Updated October 2026
For a first date in New Orleans, try Preservation Hall, City Park, or Commander's Palace. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
New Orleans dates come with a soundtrack: a jazz set, a cocktail in a historic bar or a walk under the oaks is as normal as dinner, and the city stays lively late into the night.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from free parks to a special-occasion Creole dinner, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
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Jazz hallFrench Quarter$$All ages
The legendary home of traditional New Orleans jazz since 1961, with short, intimate acoustic sets every night. Book tickets ahead; it is a perfect start to an evening in the Quarter.
726 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116 · Takes bookings
ParkMid-City$All ages
1,300 acres of oaks, lagoons and gardens, with a free sculpture garden, a botanical garden and boat and bike rentals. A picnic or a paddle on the lagoon makes a relaxed daytime date.
1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124 · Walk-in
Creole fine dining restaurantGarden District$$$40+
The city's grand Creole restaurant in a turquoise Victorian house in the Garden District. Book ahead and dress up a little; it is the classic special-occasion dinner.
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Takes bookings
Rooftop barLower Garden District$$30s
A rooftop bar in a 1940s artist-loft style with a 270-degree view over downtown and the Mississippi. Open daily from 2pm, first come first served and 21+; sunset is the best time.
Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Walk-in
River cruiseFrench Quarter riverfront$$$All ages
A paddle-wheeler on the Mississippi with daytime cruises and an evening jazz cruise with a live band and optional dinner. It currently covers the cruises of the Steamboat Natchez while that boat is being renovated.
Toulouse Street wharf, 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Takes bookings
ParkUptown$All ages
A big Uptown park of oaks and lagoons, open daily from 5am to 10pm. Take the St. Charles streetcar there and walk the loop path; it is free and easy.
6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118 · Walk-in
Historic bar and caféFrench Quarter$All ages
A worn, atmospheric old bar famous for its Pimm's Cup, open daily from 11am. A relaxed, inexpensive first-date stop in the middle of the Quarter.
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Walk-in
Cocktail barFreret$$30s
The bar credited with starting the city's craft cocktail movement when it opened in 2009, stylish but unfussy. Good for a second date with excellent drinks away from the tourist crowds.
4905 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115 · Walk-in
Jazz club and restaurantMarigny (Frenchmen Street)$$30s
A seated jazz club with nightly shows at 7:30pm and 9:30pm and dinner downstairs. Quieter and more focused than the bars around it, so you can actually listen together.
626 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 · Takes bookings
Hotel barFrench Quarter$$All ages
A bar that slowly revolves like a merry-go-round, spinning since 1949 inside a historic family-owned hotel. Grab two stools at the carousel for a classic cocktail and a memorable first date.
Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Walk-in
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Historic streetcar rideCanal Street to Carrollton$All ages
Green streetcars rattle under the oaks of St. Charles Avenue past Garden District mansions, and the line runs around the clock. A cheap, slow ride to Audubon Park or an Uptown bar is a date in itself.
St. Charles Ave line from Canal St to S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA · Walk-in
Float workshop tourWarehouse District riverfront$$All ages
Tour the working studio where artists, sculptors and welders build Mardi Gras floats and giant props. Open daily from 9am, it is a colourful, surprising daytime date.
1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Takes bookings
Popular places to meet people in New Orleans include The Spotted Cat Music Club (live jazz bar), Bacchanal Wine (wine bar with live music), and St. Roch Market (food hall). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Preservation Hall or Commander's Palace. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, New Orleans is number 39 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 6.8 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in New Orleans is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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