Balcony Bar & Cafe

The best two story dive bar on magazine. Downstairs has a nice pool table and is very spacious. It’s a pretty laid back bar and the second floor has an awesome balcony with plenty of seating.
I’m a fan of the second floor. There’s standard bar food drinks. They don’t have the flash device to let you know when your food is ready, because they walk your food out to you. Ain’t that sweet.
Bar tenders are great, customers are usually cool– pay the balcony a visit, and enjoy the view from the balcony.

I used to have a special place in my heart for Balcony Bar. It was the first bar I ever visited in New Orleans, the drinks were cheap, the balcony was comforting and the grub was some of the best bar food in town. I even used to take all my out of town visitors there and they always loved the experience!
I preferred the downstairs bartender to any one upstairs. The guy downstairs doesn’t rush you, sound annoyed with you, and he is nice! Upstairs, though, one lady refused to serve my girl friend because she asked a question about a beer, saying she was too drunk. The upstairs bartenders are really just not good at the personality part of their jobs. I can deal with that because I don’t spend my time sitting at the bar telling my life story to the bartenders. I usually get my drinks and go on the balcony with all my pals at a big table.
In recent times, I have noticed the crowd becoming a little less enjoyable, with characters of all sorts, which is generally okay when they keep to themselves at there own tables, but now some of the characters come and sit next to you so wasted and they won’t leave! Or they spill out to the sidewalks to smoke, blocking the way with zero consideration for that fact that I now have to walk the dogs in the street to go past.
But I can’t blame that on the place, they offer cheap drinks and the cheapest happy hour, strange folks will flock! Even the crowd wasn’t keeping me away; I want cheap drinks and good bar food!
We used to order «off the menu» items like chicken parm subs and they would happily provide them! The pizza the kitchen made would just melt right into your soul. You could depend on the kitchen at Balcony Bar to satisfy your cravings with any item on the menu. BUT now, to my utter disgust, disappointment, betrayal, they have a «new menu». Pirate Pizza is now the name of the kitchen, and just as you would expect from a pirate, this food is bootlegged; they’ve stolen the best legitimate part about Balcony Bar. The pizza was the absolute worst thing I have ever had. Ever. Ever. Ever. I cried, it was that awful.
I don’t even care about the cheap drinks anymore, I really can’t go back now that the last shred of dignity that Balcony Bar had is gone. If they bring back their old kitchen, I can reasonably re-​review this place as a 4 star, otherwise it stays 1 (almost 2) for cheap drinks and that’s really it. Get your drink to go.

Everybody at this place hates their job so much it’s unbelievable. The bar tenders are rude as hell. If you ask them for anything other than a beer or a shot they cop an attitude. They don’t like to be here. At one point I would have come here twice a week for chicken tenders, they were the best. But suddenly their food menu changed and now it’s all crap that ONE guy puts in a microwave. Unless it’s pizza.
I’ll stick with Blue Moon.

Um I was stand off-​ish at first but WOW! Pirates Pizza, the Samoan, is by far the best pizza I’ve had in New Orleans. I’m from Flatbush (Brooklyn) and I’m definitely going to sleep like a king tonight after eating this. Keep doing what you are doing

Place is a nightmare to navigate. We sat down stairs the guy comes over to us and tells us to go upstairs order we go upstairs and wandering around sit outside outside tells us don’t go down the hallway to order your food.
We ordered the shrimp alfredo pizza which was okay for what it’s worth the pizza crust is thin and crispy and the Alfredo sauce was actually pretty flavorful

Bartender was probably one of the most unfriendly. We sat down for 7 minutes before we got greeted, and there were a total of 4 other people at the bar. Having worked in the service industry, we patiently waited. Bartender doesn’t even greet us, simply just says what are you drinking. We make the order, she give the drinks to us in a small plastic cup and yells $ 12.
We were sitting down, and watching the game on the tv above the bar and had the intention of staying for a few drinks. We gave her the money for the drinks and continued to watch the game for a few minutes while another couple comes and sits a few chairs down from us. They immediately got service and in actual bar glasses that were almost twice the size. She never even asked us if we wanted a tall or short.
Needless to say, we were not impressed. I top of that, as I’m drinking I see something floating in my drink and she runs over and says «is there something in it? I can spoon it out for you» I chuckled and said «it’s alright I’m fine» and we left. Will not return to this place again. There are enough bars on this street to try somewhere else for better service. Don’t waste your time here.

Security guard and bar tender we’re in men’s restroom having sex then he walked out and asked if we were in need of more drinks… I’ll never return totally unprofessional

Rudest bar staff and mediocre over priced bar food.
As I left the bar last night to catch my Über. The bar staff decided to mimic me. Then, again, as I was leaving, they had two people escort me out when I asked them why they were talking about me behind my back. The tiny bouncer then refused to let me speak to a manager regarding how rude I was treated.
I only give them the one star because the food was not terrible. Hard to screw up pizza I guess. …but $ 30 and an hour wait for that. I won’t be back.

The food serving area was professional and service oriented and we as a group of 4 were served well and satisfied.
The downstairs bar came across a lil cold and unfriendly but that was perhaps just because the bartender was also responsible to check IDs of every incoming guest& left him a but overwhelmed. We decided to proceed to the upstairs area. Sat down on the bar to order drinks… the bartender seemed not ready for the task, overwhelmed with 8 guests and us asking something which wasn’t top of shelf left her struggle and attended to other guests… not returning to us not communicating with us. After about 10min we were checking in, if we could be served. She did not attend us so we went downstairs to order, which was fine. A drink later i wanted to order another drink and ask for a Sauvignon Blanc and the bartender pointed out they don’t have it with the remark I told you before. I apologized and said please a Pinot Grigio then. She stormed out of the bar and returned with a manager or so called supervisor with the request to throw us out of the bar. I asked for a item which hasn’t been stocked & I get thrown out of the bar for asking it? Shouldn’t the bartender stock the bar or simply say we are out of it? What’s the reason to get all attitudinal about something soooo simple? Isn’t guest service worth anything anymore? I’m working in this business for more then 25 years and I do know the up & downs about it but I sure know attitude does not solve anything… it causes issues we won’t have. Sad to see I want return to this place, especially being a local though even my accent doesn’t gives that away.

I sat at the bar of this place for the super bowl, and the bartender rachel really took carenof me, she is the best, and before her there was a guy he was really cool too. Prices are average but i felt really comfortable at this place. Sat there for almost eight hours.

Came to this bar last night and my friends and I were kicked out over a misunderstanding with a book — The bartender with dyed red hair and bar-​back were both EXTREMELY RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL — they used a profuse amount profanity towards me and my friends — told me to «shut the fuck up» called me a «bitch» and basically ganged up on me, got all their friends to surround me and kick me out because I was looking for my coat.
note* I’m a five foot nothing woman — there was no need for the excessive force — I wasn’t drunk — wasn’t stumbling — just repeating myself over & over that I wanted to leave but I needed my coat
At one point when they were all surrounding me (2 – 3 guys) another customer was trying to tell them that she saw my coat on the floor and they ignored her and told her to shut up and stay out of it.
The manager ran into me on the way downstairs told me to wait and see if he could find my coat upstairs — came back and said it wasn’t there and told me I was crazy and that I didn’t come in with one — tried to bribe me by getting me a beer and when I told him I only came back in so I could grab my coat got upset and told me to leave.
Before all of this escalated, one of my friends tried to talk to the girl with dyed red hair that it was a misunderstanding about the book and meant no harm and she just told her that she had to pee and walked away — didn’t listen at all. The other bartender who was working (long blonde hair) was really sweet and got us shots for the whole situation — she was the only nice person working.
I have never felt so misunderstood and talked down to like this at a bar before — no disregard for women or how to talk to their customers in a professional manner — did call this morning and THEY DID HAVE MY COAT… this place is horrible.
Don’t recommend anyone coming here

Didn’t eat so this review is solely about drinks, location, staff, etc.
We’re staying down the ways for a week or so and have passed the Balcony Bar numerous times on our treks. It looks a bit rundown, divey and that balcony (and people watching) beckoned us — it promised to be a good time.
This place is a place of extremes in the 2 times we’ve now gone.
–First–
We walked in really early (6pm?) and talked the male barkeep downstairs. He gave me a few samples of beer (they had a pretty good selection) and I finally decided on a Santos and a shot of whiskey. A few things that I could sip on while enjoying the view or I could bolt down if the place turned out to be a disaster in the making. Hubby got usual mid-​shelf bourbon on the rocks and it was a *very* generous pour for the price.
Told about the split level bar situation — can’t split tab between up and down. And about the $ 10 minimum. We paid cash downstairs and headed on up to the balcony to watch the people freak out over Taco Tuesday at the Rum House down the street. There was one other couple there playing music on their phone, but low, eating stuff and smoking a cigar. We gave them some privacy and chose a spot a ways down. When they left we snagged their prime table right in the crook of the balcony. Score!
The tables were clean (ish) and someone stopped by regularly to grab trash or empty ashtrays.
As the night progressed the place got a bit busier but never crazy busy by the time we left at 9pm. The crowd was a mix of every type of person known to human kind — frat, blue collar, street kids, college kids, really drunk/​messed up people, loudish people (not many, thank goodness), solitary drinkers, 2 older folks in formal dresses. You name/​dream it, they were there but everyone was friendly. Seemed like a perfect place to while away a Tuesday night.
The female bartender upstairs wasn’t friendly but she got my second round in a good amount of time and, again, a generous pour for the booze.
–Second–
Walked in around 8pm to an almost empty downstairs bar. Same guy as before carded us, told us about the policies again, etc. We were headed upstairs to order to keep it all simple but he seemed like he really wanted us to order from him. Kept pushing it. I know he wasn’t making any $ so we indeed ordered from him and paid in cash. That split between the bars must suck for them some days! When we got upstairs the bartender there already had a large, boisterous crowd surrounding her.
Snagged a table, but not the prime spot this time… too busy, and got to watching the madness of Magazine unfold.
Only stayed for one drink because this time (a Friday) a HUGE group of drunk guys from Charleston descended upon the place and were super freaking annoying. They were obviously trashed and were yelling the whole time about sluts, hot chicks, their girlfriends, herpes, smoking, and the what-​have-​you. You could see the local contingent start packing it up and we decided to follow suit. You know, that’s why I avoid the FQ when I visit. Now, this isn’t a negative for the bar but rather so you understand that the weekend is a GAME CHANGER for this place.
–Other–
Bathrooms are disgusting and tiny. That hand dryer looked to be about 500 years old and those things are germ magnets anyhoo.
Didn’t see a pool table or the like but there are adult only games downstairs.
Kitchen looks gross. It was DESTROYED at 6pm on Tuesday and still had the same stuff strewn everywhere a few hours later. Folks food smelled greasy bar food good but we decided to go elsewhere for food.
All-​in-​all we liked our visit to the place and will probably go back during a weeknight to visit. We love the people watching, the balcony (duh) and the stiff drinks but the rowdy visiting crowds just aren’t our thing. Wouldn’t be a regular but I’d definitely tell my friends to stop by if they were near the place.

Horrible service tonight. Woman who answered the phone had a bad attitude. Had a valid question about late night delivery with the time change on Nov. 1, and I was laughed at and told they break the rules. Sadly I will no longer be a customer of their’s.

Great brews cool atmosphere! Love sitting on the balcony when it’s a pretty day! Lots of tvs for game days!

Go see Rachel for a Margarita at happy hour (s) or any hour! She made a great margarita! Their happy hour is $ 2.50 margarita or a biggin for $ 5 along with other drink specials but we never made it past the margaritas.
We did order the bacony sticks which were like a pizza and actually pretty tasty we finished it off completely. Bar food at its core but delish!
We have already planned out happy hour hop for this coming week because we enjoyed ourselves so much at each of these businesses!
Keep up the great Happy Hour Balcony! We love ya’ll! Can’t beat the view and the prices!

Ideal atmosphere for sports watching. Roll in 30 mins before the game, grab a table and act a fool. Most people come for the balcony, which leaves ample seating indoors.
They just updated their food menu. Surprise! It’s still bar food.
Despite its square footage and prime location, Balcony Bar is still a dive. They don’t do drink specials — «You’re going to drink anyway, why should we have a special?» and they’ll probably roll their eyes if you order a famous New Orleans cocktail.
Balcony Bar is where the locals go to drink cheap drinks and laugh out loud with their friends. I’d fully expect a one-​time visitor to give this place a thumbs down. But Balcony Bar has a lot of charm, even if’s not immediately noticeable.

Balcony Bar has improved greatly since my last review. The crowd is MUCH improved thanks to an awesome door guy. The place gets a good crowd without being TOO crowded. There is no smoking (I know that there is no smoking in every bar now, but Balcony Bar has been no smoking for two years). And the best part is the beer– the owners have really made an effort to add a lot of local beer on tap which I am always a fan of. As a result of there being better beer, the place isn’t as «fratty» anymore and you can actually sit down and have a conversation and not feel weird.
While Balcony Bar still isn’t my first stop if I am looking for a good time, it’s not a bar that I avoid as I once did.

Not too impressed. Came here with a group of friends tonight and the bar tender was horrible. So slow and got pretty much every drink wrong. It’s not the end of the world, we’re mainly here for the atmosphere.
The bar tender ended up getting into a loud argument with a guest and made everyone else uncomfortable, we went to sit out side and all of the tables are covered in trash and old food from previous guests. They are not very busy and the rude bar tender seems to be getting in the way of the other bar tender.
This is a prime spot for going out in NOLA, and there are way better options. We ended up going to Rum house across the street and having a way better experience.

Come for the drinks stay for the patio. Whether it’s St. Paddy’s weekend or just a cool summer night this place is super clutch! Great selection of beers on tap. Nice long happy hour with really cheap well drinks and they offer Spicey pickle backs ! These things are super tasty. Cuts the booze well and goes down smoothly! They changed the kitchen chef recently and food/​menu has changed immensely for the better. I like to come here with friends, but if you describe yourself as more of a lone wolf come on in anyway and you’ll be sure to find a new conversation partner easy ! Look for me at the corner table on the upstairs patio

This place was fun. Came here on a Lundi Gras and to get away from the tourist crowds on Canal. My local friend took me here saying it ain’t happening on Bourbon. The Garden District reminds me of the Eastside in Los Angeles. The crowds were manager;e and we even snagged a seat on the balcony which is why you’re at this bar.
Great views, a round for 3 under $ 20 and nice service.

Decent place for a drink with reasonable prices. It was quite empty, so the atmosphere was not very lively.