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    Bamboula's

    3.5 (589 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Bamboula's Music Venues Photos

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    BAMBOULA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Live music
    Casual
    Good for dancing

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    Recommended Reviews - Bamboula's

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    Jambalaya
    Emma C.

    Great spot to stop in on Frenchman street! They were able to accommodate us as a group of 18 last minute thanks to the large even space in the back. We had delicious food and drinks while listening to jazz before heading to another bar. The food was quite pricey, but the jambalaya was excellent, highly recommend!! Our service was good, we had a large group so of course everything took time, but they were very accommodating. One server we had was training so I think the number of people was overwhelming but he did great!

    Oysters
    Genie M.

    The dude at the door explained the drink policy for each set. Then Ellie came and was welcoming on what was going on as far as food drinks. We had beer , salad and cocktails. We were pleasantly surprised with the amazing quality of bar food! Went back a second night! Same great service, food and live music! I will definitely be back when im in New Orleans!

    Charles S.

    Great Music. Good food terrible service. The good: we heard the New Orleans Rug Cutters play two sets of mostly historic jazz and ragtime. It was great fun. The mediocre: the food was ok. Not great. The miserable: the service. Last time I had service this bad was in Budapest in 1981 -- in the days of the Hungarian Socialist Republic. Not only was the service bad, it was unapologetically bad. I guess you don't go to a music hall for a culinary experience but you'd think they could make something off their own menu and get it out to the table in a reasonable amount of time.

    Seafood Gumbo
    Nelly V.

    Food: 3 Service: 2 Ambiance: 1 (back dining area) Cleanliness: 2 Made our way to Frenchmen St for the evening and needed a place to eat that could accommodate a party of 8. First impression walking through was that the place was lively. A band on stage playing and tables crowed at the entrance. The bouncer/host said families could head towards the back where there were plenty of larger tables. This is where things started to go down hill. The tables were dirty, but we let it slide... Figured a group had just left and they didn't have time to come by and wipe it down. No problem. Took over 10 mins for menus to be dropped off. Again. We were patient... Figured they were busy. No problem. We saw several servers come back and forth from the front of the restaurant/bar to the kitchen to the back dining area... Still no service. Kind of a problem. We finally got menus and a round of water and placed our food orders (appetizers and our entrees all at once.) I get we are a larger party, so again, we have grace when it comes to service and time for food... But it took over an hour before anything came out. And when it did, it was our apps and entrees at the same time. Problem. Here's what we ordered: - Pretzel & Crab Dip: both were tasty and dip was dense! - Fried Pickles: was good, but nothing special. - Seafood Gumbo: this was the smallest serving of Gumbo I have ever seen for a dinner entree. Was served in a small cup for $19?! Not worth it. - Jambalaya: again, good but nothing special. We had better jambalaya at other restaurants in NOLA. - Shrimp Poboy: bread was crispy and light, with a decent amount of fried shrimp - La Bayou Oysters: probably the better of the items ordered. Very flavorful. - Also ordered the Nachos, a burger and the grilled catfish platter. Would I recommend this place? maybe... If you're sitting up front and are here for the music, a drink and the vibes. Would not recommend the back dining area for a sit down dinner.

    Seafood Bamboula's Nachos
    Molly R.

    The music was great, the bar/restaurant was very spacious. I was impressed with how late they served food, a nice treat for a night out. We had great service and had a large group that was attended to quickly. Seafood nachos were super tasty!

    Margaret P.

    The performers here caught our attention while walking down Frenchmen Street, so we opted in. The band performing that night was called "The Queen and her Friendz". Wow, talk about talent! They were sooo good. They did an old school medley of 80s/90s hip-hop and it got the crowd moving. They didn't have a cover charge, but security was really stern about us buying a drink at the bar. It was a little aggressive as we were going to buy a drink anyway, but I get it. The place is really big, but most people gathered at the front as they band was there. A great jazz spot for live music on Frenchmen Street!

    Christopher M.

    Visiting for the first weekend of the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Festival I had spent the day at the Festival and headed back to my lodging near the French Market. Walking through Frenchmen Street was a cultural treat. Restaurants, most with live music, were busy and the shops and bars were doing great. As I passed the open doors for Bamboulas (514 Frenchmen Street) I couldn't resist checking out the music that was in full swing. No cover charge, and the set the band played was amazing. I chose the Ceasar's salad (with a cold poached egg and anchovies, to make it a truly Cajun offering) ($14) and a Pimm's Cup ($14). Service was friendly and prompt, the vibe in the place was congenial, and everyone seemed to be really enjoying the music. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

    Simran M.

    During one of our evenings out on Frenchmen St, we were looking somewhere to have some dinner and came across Bamboula's, where they invited us in. They had a great band playing in the front with some patrons enjoying the scene and we ventured towards the back, where the hall opened up for places to sit and some guests were enjoying the vibe while waiting for their food. The bartender was wonderful and got us the menus. As hungry as we were, we realized there was a bit of a wait for the food (ours in particular) yet he made sure we were okay and checked in on where the food, was which we really appreciated. For the wait, we thought the food was worth the wait. I had the fried catfish basket and my boyfriend had the gumbo.

    Jon roniger Good for nothing
    Melissa S.

    A music hall that also serves a full dinner menu. I love that it has the food option as there is only 1 restaurant on Frenchman street, Adolfo's. The restaurant serves all the traditional New Orleans foods along side. We went on Thursday, December 9th at around 7pm and there was plenty of seating. We got a nice table by the band. Soda was $4, a dollar more then the other club we went to. They aren't pushy on drinks so I nursed the one drink all night. The good for nothing band was playing that night. They were really good and well put together. They wouldn't say how long they've been together, but it was long enough to have smooth sets. The didn't push tips or there merchandise. I wish they had as I wanted one of there CD's but they didn't come around and offer it like the other band did. I know I should of just gotten up and gotten one, but I was lazy and didn't. Now I regret it as they were a really good band. They also said you can find them on Spotify. I really enjoyed my time in this club. We stayed for the bands entire performance. They started around 6:30 and went to around 8:30 when the next band came on.

    Upstairs bar
    Gwen Z.

    Dinner was wonderful! Delicious meal. Fun atmosphere and nice upstairs patio dining. Music downstairs as well. Great service!

    Truffle butter & Brie baked oysters

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    6 days ago

    Waited two hrs for food and manager was rude! Order came wrong after waiting. Stay clear.

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    4 months ago

    Good place to see worthwhile musicians at all times if the day and night while getting some decent drinks.

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    2 months ago

    Music and food was great! Service absolutely sucked!!!!! Just abandoned at my table no bill no how's the food.

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    1 year ago

    Grilled oysters best in town. Britney. Plump. No shell. Great parsley and cheese topping. Music always great.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Bamboula's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bamboula's

    Is it family/kid friendly?

    Do they offer any kind of a jam session on Sundays or Mondays? And a drummer from the Northwest looking for a venue to play with some of the local group players this coming Sunday or Monday night. Thanks man!?

    Scott, I was only visiting NOLA (Wife's Birthday) and we only visited Bamboula's one night, so I don't know. I can tell you it's a great venue for live music and I will visit… Read more

    What is situation on parking?

    Street parking. But you can't park directly in front

    What is thier signature drink?

    A Bamboula?!??

    Do you have to be 21 to get in?

    After 6pm must be 21 with valid ID

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - Bamboula's

    Checked out this place our first night in New Orleans and it was great introduction to the Big Easy.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Carousel Bar & Lounge - Weeee!

    The Carousel Bar & Lounge

    4.2(1.9k reviews)
    0.9 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    Carousel Bar was such a fun experience and definitely lived up to the hype. I had the Brandon…read moreBramble, which is a must if you enjoy Hennessy. It was made with Hennessy, lemon juice, simple syrup, crème de cassis, St-Germain, and ginger ale, garnished with a dried lemon wheel and "Filthy" cherries -- smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. My date had the Royal Street Heat, crafted by Sean Holcomb, made with St. George Chile Pepper Vodka, agave nectar, peach purée, Hellfire bitters, ginger beer, and a Tajin rim. It had the perfect mix of sweet heat and flavor. Both drinks were so good we ended up ordering two rounds while sitting at the rotating bar listening to a live jazz band. Watching the bartenders work while slowly moving around the bar made the whole experience unique and entertaining. Definitely a must-visit spot in New Orleans.

    We love the carousel bar. If you are lucky enough to get a seat at the bar, you're sitting on an…read moreactual seat from a carousel, and the bar turns. If not, there are plenty of other comfortable seating options scattered throughout the bar. On the weekend, there's always an amazing band playing and they often encourage dancing. The drinks are delicious and you can order from the bar or there are servers walking around who are friendly and helpful. We were there after jazz fest, and it was extremely crowded so we ordered the bar, took our drinks and found a comfy seat in the lobby where we could chat. We may have seen someone famous while we were there so always keep an eye out. It is a popular spot for people visiting the city.

    Photos
    The Carousel Bar & Lounge - The Sazarac

    The Sazarac

    The Carousel Bar & Lounge - Second bar

    Second bar

    The Carousel Bar & Lounge - Lemon drop martini and old fashioned

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    Lemon drop martini and old fashioned

    The Spotted Cat Music Club - band getting ready

    The Spotted Cat Music Club

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    0.1 miMarigny
    $$

    Locals will tell you to come to the Faubourg Marigny instead of the overhyped Bourbon Street to…read morehear jazz. On a previous trip we had seen an evening show at Snug Harbor and wanted to experience something else. We had read good things about the Spotted Cat and their sets run all afternoon. We were a little confused about price because one of our guidebooks said there is no cover but you're supposed to order drinks. There was a doorman who charged us something like $5 each (still cheap!) and we ordered beer and a N/A drink at the bar and listened to a great jazz group playing old-time jazz. Interior is tiny and you're pretty close to the performers. We were standing at first but eventually found some seats as people left. There is even a back courtyard if you want to be outside, although I don't know if you can hear the music or not. We bought a CD from the band and enjoyed it when we got back home. All in all, a great New Orleans experience.

    Fun little spot on the Frenchmen…read more On a slow night they were the only spot asking for cover but this was the first spot we stopped at so we had no idea if this was still a norm, but walking around more, we saw spots that were free. The vibe is divey with some tables and the stage with musicians is near the front. The music was great and musicians very talented. Drinks were fine and came out quickly. Overall had a nice time enjoying the music!

    Photos
    The Spotted Cat Music Club - High seats by the door

    High seats by the door

    The Spotted Cat Music Club - Spotted Cat

    Spotted Cat

    The Spotted Cat Music Club

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    The Sazerac Bar - #YelpElite #Yelp #NewOrleans

    The Sazerac Bar

    4.5(91 reviews)
    1.1 miCentral Business District
    $$$

    Love this lounge/bar with lots of history. Located in The Roosevelt, a Waldorf Astoria hotel, its…read morecool vibe and delicious drinks had us returning a second night after trying it the first. Tables with lounge chairs line the back wall, while the bar runs the same length on the opposite side. Lots of standing room in between; enough for a wedding party and friends to fill the bar space Saturday night. Service is professional and upscale. I discovered a twist on the French 75 cocktail that I love (champagne, lemon juice, simple syrup and gin) when the menu offered a choice of gin or cognac. After looking it up I found out that the cognac variation is called a French 125. Loved it and now a new favorite!

    The Sazerac Bar at the The Roosevelt New Orleans prepares an outstanding Sazerac cocktail, as you…read morewould expect. While the Sazerac wasn't invented here, this is arguably its most iconic home, a place where New Orleans cocktail history comes to life. I would use this version as your gold standard when dining out in New Orleans and looking for a perfect Sazerac. We enjoyed watching bartender Rachel craft each drink. Rye whiskey, Peychaud's Bitters, and sugar are stirred in a small pitcher with ice. The serving glass is chilled, then emptied, and finished with an absinthe rinse along the rim. The cocktail is strained into the glass and topped with a lemon peel. The atmosphere makes the experience even better. The murals, the history, and the energy of the room give it a sense of occasion that you do not get at most bars. We had such a great time sitting at the bar that my wife and I each finished two and a half Sazeracs, which tells you everything you need to know.

    Photos
    The Sazerac Bar - Sazerac and an excellent hurricane

    Sazerac and an excellent hurricane

    The Sazerac Bar - The Classic

    The Classic

    The Sazerac Bar - Inside Shot

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    Inside Shot

    Peacock Room - Smoked Tomato Linguine with meatballs

    Peacock Room

    4.4(231 reviews)
    1.1 miWarehouse District
    $$

    Located in the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, it is actually a nice restaurant that has a lot of charm…read more Located away from the nose and bustle of Bourbon Street, we had a peaceful dinner that is not fried or wholly unhealthy (i.e. greasy). The presentation of the food came was amazing. We ordered the linguine and added meatballs, which was well worth it. We also ordered the shrimp & grits, which included Brussels sprouts. Boy, it was sure nice to get some vegetables in my stomach after eating all that yummy fried food during our stay! All in all, both dishes were delicious. It is a little on the pricey side, but after several days of eating in the touristy area of the French Quarter, this was truly a welcome change. Service was polite and attentive. I always appreciate the staff's efforts by making simply making eye contact and smiling (which they did). Seems trivial but I think those small things says a lot about a business. I would recommend this restaurant even if you are not a guest of the hotel.

    I had a hotel credit I could use on this restaurant, so I popped into the Peacock Room for a solo…read moreearly dinner. The ambiance is amazing, plus velvet, emerald and sapphire tone, glitzy, and feels like a good photo op. The bar and cocktail menu looked expansive. However, I was going to be hopping on a meeting, so I could not partake, unfortunately. A group got this impressive tower of espresso martini and everyone seemed to be enjoying their drinks! I wanted that New Orleans seafood but had late lunch, so I opted for just the crispy gulf shrimp on cheesy grits. I really wished I can hungrier because the dish ended up being very heavy. The shrimp were nice and crispy. The charred Brussels sprouts gave me the false sense that this was a healthy dish because I was getting my veggie intake. The bacon jam was sweet and went well with the Brussels sprouts. I loved the combination of the cheesy grits and the Crystal hot sauce. It was the perfect amount of both and some how led me to understand why Americans put hot sauce on their Mac n cheese and some other cheesy dishes after 30 years of not really understanding the attraction to that combo. I got the marinated olives to go so I could have a little snack later. They were just stuff I feel I could get in a jar... not really sure if I could justify the price. I think this is a fine place if you're looking for a photogenic night out drinking with a group of friends. Could be really cute for brunch!

    Photos
    Peacock Room - Castelvetrano Olives

    Castelvetrano Olives

    Peacock Room
    Peacock Room - Tropical Bacardi Punch

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    Tropical Bacardi Punch

    Bamboula's - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

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