Bacchanal 

Bacchanal opened in Bywater in 2002 as a wine and cheese shop, and its transformation into one of the city's most beloved live music destinations happened organically — someone started bringing musicians into the backyard, the neighborhood showed up, and a tradition was born. The outdoor stage, strung with lights and surrounded by mismatched furniture, is one of the most beautiful settings for live music in New Orleans.

The format is unlike any other venue in the city: you choose wine and food from the shop, take it to the outdoor space, and the musicians play. There is no cover charge, though tips are expected and warranted. The music ranges from jazz and blues to funk and Americana, always maintaining a quality level that matches the care put into the wine program.

The venue survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath as one of the first Bywater businesses to reopen, becoming a rallying point for the neighborhood's recovery. That history gives it an emotional significance beyond its considerable charms as an eating, drinking, and listening experience.

Bacchanal has expanded over the years — a kitchen now produces serious food, the wine selection is exceptional, and the indoor space has been improved — but its essential character has not changed. It remains a backyard party that happens to have extraordinary music, wine, and food. It is, in the best sense, a New Orleans original.