Amazing Nola spot to catch great local, live music. We visited before tge pandemic and we still talk about it today.

Band was great! The vibe killer was really the way the 60ish year old male bartender approached the barely legal girl dancing alone to show her the pictures that he took of half naked women and implied he could take them of her. She was clearly uncomfortable and he was gross. Sunday August 23 late evening. read more

Tiny bar. Junkyard band Crawdaddy Issues was awesome. Juan the Bartender is cool. You won't get a foo-foo drink here. But Juan will shake you up a good concoction. My complaint was drinking an old fashion in a plastic cup. Juan can't fix that. Choose a beer at this awesome divey bar. He remembered me and where I was from even two days later...who does that? Juan does that. Cause he does. read more

Thinking back, the music was pretty baller and hearing Joshua Benitez rip the riffs on a guitar with his mouth is worth while to go back to encounter. read more

FIRST BAR WE HIT IN NOLA! And honestly couldn't be happier. If this is what's to come, I'm super stoked about our trip. We got decent priced drinks in a bar atmosphere that is our absolute FAVORITE and we got to check out Smoky Greenwell band. Awesome jazz band that hit on the harmonica! Love this spot and will DEFINITELY be back. read more

If this were Reddit, I'd be downvoted for this review. Apple Barrel Bar is my kind of bar. It's small... very small. The bar seats maybe 6, plus 2 (or was it 3?) other tables with 2-3 chairs. And there is little room left to stand. But the music was exceptional. And the bartender made a mean Sazerac. If I lived in NOLA, I'd make this my local joint. So don't try to come during peak hours. Or stand outside and listen to the music. But if you can get in and find a seat, plan to settle in and enjoy a local vibe. I'm in love. read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Almost the whole place. It's small but the music is the bomb. - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Really cool dive bar. Highly recommended, great drinks and a decent beer list. Tiny place with typically a live musician. Worth the stop. When you're there, say high to the bartender from Chicago! read more

Very small dive bar. Service is pretty straightforward but fast and efficient. Everything was priced well. The place was crowded but the people who go there are very friendly. They also have live music which is a vibe. read more

This place was so fun! Great music, great bar, very very small. We appreciated having live music on Frenchman with no cover charge but the place is small and crowded. We first went on a Sunday night and we were actually able to score a couple of seats at a table. On Wednesday, we walked in, and we walked out. Great place, but super crowded and small. read more

This is a tiny NOLA bar on Frenchman Street. We enjoyed the Hobo Junkyard Band two nights in a row. Did I mention this place is tiny? Such a fun intimate spot with the crowd pushed up against the band ... it's like having a band play a party in your living room! read more

Apple Barrel Bar - A seven piece band plays in a venue the size of your living room! - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Have your cash ready - it's cash only bar so don't even try to fuck around with bringing your credit card expecting them to take it and then bitch on Yelp because they don't when a million signs say "Cash Only" Anyway small venue so grab a spot and figure it out. Great music and drinks. (Grab some local Abita) Apple Barrel is the spot so if you don't know...now you know. read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Small bar with super friendly staff. Reasonsble prices, and the music was fantastic!! I would definitely go again.

Small, soft lighting, holding plenty of folks inside and out. Bartender works hard, Drinks are strong. Decaturadio Band is the best on late Monday nights, one of the few best on Frenchmen St. No cover, tip the band. read more

Not gonna lie, every time I look at the name of this place I think of Nelly. The music here is so far from Nelly, but I'll tell you what, it was awesome. When we first walked in, there were two locals listening to the band and they yelled at us for bringing a beer in so we were scurrying out when the band said NO NO, you guys come in and hang out! It's totally fine! Allright now, we're off to a good start! Of course, I went up to the bar and ordered drinks directly from Apple Barrel proper when we got in. Pro-Tip #1: Ca$h only here! Apple Barrel Bar is one of the smallest spots on Frenchmen Street but I dare say it may just be the place with the most heart. This cozy bar had the greatest band with the singer jumping on the barrels inside playing the guitar above his head, behind his back, he was putting on a show! It was more of an acoustic type of show that some of the other straight jazz shows on the street and I truly enjoyed it. Beer selection wasn't vast but they were able to mix my friend up a Pimm's Cup. The man likes his cocktails! My favorite spot in all of Frenchmen Street! I could have stayed for a long while but it's so tiny, it get filled fast and there's hardly breathing room. Pro-Tip #2: Be sure to bring some extra cash to tip the down-ass band! read more

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$55 for two doubles in a DIVE BAR is actually ridiculous. Idk if the bartender made a mistake or up-charged on purpose, (I've been here several times before and NEVER even paid close to that for my whole tab) but either way not acceptable. Upon reading reviews on other sites that say similar things about being charged more, I can safely say that I won't be back here. Truly a shame, as it's a great place to hear live music, but I'd rather not be charged double the price I should have paid. read more

If I could give this bar a zero star review I would . Walked in bar tender ignored us. 5 different people walked in before us served them and kept ignoring us even though we clearly arrived before them. Racist ? Maybe we are Hispanic and everyone severed before us was not .kept waiting and still ignored us. Sad to say it was the only bad experience we had in New Orleans. read more

We finally found authentic NO music on a Saturday night. The Smoky Greenwell Band was playing. Starts at 9 most Saturday's. Wicked harmonica and sax. (I think the guy is famous) Bluesy. Will move you. No cover, just tips and reasonable cocktails. Discovered this really cool tiny bar last week. The bar service was great. Mostly standing room. Do yourselves a favor. Escape the Bourbon Street noise and check this place out when Smoky is there. read more

Absolutely love the vibe in this place - cozy, great music and a bartender with a smile, Andi! One of the best bars we visited in New Orleans! read more

Love this place every other Monday the amazing band "Bread For Sale" plays from 6:00-9:30. Very good band playing authentic music you can't really find anywhere else. Make sure to check them out at the apple barrel. read more

Strong, cheap/small drinks, pleasant music, comfortable lighting. Like this place already. read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Apple Barrel is too small, too crowded, and apparently loved by many. I am not one of those people. On a recent night I was perusing the Frenchmen Art Market when I decided that I could use some a/c, a beer, and some live music. Since Apple Barrel was the closest place, off I went. I was almost shocked when I entered at how small the place was. It was so small, and the layout so poor, that I had to squeeze by the band to get to the bar. Maybe that is part of the charm, but I felt like I was interrupting the singer's amazing rendition of "Crack Cocaine". There were a few tables (maybe five or so) across from the band, but they were completely full, as was the bar. I do give the bartenders credit as they were friendly and somewhat fast despite the large crowd. The beer that I received was served in a plastic cup, and cost $6.50. Making matters worse was the fact that the beer tasted awful. I am not sure what the cause of the skunk beer could have been, but I have had that particular beer many times before without issue. I understand lots of people love this bar. It just isn't for me. read more

Apple Barrel is the new Spotted Cat. In the last two years or so, the Spotted Cat has become crowded to the point that I don't even bother going anymore, even though that used to be the first place I'd head when I got to Frenchmen Street. These days, the Apple Barrel is where I usually end up--there's always great music, there's never a cover, and even when it's busy it's not so packed that you can't move and it's not even fun. People flow in and out, it's a great place to hang out between sets at d.b.a or elsewhere. The bar is cash only, which sucks but what can you do? Also, last night I learned that there's actually a one drink minimum at Apple Barrel, which is another reason I say it's the new Spotted Cat. The Cat has always had a one drink minimum, and it's more clearly posted than at the Apple Barrel. The only reason I know is because the band mentioned it, which was the first time I'd heard them say anything, so it was news to me. Fortunately, Apple Barrel is often the best place to go if you're trying to grab a drink and can't get near the bar (or even in the door) at another venue, so a one drink minimum is a pretty reasonable request. While you're there, don't forget to tip the band. If you like the music, it's worth a dollar or two, right? (It's almost September, so the college kids are back, and I realized that they have no idea what a tip jar is for. Trying to help spread the word. This needs to be covered in freshman orientation, I think. We need to give Tulane a call.) The music is great, it's usually the same blues band, and drinks are reasonable ($5.50 for call). Next time you walk by, pop in for a few songs and check it out. You'll be glad you did. read more

When I heard on Yelp that Apple Barrel was closing and the local Yelpers were sad, I bookmarked it to ensure we visited on our upcoming trip. Turns out Apple Barrel isn't closing, but ownership is changing. But I digress. The partner in crime is a big fan of live music, especially jazz, so it took no convincing to go to Apple Barrel. We excitedly headed over to Frenchmen our first night in town, a weeknight, prepared to be wowed. Maybe we picked a bad night, but we I don't get the hype - it's ok, but that's about as excited as I can get about the place. Apple Barrel is small, postage stamp small, with walls peppered with dollar bills. If you aren't into divey bars (like we are), you will probably hate it. The main door is right next to the band, which feels a little awkward entering mid-set. There's another door that goes upstairs to Adolfo's, a separate Italian restaurant. We saw several tourists enter through the bar, look confused like deer in headlights and be directed upstairs. Maybe Adolfo's needs better signage... We caught the tail end of a set, a classic rock cover band, and got a round of drinks. The follower was a solo artist with folky-country covers, not really our speed, but she had a nice voice. We probably would've stuck it out for a few more rounds had we felt a welcoming vibe as implied in some reviews. The crowd, who seemed to be regulars, was indifferent toward us at best; happy to talk to each other and pour us a drink, but that was about it. I'm glad to hear Frenchmen isn't losing a live music venue, but I just wasn't feeling Apple Barrel. PS Cash Only read more

My favorite bar in New Orleans. Why? 1. Friendly patrons. Each time I've been there I've had a fun conversation with at least a couple people I end up standing/sitting next to. This might be common for some of you bar hopping peeps, but for me? Eh, I'm not exactly mr. outgoing towards random people in public spaces. 2. Fun live music. It isn't ground breaking, but it is entertaining and I have yet to see a dull performer here. 3. A constant flow of people going in and out of the bar. It is steady enough where you can entertain yourself just people watching. 4. It is small and pretty crowded but not PACKED to the point where you feel crushed. And due to that constant flow, there are periods where there is plenty of space to roam while other moments you pray you don't get that immediate urge to pee because getting to the bathroom might take a rather gargantuan effort. In short, it is a very fun, lively bar that I wholy endorse. The only downside is while it looks like a dive bar, its prices don't match that appearance. read more

Tons of fun on Frenchman's street. Caught a great band there and then on to the next bar. Small fun local crowd

This place is tiny!!! kinda smelly, and can get super packed. I'll admit, i do hold a little grudge for cutting me off and kicking me out on my last night in New Orleans.... STILL, it's New Orleans and they have great free live local music every night of the week. Plus cheap beer. It's location on Frenchman Street is a bonus, if it's too hot and crowded to move, just make your way a few doors down to the Spotted Cat, or across the street to d.b.a. Washboard Chaz rocks the house Thursday nights. more good times. read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Washboard Chaz at Apple Barrel - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This bar is right underneath the best restaurant (imo) in New Orleans (I'll have that review up a little later). Morgan (our bartender the evening we visited) was friendly, talkative, and funny. They had a blues singer to entertain those of us waiting for a table upstairs. They have a decent beer list and a cute little bar to sit at. A few "bros" wandered in and ordered a round of Millers, as well as Kamikaze shots. Morgan saw us side-eyeing these guys and encouraged them to pour their beers into a to-go cup and leave, which they did. We thanked him for that. Overall, this is a very chill place to unwind a bit. read more

This was the last stop my friends and I made late on a Wednesday night. The bar is very old and very small, but has a lot of character. The Andre Lovett Band was playing the night we went and they were wonderful! It was a nice way to close out the evening. The bartender was very friendly, too. As most bars on Frenchmen street, it has a 1 drink minimum and they only take cash. read more

The Apple Barrel Bar offers a compact area with pricey drinks. It's a hole in the wall place with Barrels as tables for the novelty. All 9 of us squeezed in here and had a couple too many. I'm not sure what the fire code occupancy on this place is but its gotta be in the teens. If you are going to keep a tab going like we did, (bachelor party antics) make sure you have cash on hand, because it was a bit of a doozy throwing money at the bill like we were purchasing Park Place when it was actually a Baltic Avenue type of time. read more

Apple Barrel Bar - One side...downstairs. - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

It's slow and we're waiting for our restaurant above to open, so we sat at the bar. If your trying to decide if it smells worse than outside from the piss smell its a toss up. The bartender (Norway Flag on neck, REPRESENT!) has a personality of a rock which really isn't saying much. Longest 30 minutes I spent in a smelly place unless you count the time I had the runs and was stuck in a Porta-potty..... read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Appears this place is one demerit from being closed by the Health Dept.... - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Came across this tiny bar walking down Frenchman Street. There was a wonderful jazz band playing and no cover charge. Good beers too. Oh and the first place in the city with sane AC. I don't need icicles growing from my nose! read more

Apple Barrel Bar - Good jazz - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The venue is really small. When you walk in, it's the stage and you either go to the bar or one of the three barrels to sit. Drinks were alright here, not too bad price wise and taste wise. read more

This is one of the best little music spots in NOLA. If you're looking for something that is a little more bluegrassy but still very New Orleans, this is a great place. read more

Cute place, nice music. The bartender would pick and choose who to give free shots to (usually to pretty girls to whom she would also give a full round of drinks for free and say "shhhh") in front of other patrons, even to a drunken guy who just asked just for water, she gave him a shot AND water and he said "I just wanted water". She was alone and seemed the queen of the club so it was her decision. Oh well. read more

You know the bar you're in completely kicks ass when: -a Knob Creek on the rocks and a beer costs $9 total -Knob Creek on the rocks comes in a plastic cup -the bartender holds his burning cigarette in the same hand as your plastic cup while pouring Knob Creek on the rocks -there's a sign behind the bar that reads "No cat selling, No crack selling" -there's a man singing old soul covers and playing guitar...WITH HIS TOES Apple Barrel, I think I love you. read more

This is a bad place to go when you are with a large group of drunk people. The bartender will not take kindly to you making up lyrics to the song the live blues band is trying to perform, and might refuse to serve you, as she probably should. This makes sense in a bar like this, the place is small so you will likely be more comfortable somewhere else if you are in a group of larger than 2 or 3. That aside the music is local, the feel is casual and the drinks are strong and cheap. If you want a smaller, more mellow live music venue while in the neighborhood this place will do the trick. Just don't misbehave, you will be reprimanded. read more

AARP WILL SOON BE DUMPING SNOWBIRDS HERE This is one of the better Frenchman tourist traps. The earthy bartender and excellent guitar player were humorously self-deprecating. Obviously they'd taken the time to learn SELA 101. IT'S A TRAP NOT A DIVE like most of Frenchman Street, this bar was packed with tourists: uptight middle age Jerseyans and obnoxious middle aged Floridians. All were here because the kiosk tour vendor said it was "happening". It ain't... AND I REPEAT: FRENCHMAN IS A TOURIST TRAP do your homework, grab a Where Y'at magazine - our best music has left the hackneyed Marigny and Bywater and is now at bars on Freret, Tchoup, Oak, etc. read more

Here we go. Lets talk about one of the greatest places I got to visit. Now I love dive bars and I make no secret of it. To me this is where you get all bests of a drinking life. Cheap booze, interesting/odd people, interesting decor, and great music. Now NOLA has alot of dirty dive bars and I saw many while I was there but for me Apple Barrel had it the best of four things I listed. The bar is small. Very small and seating is at a premium. For me not such a big deal because I prefer to stand but I think there may be 15 to 20 seats to sit in. Bar stools included. Heads up, its cash only. I went two times once in the afternoon and once late night waiting to go upstairs to Adolfo's the restaurant upstairs. Both times had older women tending bar. Both were very pleasant but made it clear they wont put up with crap from anybody. There is a full bar but only one beer on tap. High Life. I find nothing more sweet than a place that only has the HL on tap. Don't worry they have bottles and cans of all sorts but honestly your choice has already been made people. The patrons here are mainly tourists which is fine cause everybody there was clearly there for a good time. Don't start nutin' won't be nutin' type of attitude. The wife got to do her good deed of the day by donating band aids to a girl who had cut her finger outside and we had alot of really great short chats with other customers. Every night there is live music with multiple bands playing each night. The one band I got to see played some really great covers including "Hot Legs" by Rod Stewart, one of my favorites. Any band that plays Rod the Bod is alright in my book. At one point I was on a stool, bourbon in hand, cowboy boots on my feet, listening to some great music. Bliss..... pure....... bliss. I absolutely love this place and proclaim this as one of the great bars in New Orleans. read more

Not the worst spot in the world, but it's small and get's really crowded. If you can grab a spot by the bar, you're golden. Really cool place to see some live music and it wouldn't be my first choice for live music, but it's definitely not at the bottom of the list. People are reasonably friendly, considering how crowded it gets. Not a bad spot, but I wouldn't go out of my way. read more

I've only been in here a few times, and as Sean noted, I always end up having good conversations with unusual people I've never met. It's also the best place to hear blues on Frenchmen St. So why don't I come here more often? Because it's freakin' dangerous. I'll explain. I came in here last week with a friend and we sat at the bar thrilled that there was actually room to sit. On this particular night, the bar wasn't busy at all. We met a very fun and emotional gay guy who alternately laughed and cried at every other sentence. The drinks were flowing, and I was having a great time with an old friend and a brand new one. I don't remember too much after the umpteenth drink, but I woke up in my bed at home, so I figured I must have just walked home when I got too inebriated. I thought to myself, "That was fun. I should do that again." WRONG! The next time I spoke with my friend she referred to something that occurred at her place. "Waitaminute," I interjected. "We didn't go back to your place afterward, did we?" She looked stunned. Apparently, after leaving Apple Barrel, we stopped in at another bar while walking back to her condo. Then we got to her place where, according to her, we drank wine until dawn, discussed personal philosophies about life and the universe, I tried to make out with her, and fell down her stairs, which I blamed on her making guests remove their shoes because I couldn't possibly have been THAT drunk. I have absolutely NO recollection of any of this, but it would explain the big bruise I had on my back. I don't black out often, and on the rare occasion that I do, I've never heard of myself being so active with no memory of the events that have unfolded. Amazed, I asked, "We did all that?" "Uh, yeah!" she laughed. I knew it. That damn bartender at the Apple Barrel was slippping alcohol into my drinks when I wasn't looking. They don't take plastic, so bring plenty of cash (prices aren't unreasonable, but aren't too cheap either) and a spare liver before you leave the house/hotel. Still, great music, good drinks, and a fun time await all who dare enter this deceptively innocent looking establishment. read more