible decision, explains a second line, laughs through a broken foot, opens the doors after a hurricane, or watches one generation leave a barstool for the next. Those people turn hospitality into memory. They turn visitors into regulars and regulars into family. They are part of why this centuries-old city keeps finding new stories without losing the old ones. The walls hold the history. The bartenders keep the receipts. And if those walls ever do start talking, Donna has already issued the warning, “They are all true. The real deal. You can’t make it up.”

Photos from left: courtesy of Touché, Kimberly Patton-Bragg

Touché

Bar Guide // November 2026

2026

S N A E L R O NEW

BA R GUIDE 3rd Block Depot pairs New-Orleans inspired food with a creative cocktail program inside Hotel de la Poste. Try the raspberry-and-lemon Ursuline Convent, mezcal-based “Fon” Old Fashion, or the Gris Gris Margarita. The bar also offers local craft beers, wine, zero-proof cocktails, and bites including crawfish balls and Louisiana Gulf oysters. 310 Chartres St., (504) 552-4095, 3rdblockdepot.com

Commons Club, located in the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, offers quality cocktails, refreshing drinks, and tasty bites in a beautiful setting. Some of the many different cocktails to be enjoyed include the NOLA Bounce with rye and the Green Gator with chartreuse. For something extra fancy, consider the French XIII. 550 Baronne St., (833) 761-7700, virginhotels.com/new-orleans

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

S Bar at The Monarch Hotel offers an all-day destination for dining, drinks, and late-night plans inside a beautiful downtown hotel. Its cocktail menu features creations such as the Coconut Classic Daiquiri with coconut rum and the Pimm & Proper with gin, Pimm’s, orange blossom honey syrup, and lemon. 210 St. Charles Ave., (504) 300-0053, themonarchnola.com

Sazerac House explores New Orleans cocktail culture through interactive exhibits, tastings, and spirited experiences. Visitors can learn about Sazerac Rye, Peychaud’s Bitters, and the history behind the city’s drinking traditions. Naturally, the experience also celebrates its namesake Sazerac, one of the cocktails most closely associated with New Orleans. 101 Magazine St., (504) 910-0100, sazerachouse.com

Photos from top: courtesy of Rachel Claire, Henry Foster, Rachel Passer

CBD / WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

The Metropolitan has turned its Warehouse District space into a high-energy nightlife destination. Multiple full bars and VIP bottle service complement DJ-driven nights featuring hip-hop, pop, house, and electronic music. Large dance floors, lighting, and video displays make the club a popular option for late-night entertainment. 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 568-1702, themetronola.com

Rick’s Cabaret brings three floors of adult nightlife to Bourbon Street with entertainment, VIP experiences, and a full bar. Guests can choose from beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails while enjoying the club’s different spaces. VIP service and a daily happy hour offer additional options for a night on the town. 315 Bourbon St., (504) 524-4222, rickscabaretneworleans.com

FRENCH QUARTER Boot Scootin’ Rodeo brings a country honky-tonk experience to Bourbon Street with line dancing, crossover country music, and a mechanical bull. Saddle up to the full bar for a cold drink then hit the venue’s large oak dance floor. An upstairs balcony offers another view of the Bourbon Street action. 522 Bourbon St., (504) 552-2510, bootscootinnola.com

All photos: courtesy of Henry Foster and Rachel Passer

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk combines country and the blues with Tropical Isle’s famous specialty drinks. Order the signature Hand Grenade or Pirate’s Passion while catching live performances from local musicians. TVs, including an 80-inch screen for major games, add a sports-bar element to this lively Bourbon Street country destination. 727 Bourbon St., (504) 523-1960, tropicalisle.com

Saddle Bar brings a Western-inspired nightlife experience to the French Quarter with country music, drinks, games, and a mechanical rooster. The two-story bar continues its theme with rustic décor and saddle-style seating. Guests can grab a cocktail, listen to country favorites, and test their skills on the mechanical rooster. 715 Bienville St., (504) 313-1113, saddlebar.com

The Boondock Saint offers an intimate Irish-pub escape just off the bustle of Bourbon Street. Grab a properly poured Guinness, explore the bar’s selection of Irish whiskey, or pick a favorite from its reasonably priced beers. A jukebox, laid-back atmosphere, and cozy setting make it an easy French Quarter stop. 731 St. Peter St., (504) 525-4950, facebook.com/TheBoondockSaintBar

Land of Dreams is a new French Quarter destination bringing music, art, and nightlife together on Decatur Street. Created as a space for connection and creative expression, the venue offers live performances, DJ sets, and a full bar. Its programming spans genres and aims to create an immersive late-night experience. 201 Decatur St., (504) 571-5143, lodnola.com

The Jazz Playhouse pairs live New Orleans jazz with cocktails inspired by the city’s musical history. Try Ella Fitzgerald’s Pearflower Martini, the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned, or a classic French 75. Happy hour also features discounted Sazeracs, Old Fashioneds, draft beer, select wine, and cheese and meat boards. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2299, thejazzplayhouse.com

Misfit Toys brings a rock ‘n’ roll attitude to Bourbon Street. Billed as the street’s only rock-themed bar, the spot pairs its music-focused atmosphere with drinks and rotating daily specials. Stop in for a casual round, catch the rock-inspired setting, and check the bar’s current specials while visiting. 410 Bourbon St., misfittoysnola.com

The Jimani is a longtime French Quarter sports bar offering more than 100 beers, including Louisiana brews, and plenty of televisions for watching games. Its late-night kitchen serves favorites such as the “hang ova” burger, spicy crab po-boy, and wings. The family-run establishment has been around since 1971. 141 Chartres St., (504) 524-0493, thejimani.com

Bar Guide // November 2026

Open at 11 AM Tuesday- Sunday

Three Maries Jazz Club pairs live jazz with an elevated cocktail program inside the Omni Royal Orleans. Try the Dust n’ Bones with vodka, lime oleo, and truffle dust or the Caviar and Champagne with vodka and champagne vermouth. Small plates include jambalaya arancini and a griddled petite muffuletta. 621 St. Louis St., (504) 529-7075, threemariesjazzclub.com

Vampire Apothecary Bar & Restaurant embraces its gothic theme with “prescription” craft cocktails and other supernatural sips. Try the Alchemist’s Elixir with elderflower liqueur and pea-flowerinfused gin, a Vampire Sazerac with local rye and absinthe, or Fangria served in a blood bag. Absinthe, local draft beers, and mocktails are also available. 725 St. Peter St., (504) 766-8179, vampireapothecary.com

NEW LOCATION! 4445 VETERANS BLVD.

4017 ST. CLAUDE AVE. ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE! Follow us! @bestjerkhouse

GARDEN DISTRICT The Garden District Hotel offers several ways to drink and unwind, including the intimate Garden Bar and New Orleans’ only swim-up bar. Sip botanical cocktails or choose from a curated wine list, then pair your drink with dishes such as steak frites, shrimp étouffée, or a burger. 1525 Prytania St., (504) 383-9500, gdhnola.com

ALL THE TIME!

• $14 DOMESTIC BUCKETS • $18 IMPORT BUCKETS • $28 HIGH NOON BUCKETS

Rivershack Tavern combines quirky décor, live music, food, and a sizable beer selection near the Mississippi River levee. Choose from local drafts such as Abita Amber, Parish Envie, and Urban South’s Paradise Park, or try one of the tavern’s cocktails. Its famously unusual handmade barstools add to the neighborhood personality. 3449 River Rd., (504) 834-4938, rivershacktavern.com

LAKEVIEW

126 S. Roadway St. NOLA 504-510-2175 504-329-1403 @jbsfueldock 12

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

JB’s Fuel Dock offers waterfront drinking and dining right near Lake Pontchartrain. Sip a Basin Bowl with rum, coconut rum, blue curaçao, and pineapple juice, or cool off with a frozen Bushwhacker. The menu also includes draft and bottled beers, wine, margaritas, and pizzas such as the classic margherita. 128 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

All photos: courtesy of Henry Foster and Rachel Passer

JEFFERSON

Lots A Luck Tavern is a longtime Lakeview neighborhood dive with an easygoing atmosphere and plenty to do between drinks. Grab an affordable beer or cocktail while watching a Saints game, playing pool or foosball, or relaxing in their backyard courtyard. Weekly events have included Whiskey Wednesdays and Thursday trivia. 203 Homedale St., (504) 483-0978

OPEN FOR DINE-IN AND TAKE OUT!

METAIRIE Martine’s Lounge brings a relaxed, neighborhoodbar atmosphere to Old Metairie with cold beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. Local favorites include frozen Irish coffee, cherry limeade, and frozen sangria. Guests can settle in for a drink while playing darts, pinball, or video poker, with trivia adding another reason to visit. 2347 Metairie Rd., (504) 831-8637, facebook.com/martineslounge

MID-CITY

All photos: courtesy of Henry Foster and Rachel Passer

Beachcorner Bar & Grill is a casual neighborhood sports bar known for its 10-ounce beachburger and extensive burger selections. Try the hot & spicy beachburger with jalapeños and pepper jack cheese or the black & bleu burger with bacon and blue cheese. Cold beers and classic bar snacks complete the experience. 4905 Canal St., (504) 488-7357, beachcornerbarandgrill.com

Pal’s Lounge is a laid-back Mid-City neighborhood bar known for craft cocktails and rotating local food vendors. The bar has long been associated with quality drinks such as its spicy Gingerita, while its casual setting keeps the focus on good drinks and conversation. Stop by for a relaxed neighborhood night. 949 N. Rendon St., (504) 488-7257, instagram.com/palsloungenola

HAPPY HOUR AT THE BAR M-F 3:30-5:30

LAKEVIEW HARBOR 504-486-4887 - LAKEVIEWHARBOR.US 8550 P O N C H A RT RA I N B LV D.

ThaNk You for voTiNg!

Best Patio Bar oNe oF tHe Best Dog-FrieNDly Bars oNe oF tHe Best Beer selectioNs

The Dog House is a dog friendly bar and restaurant that is perfect for a day out with your furry friend. Enjoy pizza and creative cocktails such as the Sassie Lassie with gin and El Poochador with mezcal. You can even enjoy their off-leash dog park with a membership. 2736 Banks St., (504) 209-7263, doghousenola.com

oNe oF tHe Best Bars (MiD-city)

3532 Toulouse sT. New orleaNs Bar Guide // November 2026

Wrong Iron on the Greenway is a sprawling beer garden along the Lafitte Greenway with 50 draft beers, cocktails, wine, frozen drinks, and a full food menu. Its spacious patio is perfect for game days and groups, while weekday happy hour offers discounted drafts and more enticing specials. 3532 Toulouse St., (504) 302-1503, wrongiron.com

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Tacos & Beer pairs Mexican favorites with cold drinks in a casual, lively setting. Dig into queso birria tacos with Monterey Jack and consomé, carne asada tacos, or beer-battered Baja fish tacos. The menu also offers fresh guacamole, ceviche, and other shareable bites to enjoy alongside beer and margaritas. Multiple Locations, facebook.com/tacosneworleans

Tropical Isle is a Bourbon Street staple best known for its signature Hand Grenade. Guests can also try specialty drinks such as the Tropical Itch and Horny Gator while enjoying the lively atmosphere across its French Quarter locations. Different spaces offer live entertainment and balconies overlooking Bourbon Street. Multiple Locations, tropicalisle.com

Garden Bar Nights NOW SERVING DINNER From steak frites and shrimp étouffée to a burger or salad, there’s something for whatever kind of night you’re having.

Le Bon Temps Roule has kept the good times going on Magazine Street since 1979. Open 24 hours everyday, the bar is known for its Bloody Marys, live music, billiards, and casual neighborhood atmosphere. Grab a beer or cocktail, order a smash burger, and catch performances from local musicians. 4801 Magazine St., (504) 897-3448, lbtrnola.com

PLUS LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Sunday - Thursday | 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday - Saturday | 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

gdhnola.com

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

St. Joe’s Bar is a Magazine Street neighborhood favorite known for its signature blueberry mojitos and laid-back atmosphere. The bar’s colorful lanterns, religious-inspired décor, and spacious back patio create a distinctive setting for drinks with friends. Guests can also explore its bourbon selection or enjoy a classic cocktail. 5535 Magazine St., (504) 899-3744, stjoesbar.com

All photos: courtesy of Henry Foster and Rachel Passer

UPTOWN

Míle buíochas!

INTRODUCING

HAPPY HOUR NEXT DOOR. THURSDAY–MONDAY • 3–6 PM MULTIPLE SCREENS FULL BAR • SPECIAL FOOD MENU

409 Tchoupitoulas Street

Bar Guide // November 2026

Rum: Bringing About

Significant Change With Crops // TIM McNALLY

e are spending vast amounts of money, devoting huge sums of our resources, and creating new transportation vehicles to reach out and define what new bits of progress can be accomplished by establishing a solid presence in the areas surrounding Earth and beyond. The commitments to space exploration we have laid down are exactly what our ancestors did when it was discovered that land existed, previously unseen, across a large body of water, where new outposts could be established and prosper.

Thinking of the New World/Space Race in this way puts us in the same frame of mind as our ancestors. While the commercial advantages of agricultural products were more self-evident with the establishment of manufacturing facilities in the New World, in the Space Race, we are creating known product manufacturing in a more advantageous physical environment away from our home planet.

The main point here is to drive home the statement that anyone who thinks the Boston Tea Party was about tea does not know real history. The Boston Tea Party, a seminal event in America’s Revolution against England, was about tariffs on products we New World denizens produced and that were shipped back to the Old World. Primarily among those products was rum. The heavy tariff paid on this side of the Atlantic was particularly upsetting since the other side of the Atlantic could not properly produce rum anyway. The European environment did not provide enough sunlight nor the proper amount of rain to grow rum’s key manufacturing ingredient—sugar cane. Sugar cane is a tropical plant. It likes strong heat, porous soils, and lots of rain. These three qualities were available in abundance in the islands of the New World and were even available on the continent itself. Native peoples, long before Europeans arrived, made rums because the necessary components were right outside of their tribal villages. Like tobacco, Europeans took a liking to the new products made with “tropical” ingredients. For the monarchies in the Old World to then step up and place a heavy tax on goods, which could only be produced on this side of the Atlantic, was insulting and even, as it turns out, revolutionary. There were, to be sure, attempts to make rum from sugar beets, which can be grown easily enough in Europe; however, the product is entirely different, lacking in depth and an elegant aroma. Now, making a spirit called rum with sugar beets is against international law. Rum must be made now from sugar cane. The cane is harvested at one crop per season. Harvesting time is determined by sucrose levels in the stalk, and today, harvesting is usually done mechanically.

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

The stalk is then quickly taken to a mill where it is crushed and the resulting juice, a thick, dark syrup, is boiled. Sometimes at this point, depending on what the target product is going to be, molasses, also a product of the cane pressing, is added. During this fermentation stage, water and yeast are introduced to the syrup. The yeast consumes the sugars, and the result is alcohol. The fermented liquid is heated in a still, the style of which determines what kind of rum will be the result. Lighter rums experience column stills, and if a heavier product is desired, a pot still is used. The end result after this process is a clear, alcohol liquid, which is then placed into a wooden barrel to age. At this point, the clear liquid takes certain characteristics from the wood, including color, aromas, and flavor depth. There are several types of rum made and marketed today: White Rum: Filtered for clarity, actually only used for cocktails. Never served straight. Gold/Amber Rum: Aged mostly in oak barrels. Smooth, rich, adds important tactile flavors/aromas to cocktails. Dark Rum: Achieved through the addition of molasses or caramel. Exclusively used in high-end cocktail or culinary efforts. Sometimes preferred for sipping. Spiced Rum: Infused with spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg or a proprietary blend known only to the distillery. Overproof Rum: The initial pressing is boiled at a much higher temperature, which yields a rum that is measured at 50% to 60% alcohol by volume or more instead of the usual 40%. Rum cocktails are usually the easiest and quickest cocktails to make. The rum does all the work providing great flavors and aromas. Unlike vodka, which is, by definition, flavorless and only present to add alcohol to the final effort, rums are tropical and have a “presence” in the mixing efforts.

Mojito A Cuban-born cocktail, specifically Havana. This drink consists of only five ingredients. 2 oz. White Rum 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice, or to taste 2 tsp. Sugar or ½ oz. Simple Syrup 6 to 10 leaves Fresh Mint Muddle ingredients. Mix in a tall glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda.

Mai Tai Created in Jamaica as the perfect seaside beverage on a hot day. 2 oz. Jamaican Rum 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice ¼ oz. Orgeat Syrup ¼ oz. Simple Syrup (for an added treat, add a drop or two of vanilla) Mix in a shaker with plenty of ice. Pour into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with fresh mint or lime slices.

Photos from top: courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, David Nance, Wikimedia Commons

If you want to have an idea as to why citizens of the Old World, mainly Europe, embraced all the “new” brought about by sailing west off of their homeland and landing on lands across an ocean, consider today’s attitudes about space exploration.

Bar Guide // November 2026

Paint the Town

Pink:

// REBECCA FOX

There’s always a reason to celebrate with the people in your circle. They are the ones who can turn an ordinary night into one you’ll never forget.

Beautiful Blush Backdrops for Your Next Glam Outing

Great seats available. Whether you’re headed to dinner or a show, roll with the RTA.

NORTA.com/Roll

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

beginning to end, with every stop contributing to the fantasy. Get glam, meet for brunch or cocktails, or dine and dance—stopping along the way for pink photo opportunities that strike your fancy. Whether the budget calls for putting on something pink and hunting down a blush background or a full-on champagne celebration, some destinations make it easy to create an experience that feels deliberately fabulous. Publicist and lifestyle creator Lauren Paige Woulard discussed her favorite pink-curated vibes. Her picks go beyond finding a pretty place to grab a drink. They’re about building an entire experience, from getting ready to returning home.

Photos from left: courtesy of Flamingo A-Go-Go, The Garden at Empire Orleans

hen the backdrop is beautiful, the photos are better, the memories feel a little brighter, and the entire experience gets elevated from the first toast to the final goodbye. Special touches are so important, yet dresses and heels don’t exactly make carrying boxes of decorations easy. Instead, seek out restaurants, bars, and other destinations where the aesthetic is already part of the experience, and let them do the heavy lifting. When the flowers, neon, cocktails, and picture-perfect corners are already waiting, all you have to do is show up, enjoy, and strike a pose. The best outings can be curated from

Start with the iconic pink building façade for the photo, then step inside for an entirely different backdrop. Interior designer Richard Keith Langham has described the restaurant’s design as embracing “the drama and the sassiness of New Orleans.” From its colorful dining rooms to the pink, lavender, aquamarine, and ivory of the Queen’s Room, Brennan’s is the splurge-worthy option for dressing up and making an occasion of it. It is in the French Quarter at 417 Royal St.

Live in November at the the Live in November at French French Market Market

Tacos del Cartel Ashley Sievert For a little pre-party pampering, Woulard recommends Ashley Sievert in Metairie for its Old Hollywood-inspired atmosphere, which she says “just feels like how a girl should feel.”

Petal Salon

For a more exuberant, floral take on the theme, head to Tacos del Cartel. The maximalist space mixes lush floral décor, neon, and dramatic lighting with pink blossoms literally from floor to ceiling. Bold coordinated outfits, statement earrings, and a margarita are called for there, and there’s a giant pink jungle cat, so you can’t go too big. Tacos del Cartel is at 1010 Girod St. in the CBD.

Every great glam outing needs a getting-ready moment, and Petal Salon on Magazine Street provides one with plenty of pink. The full-service salon offers hair, nails, makeup, skin, and lash services, meaning the group can get considerably more than a quick manicure before heading out. Its whimsical interior—with pink furnishings, florals, and camera-ready corners—also means the photos can start before anyone has even left the salon. Put on the pink, and get polished right from the start of your beautiful blush evening. Petal Salon is located at 1340 Magazine St.

sunrise yoga

cooking demo

culture & cuisine

live music

Wednesday Wednesday 6:45am 6:45am @ Oscar Dunn Oscar Dunn Park Park

thursday & Friday thursday Friday @ 12pm 12pm

Photos from top: courtesy of Lauren Woulard, Flamingo A-Go-Go, Brennan's

Pink Lotus If the assignment is perfectly pink, Pink Lotus by B Spot delivers. The Oak Street restaurant is awash in pink with teal accents, florals, and playful details, while its colorful drinks are practically begging to be photographed. Woulard calls it a favorite for brunch, noting that “everywhere you turn in there, it’s very Instagrammable.” There are often too many photos to choose from for any social media reel. There, the setting isn’t simply somewhere to eat before the real celebration begins. It becomes part of the celebration itself. It’s the sort of place where coordinating outfits doesn’t feel excessive. It feels like part of the plan.

Flamingo A-Go-Go For something a little more playful, Flamingo A-Go-Go embraces pink without taking itself too seriously. The Magazine Street restaurant and bar leans into its namesake bird with colorful décor, cocktails including frosé, and plenty of opportunities to have fun with the theme. Its oversized flamingo murals and installations provide obvious backdrops when it’s time for the group shot. Skip the serious poses there, grab the girls, and let the pictures reflect the personality of the place. Flamingo A-Go-Go is located at 869 Magazine St.

The Garden at Empire Orleans

Brennan’s Then there’s Brennan’s, where you don’t have to manufacture the glamour because it’s already built into the walls. Woulard celebrated a birthday brunch there with her aunts and found it to be a lovely time. She noted, “You don’t have to do too much. The décor is there.”

When dinner is over but the group isn’t ready for the celebration to end, The Garden at Empire Orleans provides another perfectly pink backdrop. Open Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight, it offers food, cocktails, and entertainment for one more stop before calling it a night. “We didn’t just decorate. We curated,” Tennesha Lee said. “Pretty in pink with intention, blooms like accents, light that loves the lens. [It’s] a space that says, ‘We know soft power and we wear it well.’ Every snapshot makes the girls feel like they’re featured on a beauty magazine cover.” The Garden is located at 2222 Poydras St. Really, isn’t that the point? A memorable outing doesn’t have to mean an enormous budget or decorations hauled from place to place. Sometimes, all you need is your favorite people, a reason to celebrate, and a destination pretty enough to make an ordinary day feel like a perfectly pink occasion.

Sunday Sunday @ 2pm 2pm

saturday saturday @ 12pm 12pm

fresh produce Seasonal favorites from Ranatza Farms Saturday n Saturday nov 21 & Sunday Sunday Nov 22

french arket str ct frenchMarketdistrict

frenchmarketnola frenchmarketnola

french market french market new new orleans orleans

learn more @ frenchmarket.org Bar Guide // November 2026

e v i G , d a e h A Go J o G a f o o O ve r pr // TIM McNALLY

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

ust be careful how you enjoy these creations. They will affect your senses and your abilities. This category goes by the main title, “overproof cocktails.” When you see that title, believe it. The usual alcohol by volume in the spirits you buy at the store is 40%. That translates into the proof number, which is usually prominent on the bottle you purchase, as 80 proof. You can do the math about the relationship of the two numbers. Okay, for those of you who have always resisted pop quizzes, which is most of us, proof is a liquid measurement that is twice the measured amount of alcohol in a spirit. In addition to the disclosure of the proof, you will likely see the alcohol in a spirit stated as a percentage accompanied by the abbreviation A.B.V. Those letters represent “ alcohol by volume.” On a side note, wines are measured only by the designation of the amount of alcohol in the product and it is expressed as a percentage of the total volume of liquid. Let’s get to the point. Overproof refers to the amount of alcohol in a liquid that exceeds what has become the generally agreed upon and accepted/expected normal range. The most obvious aspect of overproof is that these are powerful creations. Whatever your usual capacity or taste preferences are for the cocktail, your ability to imbibe this level of spirit as an ingredient will be lower. The other matter to consider in the making of an overproof cocktail: There are as many ingredients but lower quantities of each ingredient. Initially, make the drink using a ¾ level of whatever quantity stated in the recipe. Then, after you have constructed the drink, go back and see if you would like to make adjustments and additions of certain ingredients. Don’t try to make adjustments during the process of construction. Wait until you can judge the final product in its entirety. The key “adult” ingredients in an overproof cocktail are usually vodka, gin, or rum. Those spirits can be made at the distillery with varying degrees of alcohol without being a slave to generally accepted strict parameters, legal definitions, or tactile expectations. Some brown spirits, such as bourbons or scotch, are more tightly defined legally than the white spirits noted above.

Okay, it’s time to embark on your voyage of discovery. Do not fear. What happens here is sampling what you know in a whole new yet somewhat familiar light. If you are a “I never measure anything” kind of mixologist, temper your approach with this category of drinks. Remember, in cocktails, balance is the most important aspect. When the balance is tipped too far over towards the added ingredients or in favor of the central ingredient, the overall enjoyment of your efforts is skewed—and not in a good way.

Nuclear Daiquiri We might as well begin with a drink that will test your ability to construct a balanced drink while simultaneously getting the full and focused attention of your audience. This drink is a London creation from the late Gregor de Gruyther during his time at LAB Bar, circa 2005.

Ingredients 1 oz. Overproof White Rum, unaged, Jamaican, funky-style 2/3 oz. Green Chartreuse, or herbal liquor, to your taste ½ oz. Lime Juice, freshly squeezed 1/3 oz. Difford’s Falernum Liqueur 1/3 oz. Chilled Water or Mineral Water (omit if using wet ice)

How To Make Pre-chill coupe-style glass Prepare garnish: lime wedges Shake all ingredients with ice Fine-Strain into coupe Garnish: lime wedge on rim of serving coupe Yields one serving, 27% alcohol (Our thanks to Difford’s Guide)

Nuclear Daiquiri

Photos from left: courtesy of Kike Salazar, Britta Preusse, Createasea

Cocktail of the Month:

It might not seem like such a logical idea to make a high alcohol cocktail in hot months, but we enjoy gumbo and spicy dishes year-round around here, so why not pep up your drinking selections at any time you darn well please?

Zombie Created in 1933 by legendary Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood. While Don the Beachcomber is credited with creating the phenomenon of Tiki culture, an ersatz blend of Polynesian cultures coupled with an in-your-face attitude of American West Coast showmanship, Don started his life quite differently. He was born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gant right here in New Orleans in 1907. He had a wandering spirit and traveled the world. Along the way, he tied up with a business partner from Oakland, CA, and they opened a bar specializing in rum-based drinks with lots of fruit juices. Even though there were no connections, the story is sort of reminiscent of the Pat O’Brien’s tale. Anyway, Ernest changed his name and persona to the more commercially romantic Don the Beachcomber and moved to Hollywood after the repeal of Prohibition. The drink featured here is one of his original creations and is one of the more popular items at Tiki bars, wherever they may be. The drink was originally created by Don as a hangover cure for a friend. When asked how it worked, the friend said the drink made him feel like a zombie.

Ingredients

Instructions

1 ½ oz. Jamaican Rum 1 ½ oz. Puerto Rican Gold Rum 1 oz. 151-proof demerara rum ¾ oz. Lime Juice, freshly squeezed ½ oz. Don’s Mix (see instructions) ½ oz. Falernum 1 tsp. Grenadine 4 dashes Pernod 1 dash Angostura Bitters Mint Sprig for garnish

Bring three crushed cinnamon sticks, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Simmer for two minutes, then remove from the heat and let sit for at least two hours before straining into a clean glass bottle. To finish the mix, add 1 part of the syrup to 2 parts fresh grapefruit juice. Cover and keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.

How To Make Add all ingredients to a blender container. Add 6 oz. crushed ice. Blend at high speed for no more than five seconds. Pour into tall glass, and top with more ice to fill, if necessary. Garnish with mint.

Don the Beachcomber

With thanks to liquor.com.

Photos from left: courtesy of Aswin via Unsplash, Wikimedia Commons

Zombie

D o n ’ s

Mix

Bar Guide // November 2026

DON’T MISS THE

Holiday Dining Guide DEADLINE: NOV 10 STREET DATE: NOV 21 Holiday Dining Guide Call 504-891-0144 to advertise with us! DEADLINE: NOV 10

STREET DATE: NOV 21

Call 504-891-0144 to advertise with us!

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Liquid Learning Events at NOLA Bars

// EMILY HINGLE

ars have historically been meeting places where good times, entertainment, and ideas have been shared. Some New Orleans area bars and breweries offer more than libations and sports on TV. Beyond socialization and pub games, these bars are stimulating brains and bodies with events focused on learning. Siberia has been known as a venue for extreme and experimental music, but the owners have more recently invited in discussions about scientific topics. One of the four co-owners, Charley Cameron, said that music of all kinds still graces the stage, but they intend to change and grow with the

neighborhood. Cameron said, “One of the beauties of having Siberia is we’re able to have events, and there’s certainly a little more diversity in the events that we put on. We have Stop the Bleed training, Narcan training. We have this large room that anyone can come into. How can we use it to be helpful?” Having noticed the popularity of barroom science lectures in other cities, Siberia’s staff wanted to try it out. Cameron told the story, “One of our bartenders, Sarah Evers, came to me because I work as a quality manager at a scientific research institute in addition to co-owning Siberia, and she asked if this was something I’d be interested in helping to organize. I said, ‘Absolutely, yes.’ The wife of our primary sound engineer is a biology professor at Delgado. Between Sarah, Annie the biology professor, and myself, we got together and started working out what topics might be interesting.” Science at Siberia struck a chord not only with the regular crowd but other members of the community who are eager to learn about a variety of technical topics such as Neptune Pass, bats, and extreme weather events in a relaxed, nopressure setting. Presenters range from tenured professors to early-career scientists. “Science is a field that can

All photos: courtesy of Charley Cameron

DON’T MISS THE

Sippin’ on Some Knowledge:

feel very closed, stuffy, and stuck behind academia. A space like Siberia provides an accessible intermediary space where we can engage in discussions at a conversational level where there is no judgement, no assumed knowledge, and everyone is there to learn something new. Some of our crowd is absolutely the core Siberia crowd, and we have some people who would never come to Siberia in a million years. It captures a much broader crowd than in the past or present,” Cameron said. From the brain to the body, dance classes have been popping up at bars to educate people in classic dance styles. Giddy Up Two Step was founded by Heather Valenzuela after she left New Orleans for her hometown of Tulsa, OK, in 2019. She recounted, “I dreamed of creating a dance scene to honor Tulsa’s dance history and to bring people together in community at a time where togetherness matters more than ever. It did not gel until October 2023 when a friend invited me to teach at his event called Tulsey Town Two Step. I stepped up and taught my first class and created my dance business Giddy Up Two Step the very next day. I haven’t stopped since.” Giddy Up Two Step allowed Valenzuela to travel between Tulsa and New Orleans, organizing dance classes of many styles for the public in different locations. Valenzuela lamented what society has lost since people have stopped

stepping out on the dance floor, saying, “My grandparents met on the dance floor. My parents were always dancing during my childhood. I have always been a dancing machine, too, but I feel like dance culture faded a bit with the use of smart phones and definitely because of the pandemic. We can access connectivity so easily with our phones now, but when I was growing up, we did not have that. If I wanted to connect with others when I was growing up, I either called them and used my voice on a landline or I had to go see them in person. It was beautiful. As humans, we need to connect with our voices and in person. I do think there was a lull in general with dancing, but all of that is changing. And I am on a dance mission to change it.” Dancers of all ages can enjoy partnered and group classes such as Two Step, ‘90s Country Line Dancing, Renaissance/Medieval Dancing, ‘50s Sock Hop, Country Waltz, and Goth Line Dancing. Both couples and singles can enjoy the classes, and it may lead to new friendships or relationships. “Dancing creates a space to not only meet new, wonderful friends, but it requires you to be off your phone and to communicate with other humans face-to-face. Dancing and learning are both fun, so to be able to do all of these things together creates an environment where you are bound to have a good time, meet lovely people, be connected and present, and, dare I say, have a greater outlook on life. Every time I leave the dance floor, I feel such immense gratitude for community, music, and life. Teaching has been expansive in every way, and I am eternally grateful for this honor to teach and dance with y’all. Giddy up,” Valenzuela said. You’re never too old to stop learning, and these events are designed to enrich your life in every way.

Y A D SUN H H C N U BR $40

MOËT MIMOSAS

LIVE DJ

504 MILLZ

$25

BOTTOMLESS

11AM - 3PM EVERY SUNDAY 3RD BLOCK DEPOT IS LOCATED INSIDE HOTEL DE LA POSTE

310 Chartres St. New Orleans, LA 70130 www.3rdblockdepot.com

All photos: courtesy of Emma Watts

SOPHISTICATED STAYS & EFFORTLESS EVENINGS IN THE HEART OF THE CBD

210 ST. CHARLES AVENUE NEW ORLEANS, LA 70170 THEMONARCHNOLA.COM | @THEMONARCHNOLA

Bar Guide // November 2026

SERVICE:

Four New Orleans Veteran-Owned Restaurants and Breweries

In New Orleans dining rooms and taprooms, some owners came to hospitality after years in uniform.

heir businesses range from Caribbeaninspired food on North Claiborne Avenue to lager brewing near the Lafitte Greenway, with owners bringing different military backgrounds and paths into the industry. Here are four New Orleans restaurants and breweries with veteran ownership or leadership.

1. Bayo Social Bayo Social grew out of Noel Williams’ plans to renovate three commercial buildings along North Claiborne Avenue. Williams purchased the properties in 2024 Bayo Social intending to revitalize the corridor and lease the restaurant space to another operator. When those plans fell through, he decided to open the restaurant himself. “The more I built it out, the more I got into it,” Williams said. “I’m gonna just do this myself.” The decision gave Williams his first experience in hospitality after a 24-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. He joined the Marines as a teenager, serving first as an enlisted infantryman before leaving active duty, attending college, and returning as a commissioned officer. Williams said the transition from military life has been gradual. “It’s actually still a transition right now,” he said. “Like me getting out in 2018, I still have to catch myself and pull myself back and understand. ‘Listen, you’re not in the military.’” He describes himself as “hands-on” and

“mission oriented,” with a strong emphasis on accountability. “I’m not the type of person that I can sit back and see something being wrong, and, you know, I kind of try to jump in and get it done,” Williams said. He has had to adjust his approach as a restaurant owner because civilian employees have different expectations than people in the military. Williams also designed Bayo Social himself. He wanted guests to feel that “we are a majestic people” and that the restaurant conveys a sense of royalty. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Williams developed the menu around Jamaican, Haitian, and New Orleans influences. “The inspiration behind that was essentially just mixing the cultures together,” he said. For Williams, one of the biggest differences between military life and restaurant ownership is dealing with customers. He said his military mindset can make him see situations as “black and white,” while hospitality requires more flexibility. “You gotta be flexible. I can’t be as rigid because it’s again not about right or wrong,” he said.

2. Saint John Chef Eric Cook’s Saint John occupies a space at 715 St. Charles Ave. in the Warehouse District. Cook opened the restaurant in the French Quarter in 2021 before moving it to its current location in 2024. Cook is a New Orleans native and combat veteran who served six years in the United States Marine Corps. After his military service, he attended the John Folse Culinary Institute and worked in New Orleans kitchens including Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace. In 2018, Cook opened Gris-Gris on Magazine Street. Saint John followed three years later. Cook also works within the veteran community. He is president of the First to Fight Foundation,

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

a nonprofit founded by combat veterans that provides assistance to veterans and their families.

3. Skeeta Hawk Brewing Aaron Merrill spent 29 years in the U.S. Army before opening Skeeta Hawk Brewing near the Lafitte Greenway. He retired in 2018 as a colonel after working primarily Skeeta Hawk as a foreign area officer, a Brewing position he describes as similar to a military diplomat. His work included overseas assignments and working with foreign military governments. Brewing began as a hobby. Merrill grew up in Portland, OR, and started homebrewing about 25 years ago when he learned that his military specialty would take him to the Middle East. “I decided to become a homebrewer and be able to make it,” Merrill said. He continued brewing while stationed overseas and eventually decided to open a brewery after retiring. Merrill first came to New Orleans on a military assignment in 1999. He began planning Skeeta Hawk around 2016, and the brewery opened in 2022. Skeeta Hawk is a lager-focused brewery, with Merrill estimating that about 75% of its beers are lagers. The brewery sources its malt from the American Southeast, something Merrill says was intentional. “We really wanted to focus on the terroir, the region,” he said. The brewery’s military connection extends beyond Merrill. The ownership group has roughly 90 years of combined active-duty

military service. Several veterans have also worked there, including Merrill’s assistant brewer, Terry, a retired chief mechanic on a U.S. nuclear submarine and a beer tender who served in the Air Force. Merrill said his military time influenced how he manages the brewery. “For me, personally, managerial skills are obviously important,” he said. He also pointed to his diplomatic experience, attention to detail, and communication skills as skills he brings to the brewery. He said he tries to be “very honest and truthful and clear with people” when communicating with employees and customers.

4. Second Line Brewing Second Line Brewing has operated in Mid-City since 2014 at 433 N. Bernadotte St. The brewery has a taproom, outdoor beer garden, and rotating beers. Founded by Mark and Karen Logan, Second Line defines itself as a women-, veteran-, and minority-owned business. Co-owner Patrick Riley is a U.S. Army veteran who flew Hueys and Black Hawks during his military career. In a 2025 interview with WGNO, Riley discussed the teamwork and camaraderie he experienced during his service and the role of MidCity’s community in the brewery’s development. Second Line’s beer program includes lagers, saisons, IPAs, and other rotating styles.

Second Line Brewing

Photos from top: courtesy of Brett Sayles, Provided by Bayo Social, Skeeta Hawk Brewery, Second Line Brewing

// ALYA SATCHU

Bar Guide // November 2026

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Bacchanal Noah Young, Pete Olynciw BJ’s Lounge James McClaskey & the Rhythm Band Constantinople Stage Sam Price Trio Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Paradise Jazz Band, The Jump Hounds Dog House Craig Cortello Gasa Gasa Alash Ensemble Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band Piety Market Nat & Kat Cajun String Band Siberia Torture Garden, Mehenet Spotted Cat Jacky Blaire & the Hot Biscuits Steamboat Natchez Steamboat Stompers The Nieux Vampiric Masquerade MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Apple Barrel Mark Appleford Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Carrollton Station Meryl Zimmerman Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Secret Six Jazz Band Gasa Gasa The Brook & the Bluff, RYMAN Maple Leaf George Porter Jr. Trio, Chris Adkins Markey Park Día de Muertos Fiesta NOLA Brewing Bluegrass Jam Preservation Hall Preservation Brass Siberia Kate Fagan Band, Alex McMurray & Nail Club Spotted Cat Aurora Nealand & the Inquiry Quartet

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Audubon Clubhouse Blake Amos Bacchanal Tangiers Combo Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah City of The Sun Columns Brad Walker, Stanton Moore Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Colossus Brass Band Howlin Wolf Comedy Beast Rabbit Hole Rebirth Brass Band Rock ‘n’ Bowl DJ Nayo Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Bacchanal Jesse Morrow Café Degas Gizinti Trio Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah Leroy Jones Quintet Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Trivia Night every Thurs. 7pm

GAMES ON TV • GAMES ON THE GREEN

WEEKLY DRINK SPECIALS • OPEN TILL 2AM

♣ 203 HOMEDALE ST., LAKEVIEW ♣ (504) 483-0978 26

D.B.A. The Next Level Band Gasa Gasa Laney Jones Howlin Wolf Good Vibes Highway Tour Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band New Orleans Jazz Museum Steel Pan Showcase Picnic Provisions & Whiskey Hypno Nun Siberia Wax Monkey + Atom Cat Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Tipitina’s Nick Shoulders Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato, Dave James, Mike Lemmler, Mike Barras True South Ugly Rumors

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Abita Tuba Skinny Bacchanal Raphael Bas Beanlandia Sweetie Pies Chickie Wah Wah The Sleepless Nights Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Vegas Cola Band Good Measure Helen Gillet Gretna Tavern The Tail-Gaitors Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels Mahalia Jackson Theater Anthony Jeselnik New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Peacock Room Da Lovebirds Rabbit Hole Clejan Saturn Bar Valerie Sassyfras Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry & the Tremé Funktet FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Audubon Aquarium Scales and Ales Bacchanal Willie Green Bamboula’s Les Getrex Blue Crawfish Free Agents Brass Band Blue Nile Jonas Risin’ Double Reunion Extravaganza Buffa’s T Marie Trio Broadside Neil Young Tribute Cafe Negril 2nd Lyon Reggae Band Chickie Wah Wah Eric Lindell, Kabaka Pyramid Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Michael Watson & the Alchemy Fillmore Pretty Lights Gasa Gasa Daikaiju, The Nancies, STGMA Hi Ho Shape Shifter, Tristan Dufrene House of Blues Jon B. Howlin Wolf Alex Sandra, Everstatic Le Bon Temps Roule Captain Buckles Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Orpheum Theater Chris Robinson Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou Ever More Nest Rock ‘n’ Bowl Ryan Foret Siberia Crobot and Dark Chapel Sports Drink Chris Redd Spotted Cat Cottonmouth Kings, Paradise Jazz Band SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Bacchanal Miles Berry, Nahum Zdybel Chickie Wah Wah David Nail Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Fillmore Pretty Lights Holy Diver Devil Master, Ninth Circle Le Bon Temps Roule Jeremy Short New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars Public Belt Phil Melancon Republic NOLA Punchis Banda Rave Rock ‘n’ Bowl Contraflow

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Pretty Lights at The Fillmore Music producer Pretty Lights will headline at The Fillmore New Orleans. He is known for blending vintage hip-hop with live instrumentations, most notably in his 2013 debut album A Color Map of the Sun. November 6-8, Times Vary, $118.50 to $512.70, livenation. com

Sports Drink Chris Redd Tipitina’s Dinosaur Jr. Venusian Gardens Marigny Hemenway SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 B Macs Captain Buckles Chickie Wah Wah Rhett Miller Constantinople Stage Jamey St. Pierre Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. The Jump Hounds, Paradise Jazz Band Fillmore Pretty Lights House of Blues Hawthorne Heights Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band Mahalia Jackson Theater Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Oak Street Oak Street Po-Boy Festival Ruby’s Roadhouse Ozone Song Festival Spotted Cat Jacky Blaire & the Hot Biscuits MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Bacchanal Anna Laura Quinn Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah Lou Barlow, Bobby Bare Jr. Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Secret Six Jazz Band Gasa Gasa Eli Winter, Mike Baggetta Hi Ho Old Time Jam New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass NOLA Brewing Bluegrass Jam Preservation Hall Preservation Brass Siberia Scoochie Boochie Spotted Cat Aurora Nealand & the Inquiry Quartet St. Roch Tavern Kristina Murray TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 AllWays Lounge Sincerely, Fantasy! Audubon Clubhouse Blake Amos Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah Lamont Landers Christ Church Cathedral Gesualdo Six Civic Theatre Bitch Cabal Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Gasa Gasa Radiator Hospital, Noun Howlin Wolf Moonshine & Music Oak & Ale Electric Yat Quartet Rabbit Hole Rebirth Brass Band Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Café Degas Gizinti Trio Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah Cory Branan Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. The Next Level Band Gasa Gasa Daring Greatly Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band Picnic Provisions & Whiskey Scott Perro Saturn Bar Ever More Nest Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato, Dave James, Mike Lemmler, Mike Barras THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Bacchanal Raphael Bas Chickie Wah Wah Mark Braud’s Jazz Giants Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Vegas Cola Band Fillmore The Music of Hey Arnold! Good Measure OVJ Collective Gretna Tavern The Tail-Gators Howlin Wolf Delvin & the Shades, Afterthought Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels Marigny Opera House Tucker Fuller, Philip Glass New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Siberia AJJ, Greet Death Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry & the Tremé Funktet FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Bacchanal Wine Willie Green Blue Crawfish Free Agents Brass Band Blue Nile Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers Cafe Negril 2nd Lyon Reggae Band Carrollton Station DIZZY!, Rachel is Kozi Chickie Wah Wah Bill Kirchen, The Figs Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Michael Watson & the Alchemy Fillmore 6LACK Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park Andre Power, Apex Martin Holy Diver Killed By Florida, Donkey Puncher Le Bon Temps Roule Krewe Debauchery Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Tommy Castro and the Painkillers

Photo: courtesy of Live Nation

LIVE MUSICCALENDAR MUSIC CALENDAR

LIVE MUSICCALENDAR Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou Slow Motion Cowboys Santos Bar Friday the 13th, The Quadroholics Skankfest Louis Katz Spotted Cat Cottonmouth Kings, Paradise Jazz Band SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Bacchanal Miles Berry, Bayou Manouche Banks Street Bar Valerie Sassyfrass Beanlandia The Treme Brass Band, La Louisiane Series BJ’s T Marie & Bayou Juju Blue Nile The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox Broadside Bike Easy Annual Second Line Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Civic Theatre The Renaissance Orchestra Felix’s Lakefront Freddie Blue & The Friendship Circle Band Good Measure D.V.S. Gretna Tavern Big Al & the Heavyweights Le Bon Temps Roule Tru Phonic Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Norman Mayer Library Meeting Room SingerSongwriter Open Mic Ogden Museum Lost Bayou Ramblers Public Belt Phil Melancon Rock ‘n’ Bowl One Last Breath Skankfest Louis Katz Tad Gormley Stadium WellNXT Fest Tipitina’s Red Rockers

Photo: courtesy of Joshua Spidey McGowan

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Bacchanal Juan Tigre, Noah Young Chickie Wah Wah Phosphorescent, Jo Schornikow Constantinople Stage The Freudian Slips Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. The Jump Hounds, Paradise Jazz Band Dog House Craig Cortello House of Blues Buena Vista Orchestra Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band New Marigny Theatre T Marie, Martin Masakowski New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo Masterclass Saturn Bar Minka Siberia Tear Dungeon Skankfest Louis Katz, T.J. Miller Spotted Cat Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits Tipitina’s Uncle Lucius

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Apple Barrel Mark Appleford Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Secret Six Jazz Band House of Blues Amble, Buena Vista Orchestra Howlin’ Wolf Subterranean Songwriter Night NOLA Brewing NOLA Pickin’ Party Bluegrass Jam Preservation Hall Preservation Brass Spotted Cat Aurora Nealand & the Inquiry Quartet TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Audubon Clubhouse Blake Amos Bacchanal Tangiers Combo Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Civic Theatre Hot Mulligan, One Step Closer Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. T Marie & Bayou Juju Deutsches Haus Kulturabend Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Cameron Watson Howlin Wolf Comedy Beast Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars Rabbit Hole Rebirth Brass Band Republic Daisy Grenade, Boyish Rock ‘n’ Bowl Javier Olando & AsheSon Saenger Theatre Rocky in Concert Siberia Fatplastik Tape Release Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Bacchanal Jesse Morrow Café Degas Gizinti Trio Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. The Next Level Band Deutsches Haus John Rankin Gasa Gasa FIZZY, Gavin Eckler Organ Trio Holy Diver Commander Agares House of Blues Toosii Platinum Nights Joy Theater Kurt Vile Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas New Orleans Jazz Museum Karen Stachel Norbert Stachel & LehCats Picnic Provisions & Whiskey Mikayla Braun Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Tipitina’s Loyola’s Uptown Threauxdown Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato, Dave James, Mike Lemmler, Mike Barras

Red Rockers Present Anarchy in the USA at Tipitina’s Live from Tipitina’s, the Red Rockers headline Anarchy in the USA on November 14. Special guests include The Normals, Dash Rip Rock, and more. The performance is a benefit fundraiser for the documentary Almost Ready. Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m., $39.49, tipitinas.com

Bar Guide // November 2026

LIVE MUSICCALENDAR STEAK & BURGER SPECIAL

MARGARITA & TACO NIGHT EVERY THURSDAY GAMEDAY BEER & WINGS SPECIALS

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Bacchanal Raphael Bas Beanlandia Smoking Time Jazz Club Chickie Wah Wah Michelle Shocked Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat D.B.A. Vegas Cola Band Gasa Gasa Halocene Gretna Tavern The Tail-Gators House of Blues The Afghan Whigs Howlin Wolf Mowgli Giannitti, Izzy Chase Kerry Irish Pub David Connick Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels Peacock Room Da Lovebirds Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry & the Tremé Funktet

FRIDAY 7-10PM NOVEMBER 20 SATURDAY 8-11PM FRIDAY, AllWays Lounge Big Damm Show, Henrietta’s KITCHEN OPEN DAILY 11am – 10pm

BAR OPEN DAILY 11am – ’Til

3449 River Rd. at Shrewsbury in Jefferson

834-4938

Established in 1990

THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM GALA Presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation

WINTER LIGHTS THE COOLEST NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS

December 5, 2026 Patron Party

Gala

78 PM

811 PM

400 Esplanade Ave For more information, visit nolajazzmuseum.org/gala 28

Baudy Brothel Sing A-Long Bacchanal Wine Willie Green Blue Crawfish Free Agents Brass Band Blue Nile DJ FTK, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers Buffa’s Bar Tuba Skinny Chickie Wah Wah Robyn Hitchcock Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Historic New Orleans Collection Lynn Drury Band Lakefront Arena The Great NOLA Trendkill Le Bon Temps Roule Caleb Tokarska Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Mahalia Jackson Theater Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore New Orleans Jazz Museum The Walrus: Beatles Tribute Old Point Bar T Marie & Bayou Juju Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou Miss Martha Rabbit Hole Disco Rap Siberia A Songwriter Showcase Sports Drink Eddie Pepitone Spotted Cat Music Club Cottonmouth Kings, Paradise Jazz Band SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Abita The Abita Springs Opry Bacchanal David Sigler Bamboula’s Les Getrex Blue Nile The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox Broadside Sober Fest presents Ivan Neville Caesars Superdome Usher Raymond, Chris Brown Chickie Wah Wah Roby Hitchcock Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Fillmore Chris Fleming Good Measure Zehrin Sims Lakefront Arena The Great NOLA Trendkill Le Bon Temps Roule Night Kitchen Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Mahalia Jackson Theater Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars Rabbit Hole Disco Rap, House of Disco Rock ‘n’ Bowl Rouge Krewe Siberia River Shook Sports Drink Eddie Pepitone Tipitina’s Jagged Little Pill: An Alanis Morissette Tribute

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Bacchanal Miles Berry Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band Sports Drink Jaboukie Spotted Cat Jacky Blaire & the Hot Biscuits Tipitina’s Jagged Little Pill: Unplugged MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Bacchanal Byron Asher Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Hi Ho Old Time Jam NOLA Brewing Bluegrass Jam Preservation Hall Preservation Brass Siberia Diles Que No Me Maten, New Fools Spotted Cat Aurora Nealand & the Inquiry Quartet TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Audubon Clubhouse Burris, Mikayla Braun, Stephen Bohnstegel Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Chickie Wah Wah Ripe Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Howlin Wolf Comedy Beast Rabbit Hole Rebirth Brass Band Rock ‘n’ Bowl DJ Nayo Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars Siberia Pinksqueeze Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Bacchanal Jesse Morrow Café Degas Gizinti Trio Cajun Boil House Les Getrex Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat House of Blues Miss May I, Born Of Osiris Hi Ho Mama’s Broke Le Bon Temps Roule Steve Kelly Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band Moonshine Blue Monday: A Tribute To New Wave Picnic Provisions & Whiskey Hypno Nun, Nina Hungerland Republic Ravenscoon Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band Tipitina’s A Tribute to Louis Prima & Lee Dorsey Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato, Dave James, Mike Lemmler, Mike Barras

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Gretna Tavern The Tail-Gators Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels Peacock Room Da Lovebirds Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 30/90 OTRA Bacchanal Wine Willie Green Bamboula’s Les Getrex Blue Crawfish Free Agents Brass Band Blue Nile DJ WestBankRed Chickie Wah Wah Kristin Diable, Cally Cole & the Cosmos Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Gasa Gasa Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue Good Measure Justin Garner Le Bon Temps Roule Bearded Chieftains Lobby Lounge Raphael Bas Maison Bourbon The Leroy Marshall Band Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou John Renshaw Rock ‘n’ Bowl Bucktown Allstars Orpheum Theater PJ Morton Siberia Big VBill, Vinny’s Mirror Skeeta Hawk Brewing A Songwriter Showcase Spotted Cat New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Bacchanal Miles Berry Blue Nile The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox Broadside The Soul Rebels Chickie Wah Wah Ned Henry & Friends, Doyle Grisham Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Good Measure Kings of Brass House of Blues Project Pat Joy Theater Boogie T Le Bon Temps Roule Jelly Biscuit & the Flaky Layers Orpheum Theater Orchestra Noir Tipitina’s The Dirty Dozen Brass Band SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Chickie Wah Wah The New Orleans Jazz Vipers Constantinople Stage Dave Jordan & Rurik Nunan Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Gasa Gasa KYPERPOP Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band Spotted Cat Jacky Blaire & the Hot Biscuits, Pat Casey & the New Sound

Ivan Neville at The Broadside for Sober Fest Multi-instrumental New Orleans musician Ivan Neville will perform at the fifth annual Sober Fest, which will take place on Saturday, November 21 at The Broadside. Neville is most known for his funk band Dumpstaphunk. Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10 to $20, bridgehouse.org

Photo: courtesy of Bridge House/Grace House

TUESDAY NIGHT

True South Ugly Rumors Twist of Lime REHAB, Reup tha Boss

“

Bar Guide // November 2026

LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail November 1-30 | visitjeffersonparish.com During the month of November, indulge in Louisiana’s finest pearl—the oyster—by exploring the Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail. From raw and fried to baked and chargrilled, taste the very best of Jefferson Parish’s oysters. Throughout the month, Louisiana’s oyster industry and harvesters will be spotlighted for their diligence in bringing these delicious delicacies to our table. Download the Visit Jefferson Parish app and check-in at three oyster trail restaurants to receive a hand-crafted oyster ornament. Deanie’s Seafood, Acme Oyster House, and The Galley Seafood Restaurant are a few restaurants who will be featured stops on the trail.

Louisiana Renaissance Festival Since 2000, tons of locals and tourists have experienced the Village of Albright at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. The Hammond wilderness is transformed into a realistic 16th century English village filled with more than 600 artisans, performers, and craftspeople. Enjoy knights jousting as well as glassblowers and blacksmiths creating your next house trinket. Each weekend has a different theme, from Fae & Fantasy to Celtic and Legends & Lore, so wear your best Renaissance flair. Kiddos and adults can explore mazes and indulge in unique bites from the many different food vendors. Tickets vary in price from youth to adult admission.

Junior League of New Orleans’ Touch-A-Truck November 14 | jlno.org Touch-A-Truck, taking place at Westwego's Alario Center, is a weekend full of trucks, machines, and fun for everyone. Kiddos and mechanic enthusiasts alike can learn about helicopters, bulldozers, fire engines, utility trucks, and more. Friday, November 13, also known as “Field Trip Friday,” is dedicated for schools only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, November 14, the event will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. TouchA-Truck features early access opportunities, sensoryfriendly moments, and special ticket promotions. Children ages 1 and under can enter for free.

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Thanksgiving Races at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots November 26 | fairgroundsracecourse.com A New Orleans classic, the Thanksgiving Classic at the Fair Grounds is one of the best ways to experience Thanksgiving with family. On November 26, relish in competitive equestrian racing with an event package of your choice. From the Clubhouse Dining Experience, which includes buffet and beverage access, to the Clubhouse Boxes, there are ample options to suit your needs. Each event package includes seating, food, drinks, and alcohol included in the price of admission. Looking to just get in? Grandstand general admission is free. Doors open at 11 a.m., and post time is at 12 p.m.

Photos from top: courtesy of Visit Jefferson Parish, Barbe Ponsardin and Blair Touchard, JLNO, Gustavo Escanelle

November 7 to December 13 | renfest.net

REPAIRED, REFRESHED, RENEWED

The New Orleans Public Library's dedicated early literacy hub 913 Napoleon Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115 HOURS: Mon–Thurs, 10am–6pm Fri–Sat, 10am–5pm

nolalibrary.co/crc

NOLA Fall Festivals

// TINA HOWELL

Fall in New Orleans brings cooler temperatures, the return of football season, and, of course, a packed lineup of fall festivals.

ith so many events filling the calendar, it’s easy to get caught up in all the fun and excitement; however, many of these beloved festivals are about more than simply good food and entertainment. They help raise awareness and support several important causes that make a meaningful impact throughout our community.

A Sweet Event for a Sweet Cause Established in 2015, Beignet Fest was founded by Sherwood and Amy Collins, whose son, Liam, was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. Sadly, not long after his diagnosis, they discovered that New Orleans was lacking in programs that assist children who are on the autism spectrum. This motivated the Collins to do something that could not only help their son but also help other families throughout the community who were struggling to find assistance. So they created a familyfriendly and fun festival that was centered around one of New

Orleans’ favorite desserts, beignets, and the rest is history. The Beignet Festival and Beignet Fest Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, were established to raise awareness and create and support programs in the Greater New Orleans area that assist autistic youth and their families. Each year, Beignet Fest features over 40 delicious menu options with dozens of unique takes on beignets, including praline beignets, crabmeat beignets, and pizza beignets. They also offer vegan, gluten-free, and non-beignet menu options, as well as local live music performances, a kid’s village, artist market, and a beer garden. In 2026, Beignet Fest was named one of the Top 10 Best Specialty Food Festivals in the United States, earning the number 8 spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The mission-driven project of the Beignet Fest Foundation is Benny’s Sensory On-Site Spaces (S.O.S.), which was created to support and empower individuals on the autism spectrum and others with sensory sensitivities. A portion of the proceeds from Beignet Fest provides Benny’s S.O.S. at various community events throughout the year. These S.O.S. are free, open to the public, and offer a warm and welcoming, sensory-friendly space for individuals to take a break and reset before returning to the festivities, which helps to ensure a more inclusive, stress-free experience for all. Last May, the Beignet Fest Foundation also launched their inaugural Camp Benny, a summer camp program that is specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum. The six-week

sensory-friendly camp was held at the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans and consisted of two three-week sessions with various programs that helped campers develop their social skills while having fun and meaningful interactive experiences. Funding for Camp Benny was made possible with the proceeds directly from the 2024 Beignet Fest. The ninth annual Beignet Fest will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, on the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds and will feature musical performances from DJ Flowerchild, Imagination Movers, Amanda Shaw, Maggie Koerner, and Dragon Smoke. To learn more about Beignet Fest and the Beignet Fest Foundation, or to purchase tickets to this year’s festival, please visit beignetfest.com.

Foodies Unite Every year, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival brings together thousands of foodies to honor the iconic po-boy, a sandwich that originated in New Orleans back in the 1920s. The festival takes place between the 8100 and 8700 blocks of Oak Street and features over 40 food and beverage vendors, live music on multiple stages, an opening parade, an arts market, an expanded kid’s zone, a VIP area, and, of course, a po-boy competition with celebrity judges. Entrance into the festival is always free, but a wristband is required to purchase a po-boy. A portion of the proceeds from the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival benefits Son of a Saint. Since 2011, the local organization has helped transform the lives of fatherless boys through mentorship, emotional support, development of life skills, and exposure to constructive experiences, as well as forming positive and lasting peer-to-peer relationships. Son of a Saint has grown from a

small organization to now having the capability to assist over 700 young men through their numerous programs, which include dedicated case management, access to mental health resources, and nutrition support, all of which benefit their overall well-being. Oak Street’s 18th annual po-boy festival will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026. To purchase a wristband, please visit poboyfest.com. To learn more about the Son of a Saint organization, please visit sonofasaint.com.

A Party for a Purpose Sober Fest was created in 2022 with the concept of hosting an alcohol-free and familyfriendly music festival where everyone can come together to enjoy some amazing artists and have a fun time in a sober environment. The annual event features a talented lineup of local musicians, a dedicated kid’s tent, local food vendors, and non-alcoholic beverages. Proceeds from Sober Fest benefit Bridge House/ Grace House. For over 65 years, the organization has offered long-term residential treatment for those individuals with substance use disorder. These services are offered regardless of one’s ability to pay, which is why events such as Sober Fest are so vital in order to assist in the funding of these much-needed programs. Because of the success and support of Sober Fest in 2025, Bridge House/Grace House has been able to assist hundreds of homeless, uninsured, underinsured, and/or unemployed individuals. The fifth annual Sober Fest will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at The Broadside. Please visit bridgehouse.org for more information and Sober Fest ticket details.

Photos from left: courtesy of Gambel PR, Kat Kimball, Bridge House/Grace House

and the Charities They Benefit

Bar Guide // November 2026

Charlie’s

Restaurant and Catering since 1992

All Your Catering Needs!

s w e N Food // KIM RANJBAR

6129 E. St. Bernard Hwy. Violet, LA · (504)682-9057 Only 20 Minutes from the French Quarter

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Eating green on transformative, not the avenue . . . Casa to mention sampling Verde is the latest some superior soup jump to the Tulane dumplings. Go and Avenue corridor. The revel in the heat or play Alvarado family, former it safe with comforting owners of El Patron wonton soup or crispy Casa Verde in Gretna, have crossed fried pork chop with fried over the river to open a new rice and enjoy the gorgeous restaurant in the space formerly decor. You’ll be hankering for one of known as the Three Palms Bar & Grill. The those bright orange, koi paper lanterns for building is now green and growing with a new your abode. paint job and tons of plants, a verdant environment 2917 Magazine St., (504) 381-5931, in which to enjoy birria tacos, overstuffed burritos, shangkithchenla.com and quesadillas along with sizzling fajitas, shredded chicken sopes, and tortilla soup. Casa Un café, por favor . . . Café Chimal is a new coffee Verde is also offering bright, fruity cocktails from truck launched by owner/operator Evelyn Chimal. orange margaritas to lychee martinis and Mexican Found rolling about the GNO, the café features Candy with a chamoy-edged rim. Mexican-style brews such as café de olla with 3811 Tulane Ave., (504) 354-8344, piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon, cloves, casaverdenola.com and anise and tres leches matcha served hot or iced. She’s even created a gansito latte—a sweet While the wok is hot . . . Getting good Chinese food strawberry chocolate coffee based on the iconic in New Orleans just keeps getting easier, especially Mexican snack cake. Whether you score a chocolate with the recent launch of Shang Kitchen. Marked abuelita mocha or one of her Red Bull concoctions by the colorful dancing panda in front of Magazine with watermelon or sweet mango and spicy Commons shopping center, chef/owner Kelvin chamoy, all of her drinks should be enjoyed with Chen launched his “dream” restaurant this past her fluffy, crunchy-topped conchas. Chimal’s bright summer with a menu featuring cuisine that’s pink truck has been spotted everywhere from part American Chinese and part tongue-searing farmers markets in Harahan and Old Metairie to Szechuan. For transplants hailing from the Bay East Jefferson General Hospital and Crunch Fitness Area, getting to set one’s in Marrero, so follow her on Instagram to see where lips to a properly she’ll park next. spicy lemongrass @cafe_chimal coconut chicken or sizzling beef Better late than never? . . . Speaking with black of coffee trucks, Ya Mama’s Coffee pepper is another that quietly rolled into sauce is being. Launched this spring by Marissa Daniel, the coffee-brown trailer can be found out and about Ya Mama's around Belle Chasse serving Coffee specialty brews using Orleans Coffee. Daniel’s menu offers

Photos from top: courtesy of Kim Ranjbar, Rafael Matamoros, Meghan Daniel

Call Us For Your Parties, Weddings, Birthdays, & More

Shang Kitchen

Photos from top: courtesy of Kat Kimball, Henry Foster

several of the usual suspects—from drip to lattes and mochas—but every month, she’s rollin’ out specials such as “Ya Mama’s” favorite with brown sugar, honey, and cold foam, a white chocolate macadamia nut latte, or banana pudding with condensed milk and Nilla Wafers. Ya Mama’s also likes to feature sweet treats such as sourdough cookie butter cinnamon rolls from local cottage baker @dough_darlin. yamamascoffee.com It’s about time . . . It took over a century, but at long last, Galatoire’s Restaurant selected a woman as director of culinary operations. As of this summer, Chef Nicole Theriot is Tacos Diva the “[wo]man Bar & Grill behind the scenes” at the French Quarter destination, adding her own touches to their timeless dishes. Theriot, a Louisiana native, pursued a culinary degree at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University and went on to train under James Beard Awardwinning chef Nina Compton at Compère Lapin. She’s no stranger to leading high-volume culinary operations as she worked as the executive chef at Nicholls State University, and she’s also taught burgeoning chefs as an adjunct professor at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute. “Galatoire’s is such an important part of New

Orleans’ culinary history, and it’s an incredible honor to be part of a restaurant with such a strong sense of tradition,” Theriot said. 209 Bourbon St., (504) 525-2021, galatoires.com Work it, girl . . . Local food truck Taqueria Diva now has its own digs on the corner of St. Claude Avenue and Port Street. Briefly home to The 337 by Chef Tiger, the neighborhood spot on the edge of the Bywater is now the Tacos Diva domain of Iris Cardona, a self-taught cook serving Bar & Grill tacos, flautas, carne asada, and chuleta (grilled pork chops) Honduran-style. Cardona moved to New Orleans just after Hurricane Katrina, navigating the city alone as a single mother of two, and now she’s cooking, with help from her eldest Elvin, at her brand new brick and mortar dubbed Tacos Diva Bar & Grill. 2633 St. Claude Ave., (504) 238-3342, tacosdivabargrill.com Sweet dreams are made of this . . . Born in Martinique, Chef Laura-Inés René-Corail recently launched her first restaurant called Maison Rêvant on the edge of the French Quarter. Located on N. Rampart Street in the space formerly occupied by Bijou Restaurant & Bar, the “house of dreams” serves French Caribbean cuisine with dishes such as the pithivier—a savory domed puff pastry pie that René-Corail stuffs with mushroom duxelles, foie gras, duck confit, and pork. Sustainability is a given at Maison Rêvant. Chef René-Corail makes an extra effort to support area farmers and fishermen by sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible and always aiming for zero food waste. 1014 N. Rampart St., maisonrevantnola.com

Bar Guide // November 2026

DININGGUIDE Anita’s Grill has faced many challenges during its 100-year history, from shutting down after Katrina and during the pandemic, but now continues to be one of New Orleans’ go-tos. Their famous shrimp & grits and fried catfish is a must-try. 833 Howard Ave., (504) 354-8979, anitasgrillnola.com Bearcat Cafe offers fresh breakfast and lunch including two menu sections: Good Cat for lighter fare and Bad Cat for heartier meals. Vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free options are available alongside favorites such as pancakes, brisket, and eggs. Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern offers a great craft beer selection and delicious food. The menu has a blend of small and large plates, with American tavern fare and Southern comfort food. Their crawfish bread and chicken clemenceau are a musttry. 700 Tchoupitoulas St. #3612, (504) 613-2350, legacykitchen.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds is a casual, family-run restaurant specializing in creative baked potatoes. Choose from loaded options including the pizza spud with pepperoni or the Wisconsin spud with assorted cheeses, sour cream, bacon, and chives for a satisfying meal. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, (504) 455-3250, spudlys.com

Rivershack Tavern combines hearty meals, live music, and a famously quirky atmosphere. This roadside bar features its signature “bar legs” barstools, Louisiana favorites including seafood platters, creative dishes such as buffalo mushroom po-boys, and an extensive beer selection. 3449 River Rd., Jefferson, (504) 834-4938, rivershacktavern.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Steak + Chop combines upscale dining with a casual, vibrant atmosphere. The modern steakhouse serves favorites such as prime pork chop and baked potato, along with grilled Gulf shrimp tacos featuring avocado, mango, slaw, and cilantro sour cream. 91 Westbank Expy., Gretna, (504) 608-6082, legacykitchen.com

Vacca Steakhouse is an ideal destination for a special occasion or date night, serving premium cuts including center-cut filet, New York strip, and cowboy ribeye. The menu also features Chilean sea bass, veal chop, whiskey-glazed salmon, and seasonal specials. 3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 318-3808, vaccasteakhouse.com

The Channel is a beloved Irish pub in the Irish Channel, serving specialty drinks and New Orleans favorites. Enjoy frozen Irish coffee, boozy snowballs, fresh po-boys, and more. Stop by for lunch or one of their famous crawfish boils. 2604 Magazine St., (504) 381-4680, thechannelneworleans.com

ASIAN Magazine Masala serves fresh, flavorful Indian cuisine with generous portions and a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Popular options include vegetable korma and Andhra chicken curry, with fresh spices and authentic flavors making it a neighborhood favorite. 3100 Magazine St., (504) 766-7733, magazinemasala.com Mikimoto Restaurant combines authentic Japanese cuisine with a New Orleans twist. Popular choices include the Crescent City roll and fresh sashimi platter. Enjoy sushi at the open bar with ambient lighting, or take advantage of the restaurant’s convenient drive-thru. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881, mikimotosushi.com

Crescent City Steaks

Crescent City Steaks is a family-owned steakhouse known for USDA Prime beef and its signature New Orleans-style steaks, sizzling in butter. Reserve ahead to enjoy the porterhouse, then finish with the Z pie, an indulgent ice cream dessert. 1001 N. Broad St, (504) 821‑3271, crescentcitysteaks.com Daisy Dukes Restaurant captures NOLA’s soul through classic Southern comfort food. Popular choices include shrimp po-boys, gumbo, and shrimp & grits. What began as a small lunch spot has grown into multiple locations, with merchandise and Bloody Mary mix available. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com Desi Vega’s Steakhouse has an elegant atmosphere and excellent service, offering a 100 percent USDA Prime steakhouse experience. The establishment has been awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for many years. Be sure to try their cowboy steak. 628 St. Charles Ave., (504) 523-7600, desivegasteaks.com

Luke is a Creole-inspired brasserie with a lively, welcoming atmosphere in the CBD. The menu highlights locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, with fan favorites including their raw oysters and shrimp en cocotte served with roasted jalapeño cheese grits. 333 St. Charles Ave., 504 378-2840, lukeneworleans.com Moe’s Original BBQ brings authentic Alabama barbecue to Metairie, with everything prepared fresh in-house daily. Beyond barbecue, the menu features seafood and Southern sweets, including banana pudding and Mississippi mud pie. Groups should try the generous family platter. 1101 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 4073533, moesoriginalbbq.com Sala NOLA is located near Lake Pontchartrain and creates memorable meals centered around family and friends. The menu blends local and coastal Italian flavors, featuring dishes including chicken panné linguine, in a welcoming, inviting atmosphere. 124 Lake Marina Dr., (504) 513-2670, salanola.com

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Thai’d Up is an Isaan Thai restaurant known for generous portions, fresh ingredients, and flavorful dishes. Its cozy dining room creates a welcoming atmosphere, while favorites such as drunken noodles and spicy basil chicken deliver a memorable taste of Thailand. Multiple Locations, thaidup.co

BARS WITH GREAT FOOD Bamboula’s brings live music to Frenchmen Street. With spacious seating and distinctive architectural details, the restaurant pairs jazz and blues with New Orleans classics. Popular dishes include jambalaya and Gulf oysters, creating a lively Creole dining experience. 516 Frenchmen St., (504) 451-7306, bamboulasmusic.com Commons Club offers stylish dinners inside Virgin Hotels New Orleans. The kitchen serves dishes that highlight Gulf seafood and seasonal ingredients, while the bar serves inventive cocktails. The roasted chicken with crispy confit potatoes is a delicious option. 550 Baronne St., (833) 791-7700, virginhotels.com JB’s Fuel Dock is a Lake Pontchartrain landmark serving pizza, rotating specials, and hearty entrées. Its dockside location offers memorable waterfront views, while the property’s history as a convenience store, fueling station, and boatyard adds local character. 128 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

The Jimani is New Orleans’ favorite sports bar, home of the mysterious mixer. Established in 1971, The Jimani is home to over 100 Louisiana beers, from domestic to craft. The pub-style “hang ova” burger and house po-boys are fan favorites. 141 Chartres St., (504) 524-0493, thejimani.com

CAFÉS Kitchen Table Café is known for its fresh and homegrown ingredients. With limited time offers and seasonal menus, the restaurant serves fresh and fine dishes. Their tamales, creative sandwiches, and filling entree plates are all amazing. 7005 St. Claude Ave., (504) 301-2285, facebook.com/kitchentablearabi Prince Tea House blends Asian and European influences with an extensive tea collection imported from Europe. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea snacks, freshly made waffles, and elegant desserts ranging from macarons to cheesecake in a peaceful, sophisticated setting. 3012 N. Arnoult Rd. Ste. B, Metairie, (504) 330-0360, princetealhousenola.com The Vintage offers an intimate, relaxed setting for enjoying food, drinks, and good company. Their award-winning coffee pairs perfectly with housemade beignets, while the menu features options including the zoodle bowl with seared tuna and other creative dishes. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 608-1008, thevintagenola.com Willa Jean is beloved for their freshly-baked goods and comforting Southern fare. As a popular breakfast and brunch destination, enjoy pastries and favorites including the hangover bowl or WJ breakfast, featuring eggs, biscuits, cheesy grits, bacon, and sausage. 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 509-7334, willajean.com

CARIBBEAN Jamaican Jerk House stands out for authentic Jamaican flavors, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere. Diners praise the juicy, flavorful oxtails and beef ribs, while combo plates such as the oxtail and jerk plate offer plenty to enjoy. Multiple Locations, jamaicanjerkhouse.com

All photos: courtesy of Randy Schmidt

AMERICAN

Bar Guide // November 2026

DININGGUIDE FRENCH Restaurant August is a Creole restaurant that offers elevated French-Creole cuisine with a creative twist. Its elegant 19th-century interior features antique mirrors and mahogany paneling, while the Chef’s Tasting Menu and Four-Course Menu showcase dishes such as the flounder Pontchartrain. 301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777, restaurantaugust.com

ITALIAN Domenica prioritizes abundant meals with local ingredients. The restaurant pairs deep-rooted Italian tradition with a New Orleans palate. Their pasta and Napolitano-style pizzas are hand-made daily and are recommended with their cocktails. Try the radiatori or the prime ribeye. 123 Baronne St., (504) 648-6020, domenicarestaurant.com

Pulcinella! is an Italian-Sicilian restaurant known for their signature dishes rooted in family heritage. Their seafood cannelloni, with Gulf seafood wrapped in a creamy sauce and bucatini all’amatriciana and with guanciale and San Marzano tomatoes, showcase the best of Italy. 1300 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 221-1560, dirtydimeproductions.com/pulcinella U Pizza is a family-friendly pizzeria in Uptown. Their full-service bar and outdoor seating are great for easy get-togethers. The streetcar pizza, loaded with seafood and vegetables, and the Felicity pizza, with spinach and artichoke, are innovative New Orleans-style pizzas. 513 St. Charles Ave., (504) 381-4232, upizzanola.com Venezia Restaurant has welcomed diners since 1957 with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and attentive staff. Known for its variety of pizzas, six-ounce filet, and house specialty pastas, popular dishes also include their marsala and parmigiana dishes. Multiple Locations, venezianeworleans.com

LATIN El Gato Negro offers authentic Mexican cuisine inspired by Michoacan family recipes. From their sizzling skirt steak fajitas to their land-and-sea gato bowl, you can’t go wrong with El Gato Negro. A jumbo margarita is a great pairing option. Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com El Pavo Real serves traditional Mexican cuisine and has been a NOLA favorite for over 10 years. The menu features classics including chipotle coconut shrimp, al pastor tacos, and plátanos with mole, with lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch available. 4401 S. Broad Ave., (504) 266-2022, elpavorealnola.com Tacos & Beer serves authentic Mexican food in a lively, colorful setting with an open bar. Frozen margaritas, birria tacos, and the spicy Mexican burger are popular choices, making it a fun spot for Taco Tuesday or casual gatherings. Multiple Locations, facebook.com/tacosneworleans

Domenica

All photos: courtesy of Randy Schmidt

Mosca’s Restaurant has served Creole-Italian classics family-style for decades. Far from an ordinary Italian restaurant, its menu features chicken a la grande, spaghetti bordelaise, chicken cacciatore, shrimp Mosca, and oysters Mosca with signature seasoning and breadcrumbs. 4137 US-90, Westwego, (504) 436-8950, moscasrestaurant.com

Pizza Domenica offers a lively, family-friendly atmosphere perfect for dinner with friends. Their gourmet pizzas, including mortadella with ricotta, hot honey, pistachios, basil, and red onions, are popular, alongside spaghetti carbonara, woodroasted wings, and other Italian favorites. Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

F A R M – T O – T A B L E

C A J U N

C R E O L E

C U I S I N E

Daily Happy Hour 4:30 PM- 6 PM

Featuring $15 Apps Beer and Wine Specials!

857 Fulton Street

•

504- 522-6863

•

sic. s a l C n. u j a C ive. t a e Cr Daily Happy Hour 4:30 pm–6 pm Featuring $1 Raw Oysters $2 Baked Oysters All Appetizers for $15 Beer and Wine Specials

t. S a i ul 200 J .5753 18 540.2 w us o l l o F

Bar Guide // November 2026

DININGGUIDE Lebanon’s Cafe serves authentic Lebanese food in a cozy neighborhood setting with indoor seating and outdoor sidewalk tables. Known for its generous portions, the menu includes sautéed vegetables, vegetarian stuffed grape leaves, and combination kabobs featuring chicken, beef, and lula. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com Mona’s Cafe has served authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with fresh, quality ingredients since 1987. Originally a small bakery, it has become a local favorite known for fresh pita, homemade baklava, hummus with lamb, and its flavorful mezze. 3901 Banks St., (504) 482-7743, facebook.com/monasnola Shaya blends traditional cooking with modern Levantine cuisine, offering Mediterranean-inspired food and hospitality. Their famous pita is baked fresh in a wood-fired oven, while the contemporary menu features hummus varieties, Bakkafrost salmon, falafel sandwiches, and more. 4213 Magazine St., (504) 891-4213, shayarestaurant.com Tal’s Hummus has been a Magazine Street favorite for years, serving Israeli cuisine that blends classic and modern flavors. Fresh-made hummus anchors the menu alongside chicken schnitzel, lamb kebabs, and ribeye steak, plus plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. 4734 Magazine St., (504) 267-7357, talshummus.com

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE 3rd Block Depot offers delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, serving Louisiana classics made with local ingredients. Favorites include Gulf shrimp ceviche, Cajun gumbo, and braised short rib, as well as seasonal specials, offering something for everyone. 310 Chartres St., (504) 552-4095, 3rdblockdepot.com Blue Bayou Restaurant and Oyster Bar offers fresh seafood and Southern classics. Start with their famous chargrilled oysters or Mardi Gras pasta after ordering a Category 5 Hurricane or Canal Street Old Fashion. Their bayou-inspired interior adds to the experience. 717 Canal St., (504) 291-3788, bluebayourestaurantnola.com Charlie’s Restaurant offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with generous portions, affordable prices, and a diverse menu made from scratch. Customer favorites include classic gumbo, crispy onion rings, and crazy crab pasta, making it a popular local dining choice. 6129 E. St. Bernard Hwy., Violet, (504) 682-9057 Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop serves award-winning gumbo and classic New Orleans dishes made with fresh ingredients. Known for their original stuffed gumbo, the restaurant also features chicken Jefferson with crawfish and shrimp cream sauce in a funky, colorful setting. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 8352022, gumbostop.com

Crescent City Brewhouse is the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, pairing locally-crafted beers with delicious dishes and live jazz. This welcoming 17-barrel brewery blends traditional brewing with modern technology. Try the Decatur burger alongside a house beer. 527 Decatur St., (504) 522‑0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Mandina’s Restaurant serves seafood and Creole-Italian favorites in a lively space that began as a grocery store in 1898. Friendly staff offer recommendations, while Thursday’s bruccialone special features rolled, stuffed veal served with shell macaroni. 3800 Canal St., (504) 482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com

Parasol’s is a neighborhood favorite for fresh poboys, especially its popular roast beef po-boy. The menu also features crawfish bites, oysters, and Louisiana-inspired drinks. With a divey atmosphere and TVs throughout, it’s a lively spot to catch a football game. 2533 Constance St., (504) 354-9079, facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA

Desire Oyster Bar is located on the world-famous Bourbon Street and combines an elevated dinerstyle atmosphere with an open oyster bar. The menu features authentic seafood and creative favorites including fried oysters Herbsaint and the Bienville wedge salad. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281, sonesta.com

Meril is located in the Warehouse District, serving contemporary American cuisine with global influences. The spirited menu features creative dishes such as Gulf shrimp and pork dumplings and fried Parmesan chicken salad, making it a memorable choice for any meal. 424 Girod St., (504) 526-3745, bemeril.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern has been an icon since 1911, serving beloved po-boys in a lively neighborhood setting. With more than 1,000 dinners daily, try the surf & turf po-boy with a Big Easy Old Fashioned. 538 Hagan Ave., (504) 482-3047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Galliano is home to Chef Ricky Cheramie’s homestyle Cajun dishes with contemporary twists. Sending you straight to the bayou, Galliano’s local seafood and braised short ribs are delectable. A true southern Louisiana dining experience awaits you at Galliano. 200 Julia St., (504) 218-5753, gallianorestaurant.com

Mother’s Restaurant serves authentic New Orleans-style comfort food beloved by locals and visitors alike. Famous for its po-boys, breakfast dishes, and baked ham, the menu also features Louisiana favorites such as their delicious crawfish étouffée and great-tasting cheesy grits. 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net

Please U Restaurant serves Louisiana hot plates and all-day breakfast in a fun, quirky diner setting. Favorites include two-egg and pancake breakfasts, along with muffulettas featuring house-made olive salad. Friendly service and a casual atmosphere make it a neighborhood staple. 1751 St. Charles Ave., (504) 525-9131, pleaseunola.com

House of Blues combines dining, drinks, live music, and a lively courtyard atmosphere. Guests enjoy generous portions and favorites including baby back ribs and fried green tomatoes. On Sundays, experience the popular gospel brunch. 225 Decatur St., (504) 310-4999, neworleans.houseofblues.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery celebrates Louisiana’s culinary traditions with classic Creole dishes. First-timers can sample shrimp Creole, red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, and jambalaya with the Taste of New Orleans platter. Enjoy their courtyard dining and pecan-crusted redfish. 510 Toulouse St., (504) 524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Restaurant Rebirth serves farm-to-table Cajun and Creole cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, including house-pressed sugar cane. Their nationally-complimented chef creates true soulful dishes such as blackened scallops and double-cut Cheshire pork chop, plus seasonal vegetarian options. 857 Fulton St., (504) 522-6863, restaurantrebirth.com

Lakeview Harbor is known for its original Lakeview hamburger and memorable Maine lobster. This laid-back neighborhood bar/ restaurant offers generous portions and friendly service, making it ideal for casual meals with family or friends. Try the popular Texas BBQ burger. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 486‑4887, lakeviewharbor.us Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe serves Creole-soul cuisine made from the heart in a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere. Popular dishes include seafood gumbo, soft-shell crab, catfish Jourdain, and crab cakes with crawfish sauce, which reviewers frequently recommend as must-try favorites. 1500 Esplanade Ave., (504) 766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is known for sweet treats that capture classic Creole flavor. Local favorites include praline beignets, burger beignets, and crabmeat beignets. Their traditional pralines are especially celebrated for showcasing New Orleans’ beloved sweet traditions. Multiple Locations, lorettaspralines.com Lyons Corner offers a casual dining experience with satisfying dinners and a renowned brunch menu. The Lyons Benedict with Chisesi ham, poached egg, and Crystal hollandaise is a fan favorite. Don’t miss the Crescent City croissant with pork belly. 537 Gravier St., (504) 576-9721, lyonscornernola.com

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

New Orleans Vampire Cafe brings local folklore to life with a dark, Dracula-inspired atmosphere. Themed cocktails, vampire wines, and creative dishes make for an unforgettable experience. Fan favorites include the Dracula and vampire burgers, along with the shrimp & grits. 801 Royal St., (504) 581-0801, nolavampirecafe.com Neyow’s Creole Café serves authentic Creole favorites in an energetic setting featuring jazzthemed décor, upbeat music, and personable service. Popular choices include seasoned crab claws, seafood platters, and po-boys. For date night, try the Neyow’s extravaganza dinner for two. 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827‑5474, neyows.com Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro is housed in a more than 200-year-old building and preserves its historic character while offering an inviting dining experience. Highlights include lamb chops, swordfish, surf & turf filet, and an extensive wine selection. 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

Restaurant Rebirth

Short Stop Poboys has been a po-boy staple for more than 50 years, offering classic sandwiches in an old-school grocery store setting with an open kitchen. Choose from favorites including shrimp po-boys, plus traditional Louisiana sides including gumbo and jambalaya. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, (504) 8854572, shortstoppoboysno.com The Rib Room is located in the Omni Royal Hotel and offers elevated steakhouse classics in an elegant setting ideal for people watching. Enjoy prime rib or a pickled fried green tomato po-boy, and return Sundays for jazz brunch. 621 St. Louis St., (504) 529-7045, ribroomneworleans.com Vampire Apothecary combines delicious food, craft cocktails, and tarot readings in a mysterious French Quarter setting. Dim lighting and mystical touches create a memorable experience, with favorites including lobster and crab-stuffed portobello, roasted pork tenderloin, and blood-bag Frangria. 725 St. Peter St., (504) 766-8179, vampireapothecary.com

Photo: courtesy of Randy Schmidt

MIDDLE EASTERN

Roll Into Thanksgiving with Something Sweet.

Briquette Voodoo Chicken & Daiquiris combines crispy fried chicken with New Orleans favorites and refreshing frozen drinks. Enjoy fried chicken, shrimp po-boys, or red beans & rice followed by a fresh fruit daiquiri. Multiple French Quarter and Downtown locations offer convenient stops. Multiple Locations, voodoochickenanddaiquirisnola.com

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant is famous for originating NOLA’s beloved chargrilled oysters. Family-owned and welcoming, Drago’s offers more than oysters with popular dishes including crab Mediterranean salad and redfish almandine. Tommy and Klara Cvitanovich continue the restaurant’s family tradition. Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

Willie Mae’s NOLA originally opened as a bar in Tremé in 1957. It is renowned for its award-winning fried chicken and diverse American and Creole menu. Try the Taste of New Orleans featuring fried chicken, catfish, and shrimp. 898 Baronne St., (504) 354-8194, williemaesnola.com

Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant is a family-owned eatery in the Bywater. Their recipes have been passed down for generations, including their famous macaroni and cheese and potato salad. The fried seafood platters and overstuffed po-boys are a must-try. Jack Dempsey’s also caters. 738 Poland Ave., (504) 943-9914, jackdempseys.net

SEAFOOD

Photo: courtesy of Randy Schmidt

Briquette is known for its open kitchen and seafood display. Their fish are cooked over red-hot briquettes, and the open bar makes it feel like a casual hangout. Try their snapper Pontchartrain and Louisiana redfish on the half shell. 701 S. Peters St., (504) 547‑6330, briquette-nola.com Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant has served Bucktown and beyond for over 60 years. Known for its scratch-made seafood and a casual neighborhood atmosphere, the menu features favorites including BBQ shrimp and seafood gumbo packed with fresh shrimp, crab, and okra. Multiple Locations, deanies.com Delacroix, by Spanish Plaza, serves refined Louisiana cuisine overlooking the Mississippi River. Wood finishes and expansive windows give the space a timeless feel. Their duck gumbo is a great option before enjoying their classic New Orleans daube of beef & cavatelli. 1 Poydras St. Spc. 1005, (504) 655-9002, delacroixrestaurant.com

4921 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Legacy Kitchen’s Tacklebox is similar to Craft Tavern but with an emphasis on seafood including the redfish St. Charles. Their locally-sourced seafood is excellent. The restaurant is a lively spot with a classic Gulf Coast feel. 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651, legacykitchen.com The Blue Crab Restaurant & Bar offers fresh seafood and waterfront dining overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. This locally owned oyster bar features favorites such as whole stuffed flounder and Basin BBQ shrimp & grits, complemented by nautical décor and expansive lake views. 7900 Lakeshore Dr., (504) 284-2898, thebluecrabnola.com The Galley Seafood serves an extensive selection of fresh seafood including crawfish, oysters, and crabs. The menu also features frog legs, fried green tomatoes, white beans & rice, and other Southern favorites. Try the crawfish Monica with fried catfish. 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie, (504) 832-0955

OPEN THANKSGIVING DAY 3 Course Thanksgiving Meal - $65 Or Regular Dinner Menu Available 701 South Peters St.

5 0 4 - 3 0 2 - 7 4 9 6 / b r iq u e t t e - no l a . co m Bar Guide // November 2026

Haiti and New Orleans Two Places, One Big Cultural Family

If New Orleans had a family tree, you would not have to look very far before finding Haiti sitting somewhere in the branches.

he relationship between Haiti and New Orleans is not just some recent cultural friendship. It reaches back more than two centuries to the upheavals of the Haitian Revolution and the enormous migration that followed. That history helped shape New Orleans into the gloriously complicated, multicultural city we know today. To understand the connection, we have to head south across the Gulf and 1,300 miles into the Caribbean to Saint-Domingue, the French colony that would become Haiti. In the late 19th century, Saint-Domingue was one of the richest colonies in the world, thanks largely to sugar and coffee. It was also one of the most brutal. Enslaved Africans endured horrific working and living conditions, and resistance was constant. In 1791, that resistance exploded into the Haitian Revolution. Over the next 13 years, enslaved people and their allies fought French, Spanish, and British forces. Among the revolution’s most famous leaders was Toussaint Louverture, a formerly enslaved man who became a brilliant military and political strategist. In 1804, Haiti declared independence. It was an extraordinary moment. Haiti became the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean and the world’s first Black-led republic born from a successful slave revolution.

Independence Came With Enormous Upheaval As war, revolution, and political instability swept Saint-Domingue, people fled the island.

White colonists left. Free people of color left. Enslaved people were carried away by fleeing colonists. Others escaped on their own. Refugees scattered throughout the Caribbean, Cuba, the United States, and beyond. A massive amount of them ended up in New Orleans. The biggest wave came in 1809 and 1810 when thousands of refugees arrived from Cuba after Spanish authorities expelled people who had fled Saint-Domingue. More than 9,000 refugees arrived in New Orleans during this migration. For New Orleans, the impact was enormous. The city’s population essentially doubled. Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that your city’s population had doubled in a matter of months. New Orleans basically said, “Well, since you’re here, welcome to the city.” The newcomers settled in places such as the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny, strengthening the city’s already vibrant French-speaking Creole population.

The Haitian Influence Went Far Beyond Language Haitian influence seeped into nearly every corner of New Orleans life. Take music for example. Long before jazz became synonymous with New Orleans, Black people gathered in places such as Congo Square to drum, dance, sing, and maintain African musical traditions. Haitian immigrants brought their own Caribbean and African musical traditions into this already thriving cultural environment. Polyrhythms, call-and-response, percussion, improvisation, and communal music-making became part of a broader musical spectrum that

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

helped produce the unmistakable sound of New Orleans.

We Even Shared a Food Culture If you want to understand the HaitiNew Orleans relationship, you could probably start in somebody’s kitchen. Haitian cooking and Louisiana Creole cooking share so many aspects, from ingredients, techniques, flavors, and traditions, that all stem from West Africa, France, Spain, and the Caribbean. Rice and beans are staples in both cultures. Okra appears on both sides of the Gulf. Stews, slow-cooked meats, peppers, spices, and seafood are everywhere. New Orleans dishes including gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice belong to a much larger Caribbean and African culinary story. That is, in many ways, the New Orleans specialty— take a little bit of this, a little bit of that, add some spice, and somehow make it magic.

It’s Also in The Architecture The architectural connection is there, too. Haitian influences can be seen in the evolution of New Orleans’ Creole cottages, courtyards,

balconies, and shotgun houses. The shotgun house itself has a history that stretches far beyond New Orleans. While its exact birthplace remains debated, many architectural historians trace the form to West African building traditions that traveled through the Caribbean, particularly Haiti.

And Then There is Religion Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo are related, but not identical, and both developed within spiritual worlds shaped by African religions and Catholicism. Haitian refugees brought spiritual practices with them, which contributed to New Orleans’ own religious landscape. For example, no discussion of New Orleans Voodoo can avoid Marie Laveau. Her history with Voodoo was heavily influenced by Haitian culture.

It Was Also Political Haitian refugees and their descendants helped build one of the most politically active free Black communities in 19th century America. Veterans of the Haitian Revolution settled in Louisiana, and during the War of 1812, some fought in the defense of New Orleans.

All photos: courtesy of Jafar M. Pierre & Ashé Cultural Arts Center

// KIMMIE TUBRÉ

Colonel Joseph Savary, a Haitian veteran, helped lead Black troops during the Battle of New Orleans. These men had already fought for freedom in Haiti, and they carried those revolutionary ideals with them.

That Spirit Continued After the Battle

All photos: courtesy of Jafar M. Pierre & Ashé Cultural Arts Center

Haitian-descended New Orleanians became writers, educators, journalists, religious leaders, activists, and civil rights advocates. Figures such as Victor Séjour and Armand Lanusse contributed to a flourishing Creole literary tradition. Later, Haitiandescended activists challenged racial segregation and fought for political equality. So when we talk about the Haitian influence on New Orleans, we’re not simply talking about history that happened “back then.” We’re talking about a living inheritance that you can hear in the music. Taste it in the kitchen. See pieces of it in the architecture. Find it in the local French language and Creole traditions. And you can even feel it during Carnival celebrations such as Krewe du Kanaval, where Haitian heritage is proudly brought into the streets of New Orleans. That is what makes the relationship between Haiti and New Orleans so special. The two places both share cultures that refuse to be put neatly into one box, and New Orleans did not simply receive Haitian refugees. It embraced their stories, traditions, struggles, music, food, faith, and dreams.

Bar Guide // November 2026

Fall on the u o y a B // ARIELLE GONZALES

2706 ROYAL ST. (504) 947-8787

MASKS–BEADS–COSTUMES

omewhere up north, even west of here, someone is photographing a pumpkin against a flannel blanket and other aesthetics. By the time it reaches a phone in New Orleans, November will still feel like August with a slightly chilly twist to it. With the slightly chilly twist in the air, even though it’s humid, the light has barely gone a little longer in the evenings. The seasons haven’t just about shifted yet in the South as they’re supposed to. There’s no exact date to build a Pinterest board centered around it. There’s no hearing the crunch of the leaves falling from the trees, no cable knit sweater weather that people love to enjoy, or the cinnamon-dusted anything that only makes sense to drink hot outside. However, what is there is a whole different definition of fall—the one that’s been sitting at the farmers markets the entire time and just waiting for someone to stop bringing in a season that was never meant to be built for this climate.

OPEN 7AM–1AM MardiGrasZone.com

VEGAN–KOSHER–ORGANIC

NOW OPEN: IMPERIUM @ 2731 CHARTRES ST. JAZZ FEST POSTERS, THRIFT ITEMS, & MORE!

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Let’s start with citrus, mainly because it’s the clearest sign that something is shifting, even if the thermometer disagrees. Satsumas start to fall off the trees in Louisiana as early as September, which is when early ones were bred right by the LSU AgCenter. They start ripening in a slow method that goes into December, depending on the strain. Owari, which are known to be widely grown in November but can hang on the tree until early winter, is a type of fruit that is similar to what pumpkins do everywhere else by marking the turn of the year; however, it basically comes in a paper bag from a roadside stand instead of a syrup pumped into a paper cup. You can peel it with your thumb while standing in your driveway. You can smell the actual season changing from summer to fall and not like a candle pretending it did. Down at the water, the shift is turning like it’s supposed to—on its own schedule. The old rule says to eat oysters in a month with an “r,” a superstition left over from before refrigeration existed. This came about when summer heat made shellfish riskier to hold and keep. Cold storage exists these days to close the gap, but the instinct behind the rule wasn’t wrong. Oysters really do firm up once spawning season ends and the water starts to get cooler. Louisiana’s public oyster season opens in November, right on schedule as the state officially releases the reefs. This annual event occurs when conditions are nearly perfect; however, fall in Louisiana is marked not just by changing leaves but also by the state’s determination that the Gulf has finally cooled down enough for the season to begin.

Photos from top: courtesy of Lance Hill, Al Sunseri and Salvador Blake Sunseri

Doesn’t Look Like Your Pinterest Board

PLAQUEMINES PARISH FAIR &

FREE ADM ISSIO

AL NIV R A C ES RID n

Ope nday u ay-S Frid

Dec. 4 th - 6 th

Photos from top: courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Al Sunseri and Salvador Blake Sunseri

FRIDAY, DEC. 4 - CARNIVAL ONLY

There is a calendar that the land keeps as its own, too. In Louisiana, the harvest of sweet potatoes takes place from early August until mid-November, during which the sweet potatoes undergo a few weeks of curing in kilns before reaching the required sugar level and are ready to be eaten. It means that the sweet potatoes on display in the supermarkets were underground just a couple of weeks ago. Split one open hot and the steam smells almost like caramel that never was cooked on a stovetop. The flesh is soft enough to savor on a spoon but in a sweet way that something tastes when it’s been in the warm ground all summer long rather than anywhere else. At the same time, in the backyards of the city, the mirlitons, which were growing on the fences and chains all through the humid summer, have started giving fruit, with the peak of the harvest taking place in October. This plant was introduced into the area two hundred years ago from Haiti and is so well adapted to the specific humidity of the area that mirlitons are hardly recognized among the other chayotes in the world. Due to the near-

complete destruction of the unique varieties of the mirlitons caused by Hurricane Katrina, a non-profit organization was founded to preserve the seeds of this plant. This is none of what a national aesthetic would think a falling season should be like. That’s fine since the national aesthetic wasn’t made for this kind of coastal city. The national aesthetic was made for places where the leaves really change their colors, where the weather truly gets cold, and it was spread all across every other part of the continent, although the continent doesn’t live by a single clock. New Orleans isn’t under that clock. It has its own clock of late fall vegetables, of oysters developing a great taste while the humidity is starting to dissipate, and of a plant that has been growing all through the summer and only started to bear fruit now. This isn’t some sort of poor imitation of a fall season. This isn’t a way of making up for something. It’s a different set of indicators, of terrestrial and aquatic rather than sweater-wearing nature. After learning how to read them, you’re not going to wait for a season that never arrives on time. The story is being told by way of the tables at the farmers market, not by some calendar. The oranges beside the sweet potatoes, the coolers overflowing with just-fished oysters to be eaten, the piles of mirliton that are completely unaware of their own status as the unphotographed star of the “fall harvest” photo spread. It’s the truth of what changing seasons look like in this city—subtle and specific and following its own time. Just find it. You won’t have to look in a pumpkin.

BC Boyz Band Sat. 11:00 a.m Northbound 55 Sat. 2:00 p.m. R&R Smokin’ Foundation Sat. 6:00 p.m. Few Blue Sun. 11:00 a.m. Lousisana Landfall Sun. 2:00 p.m.

GREAT LOUISIANA DELICACIES www.orangefestival.com

HISTORIC FORT JACKSON BURAS, LOUISIANA Bar Guide // November 2026

NOLA's

t Fête FiWeekend

New Orleans puts a festive spin on fitness and wellness Where else but New Orleans could fitness become a fête?

his November 13 and 14, City Park welcomes Fit Fête, a two-day celebration of health, wellness, and community inspired by the French word fête, meaning festival. In its inaugural year, the event combines a wellness festival with the return of the New Orleans Marathon and a multi-sport corporate challenge, all infused with the energy and spirit of New Orleans. Created and produced by New Orleans & Company, Fit Fête kicks off on Friday with the Community Games, a series of challenges and sporting events that invite companies and organizations of all sizes to get active and earn points on a shared leaderboard. “Think of it like the Corporate Olympics,” said Sam Joffray, an executive team member at New Orleans & Company in event development. Companies and nonprofits participating in the Community Games will form teams of at least four employees and earn points through a variety of individual and team challenges. Much

like a corporate field day, teams can choose from activities including pickleball, flag football, soccer, cornhole, track and field, yoga, and obstacle courses, while individual participants can take on skill challenges throughout the park, including a one-mile run or walk. “Everything is happening in City Park, with Tad Gormley Stadium as the epicenter,” Joffray said. The Community Games will stretch across the park, spanning the Pan American Stadium, Gernon Brown Recreation Center, the Tennis Center, and golf course driving range, with shuttle service between venues. As companies accumulate points throughout the day, teams may need additional participants to fill event spots, creating opportunities for individuals from different organizations to join forces, compete together, and forge new relationships. The day will begin with an opening ceremony at approximately 8:30 a.m., followed by brief announcements and instructions. Sporting events are scheduled to begin around 9 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m. The day will conclude with a closing ceremony, where trophies and medals will be presented to participants. “It should prove to be as much of a celebration of health and wellness as it will be a fun day of friendly competition,” Joffray said. “There is something for everyone.” Companies and organizations still have time to register for Fit Fête. According to Jenna Theriot,

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

event development manager at New Orleans & Company, participants already include a diverse mix of businesses and organizations, from tourism companies and nonprofits to law and accounting firms. Saturday features the second component of Fit Fête—the return of the New Orleans Marathon race series after a six-year hiatus. The full day of racing will include the marathon, half-marathon, 5K, and inaugural marathon relay, marking a new chapter for one of the city’s signature races. For Bill Burke, president and CEO of Premier Event Management, LLC, bringing the race back was also personal. “Since the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon left after its 2020 event, I knew Fit Fête would be really big news, and I wanted to do something for my hometown,” Burke said. The race course offers runners a quintessential New Orleans experience, beginning at the New Orleans Museum of Art and following a double-loop route before finishing at Roosevelt Mall. Burke describes the course as flat and fast, with a layout that allows runners to see fellow competitors throughout the race. “It’s enjoyable for runners to see the sea of humanity on the streets, all reaching for that finish line,” Burke said. Burke also noted that each water station will have music, cheerleaders, or live performers to entertain runners, spectators, and volunteers. After crossing the finish line, runners will receive commemorative 2026 medals before heading to Tad Gormley Stadium for live music, food, refreshments, and guest speakers. The postrace festivities will then flow into the WellNXT Wellness Festival. Serving as the anchor of Fit Fête, the free, two-day festival will run alongside the Community Games on Friday and the New Orleans Marathon race series on Saturday, offering an immersive experience centered on fitness, food, mindfulness,

and whole-person wellness. Throughout the weekend, Fit Fête is expected to draw 30,000 to 50,000 attendees, including families, employers, healthcare organizations, students, athletes, and wellness enthusiasts, according to Stevi Carr, co-founder and president of WellNXT, a global wellness platform and experiential company. “Fit Fête has created an amazing platform that celebrates movement and community,” Carr said. “WellNXT expands that vision by connecting people with wellness resources and inspiring them to take the next step in their health journey.” The first day of the WellNXT festival will focus on workplace wellness, bringing together employers, business leaders, healthcare organizations, and health experts to explore practical strategies for strengthening employee well-being and workplace culture. On Saturday, Tad Gormley Stadium will be transformed into a community wellness playground featuring fitness demonstrations, chef presentations, recovery experiences, mindfulness sessions, health screenings, family activities, and interactive exhibits. Attendees will also have opportunities to sample products, meet experts, and discover local restaurants, fitness studios, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Carr said the hands-on experiences are designed to create connections that support health and well-being long after the weekend ends. “People remember experiences far more than brochures,” Carr said. So let the Fit Fête begin. With City Park as its stage, a weekend of competition, running, and wellness invites everyone to move, connect, and celebrate a healthier community—New Orleans style.

Photos from top: courtesy of City Park Conservancy, Erick Ortega, Michael Morse, New Orleans & Company

// CELESTE TURNER

FILM REVIEWS

// FRITZ ESKER + DAVID VICARI

Clayface

// DAVID VICARI

layface is an effective body horror movie that is totally gnarly and will make you wince and laugh at the same time. It’s a fun gross-out thriller that can stand proudly beside David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986). This is based on the origin story of a DC Comics character who is a villain of Batman. While this does take place in Gotham City, there is no Batman to be seen. Handsome movie star Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is on top of the world. His latest action film is going gangbusters at the box office, and he is up for an Academy Award for Best Actor. His good fortune evaporates when he beds a gangster’s moll named Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro). The gangster, Markos Szabo (David Dencik), decides to take a switchblade to the actor’s face and, on top of that, spread vicious lies about Hagen’s past. With his life and career destroyed, Hagen becomes a recluse. That is until he discovers that a young scientist, Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), is formulating a nanite treatment to rapidly heal damaged tissues and skin. Hagen begs Corr to be her test subject. At first, the experiment seems to work, giving Hagen back his handsome face, but the treatment

is quickly revealed to be wildly unstable. Eventually, Hagen is able to morph his face, and even his body, into mimicking other people. That is when he sets his revenge into motion against the people that ruined his life. The crackling screenplay by Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, Hush) and Hossein Amini (Drive, The Wings of the Dove) has good characterizations and unpretentious subtext about the fleeting nature of fame, while director James Watkins (Eden Lake, The Woman in Black) keeps the story moving at a good clip. As for the performances, they are pitch perfect across the board. A sequence late in the film set in a night club is wildly imaginative with some really gruesome kills. In-camera practical effects mix perfectly with CGI to create a nasty yet fun time at the movies.

A Talent for Murder

ovelist Patricia Highsmith’s signature character, the suave psychopath Tom Ripley, has been the centerpiece of several films (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley’s Game, Purple Noon). Director Anton Corbijn’s new movie, A Talent for Murder, which recently screened at the New Orleans Film Festival, gives viewers a Ripley movie, of sorts, but, instead, features the author herself (played by Helen Mirren) as one of the main characters. In 1995, publishing flunky Edward Ridgeway (Alden Ehrenreich) is dispatched to Highsmith’s Swiss mansion in an effort to convince her to write one last Ripley novel. The bigoted, misanthropic, alcoholic Highsmith has little interest in complying and verbally abuses Edward; however, Edward, a devoted Highsmith fan, convinces her to hear him out. Eventually, the two start brainstorming a final Ripley story—Aldenreich also plays Ripley in these sequences—where he romances a young woman (Olivia Cooke) who will inherit a trust fund only when two pesky relatives are out of the picture.

// FRITZ ESKER

Ehrenreich and Mirren are good enough actors to handle the burden of what is mostly a two-hander. At the end, however, the story (based on the play Switzerland by the film’s screenwriter Joanna Murray-Smith) feels gimmicky. The relationship between Highsmith and Ridgeway isn’t compelling enough on its own to merit the film’s central storytelling device. If they wanted to tell another Ripley story, they should have just told another Ripley story instead of constantly jumping back and forth between a Ripley story and a battle of wills between a writer and a publishing staffer. A Talent for Murder is never bad, but it ends with more of a shrug than a bang.

Photos from left: courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures, Bleecker Street

Delicious Food from Briquette, Full Bar, Amazing Wines, and Your Exclusive Dining Experience!

B E A R C AT CAFE

Our Private Room Fine Dining at Its Best!

Enjoy Gatherings with Family & Friends A Perfect Setting for Corporate Dinners & Receptions Inquiries at Briquette-Nola.com

302–7496 // 701 S. Peters St., Warehouse District //

BEARCAT UPTOWN 2521 JENA STREET BEARCAT DOWNTOWN (CBD) 845 CARONDELET STREET BEARCAT BAKED 726 JULIA STREET BEARCATCAFE.COM

Bar Guide // November 2026

PO-BOY VIEWS

// PHIL LaMANCUSA

Do It or Don't

he Buzzed Buddha sits atop a neutral Orleans, Louisiana, and America have been failing ground concrete slab on Esplanade miserably in options for a large percentage of Avenue somewhere off Dauphine Street our population for generations. Our society has in New Orleans. She could use a bath. not provided a purpose driven life for many of its She waves at the passing cars with her scepter of citizens. a tall PBR nestled in brown paper, grinning like a When you see “them” in traffic intersections Cheshire. holding a square of cardboard saying, “Anything The tribe that she belongs to lines our streets, helps, God bless,” you easily turn a blind eye. “It’s and they are wherever you look. However much their own fault,” you might say. “They could do you’d like to avoid seeing them. They’re here. Sixty better if they wanted to. Look at me. I’m alright. nine percent are locals that have lived here over There’s help for them if they want it. Ah! they’re five years or from birth (unity.gno.org). just bums. What can you do with people like that? Over 1,500 uneasy humans in the Big Easy— They’d probably just spend it on drugs.” and counting—are considered “unhoused,” a What makes “them” different from “us?” term used with pathos rather than the brutal What influences “life satisfaction?” What defines fact of them being, in fact, homeless—without “purpose?” a home (fox8live.com). They litter, beg, freeload, To me, purpose is a personal, emotional, and hustle, survive, and anesthetize themselves as spiritual feeling of security and worth. Science, best they can—however they can—to relieve the studies, and surveys cannot track causes for helplessness of their condition. Some are families. impedance of personal meaning. We only see Many sleep outdoors. the positive results of its absence. “Housing first” There’s nowhere to run from your problems doesn’t get to the root of mental illness and/or the when you’re homeless, with: broken dreams, intersection of systemic abuse and scars that have broken hearts, broken promises, broken homes, led to homelessness. poor education, poverty, poor choices, and poor The rationale that a person can be cured of spirits. There’s no place for facing a life and future “Yes, the strong gets more, as futile and less than you to run to unless it’s to something, anything, to meaningful with a hot while the weak ones fade. deaden the pain. Living lunch and a “Praise Jesus” Empty pockets don’t ever without a home could is a myth and a feel-good certainly lead a person to assuagement for folks make the grade. excesses. who naively believe God bless the child that’s got With bad decisions, that they’re making a his own.” bad timing, bad conditions, difference to someone who bad loves, and bad luck, lacks strong family and 22.6% of NOLA citizens community ties, steady —Billie Holiday, live below the poverty work and financial health, level, and that’s not access to health care “God Bless the Child” automatically counting the and safe neighborhoods, homeless in that group (US Census 2025). and creative outlets such as art, music, and local So many are so “food insecure” (hungry) that traditions. buying food most times trumps paying rent—or “Addressing homelessness with a roof over doesn’t. We have services here to help with food, head and a bed to lay on does nothing to solve clothing, school supplies, rent assistance, and the problem. It treats the symptoms and ignores health care. Most of these programs are being cut the disease. This approach does not work,” HUD by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by the Secretary Scott Turner said. He goes on to advocate people in government that you voted into the for treatment both medical and mental, citing that majority to serve us (ballotpedia.org). Head Start “homelessness in this country is up 80%.” programs also are in jeopardy of being defunded Doing the math, it appears that just a little (nyt.com). over half of the NOLA population is doing alright, Three to four percent of this city’s adult while the rest can go suck eggs. The common male population (1-in-25 to 1-in-30) are under overall view, as I see it, is that those that can be active correctional supervision, as is seven to 10 chronologically documented as less fortunate than percent of women (prisonpolicy.org). Meanwhile, the “rest of us” are vagrants and not victims. the unemployment rate in NOLA is five and half Here’s what you can do. You’re sending cards percent (bls.gov). out anyway for the holiday. Set aside those throw Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for away bucks—money for that pack of cigarettes, childhood poverty—Mississippi is 50th—and that’s extra drink, the quarters you’ve been hoarding, 24.8% of the population (neworleanscitybusiness. money from your next tattoo fund, etc.—and write com). In New Orleans, 26% to 29% of kids are in that a check. number, and that’s children under the age of 15 There’s a place right here in town that gives (axios.com/local/neworelans). free resting space, case management, showers, Almost 82% of kids now graduate from high toiletries, phone service, laundry, food pantry, school here (yay), which is up from 54% before morning snacks, and hot lunch to our city’s Katrina (NOLA-PS Data Dashboard). indigent. Saint Joseph Rejoin/Rebuild Center, 1803 Forty nine percent of NOLA households live Gravier St., NOLA 70112. We need to support places below the ALICE Threshold, meaning that they’re like this. Just do it. not considered poor but could not survive a major “We live on a planet well able to provide a income shock—i.e., one paycheck away (WDSU’s decent life for every soul on it, which is all ninetyElla Wales). nine of a hundred ask. Why in the world can’t we All of this means what? It means that New have it?” —Jack Finney, About Time: 12 Short Stories

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

TALES FROM THE FRENCH QUARTER

Feeling Frienships

taying in touch with friends and former neighbors requires effort. The best of intentions just doesn’t cut it; however, a gang of hungry, insistent cats will force me (and Philipe), in all kinds of weather, to walk, bus, drive, to assuage the culinary needs of two— at times three—locations where homeless cats depend on us. Sometimes I feel tenderhearted, other times annoyed, always guilty if I screw up, and often, very often, grateful. When Philipe and I relocated our bookshop to the Broad Street/Bayou Road location, we discovered a not-yet-weaned baby kitten under the house bordering our parking lot. She was scooped up by Philipe. We named her Frankie and adopted her on the spot. A month or so later, out from under the house popped more kittens, mama cat—which was easy to determine by the sagging nursing nipples and the “how the hell did I end up with all these mouths to feed?” demeanor—papa cat, and two uncles and an aunt. All of whom are Frankie’s kin. The SPCA Trap-Neuter-Release program back then was quick to come and catch them all. The program was free—donations appreciated—and agreement was that they’d be fixed and returned to their familiar territory, and we would feed them for the rest of their lives. It was a comfortable arrangement. We were there, they were there, and feeding was easy—until we closed our shop. So for the past eight years, we have been their meal ticket—think Uber Eats for felines. However, the cats more than compensated us by allowing us to remain a part of the community there in the Seventh Ward, which had become our “work” home. It was sad enough leaving our shop, but thanks to the clowder of cats, we continued to see our business neighbors and those living in that special spot of commerce. I get attached to places as much as I do people. I am as territorial as any cat. Cats tend to return to their territory if moved/ relocated, and I get it. I didn’t want to say goodbye. So armed with a car trunk full of cat kibble, we return there daily. When we lost our residence, a lovely rental on N. Dupre in the Bayou St. John neighborhood, due to termites—AKA negligent landlord—we chose another rental house blocks away and justified the increased rent because it was walking distance to Jessica, an abandoned cat, whose meals had become our responsibility. So close to the new home on N. Lopez, I could walk in my bathrobe for Jessica feedings. Walking your dog in your bathrobe is okay as long as you are within “proper” range of domicile. Walk too far in your robe and folks think that, at my age, I’m lost. Scout the dog lent a degree of normalcy to my cat feeding errands. Later, an additional cat, a TNR somewhat feral, exercised squatter’s rights under the house across the street from Jessica, who had transferred her

// DEBBIE LINDSAY

porch residence at our former house to my friend’s house next door and later to another friend’s patio. We loved our new apartment on Lopez, but again, my territorial instincts wanted me to remain tethered to the “compound” of those Dupre houses. Thanks to my friends and the neighbors in that cluster of houses/apartments, I had free rein to feed and visit my finicky felines by cutting through adjoining yards. It’s a fact, oh yes, that cats have their own group thread. While I’ve never seen their little cellphones, they obviously have a means to communicate in group chats. So, of course, soon after we moved to N. Lopez, two cats took up residence on our porch. They weren’t very impressed with us but just expected food and water bowls to appear and be replenished once daily—twice if we wanted them to allow us to pet them. I was not the only one workin’ this feline feeding franchise. Café Lopez “opened” additional food service outlets at Chez Manuel, Café Ann, and Tony’s Bar & Grill for when we were out of town. And then when we moved again, Ginger and Harriet, our feline diners, remained well fed. So far, the cat network hasn’t sent us any new squatters, only the occasional cat checking out the mice and rats that dash under the house. Changing our paths, routines, and neighborhoods can cause people to fade from our view and attention, even our heartstrings weaken. We like to believe that a bond with another will never cease; however, best intentions require engagement. In my case, responsibility to hungry critters made staying in touch with folks a part of my daily world. Just being able to grab a hug nurtures a relationship. Sociable brief moments help feed friendships but, sometimes, a relationship needs more. Time given to a person is more nourishing. My friend Pat recently passed. She died, in part, from loneliness. She deserved more quality time from me than my rushed “drive by” errands gave. Nonetheless, I am grateful to the cats next door to her that “insisted” I be within her orbit. The cats do their part, but the rest depends on me. I want to thank the people who have helped us tend to these magical creatures that seem to weave bonds between us. Marinnette went above and beyond, just as Judy and Robin did. Tony, Manuel, and Ann have been invaluable. These friends gave more than kibble. They gave love. Often these cats position me to make new friends. Recently, Rico blessed us with his friendship and shared the care for the clowder of cats next to our former shop. He passed away this summer. This gang of felines will miss his kindness. Make no mistake—animals socialize us. They bring out the best in us.

Make no mistake—animals socialize us. They bring out the best in us.

Bar Guide // November 2026

WHERE Y’BEEN

Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest

All photos: courtesy of Gustavo Escanelle

National Fried Chicken Festival

// GUSTAVO ESCANELLE

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA

Mallard Duck, Plate 221 John James Audubon Birds of America

An Exhibition Celebrating Louisiana’s Waterfowl Heritage and Wetlands Conservation Opens November 6 at the Cabildo

LouisianaStateMuseum.org

Bar Guide // November 2026

WhereYat.com // @WhereYatNOLA // #WhereYatNOLA