Combined suggestions, New Orleans

Another of my favorite bars in NOLA is not in the French Quarter and is called Igor's. I truly have never seen a bar like this before anywhere - it is a combination bar, restaurant, pool hall, and laundromat (yes, you can do your laundry there). Its it open 24 hours a day, has an awesome jukebox, and the Bloody Mary special (which I think is $2 after 3:30am) is the perfect way to wind down a bender.

Another good place for live music is the Maple Leaf, which attracts great musicians and a fun crowd, although its a 10 minute cab ride from the Quarter and it can be difficult to find a cab back. I went and saw Marcia Ball (a local bluesy keys player) and had a blast.

It depends on what you're into. If you're into a loud, college bar, strip bar, touristy type atmosphere, Bourbon Street is the place to go (I assiduously avoid it).
Personally I like the bars on Decatur and Frenchman (the Marigny area).
Bars on Decatur remind me of the East Village in New York City, a bit similar to those I went to on Haight in San Francisco. Every city has a area like this, doesn't it? My favorites include Coops, Angeli (you can eat at these too), Molly's, the Matador (the crowd here reminds me a lot of our past glam/punk mecca, Coney Island High on St. Marks Place), which also has live music sometimes.

Bars on Frenchman are more like the West Village. Lots of gay bars. There is a DBA (also one in New York City) and this really rockabilly-type place called the R Bar (though the last time I was in that bar, the crowd was different and somewhat annoying) which has a great jukebox. I've heard everything from Nick Cave to Johnny Cash in there.

Dress Code: Anything goes in this area. As you walk away from the crowded area of Frenchman (generally between Royal and Decatur), it gets a bit desolate, so be aware of your surroundings. I wouldn't necessary flaunt my wares or any skin for that matter:)

New Orleans IS Nightlife! We weren't there long enough to really get into it, but we did visit a couple of popular places.....The Cat's Meow on Bourbon Street and Pat O'Brien's (of course)!
The Cat's Meow was fun---it's a karaoke bar with a 3 for 1 Happy Hour that starts at 4:00PM (they get you started early!) You never know what you're going to hear at this place---could be someone who has a great voice, or could be Joe the Custodian (sorry Joe!)

Dress Code: Didn't look like there is a dress code! Wear whatever!!!

Where to hear traditional jazz in the French Quarter... Preservation Hall (726 S Peter St; tel:504-523-8939; $3.00 cover)- jazz in its purest form. Palm Court Cafe (1204 Decatur St; tel:504-525-0200; $4.00 cover)- very stylish; records for collectors. Fritzel's European Jazz Pub (733 Bourbon St; tel:504-561-0432)- worth the visit!
Where to hear contemporary jazz... Snug Harbor (626 Frenchman St in Faubourg Marigny; tel:504-949-0696; $5-$10 cover depending on the performer- one of the most vibrant jazz clubs in the country
Hot new jazz clubs...Funky Butt (714 N Rampart in the French Quarter; tel:504-558-0872)- features late-night jam sessions. New Showcase Lounge (1915 N Broad St in Gentilly; tel:504-945-5612)
Where to hear the blues...House of Blues (225 Decatur St in the French Quarter; tel:504-529-1421; $5-$15 cover) offers an eclectic mix of everything from bluegrass to alternative. The town's best buried blues treasure is John Mooney's Sunday night gig at Madigan's (800 S Carrollton Ave in Uptown; tel:504-866-9455). Other choices include Tipitina's (501 Napoleon Ave in Uptown; tel:504-895-8477); Mermaid Lounge (1102 Constance St in the Warehouse District; tel:504-524-4747; closed Mondays; $5 cover); and Vic's Kangaroo Cafe (636 Tchoupitoulas St in Uptown; tel: 504-524-43290- excellent blues music on Thursdays from 10pm to 2am and on Saturdays from 11pm to 3am
Where to hear Cajun & Zydeco...Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak St in Uptown; tel:504-866-9359; $3-$10 cover) is the place to be for great Cajun & Zydeco music- Thursdays are the best day. Other choices include: Michaul's on St Charles (840 St Charles Ave in the Warehouse District; tel:504-522-5517)- also good cajun cuisine; Mulate's (201 Julia St in Uptown; tel: 504-522-1492; Patout's Cajun Cabin (501 Bourbon St in the French Quarter; tel:504-529-4256); and don't miss Mid-City Lanes (4133 S Carrollton Ave in Mid City; tel:504-482-3133; about$5 cover)- very popular zydeco nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Where to hear Rock 'n Roll...By far the most consistent, progressive, high-quality rock venue is downtown in the Warehouse District. The Howlin' Wolf (828 S Peters St in the Warehouse District; tel:504-523-2551; 45-$10 cover) presents both local and touring artists. Other rolling places include: Check Point Charlie's (501 Esplande Ave in Faubourg Marigny; tel:504-947-0979; open 24 hours)- local up-and-coming blues and rock bands; plus there is a 24 hour laundromat in the back; also check out the Mermaid Lounge (1102 Constance St in the Warehouse District; tel:504-524-4747).
Where to meet the Latin beat...Caribbean and Latin-American music has always played an important role in the New Orleans sound. Today, the outfit called the Iguanas is the city's best-loved dance band, and you can often catch the 'Iggies' playing a border sweep of swamp pop, Tex-Mex, Mexican, and South American styles for packed houses at any number of clubs, especially Mid-City Lanes (4133 S Carrollton Ave in Mid City; tel:504-482-3133); Cafe Brasil (100 Chartres St in Faubourg Marigny; tel:504-947-9386); Howlin' Wolf (828 S Peters St in Warehouse District; tel:504-523-2551). For the best merengues and salsa; it's well worth venturing out to the suburb of Metairie to join the local Latin crowd at Cima Super Club (2726 Causeway Blvd in Metairie; tel:504-833-6766; $5 cover)- city's best Latin dance band.