SFG Neighborhood Guide
Bywater Dive Bar Guide
A Bend of The Mississippi From Bourbon
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Bywater Dive Bars
Bywater Breweries & Non-Dives
Bywater Divey Food
New Orleans Dive Bar Guide
Louisiana Dive Bar Guide
Reviewed Bywater Dive Bars
SFG Rating
10
Bywater
Vaughan's Lounge
Faded paint, rusted roof.
SFG Rating
8
Bywater
Bar Redux
Dive at the end of the world.
SFG Rating
8
Bywater
BJ's Lounge
Faded paint, green trim.
SFG Rating
7
Bywater
J&J's Sports Lounge
Updated Bywater corner spot.
Other Recommended Bywater Bars & Breweries
Not every drink has to be a divey one, we suppose. Other great bar and brewery options are listed below to round out your travels in slightly more sophisticated surroundings.
Parleaux Beer Lab
It’s quite possible that good beer doesn’t exclusively require faded paint and a corrugated metal roof, earning Parleaux Beer Lab a spot on the list. The brewery certainly dresses up the Bywater vibe but the area’s authenticity can be felt here as well. True to the brewery’s name, the game here is small batches, rotated frequently, making for unique offerings each visit.
Markey's Bar
Some kind of establishment dispensing alcohol has existed on this site since the 1920s, first a brewery, then a bar that has been part of the Markey family ever since. The amenities have evolved over the years, additional taps, TVs and the like, but the core here, as throughout the Bywater, is the authenticity of the space so tightly coupled with its longevity.
Bywater Hole-In-The-Wall Food Ideas
A nice evening wandering neighborhood streets is best fueled by at least a little something in one's stomach. These area options fit our divey vibe and will fit into any neighborhood bar crawl.
The Joint
After four of the city’s best dive bars in succession, a little barbecue probably wouldn’t hurt, The Joint offering some of the city’s best right as almost an eye of the storm to the circling dive bars that surround the location. All manner of smoked meats are offered in concert with a strong collection of beer and cocktail options. This reviewer can’t recommend the ribs strongly enough.
Elizabeth's
Because Elizabeth’s is a brunch spot, its place in your Bywater itinerary will depend on how early you’re willing to start your day drinking. And if a brunch place feels out of place on a dive bar itinerary, the mural-covered exterior of Elizabeth’s should put that emotion to rest, a selection of southern favorites available inside. Just look for the sign marked with the fitting slogan “Real Food Done Real Good.”
Rosalita's Backyard Tacos
Sometimes marketing isn’t difficult. Rosalita’s is a neighborhood spot serving tacos out of, you guessed it, a backyard. The unassuming front door looks a little polished, but those fears evaporate after seeing the outdoor space with its painted wooden fencing and beautifully haphazard seating options.
Other New Orleans Neighborhood Guides
Carrollton
3 Dive Bars
French Quarter
6 Dive Bars
Magazine Street
3 Dive Bars
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What did we miss? Where should we go? We'd love to hear your ideas, your favorite spots, your profound disappointments and anything in between.
