The Best Places to Party at Tulane (In Your First Year)

You are fresh out of high school, and you probably still have a little bit of the SATs on your mind, so we’ll use a little analogy to get this started.

HIGH SCHOOL : STUDYING :: COLLEGE : PARTYING

Okay, so there is some studying and meeting people mixed in there too, but college students are known for their devil-may-care attitude and authoritative knowledge on how to get down, get down, jump up, jump up, and finally, get down.  Tulane ranks lucky #11 on the Princeton Review’s Best Party Schools list and we say “lucky” because otherwise police would start cracking down on students (rumor has it Tulane pays off Princeton Review keep them out of the top 10).  Is that a generous administration or what?   But what do they expect?  New Orleans is perhaps one of the best cities for partying in the country, especially for you underagers. 

• Mardi Gras: Tulane’s campus has typically doubled in population during Mardi Gras and your friends are going to be aching for an invite.  Mardi Gras will be virtually unavoidable for a Tulane student as classes can be cancelled and the university gives us a holiday. There is something for everyone there from the parades, to the drinking, to the 24/7 party, and to the rich cultural history.  Locals don’t flash and neither should you.  And just know that those locked up during Mardi Gras do not get out of Central Lock Up until after Fat Tuesday.  Keep Freddie King’s number handy – just in case.  While you may associate Mardi Gras with Bourbon Street, the whole city is actually in full time party mode.  Tourists from all over jam up Bourbon and it can be near impossible to move and makes people easy targets for thieves.  Everyone has atleast one Mardi Gras horror story.  Be smart about your decisions.  And respect the locals.
• 18+ Bars: So, you're under 21 and you want to get off campus for the night? Here are a few places that will let you in. You don't have to have a fake ID and try to sneak in; that's illegal anyway, but some of the clubs might charge an extra cover charge.  Bars are not considered strict and many students may suggest getting a fake ID, but doormen and bouncers will feel free to snatch them up.  New Orleans is unique for legally permitting drinking on the street in plastic cups, bottles, or cans.  As long as you’re not acting a fool no one with hassle  you.  As a first year, be prepared to spend the bulk of your time on Maple Street and at The Boot.  Be weary on Bourbon St. – girls can usually get in at 18, but most places only let in guys that are 21+.  If you quickly tire of the same old scene, there are bars off the beaten path that do no check IDs at all.

• The Boot 1039 Broadway

• TJ Quills 7600 Maple Street (College ID required a.k.a. no highschoolers allowed)
• Bruno’s 7601 Maple Street (19+ only)
• Friar Tuck’s 5130 Freret (cab it or walk in a big group)
• Café Banquette 3445 Prytania
• House of Blues  225 Decatur
• One Eyed Jacks 615 Toulouse
• Tipitina's
  501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA
  local music legends and touring favorites.
• Howlin' Wolf
  907 St Peters St, New Orleans, LA 
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• Frat Parties: The classic “house party" is usually thrown by fraternities. Most frat houses are found on Broadway aka Frat Row. Although some parties may have someone checking IDs outside, don’t sweat it – you won’t be turned away. Don’t take drinks from strangers, as some fraternities don’t have the best reputation.
• Drunk Busses: Keep your eyes and ears pealed for announcements for upcoming drunk busses, usually set up by one of your upstanding fraternities.  Basically a bunch of students pile into a bus hired by the organization, and can drink on their way to whichever bar(s) are on the agenda.  Underagers, be patient, you’ll get there.
• The Dorms: Technically, Tulane does not allow alcohol to be in any dorm room in which the residents are under 21. Most students tend to pre-game before heading out for the night by playing drinking games or the sometimes debilitating power hour.

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