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200 Fun - Going out Louisiana
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Practical information : Going out Louisiana
Timetable
Mainly located in the city, nightclubs are generally open on Fridays and Saturdays - and other evenings depending on the club - from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., or even later (note that opening days and hours are more extensive in New Orleans, especially in the French Quarter). For activities with friends (cinema, billiards, bowling, go-karting, escape games, etc.), opening hours vary widely depending on the type of establishment. There are also several casinos in Louisiana, most of which are open 24 hours a day. For the performing arts (music, dance, theater, etc.), annual programming is concentrated mainly outside the summer season, in the evenings most of the time. That said, as music is at the heart of Louisiana culture, show bars and "fais dodo" have a busy program that extends throughout the year, not just in the evenings.
Budget & Tips
Clubbing in Louisiana is generally less expensive than in Europe (although not necessarily to the same high standard). Admission may be free before a certain hour (usually 11pm or midnight) or by joining the guest list (usually reserved for women). Note, however, that more exclusive clubs may require you to book bottle service to secure a seat. At the cinema, discounts are often offered for showings before 4pm or on the weekly discount day (usually Tuesdays). This is particularly true of most AMC and AMC DINE-IN cinemas. Good deals for shows: Gametime offers, among other things, last-minute tickets for shows and sporting events in New Orleans (gametime.co), and don't forget that Louisiana vibrates continuously to the rhythm of the music, so it's very easy to see shows for free in the bars.
As a general rule, prices quoted are always exclusive of tax. Not only must you add sales tax (4.45% + local tax of up to 7%), but also 15% service charge where applicable. All methods of payment are accepted, although the bar counter in a concert hall, for example, may only accept cash and/or debit card.
To be booked
Reservations are highly recommended for more exclusive shows and nightclubs, to make sure you have a seat. For certain activities, such as go-karting and escape games, reservations are often imperative and a deposit may be required. For the rest, simply turn up on the day.
Night transport
In New Orleans, getting home late at night is no problem. Streetcar lines operate 24 hours a day (except the UPT-Riverfront line), but some stops are not served at night on the Canal Streetcar - City Park/Museum line. As for buses, it all depends on the route, with some running all night and others ending in the early evening. As for the ferry linking downtown to the Algiers Point district, it ends its service at around 8:30 pm/8:45 pm from Sunday to Thursday and 10:30 pm/10:45 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Elsewhere in Louisiana, there are no night-time public transport services, apart from cabs, Uber, Lyft and the like, which offer 24-hour service, but only in certain towns and cities. There is also a paid shuttle service in Greater New Orleans and the Shreveport area, offered by Dryver (dryver.com).
Age restrictions
In Louisiana (and the rest of the country), the age of majority is 18, but you must be 21 to consume alcohol. Wherever a bar license applies, only adults are allowed. At the entrance to some bars, notably in New Orleans, a bracelet or stamp is provided for people under 21, so that waiters know they are underage. However, some places hold a different permit (restaurant, artisanal production...) which allows them to welcome minors. Please note that all bars and licensed establishments ask for official photo ID at the door, and some only accept passports (French ID cards mean absolutely nothing to them). Sometimes you'll even be asked for your "ID" at the supermarket if you're buying wine or any other alcoholic beverage. On the other hand, during festivals and festivities, no one will be interested in your age.
What's very local
Many musicians are very well known only in New Orleans, and manage to live on their modest fees or tips from the public. Music is everywhere. There's no one place to favor more than another. You have to try them all to understand that music in New Orleans is part of everyday life and that the most important thing is not the quality, but the good atmosphere and the pleasure of playing. In the same musical spirit, don't miss the dancehalls of Cajun country (the famous "fais dodo").
Louisiana is also renowned for its casinos, one of the few states to have made gambling legal, but only in casinos located on the water and dockside, with the exception of Harrah's casino in New Orleans and those run by Indian tribes. Many Texas license plates can be seen in Lake Charles and Shreveport. Each parish then has the choice of whether or not to authorize the installation of a casino on its territory. Some spend days at a time, hypnotized by a roulette wheel or a one-armed bandit...
Smokers
Smoking is prohibited in clubs, entertainment venues, activity centers (go-karting, escape games...), etc. While state law does not prohibit smoking in bars (where shows can be held) and casinos (on floors with gaming areas only), many cities have imposed local restrictions in this regard, including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans and Monroe/West Monroe. However, smoking is permitted on terraces throughout Louisiana, unless otherwise specified.
Tourist traps
As with sporting events, the resale of tickets for shows is ubiquitous online, and sometimes even on the street. While it's true that you can save a few dollars by buying from resellers, it would be a shame to waste your money on fake tickets. So use the official ticket offices.