Banks Street Bar

I’m not one for drinking so early in the morning, but when in NOLA…
It was suggested that we stop in here for a drink as we waited for a table to open up at a breakfast spot across the street. The bar is dark and can only be be described as a true haunt. I ordered a Bloody Mary, my first, actually. This was probably one of the strongest drinks that I’ve ever had. The bartender was more than liberal with the vodka and wasn’t afraid to kick it up a few notches with a range of spices. It was topped off with a couple of green beans and a stalk of okra. If I had finished it, the only way I would have made it back to our hotel was in wheelbarrow.
All kidding aside, Banks Street Bar was totally approachable and reasonably priced. Two drinks set us back less than $ 10. The bartender was friendly and ethereal. The locals that congregated outside at the picnic tables were super friendly and a little trashed. It was a fun, albeit totally unexpected, way to spend a Sunday morning in New Orleans.

Always the best. If you’re looking for a place where the locals are friendly, the drinks are good, the bartenders are welcoming and the music is live, this is your jam. Banks street bar is the best local bar. Come here and say hi to everyone you meet — you’ll meet the most interesting people and always have a great time.

Über’d here twice to end the night. Ate a Po Boy next to the dumpster. Good live music, awesome beer selection, bartenders gave me a donut and we made friends. They have Schlitz!

This place is gross bartenders suck, walk around half naked and believe me it’s nothing no one wants to see, can’t get a drink, place smells like urine and vomit. Cockroaches crawling across the bar disgusting

I moved here from Washington state not too long ago and I’ve got to say this little neighborhood bar is a real treat and has become one of my favorite places to socialize and get to know some of the amazing people in my neighborhood. There’s always a variety of live music everyday, free red beans on Monday and the staff and bartenders are all very friendly and welcoming. If it takes a little longer to get some of many of the huge beer selection who cares… It’s generally because they are that friendly. I’ve gone to many bars in New Orleans and the bartenders could care less that you are there. Another big bonus is Clesi’s is right next door… That catfish… whew!!!

Great neighborhood bar with cheap drinks, nice people, and free live music every night of the week. It’s also dog friendly.

Just stood at the bar for 15 minutes and got ignored. Don’t come here if you want drinks because they don’t serve them.

This bar has random hours. Its 1:15 am on a Thursday and front door locked, closed before 2 am? This happens alot here. Been here before on a friday when it was also closed at 1am. Whats the deal? And you cant play the jukebox if the blonde bartender doesnt want you to? Whats up with that? There are better bars in midcity that stay open late and you can play the jukebox whenever you want without bartender approval. And why should I need bartender approval for jukebox?! Isnt that for the customer?

Great bar. New owners who took it over 5+ years ago have put in a tremendous amount of investment and improvements in this bar to make it what it is today, a happy & friendly place. Adding A/​C units that worked was a huge improvement. They have constantly improved the décor over the years and removed the crap that was just collecting dust. The whole interior is a must see… And you know the owners care when they hand carry free homemade red beans and rice with sausage to the bar for their patrons on Monday nights. Gotta love it. One final improvement I could recommend is making the men’s room a little more decent. But then it the male patrons who are the ones who cant help but writing on the walls among other things they do in there. The urinal, toilet and sink are in too close proximity to each other. And it gets really crowded fast when there are two or more people in there and the floors are wet.

dont play the juke box! the bartender erases ur investment if it does not meet her approval.

I’ve actually been to this bar twice in the past. The last time I went here was when my next door neighbor and her friend took me here when I needed some cheering up.
The bartender was pretty friendly. The lady I dealt with behind the bar was very informative and helpful. The regular patrons were pretty friendly and welcoming. Some of the people I recognized from my neighborhood. It is good to see familiar faces.
The drinks were pretty affordable. I didn’t pay very much for beer or shots.
They usually have live bands out here. The ones I saw were cover and blues bands. I have heard that they also have country music bands out here. But I never saw them personally perform.
The best thing that happened to this bar was the smoking ban. I had issues in the past with coming here because most of the people smoked here. Now that the nonsmoking ordinance is in full effect I might just go back and try this place again.
P.S I think it’s weird that my original review disappeared for NO reason.
In short if you are looking for a friendly neighborhood bar with live bands to help you chase the blues away then check this place out.

Great dive bar with music and my favorite beer of choice Steigl Raddler. What makes Bank Street Bar really appealing is Clesi’s out back serving great boiled crawfish and fried catfish plates nightly.

You like dive bars and live music? And a host of characters? Impromptu dancing? A great selection of beers, both bottled and on draft?
I think I’ve just been trapped in SW Florida for far too long.
The bartenders are super friendly, entirely loopy and not at all pretentious.
It was really refreshing to find a dive with a clientele that is nice, bicycles to places, can even walk as a mode of transportation, and have culture. Seriously, do NOT go to Florida. Ever.
Thank you Banks Street Bar, for facilitating my sojourn out of the depths of the sulphury fire and brimstone palace that is Florida. Phew.
I just realized that I compared this bar to the entire state of Florida. Listen, if you’re contemplating a family trip to Disney World, forget it! Go instead to the Banks Street Bar.

I have found myself going to banks street bar more and more. The owner really pours his heart into it and it shows. I love that I can walk down the street and see live music and get a few drinks without spending a fortune. Definitely an asset to Midcity!

Local joint full of local personality. Chess games going on good music and eclectic crowd!

Only came here for one drink, but had a good time.
They had a decent selection and benches outside are a great place to hang out on a nice day.

Best place for a Bloody Mary in Midcity, hands down. Damn, the secret is out.

My favorite local bar in Midcity. Friendly bartenders, great live music and free delicious red beans on Mondays!

Live music every night, cheap drinks, good selection of local and craft beers (including Abita) and great bartenders. $ 3 Jameson all day on Mondays and happy hour 4−7pm all week. Great brunch spots all around here so grab a Bloody Mary or mimosa on your way or while waiting for your food!

I’ve only hung out here for 30 minutes at a time or so and really don’t have much to say about it. It’s a bar. It’s smoky. It’s decent sized, not too big or too small. The music is okay, they had some Pink Floyd playing last time. You can order pizza here. The bartenders are always friendly.
I see some people calling it a dive bar… I could call it that but because they have a setup for bands I’m going to say it’s a step above a dive bar. Dive bars should only have jukeboxes that play old country tunes.
The outdoor seating is nice if the weather’s cooperating.