1) Café du Monde
800 Decatur St
New Orleans, LA 70116-3306

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4428626/new_orleans_la/cafe_du_monde.html

After you’ve tried the coffee and beignettes at this amazing open-air cafe, you’ll forget all about Dunkin Doughnuts. Its can get a bit packed with tourists and you usually have to jockey for a table but its worth it.  

2) Old Absinthe House
240 Bourbon St
New Orleans, LA 70130-2205

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4441966/new_orleans_la/old_absinthe_house.html

A cozy little bar that was a speakeasy during Prohibition era. Despite the specialty that its name implies, we strongly advise you not to drink the absinthe unless a) you’re trying to win a bet or b) you have a cold and your taste buds are dulled beyond recognition.

3) The Bombay Club Restaurant & Martini Bistro
830 Conti St (located inside the Prince Conti Hotel)
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 586-0972

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4423959/new_orleans_la/the_bombay_club_restaurant_martini_bistro.html

A quiet, semi-fancy cabaret/cocktail bar with a resident piano player who takes song requests. It’s a lot of fun and a nice change of pace from some of the more crowded spots in the area.

4) Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
941 Bourbon St
New Orleans, LA 70116-3120

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4428903/new_orleans_la/lafitte_s_blacksmith_shop.html

A cool spot down at the end of Bourbon Street’s main strip.  Its one of the oldest bars in town and its candlelight-only illumination policy makes it seem dark and cavernous at first, but after you let your eyes adjust for a few minutes, the quiet, low key atmosphere is hard to beat. It’s great place for a chatting with friends (while actually being able to hear them) and also has a nice side courtyard where you can drink outside too.

5) Acme Oyster & Seafood House
724 Iberville St
New Orleans, LA 70130-2324

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4441769/new_orleans_la/acme_oyster_seafood_house.html

This is a great and very reasonably priced place to grab some oysters and catfish po’boys.  The atmosphere is more sports bar than “French Quarter” but the food, drinks and fast, friendly service more than make up for it. The one drawback is that its so popular, there's sometime a long line to get in (bring a book!)

6) One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St
New Orleans, LA 70130

http://www.oneeyedjacks.net/

One of the best places to see jazz in the Quarter. There's a downstairs concert hall for bigger touring groups, but the street level bar hosts an ever changing roster of local musicians nightly. The bands are great, the drinks are cheap, there's no cover charge and its decorated in like a 1920's-prohibition era speakeasy. What more could you ask for?  

7) The Spotted Cat
623 Frenchmen St.
New Orleans, LA 70116

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/34173209/new_orleans_l

Frenchman Street is a 10-15 minute walk from the French Quarter and definitely worth checking out for all its great little bars, many of which host local jazz/blues musicians at night. The Spotted Cat is one of the best and biggest of these and a place where Brian once saw a man play a 10-minute solo on a metal washboard and a “hotel front desk” bell and became convinced it was the greatest song in the world.

8) Apple Barrel Bar
609 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70116

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4428929/new_orleans_la/apple_barrel_bar.html

The Apple Bar is a great little ramshackle bar down the block from The Spotted Cat. Sure its cozier than a New York studio apartment and it may seem like its loosely held together with duct tape, twine and beer signs, but its also an awesome place to get up close and personal with the local folk and blues  acts that play on its intimate stage most nights.

9) Adolfo's
611 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70116-2001
Phone: (504) 948-3800

http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4428879/new_orleans_la/adolfo_s.html

An Italian restaurant located upstairs from The Apple Barrel Bar. We’ve never been there, but have been told its renowned for its New Orleans-inspired take on classic Italian dishes.