New Orleans

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CHAPTER 7 . NEW ORLEANS AFTER DARK
future of the compound is does not affect the club, you should probably
call in advance to make sure the status quo remains. 4133 S. Carrollton
Ave. & 504/482-3133. www.rockandbowl.com. Tues–Sun 5pm until “the
party closes down.” Bowling $15 per hour; show admission $5–$10.
Mulate’s This is a branch of the original (out in Cajun Country)
and a not-unlikely place to find authentic, and decent, Cajun
bands. The stage and dance area are relatively spacious, and the food
isn’t bad. During Jazz Fest 2006, when Beausoleil played, none
other than Bob Dylan dropped by to listen! 201 Julia St., at Convention
Center Blvd. & 800/854-9149 or 504/522-1492. www.mulates.com. No cover.
3 Rhythm, Rock & the Rest of the Music Scene
Most clubs in New Orleans feature an eclectic lineup that reflects
the town’s music scene; the ReBirth Brass Band, for example,
attracts as many rock fans as it does brass-band fans. Consequently,
the bulk of the club scene escapes categorization (and, of course,
booking policies are often subject to change)—even the local papers
refer to club lineups as “mixed bags.” Check listings (in Offbeat and
Gambit magazines, for example) night by night. Some places are
generally good fun on their own regardless of who is playing; any
night at the Maple Leaf is going to be a good one, while wandering
from spot to spot in the Frenchmen section is a well-spent evening.
Really, in New Orleans, you can’t go too wrong going just about
anywhere simply to hang out. And in the process, you might get
exposed to a new, wonderful genre of music or an incredible band.
THE FRENCH QUARTER & THE FAUBOURG
MARIGNY
Cafe Brasil Day (when it is a great place to get a cup of coffee
and to hear gossip) or night (when it delivers danceable music), Cafe
Brasil anchors the lively and popular Frenchmen section of the
Faubourg Marigny. It features Latin or Caribbean music, R&B, or
jazz usually on weekend nights, and chances are whatever is playing
will be infectious. Anticipate a hip and trendy, though still casual,
crowd and be prepared to act cool. The decent-size dance floor fills
up quickly, and the crowd spills into the street to see and be seen.
2100 Chartres St. No phone at press time. Cover varies.
Checkpoint Charlie’s Somewhere between a biker bar and a college
hangout, the dark Checkpoint Charlie’s only seems intimidating—an
effect that’s helped by the hard-rock sounds usually blaring
from the stage. It’s easy to overlook straight rock with all the other