New Orleans Creole
The New Orleans is a well-aging establishment in the Pioneer Square district. Decent food, good booze and solid jazz and blues music, played live every night. Now optimally, I would have left it at that, but if you really feel like you want to read reviews of places you should already be hanging out, I’ll elaborate. There’s a small stage on the left in the long lounge, covered with tile and wood tables. On the right is a portal leading to a heavy wood bar and a few more tables. Earlier in the day, you’ll find the regulars here. Having one too many. Chattering at the bartenders. As the sky darkens outside, the place gets livelier, more lights go on and the conversations begin to layer with dining noises. The band sets up. A wrinkled bachelorette in a leopard-print top goes out to smoke. A well-groomed, middle-aged couple finds a table near the bathrooms. A cascade of gruff and cackling laughter erupts from the bar. The trombone player slides into a falling note and the rest of the band jump in evenly, straight into an upbeat ragtime melody.
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