Papi the Dog, Red Sox nomenclature, is the best part of the visit. Give him a rub and then get a STRONG mixed drink. Don't expect expediency or pomp, but it's a nice local spot without too many tourists. read more

Maple Leaf Bar - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Tourist here: Went on a Tuesday night to watch Rebirth Brass band play live. Cover was $15 bucks. Small quarters that was absolutely PACKED. The band ROCKED. Everybody was enjoying themselves to the music. It was a unique experience that I haven't seen in California. Definitely recommend coming here if you're dropping by NOLA. Make sure to get the live music experience. read more

Great bar! Great live music, and like everyone else has mentioned, Tuesday nights for Rebirth Brass Band! Prepare to get up close and personal to all the locals, dancin and drinkin and spreading the love of New Orleans through Brass on the dance floor! Such a good vibe and time, i really like the decor and especially the patio! LOVE the patio! Also there are two bars, which can be convenient depending on where you're hanging out. Can't remember the prices, but i didn't hate myself by the time i signed my credit card. read more

After years of waiting, I finally came here last night to check out Rebirth. I like Rebirth. They have some great tunes. BUT, is it me or have they just turned into a bunch of hype men? There was a lot of, 'when I say Rebirth you say Brass Band' type of stuff going on which is okay to get the crowd up in the beginning but GOOD LORD they must've said it a million times! Also, I don't think the trumpets could be any louder. Yes, it's in their nature (both as the instruments and the trumpet players) to be extremely loud. But shit, man, I wish that ridiculous $20 cover came with some ear plugs! I'll invest in Soul Rebels or Hot 8 next time. Other notes: -No one was REALLY dancing. I was dancing with my friend, but no one else was. -The bartender was incredibly nice and sweet and said he hoped I enjoyed myself and that almost made up for it. -The drinks are reaaaally weak and cost $4; go with a beer instead. read more

There's only one Maple Leaf. The first venue to play live music after Katrina - by generator! Love the Leaf - read more

There's nothing like being at the Maple Leaf at dawn when the band calls it a night cause three of their members are passed out in the car out front! You know it's a good show when the walls start sweating. read more

This review is of the bathroom. Specifically, the toilet. More specifically, the toilet into which I absolutely, positively, HAD to relieve waste. The words I would use to describe this toilet: SHIT ENCRUSTED. Like, not just from the night before -- layers that have been building for, I don't know, perhaps decades. I'll leave it at that. read more

After my Air Canada flight from Le Pavillon to the Leonidas district to watch the Leafs fart up another losing season.........I mean, watch the band Bonerama, I came away conflicted. I liked the look of the bar (and REALLY liked the band, which I missed at the FQF earlier in the evening), but then I started seeing the short and curlies. First of all, 2/3 of their draft beer was out of stock. Pick up the phone and call your distributors, guys. I've been drinking Abita all weekend. I wanted an Anchor Steam! Or a Rogue. Or maybe five other beers with plastic cups over the handles. Second, it felt really college-y. I know its proximity to Tulane and Loyola would attract that kind of crowd, but it seemed seriously skewed that way for a jazz club. And last, and certainly least, the singlehandedly most disgusting shitter (I have to call it that in this case) I've EVER seen. Now keep in mind, I'm an ex-frat guy. I know from bathroom raunch, but this took the urinal cake. I know having less than pristine bathrooms is a badge of honor for dive bars (see: Toronado, San Francisco), but please. I pissed outside. Yes....that bad. Fix this, 4 stars. read more

This place is too much fun. Not only do you get great music, well-priced drinks, and a one of a kind atmosphere. You're also likely to run into some chatty locals who are more than happy to tell you all about this great city and what you should do here. A true neighborhood bar, if you come here earlier in the night you'll find the local fixtures enjoying a libation or three. For the record, there are two bars--one obviously where you walk in and another farther towards the back. I can't be sure, but I think the whiskey and coke I got at the back bar was significantly smaller than the front. Perhaps it's a convenience thing? At set breaks the front bar can get monstrously crowded so maybe the back is easier to get a drink. Finally, it's been said before and I'll say it again: Tuesday night for Rebirth is so fun! Do it! read more

A tradition of mine is going to Oak St and having dinner at Jacques-Imos and ending the night with a show at the Maple Leaf. Some nights I'm in a Rebirth Brass Band mood or a Papa Grows Funk mood but heading to the Maple Leaf is always a sure thing. I absolutely love this bar. There is plenty of room in the stage area to cut a rug if the music takes you but also plenty of room to sit back and just watch the magic on stage happen. The drink prices are reasonable and the selection is top notch. If you're in the mood for something a bit laid back, head to the back area for some pool and some tables to sit with friends. The Maple Leaf definitely has that down home feel to it for locals and a warm welcome for those out of towners. The ONLY reason that I didn't give the Maple Leaf a five star rating are it's bathrooms. I've been to some crummy bathrooms before but when you've got gnats swarming all in the bathrooms and clogged toilets, it makes Pot-A-Gold's during Mardi Gras look like the Taj Mahal. Clean it up, Maple Leaf, and you got a five star from me! Other than that, I'll see ya soon for Rebirth! read more

I went to New Orleans on a trip that was supposed to be one week long and loved it so much that I stayed for 4 months. Went to the Maple Leaf Bar almost every single week. This is a really great bar. You can't beat live music from Rebirth Brass Band, good drinks and a great crowd. This is what going out is all about. I cannot wait to go back because this has to be one of the best bars I have ever been to in my life. Amazing. read more

We went by the countless recommendations by locals to spend our Tuesday night dining at Jacques Imo's and then go next door to see Rebirth play at Maple Leaf. This was a great experience! Rebirth gets 5 stars hands down, but this review is just for Maple Leaf: A quintessential dive bar: uneven floors, dusty lights, red walls and dicey bathrooms. Don't be bougie. Friendly bartenders, cheap drinks. They packed in as many people as they could for the show, which made it a little hot, but it's all part of the experience. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I wear heels again? Nope! read more

This place is a MUST. GO. Now. If you don't make it for Tuesday nights when Rebirth Brass band is playing, then you are not experiencing New Orleans. I guarantee you will have the time of your life. It gets insanely packed. People are dancing like crazy and drinking with gusto. If you need to chill out, head to the back patio. PS - There is a cover at this bar. But it's worth it! read more

When I heard that I got to hang with some locals during my stay in NOLA I knew i was in for a treat. One of those treats was certainly a night at the Maple Leaf. I had heard a few things about the music, the food and the drinking in New Orleans, and this is where the music "happened" for me. I seriously felt entranced by the amazing and unique sound of a local band called Johnny Sketch and the Dirty notes (http://www.johnnysketch.com). Now even though I'm a big band nerd at heart (flute and piccolo) I don't usually go to shows, but there I stood- smiling, eyes wide open and wanting more. Electric cello, are you SERious?? The beautiful and captivating sound that came from this instrument still brings a smile to my face. The layout of this place was perfect and I was close enough to the band to really feel connected to them. I doubt I will never hear/feel/see anything like this in San Francisco. As if it couldn't get any better, the Jameson pours were so ridiculous that they put a straw in it! read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed the leaf yet! I love coming here during quiet, introspective times as well as live show events. I believe the last time I was here during such a spell was when I had just walked out of a crappy, low paying job, and the last 20 bucks in my pocket went towards drinks and tips. As I spent a hour or 2 playing cards with a co-drinker at the bar, I really didn't worry about anything else (economy aside it was '07). So what I am trying to say, the Maple Leaf is great during music times, but also during quiet, down times as well. read more

I was not able to spend as much time as I would have liked at the Maple Leaf sadly. I cannot wait to go back and waste an evening listening to music and meeting new friends. Alan the bartender was enchanting, his sarcastic humor immediately had us engaging in witty banter. The Canadian gentlemen we met at Jacques Imo's who were buying us drinks only added in my crush on this place. Only 1/2 of my party was feeling the vibe and were itching to go back to Bourbon, sigh. My crew turned even more once they started charging a cover when the evening band went on and my group was saving their sheckles for booze instead. Vowing to return and bring my "real" NOLA friends, I left. Oak St. I already miss you! read more

Ugh. If this is "real" and "authentic," give me mythology any day. Three stars for some of the bands that come through here as a matter of course, given that it does seem to be the sweaty, foul-smelling keystone of something or another socially, culturally. But even the music is by no means consistent; every time I've actually found myself here it's been terribly unimaginative bluesy bar butt rock. And on the subject of "real," down-home, whatever you want to call it. I find that's just as much of a posture as anything else. I came in the first time and, knowing it was something of a place for a certain Uptown crowd, I figured I would not be killed for ordering a Manhattan. Whoops! I was treated to some excellent "what the hell kinda drink is THAT?" theatrics. Surprised they didn't offer to cut my necktie off or something. Subsequent visits have been smoother (just a beer, please), but no more pleasurable. Anyway, this is very much a loved place with a devoted clientele. They don't need my snotty little attitude, obviously. Which is good, because I certainly won't be returning except under duress. read more

Best crawfish boil in town. I mean they have pigs heads and rabbit meat. I hear the shrimp they serve on Sundays after crawfish season are also da bomb! This place is a gem fosho read more

Maple Leaf Bar - It was a very good year. If you know what a mean my dear! - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Went to see Rebirth, who I have seen in NC for less money and a far more enjoyable experience. Tonite was oversold,over crowded and dangerous. Based on prior reviews, overcapacity crowds are not unusual but I guess the management doesn't care about that. I'm not interested in being another Ghostship victim. The grownups left the buildin. What a scam. Money does not trump safety. read more

No Tuesday night is complete in NOLA without a stop at the Maple Leaf to see Rebirth Brass Band. This is a fun, friendly place to see some local music. Mondays feature Papa Grows Funk, and Tuesdays you can catch Rebirth. You can also catch the Brassaholics, Ivan Neville from time to time. It can be a bit crammed, but everyone is having such a great time, no one seems to care. Go early and grab a bite at Jacques-Imos next door (see the crowd) or Squeal just down the corner (follow your nose to the BBQ). read more

When you read about it on Yelp it's too late. That's the case with Tuesday nights at Maple Leaf. Rebirth was great, but the crowd was mostly meat head frat boys and their tipsy girlfriends tottering on the sticky floor in high heels. The cover was $15, which I thought was excessive considering I spent a night on Frenchman and didn't pay more than $5 to get into any of the venues, didn't deal with any douche bags, and found all of the bands there better. If you're visitng, don't go out of your way to hit up Maple Leaf. But if you're in the neighborhood and you have a love for the funk and a high tolerance for BS that comes dressed in Polos and topsiders, this is the place for you. read more

I kept reading great reviews about this place and that it was a MUST SEE while in NOLA. I was completely hoodwinked. It cost us $15+ for a one way cab ride, outside of the French quarter, to get to this smoky, stinky, college dive bar. What a disappointment. If you want to go just for the "nostalgia" and to tell everyone you went to the Maple Leaf, then go. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste your time. The George Porter Jr Trio was the band for the night, and there was a $10 cover. Music was good, but unless you're a true, serious Jazz expert and know of the bands who are playing there, stick to the French quarter, or better yet, go to Frenchman street. Its closer. read more

Rebirth brass band...THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE! The wait was worth it but it was packed and hot af on a Tuesday night. The intermission was a bit longer than expected at about 45 min but the music was sooooooooo good. Didnt drink much so can't comment on prices and staff but overall a must do if you're in New Orleans. Also, get food from the ladies slinging home cooking out front, you won't be disappointed. read more

Maple Leaf: Take the St Charles street car to Carollton tell the conducter Oak St. Be prepared to take a cab home. A nondescript bar with some history. Allow me to digress. See I'm a poet. "No way Vinny!" I hear you say. It's true. Freakin' true. And I like walking in the footsteps of dead poets. I once sat in Wordsworth's writing chair at Dove Cottage, Grasmere. (Keep ya mouth shut!) Fingered Sylvia Plath's hand written letters at King's College, Cambridge. Edgar Allen Poe died calling out my name. (Look it up.) Anyway you get the idea. I'm ghoulish. "Hey Vinny ya getting off the subject." Hold on. This bar has a ghost. "What the...!" Listen. Most people don't know about him. They've been going to the Maple Leaf for years. Clueless. The poet Everette Maddox was a famous denizen of the Maple Leaf. He slept here at the bar on the third stool. He was one of the founders of the longest running poetry reading in North America. (it's still going on 30 years later, Sunday at 3) Right here at the Maple Leaf. He drank himself to death here. There is a plaque commemorating him in the courtyard. "Everette Maddox." Poet 1944 -1989 "He was a mess" He is the Poet Laureate of The Maple Leaf. If you are there early enough or stay late enough when it's quiet you might run into him. He'll want you to buy him a drink. He likes his whiskey. He is absolutely charming, gregarious and loquacious. He may even question you about your life choices and knock the drink out of your hand. Don't be afraid. Just listen to him. Nod your head. He's your friend. A drinking buddy. As one writer said, he was "given the job of a sweet clown guarding a strange intersection of time and place." read more

Either the management or just the people that work there are awful. I have lived here my whole life and have given this place so many second chances, but I'm let down every time. The music line up is normally great, but the bar and managerial staff have been openly racist to my Muslim friend on one occasion. On another venture to the maple leaf, the bar tender was left alone to card everyone entering which was chaos. My most recent attempt involved a completely empty house, where the door man chased my friends and I around to pay a 10 dollar cover when we had been in the bar for hours before the show started drinking. None of this is acceptable. read more

yet another great Nola nightlife establishment. Headed over here after talking with the bartender at Jacque Imo's for some live music. The band was great and attracted quite a diverse and friendly crowd that all seemed to be having a good time. The door was off the hinges for the mens bathroom and the place had that dirty, gritty feel that is what a bar SHOULD be. Hung out on the back patio with some locals and people from all over and shared some great conversation. Oak street is much better than the quarter. read more

Awesome venue! I went for the Oak St Festival and stopped in just to get a drink and ended up staying because of the incredible band playing! Fun, quaint little place with great vibes read more

Maple Leaf Bar - Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Narrow venue, great band, horrible attitude. Came with a group of about 20 people - 8 of us were managers of different music venues and the rest were bartenders. The doorman lied about the cover charge (told us it was ten when we than realized it was 5 for those of us wearing what we were all VERRY CLEARLY wearing). Than when two of us tried to pay for everyone he said the ATM was down and that it was cash only. I asked "wait, really?" And he said "no, I'm freaking lying". We walked three blocks to get cash and once we came back and got inside (by this point most of our group had grown discouraged and left) it turns out the ATM worked just fine and 3 people used it in front of us. I had a great time dancing with the Mardi Gras Indians to a great band but the way that nasty doorman treated us caused most of our friends to go somewhere else and put an uncomfortable and prolonged damper in what was, before our arrival to the maple leaf, an otherwise perfect night. This isn't bourbon, you're a local venue. Attitudes like that don't belong in local venues. I can only imagine how much business this man has cost them over time. read more

Great music venue! We happened to catch the Dirty Dozen Brass band one evening here, $15 cover seemed appropriate and the place was nicely crowded. Enough people to make it feel energetic but not too many where you couldn't move and were uncomfortable. The drinks were reasonable too. Just make sure you notice the slight step down on the way to the restrooms, otherwise you will end up falling it the wall (trust me) even if you have only had one drink. Oh and get bottled water, don't ask for a glass, otherwise you get pointed towards a strange cooler... read more

Not impressed. Came for the Tuesday night show. Paid the $20 cover and waited nearly an hour with friends. Doorman kept charging people and cramming them in beyond standing room only. Tried to get a refund after an hour and was told no. Would not recommend this venue to anyone looking for a show. read more

So this place came on the recommendations of 2 locals. One who I solicited for local hangouts and another who was the matre'd of my new fave Irish Channel restaurant (Atchefalaya shout out!). The second came after saying we were headed to Frenchman St. to hear the good music (not the crap on Bourbon). He said, "Go to Maple Leaf. It will be the best music that you will hear. By far." Sold. Crazy good music, artist painitng them live. cheap drinks - well $4, call $5, premium $6, super prem $7. not heavy thumbs but a decent amount of booze. super packed on a monday night. actually had toilet seat covers in one stall (the one pushed up in the corner next to the paper towels for my Cali peeps who decide to hit it up and are tired of squatting). great ambiance. Let me tell you the band was insane. There was a 50 year old asian dude rocking out on the guitar like he thought he was the reincarnation of Hendrix, and I don't think he was wrong. Line up is pretty stable, but check the website and calendar to see what's up. We went on a Monday night. I wish we were staying the whole week so we could see everyone else on the lineup for the week. Maybe next trip. There were only a few beers on tap but they were all local brews. Which I thought was awesome. Could be pretentious, but I am all for supporting local brews. I mean we do the same thing in So Cal right? SD stocks everything from Karl Strauss and Arrogant Bastard. Stuff like miller you get in a bottle. It is a real local place.They sell cute shirts that are a rip on Horton Hears a Who, but they say "peyton hears a who dat" where Horton is wearing a #18 jersey and holding a fleur de lis. You really should make the effort to come all the way uptown for this place (you can have a delicious dinner at Jacque-Imo's cafe next door and then spend the night boozing here). read more

Tuesday night. Rebirth. It's hoppin' I tell ya. Seriously, the band may never be described as "tight", but they just give out the wildest, happiest vibe. read more

Had heard about this place over and over again by many different people. The appeal: dive bar. Cheap drinks. Good music. They are also dog friendly. The music: Tues night the Rebirth brass band. If you like that southern Nola jazz, you will be happy. A great go-to place to get off the Quarter and out of downtown. A short trolley ride from the madness of the Quarter and well worth the diversion. read more

BLUF: Standard music bar but hard to come by in this area so it is needed and is pretty good. Standard bar with good prices and good service. Nothing special bar wise. You go there for the music though. They have a wide range of acts and they are usually bigger local acts. Great western side of the city to see a band if you are in the area. Good place. read more

We had such a great time watching The Rebirth Brass Band. The bar itself was a nice size but there were a lot of people in there watching the performance. We got there about an hour and a half before they band came on and were able to find seats on the benches along the wall. It didn't take long for the place to fill up. The band was amazing and from where we were standing we had the perfect view. Can't wait to come back and check out another band on our next visit. read more

You gotta check this place out! Awesome Atmosphere! Fabulous Music! Good Drinks! This is a MUST on the things to check out in New Orleans! read more

Jaque-Imo's was closed and we needed beer. Maple Leaf Bar provided said beer. And they allow dogs in which is totally sweet.

Went for Rebirth Brass Band, which was highly recommended by everyone. The place itself was fine, but it got WAY TOO CROWDED. Like, I had trouble getting the 15 feet from where the band was playing to the bar. That's even before having to wait for a drink. Nobody was dancing because there was no room to dance. The band was fine, but did not outweigh the terrible atmosphere. I left early. This review is based only on my own experience there, and I admit that it's possible that a) I just happened to be there on a particularly crowded night, or b) it got less crowded and more pleasant later in the evening. But, based on my time there, I would not recommend this to anyone. read more

Rebirth brass band on Tuesday! I'm not from New Orleans but travel here for work often and this place is he bomb! Cover charge is cheap and you can leave to eat, throw up, whatever. Band started at around 10:30 and rocked the place. Nice crowd for a tuesday too. It is very loud but you can adjorn to the back (we played some pool with an interesting "old new orleans" character). Great night read more

This bar is full of racist and judgmental people, as other reviews I have seen on Google and on here have mentioned. I usually am not affected too much by my experiences at bars as I know everything is a hit or miss. But I was greatly appalled by the way I was treated here. My boyfriend and I were walking around town looking for something to do, walked past the Maple Leaf Bar hearing music and decided to check it out. Some bars in New Orleans are 18+, others are 21+; my boyfriend is 21 and I am 20, so we thought to try and see if we could both get in but if the bar ended up being strictly 21+, that was no big deal to us. When we got there, the man outside the bar who asked us for our IDs was already completely unprofessional, treating us in a scrutinized manner obviously because we were younger than most of the patrons of the bar. I am used to getting treated with less respect because of my age, and tried to shrug this off. When I was told I could not enter with my boyfriend as I was not 21, that was fine with me and I apologized for wasting the employee's time. As I was leaving, several patrons at the bar took it upon themselves to harass and berate me; I had a crowd of elderly white people calling out rude and disrespectful things to me unwarranted. It struck me the wrong way that these people seemed to get such a kick from making fun of underage girls. In addition to this, the staff did nothing to calm the crowd, even laughing with them as they jeered at me. It was ironic as these people were harassing me for being young while acting childish and immature themselves. As a woman, and a brown woman especially, it causes me a lot of anxiety to go out to places like this, as I know that often I can be harassed for my gender, age, or skin color, and at the Maple Leaf Bar, I felt unsafe and uncomfortable and did not even enter the bar. Something about the fact that the patrons seemed to get a hard on from being so rude to an underage girl they didn't know me didn't make me feel right, and I advise anyone visiting New Orleans not to support these rude creeps. read more