Yo,

Me and some buddy's are coming to New Orleans during the second weekend of Jazz Fest for his bachelor party.   I've never been and I can't wait to immerse myself in the culture!   Jitterbug Perfume is one of my favorite books so I'll be searching for Bingo Pajamas..jk..kinda.    My buddy has been to Jazz fest 5 years or so a go and took a picture of my evil Doppleganger so I'm a bit worried about running into him.    Other then that, I'm stoked for the food, music, and nightlife, and just hangin with my boys.  

What can you tell me about New Orleans?  

Where should I eat?  Fest grounds on Friday but other then that I'm open.   Do I need to have some beignets from somewhere special. Where am I gonna get me some Gumbo,

What club should I go to?

Where should I stay away from?  

Cheers!

Nick

Welcome! First, check out my Ultimate NOLA Visit List: yelp.com/list/ultimate-n…

You're going to want to hit up the Marigny- dba, Blue Nile, Maison, Three Muses. All the clubs have great music during Jazz Fest, so you might also want to catch shows at Tipitina's, Howlin' Wolf, Maple Leaf, Rock N Bowl. Check out the listings on nola.com or grab an Offbeat on your way into the fest.

You can probably get the best gumbo out at the fest. Everyone has their fave fest foods- 100 people could get on this thread & tell you something different to eat-  just bring plenty of cash & plan on grazing. You might also want to go to Cochon (make a reservation) or Jacques Imo's. If you can't do either, try to get to Cochon Butcher if you can.

I recommend getting a bloody mary at Liuzza's on your way into the fest. Bring a rain poncho just in case. See you out there Fri & Sat!

Great!  Thanks.  Yeah I heard that most of the best food vendors are at the Fest grounds so was planning on that!   Thanks for the recommendations.  Any information is helpful!   YUmmm.... Bloody at Liuzza's is a definite for starting off Friday at the fest in true spirit!  Especially since we'll be at Tipi's late night on Thursday!  

Cheers!
Nick

From what I hear, some of the big name acts at Jazz Fest will head over to Frenchmen street and play at the venues over there at night.

My best advice for Jazz Fest is to make sure & drink lots of water.  If you want to Fest during the day AND go out at night, remember to watch the sunburn/heat.  Like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest is a marathon not a sprint.

Nicholas - recommend reading a couple of the recent threads, Kirsten B and Sara G's are excellent.  If you can norrow your question you'll get the right answer.  Are you looking for street food, soul food, famous chefs, etc?  Where are you staying?  Will you have a car?  With the bachelor party, Bourbon St is where most of them wind up going, and there are dozens of options there, and bar-hopping is encouraged.

Awww, Jen is like the older sister I never had. Always looking out for her people.

I meant it in a good way. Love ya Jen!

Dang, Joshua. Am I gonna have to punch you in the head this time?  At least you didn't call me your mother...

Staying here...ouch....Marriot Courtyard....http://www.yelp.com/biz/courtyard-new-orleans-convention-center-new-orleans
***I actually feel bad for the people that will be roomed next to us if the walls are really thin.  

I know that my questions have been vague, but I think it's because New Orleans in my mind is like fantasy land and I'm overwhelmed.  

I think I'm realizing now that I just don't have time to do it all.   Plus I'm gonna be with a bunch of drunk dudes that will make it virtually impossible to do the things I want to do.   I think I'll just go with the flow....and try and have options for the best of the top things I want to do.  

1. Hurricane at Lafitte's Blacksmitth or Pat O's.  

2. Muffaletta at Central Grocery, or someplace that has HOT Muffaletta's? (any recommendations?)

3. Gumbo at  the fest grounds (Friday)  

4. Beignets and Coffee at Cafe Do Monde! Or anywhere else?

5.  What about Dinner on Thursday, and Saturday. I'm thinking that we won't be going anywhere super fancy.  I'd like to go to a place that is on the cheaper side, but also very New Orleans, a place were locals go on a Wednesday, not when your going out for a fancy meal.   ACME (fried food!), Drago's, Cochon?   All are fairly close to my Hotel,  

6. Latenight...Tipi's , dba, Bourbon St  and then most likely Frenchmen St!

I'm also going to spending some time with Scott's Great Big Package.   I've bookmarked all of those so I can try and hit some of that up once I get my bearings.

Cochon Butcher has muffalettas & you could try a bunch of other stuff too (boudin, other great sandwiches, charcroute, bar food). Just a suggestion. I think you have it mostly figured out. Still stand by Jacques Imo's if you can make a reservation (5 or more). You'll need a reservation for Cochon. Make one now if you think you want to go.

There are some great restaurants right outside the festival, but they will be crowded when the festival gets out.  If you're headed down Esplanade,  Fiorella's Cafe in the quarter - 1136 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA - is near Esplanade and Decatur.

Yelp reviews are here: yelp.com/biz/fiorellas-c…

Dang...Cochon is booked up as is every other fine establishment.  I guess we'll be eating at the second tier restaurants.   All I want is really authentic New Orleans grub where a local goes to when they want to feel like they are home!

Nick - try:
The Joint - Not fine dining, but the best damn BBQ you've ever had.  No reservations required.
Eat - in the FQ at Dauphine and Dumain (sp?), check the reviews
K-Paul's:  Invested blackened red fish which almost became extinct after he introduced the dish.

The places I go on a totally regular basis include: Delachaise, Boucherie, Green Goddess, Muriel's, Cafe Degas, Nonna Mia, Juan's Flying Burrito, Parkway, La Crepe Nanou, Houston's (sorry, those wood grilled artichokes are GOOD! Don't care that it's a chain), Crescent Pie & Sausage, Captain Sal's Seafood (I pick up boiled crawfish from here at least once a week), and various sushi joints. I also wish I went to Felipe's more, because those spicy chicken tacos  make my life complete.

Make of that list what you will. Not all of those places are my favorite in the city, but they are all frequently visited by a local . . . me. Some due to price, convenience, whatever, but I enjoy all of them enough to return frequently. I refrained from adding Subway to that list, because . . . well, duh.

Oh, I forgot to add Louisiana Pizza Kitchen (Uptown) to my list. The one on Carrollton. Also, I second Eat. Jarred, the owner, is a doll, and the food is yummy.

Brian D.  I was just looking at your review of that because I read your review of Mulates which is right by our hotel.  Damn...The Joint sounds frickin tasty!  I will bookmark that one!

Lyndsey-awesome thanks!

Nick - I work next to the joint and can attest to the fact that they light their smokers using real wood at 6 a.m.  Recommend hit them for dinner on thursday then walk a block to Vaughn's for Kermit Ruffins New Orleans Jazz.

Nice man.  Sounds good.  My buddy the bachelor gets in at 9:30 but I'm in early with a couple other guys.  

Look like my Thursday is set!
The Joint
Vaughn's for Kermit Ruffins
Tipi's for Denson