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Bamboula's

3.5 (599 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

Bamboula's 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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Myra Y.

Best live band / singing and definitely our vibe! The crowd is mixed with different age groups and styles.

Kimberly A.

We went down to Frenchmen street not really knowing what to expect on a Sunday night. Y'all that street was hoppin'. Overwhelmed we decided to start a Bamboula's because that is where the Uber dropped us. Let me tell ya, we didn't make it anywhere else. Let's start with the cocktails. When in the South Mint Juleps are the flare but it takes balance to make a good one. These were just the way I like them. Every sip was perfect shot of cold bourbon, mint, and a hint of sweetness. Even when the coffee ce started to melt it was like the glass was magically self fulling because the bourbon flavor just got better. Magic I swear. The hubs had the beer on tap well four, maybe 5 lol. Obviously he enjoyed those. Moving on the bites. We just had starters. Fried pickles were what you expect crunchy with a good dip. Heres what you want tho... Boudin balls. They nailed this one. Perfect Cajun seasoned shedded pork is what you see when you open those bad boys up. Not a bunch of rice. Nobody wants to be left with saying where's the meat?! There is a little heat at the end but not over powering. Just enough to make it Cajun. My only wish is they serve four to a plate instead of three. That way we didn't have to share the third one. I always get the smaller half. So far we check off good food and drinks let's talk service. Loved it! I like a place where the people that work there enjoy their job. Our server was friendly, attentive, cool cat. Letting us enjoy the music while keeping the drinks flowing. We sat there at our cozy table top thinking yes, this is what New Orleans is supposed to be good food, good music, good drinks, and a great vibe. We will be adding this joint to our must go list!

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!

That's literally over $30. You're looking at.
Robert K.

Well... great atmosphere... they had a jazz band playing on a Tuesday afternoon.. the service was great... and the food was good.. my issue is: is this a food establishment? Drinking place? Music venue? I think they're trying to be all free. However, yes, the food was good. I ordered the seafood jambalaya and even though it was good, it was gone in about two bites. What's up with that? I'm hungry. Come for the music come for a beer or two, but don't expect much from the food literally

The band!
Sonja H.

The chargrilled oysters = amazing! Drinks = so good! Music = entertaining! Highlight = Jessica! This girl was on it! She was the best server so far since arriving in NOLA a week ago!! Thank you!!!

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

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the live music and atmosphere, good cocktails and drinks, and enjoyable local food.

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1 month ago

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

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4 days ago

$10 HEINEKEN!!! WTF. The ambience was cool but I'm rather disembowling myself than paying ten dollars for a Heineken

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7 months ago

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3 months ago

Great vibes, oyster selection and live music, all in one place. And kid friendly too for dinner!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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9 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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4 months ago

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7 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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3 years ago

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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… 

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

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Review Highlights - Bamboula's

“As mentioned in my review for the Spotted Cat, there are a ton of great jazz clubs on Frenchman Street.”

Mentioned in 72 reviews

Read more highlights

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The Spotted Cat Music Club - band getting ready

The Spotted Cat Music Club

4.4(1.1k reviews)
0.1 mi•Marigny
•$$

The Spotted Cat is such an awesome place. I've only been twice, once about 10 or so years ago, and…read morelast week. It's so iconic. The stage is bathed in red and blue lights, the special wooden" bleacher" seats to see above the crowd. The music was incredible! We got to see Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen Street All-Stars play, and boy what a hit! We stayed for nearly the whole time they were on stage. Now when I think of New Orleans, I think of them and all the music they played. We ordered a few drinks, but I think the Just Peachy was my favorite. The Cat Nip was also very tropical! There is a one drink minimum, but if you don't drink I believe they have plenty of mocktails to choose from. You do want to get there early, because the seating fills up FAST. There's not a ton of places to sit, so you might be standing for awhile. For those with mobility issues, you may want to consider bringing a small cushion. The majority of the seating is hard wood and not the comfiest for sitting for long stretches. If you're looking for good music, this certainly is the place to be!

Music is great, facility is rough and well drinks are $9.25 each in a small plastic cup (but no…read moreprices are posted on the tv menus). Came in during the day so there was no cover. Was sent here by a local among other places and this was the first disappointment on the list. I'd rather have affordable drinks and tip the band more but I'm sure on the evenings and weekends; there is no shortage of folks that pay the drink prices. Music was excellent. 15-20 people in there around 4 on a Wednesday. I was still neutral about the place until one of the musicians said that they would come around during their set break with a bucket for tips or Venmo. And that the suggested donation is $20 per person to help pay the band. Number one reason we avoid Nashville.

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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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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar - "The purple drink"

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

4.1(1.9k reviews)
0.4 mi•French Quarter
•$$

The final stop on our ghost tour…read more This bar has truly legendary status when it comes to bars in the French Quarter. This building predates the United States, some saying it being built in the early 1770s. Some say it's the oldest bar in America but that's more legend than based on historical fact. This bar probably has the coolest story on the ghost tours as Jean Lafitte was a true character in New Orleans lore dating back to the 1700s. As far as what it's like today, you walk in and it's dark and eerie and is mostly illuminated by candlelight. This is a full service bar with both a pretty good sized bar area and also a section with tabletops and tables for patrons to enjoy along with countertops outside the bar for those who want to enjoy their drinks outside. Also in the back of this bar is a piano area where a piano player plays live music for the patrons multiple times a week in the evenings. As far as drinks go this place is definitely a tourist attraction and the drink prices do reflect that. They are famous for their "purple drink" and their "hurricanes". I ended up just having another local beer and I was just about tapped out on drinks by the end of this ghost tour. Overall this place is pretty awesome, especially if you take the time to learn the backstory and lore of this bar-some say it's haunted. A true must-visit.

Stopped in to feel the vibes. Great building with a rich history. I didn't get the ghost vibes from…read morethe fireplace as people talk about. They did have the football game playing outside on the projector and there were plenty off ghost tours stopping by frequently.

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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar - Cute place

Cute place

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

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Bamboula's - musicvenues - Updated October 2026

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