If you haven’t been to New Orleans before but are planning a trip there, you are in for a really fun time. Although the city of New Orleans has been through a lot, not only has it not broken the spirit of the people who live there, but the city itself is still a vibrant place.

To really get a feel for a place like New Orleans, you really have to go out at night and get a taste of what the local nightlife has to offer. Since I know it can be difficult for people to find bars that have a solid local vibe and aren’t solely dedicated to getting tourists in through their doors, here are some places you can go to have a really good time without feeling like a cheesy tourist:

Maple Leaf Bar: If you want a taste of life in the Big Easy, this is the place to go. The bartenders smoke, the drinks are cold and inexpensive, the place is friendly to dogs, and you can find great live bands filling the place with music.

Pirates Alley Cafe: What’s really great about Pirates Alley Cafe is not only can you enjoy some drinks here, but you can also eat great food here. However, the real highlight of Pirates Alley Cafe is that they serve absinthe. If you’ve never had a chance to try absinthe before, this is the place for you to go.

Parasol’s Bar: If you haven’t had a poboy before, you’re missing out, and if you have, then you know they’re absolutely delicious. Regardless of which category you fall into, you can go to Parasol’s Bar to get a great tastingpoboy, and then follow it up with an ice cold drink.