First thing... schmokey. Not smokey... but schmokey! But that doesn't happen until almost game…read moretime at 8pm. The the low hanging cloud forms. Your eyes will burn, your hair will stink and you will develop a death rattle by end of the game but its fun! Just drive home with the windows down and strip in the garage and hit the shower immediately. Second, there is a non smoking section but that area is no fun. Avoid it seriously unless you have horrible allergies. But seriously, just suck it up and sit in the smoking section. This is why you are coming. Third, actually a decent restaurant inside with items up to prime rib. The tater tots are yum. They sell beer and some little wines but nothing to get excited about. Pro tip coming. Fourth, the people/ regulars watching is top notch prime 1000% awesome. I'm talking funny ass shit funny. Comedy club funny with occasional outburst when someone is getting close to a bingo or if someone just won. (F! or that bitch was lucky, or wtf was that sound? or F this S) all said by women in late 60s - 80s Fifth, the game itself. Bingo, but not just any bingo. I am talking fast paced bingo! But sooo fun. Its not good for anxiety at the beginning but after a few cards in, the hang of it comes. You will get comfy enough to actually look up and see the screen showing the next ball and keep up instead of trying to search for the last call on the giant lit bingo board. But its not that easy... the announcers , can sometimes make Mush Mouth from Fat Albert sound like James Earl Jones in comparison. B 70 sounds more like fee sebindy. O 23 like Mo beddie free. Awesome. Now mix in during the game of bingo, there is walking staff also selling pull card games like cherry bells at school fairs. IN the middle of the numbers being called, B 9, O 64, G 44, there will be a random outburst " Black Jack Picture Frames" ... it is sooo confusing but it also makes my group laugh every time because we get frazzled and the regulars are playing 3 games at once, talking and keeping up with no frazzle. No more counting. Getting hard to write like that. The staff is wonderful. So my group , not very familiar with the process... again this isn't grade school bingo, its grown up bingo, did not realize the game switched from fill in the regular bingo to simultaneously turned into Black Out or the correct Gretna Bingo Palace term is "Cover All" game. A employee walking around with her own dauber leaned in and started marking up our cards with the missed numbers (it moves fast fast!) and she told us to mark everything because they will switch to Cover All after Bingo is called. Man that was sooo cool of her. When you first walk in, the newbies are spotted immediately. Blood in the water if you will. There is a frequent player program like at casinos at this bingo hall, so when anyone new walks in, get ready to get approached by a old lady with her keys on a lanyard. She will want you to use her player card when you buy your bingo card. It cost nothing extra but making a old lady smile. My last old lady was sweet enough to see we had no daubers and she went to her Gretna police officer friend behind the counter doing detail, and had him provide us with 4 daubers for free. We had to return them to him after but it saved us a few bucks. So no outside food or drinks. Meh kinda. There is no one checking bags at the door so if you are discreet, have someone pack a big purse and bring your goodies in. I have a cruise ship clear flask I fill at home and I buy a big drink at the bingo hall and fill up. The beer selection is poor so unless you can sneak in a few cans, the flask option is easy. There is a slot machine room also, actually way less smokey than you would expect. They have games all day, there is a online calendar, but for example, the games we usually hit is the 8pm game. It may start on time, or 20 mins late. No matter what, it will be finished by 9pm. It seems like no way they are gonna call it that fast but it is fast fast and fun fun fun! Get there early too. Grab you a table with friend, order food , have some drinks and have some laughs and make friends before hand. Seriously a fun hidden gem. And the fun multiplies if you are drunk or loaded in anyway. Not to mention there is a chance you could win big money. Imagine that!

BEWARE..... Bingo is addictive as F@#! Always just one square away! Lol. Came here on a whim…read more There are rules that the novice can't understand, but fun all the same! Very smokey in here, and the staff is definitely friendly and very very helpful. "No food or outside drink" yeah right. Lol i brought a little something to drink to make it more interesting maybe a bad idea, but that's how i roll. Lol

I'm from NYC, so trust me when I say--I've seen a lot of cabaret. And the Van Ella Bordella is…read morehands-down the best I've ever experienced. I came for my birthday with a group that is, frankly, not easy to impress. And somehow, this show became everyone's favorite night of the entire trip. From the moment it started, it was pure magic--and not the watered-down, Instagram version. The real thing. The kind you feel in your chest. The storytelling is powerful, joyful, a little feral (in the best way), and exactly what you didn't know you needed. And the cast? Unreal. The level of talent alone would be enough, but what really sets it apart is the chemistry. You can tell they genuinely love performing together, and that energy radiates out into the audience in a way that's rare. This isn't just a burlesque show--it's an experience. One that actually lives up to the hype (which almost never happens). They also took incredible care of us, which made the whole night feel even more special. If you're in New Orleans and even thinking about going--go. Loudly, dramatically, and preferably with jazz hands.

I've been to some of the best burlesque and drag shows in the country. I've seen gravity defying,…read moresultry, sophisticated shows in New York. While this is not that . . . it's perfect for New Orleans and the south and has it's own flavor. I loved the show here! Madame Kennedy was the perfect emcee (and also put on a wicked black light bubble show). Some acts were sexy and seductive. Some acts were acrobatic and martial arts based, as Madame Kennedy said, "I'm sure someone is missing their anime character somewhere." There were hula hoops, feathers, and grinders! One act was a woman who put a grinder against a metal plate on her belt and sparks flew everywhere! I also saw my first (as far as I can remember) burlesque by a transgender man. It was so much fun! We did the reserved tickets, so we got a table right up front. There isn't a bad seat in the house, but I really prefer being in the center of the action. Doors open at 6:30 for a 7 PM show, but ours was running late (we didn't mind). They have a basic bar with decent prices. They also do dance classes, varying show themes, comedy routines, and more. So you'll always be able to see something different.

If you're into live music, Blue Nile is a solid choice. Thursdays feature Irvin Mayfield, who…read morealways brings a strong, varied performance. Fridays are for Kermit Ruffins, and those nights are pure fun. He often brings surprise guests on stage, puts his own spin on popular tunes and keeps the energy high. All aboard! The bartenders can definitely hold their own, and the music gets the whole room moving. It's the kind of place where people come to dance, vibe, and actually enjoy local talent. Seating is available for a fee and reservation, but it is mostly a standing room only venue. Think well lit stage, open floor plan with a long bar left of the stage. That said, it is a crowded spot, so it's worth staying aware of your surroundings. I haven't seen anything serious happen, but I did have an encounter with a woman who seemed to have pickpocket tendencies. Just be mindful of anyone who's a little too eager to get close or rub elbows. Overall: great music, lively crowd, strong drinks, just bring the same awareness you would to any busy live music venue.

Hit up Blue Nile on a whim with my family and had perfect timing to catch a Kermit Ruffins set…read more Unfortunately, there was a cover but it wasn't too high. I had a Mockly and the rest of my crew had mixed drinks. In total it was around $46 with a tip which is fine for four people. We had a good time and enjoyed the show. It was a crowded Friday night but I really enjoyed it.

Welcome to the Wedding Show! Nothing more New Orleans than…read moregetting married on Bourbon Street by one of the most talented burlesque dancers/producers, a New Orleans icon, Trixie Minx! We gave her an outline on how we wanted the service to go and asked that she add her own spin to the event. She did not disappoint! With her unique humor & whimsy added in all the right places there was the perfect amount of laughs and tears. This was a night we will fondly look back on for years to come. Thank you again Trixie

We took a class with Trixie, and she blended fascinating burlesque history with real-life technique…read morein such a fun, engaging way. The class was an absolute blast, and by the end I genuinely felt like a sexy burlesque dancer. Definitely recommend this for a girls' weekend activity!

All I can say is... WOWWWW!! IFYKYK. Went here last month for a friend's birthday trip, and was…read moretold by a friend that used to live in NOLA, that this was a must-see. So glad we had an opportunity to reserve tickets (highly recommend you do) for this intimate musical experience. It highlights the incredible talent, creativity, passion and FUN these artists have for jazz and their instruments. Feeding off each other's energy and really had you moving in your seat. Front seats are WORTH the money!! Each artist got to highlight a song of their choosing and each one ATE! They left no crumbs. I must have been a smiling fool in the 2nd row seats, but music, personally, is the best way to get through me. Years in music myself, I understand the dedication and commitment it takes. You FEEL that here when they are on stage performing. Jazz and its spontaneity and history is the cornerstone to Preservation Hall. I LOVE that there is no recording/picture taking allowed (unless the artists strictly tell you otherwise). It helps keep their art intact but helps immerse yourselves with them into their craft. Living in the moment. The last song they kindly let us record/take pictures and I will treasure them until I can come back. Side note: that trumpeter (I believe his name was Will?) has a VOICE as smooth as velvet and I was mesmerized. Video shows a brief moment of the night.

History. You have…read moreto come here. Surprise guests all of the time. The music is just raw, performed by stellar and professional musicians. No fancy lights, smoke, huge speakers. Think- jazz in your living room and about 80-100 of your friends. Bring cash to tip the band. I wish I would've known to do that. Merch for purchase, including CDs and Vinyl. No videos or photos during the show. The time goes by so much quicker than you imagine. Def leaves you wanting to come back...

Today I had a reading with Miss Raven! The shop was able to schedule me in and before I knew it,…read moreRaven was whisking me away for our read! It was amazing! I laughed, almost cried, felt seen!!! Thank you so much for your wisdom, insight, and time with me!

Greetings  Ms. Beeding,…read more My name is Wendy . I'm a red card player here. I just MUST say that you guys need to do better by your players. I already had complaints. Now I arrive this morning & we are standing out in the heat because the power is out. Last week I was upset to have to pay for Jazz fest tickets for myself & my family then to come in and be told that I was supposed to have some yet NOBODY called me. There are absolutely NO perks. No hotels. No trips. Nothing like the other casinos offer. You can't even get decent food here because the food is horrible. I asked about Essence fest tickets. They told me you guys say they're not sure if I can get any. Why not? You don't give us anything else. When I first started some years ago it was plenty of us and you treated us good. But now they are playing other places because you guys are so CHEAP & TIGHT. You win a jackpot you have to wait 30 mins for somebody to come because there is hardly any staff. As a business woman it's sad that you guys have ZERO interest in player retention. I play BIG here usually and I can't even get good free play. Do not recommend

As far as I'm aware, this has been going on since 2009 and it is put on by the Bucket Brigade…read more There is one stage, and a whole bunch of tents set up selling GREEN items, or passing out information about their organization. It is located right on the bayou at Orleans Ave. and Moss. This year I paddled down on my friend's canoe and drank mimosas while watching Flow Tribe and Debauche play for free. There was a gorgeous Live Oak shade tree to sit under, the weather was magnificent, and the people were smiley and giddy. I saw a toddler cut a rug like no child I have ever seen, including a rock split at the end, the worm, and the robot. There was also an old man dancing in circles with a flower shirt on that said "Free Hugs" There aren't too many food vendors, maybe about seven or so, but I had a chicken pita that was a stone cold stunna from Beaucoup NOLA juice co. Other folks were eating big German Brats from what I could see. Beer is $4 and it is for a good cause, but that doesn't stop me from going across to ideal mart and buying a $2 tall boy (sorry environment) This festival is a perfect example of why New Orleans is a very tough city to contemplate leaving. Every time I get annoyed by an minor inconvenience and swear that I am moving someplace like Colorado there is a funky free concert on the bayou with all sorts of crazy odd characters that makes me want to stay. I hope they keep putting this mini version of the Bayou Boogaloo on every year. I also hope that it grows, but not to epic proportions like FQF.

I really enjoyed myself at the Earth Day Festival. The weather was perfect this year…read more I spent a lovely afternoon sitting in the shade, listening to a great musical line-up, watching hoola-hoopers, eating delicious pork sliders and tamales, and learning about different green businesses in the area (holla, Green Project!). Oh, and I loved the solar-powered daiquiri stand.