The Holy Ground

Great location with a good bar serving Guiness and good food. I had a french fry Shepherds Pie that was great. On the menu its cheese fries with beef debris. Bike parking and chairs outside on good weather days, very good bar.

Every town and city has their local shot and beer joint some are friendly some aren’t. This is probably one of tops and I’ve bartended and been on the other side. Yet the bonus is the tourist pay what the locals do. No need to thank the locals they don’t care nor should they. Don’t be an ass and also enjoy great food out of the kitchen (you order at the window. Bonus they bring out the food. Best bang for your buck. Koodos to Mother Mary and their reverence for Jamo! If you don’t know Jamo find another bar!

I have been to Holy Ground drunk, sober, bored, angry, and happy. The first time I went a friend and I were on our way to Bayou Bugaloo. There was a crotchety bartender there, some older guy. My friend said that was just kind of his demeanor, it’s part of his (and THG) charm. Since then I’ve probably been back a half dozen times (I know… I should check in more!) It’s never so crowded that you can’t find a place to sit, which is nice. The beer is always cold, and they must keep their lines clean. I’ve never had a bad pour from this place. I really like the little kitchen in the back. The people are always friendly, and the selection of bar munchies is decent. They have darts and a pool table in the back. Some gfs and I were playing darts late one night and a drunk guy kept bothering us. The bartender offered to have him kicked out. One of my friends was actually enjoying torturing this guy so we just let it go. It’s right off the streetcar line so there’s no need to drive, which is good, because if you go, you’re going to want to hang out a while. There’s just a very chill vibe there that I can’t describe. It’s more of a hangout spot than a dive bar. I think it’s because the noise level allows for conversation… no blaring music. And there is always an eclectic mix of people. I’ve seen lawyers, hipsters, stoners, and teachers all sitting at the same table.

The hostel never has coffee so go here and get a five dollar (that’s right) Bloody Mary. Love this place every time I visit.

This is my go-​to neighborhood joint. The bartenders are beyond friendly and witty. Everyone here is welcoming and the kitchen is solid. It’s a great spot to unwind after work, casual and the music is low enough to carry on a conversation. For dorks like me, it important to note that wifi is pretty fast. But, the best part is the cast of welcoming eclectic characters!

The food is great, but I think the bartendresses are hired to be rude. I’ve been coming to NOLA for five years as a tourist, moved here eight months ago and live walking distance. I have tried to give it a chance, but every time I do so I get the same attitude. I have never, ever been treated so rudely at a pub (and I’m from Los Angeles). There are so many other places nearby more worthwhile. Yesterday a bartender threw a tantrum… her second day on the job. Incidentally, I am nice and NICE to people who wait on me… I also tip appropriately. I am just going to spend my money elsewhere, and also encourage friends to do the same. Come here if you want cheap drinks and poor service.

Back when I was young and jobless, this place used to keep me well liquefied without having to spend too much. Due to it’s size, the Holy Ground is great for groups. («So much room for activity.») It’s a pretty chill spot, but can turn up on a dime. We hit this place hard post-​Endymion 2013, and even into the late hours Holy Ground was happy to have us.
It has been a year or two, but I heard the pop-​up restaurant Edible Alchemy no longer runs out of the bar. To me, this damages the overall allure of Holy Ground. On most nights it was the food that brought me here and the beer that got me to stay.
Overall, I think it’s worth a visit. Is it a must-​stop for tourists? Nuh uh. But it’s a damn decent neighborhood bar with plenty of space and a savory (ish) crowd.

This is the local honey hole. Great place to sit back and chill out with your buds, have a beer and relax. Been coming here for the last year and a half. Its dark inside but thats perfect for this place. They have two pool tables and some dart boards available that are normally not crowded on until the rush hour on friday and Saturday nights. Smoking is limited to outside now due to the new smoking ordinace.
Food is available. The kitchen cooks up some pretty tasty treats. I would advise getting the Scottish Eggs. who can resist deep fried bacon wrapped hard boiled egg? lol
Staff is wonderful. They work their tails off and do their best to get you served just be patient sometimes. It can get pretty overwhelming when they are not expecting a huge party to show up with only one bartender. However they still seem to pull it off.
If you are going to be around for Mardi Gras this is the spot to be since it’s right on the coner of Canal and Jefferson-​Davis. Floats pass right on by the place. you get there early enough, you will have front row view. Then after the festivities go back to the party inside.
Its a $ 10 dollar min on a card.

My favorite mid city bar, by far. The bar tenders are awesome, the beer is cold and the regulars are friendly.

Really choice neighborhood bar near India House Backpacker’s Hostel. Chill, good prices, nice people.

It always happens. Eating out on vacation nearly every meal is hard work, and eventually we just need a sammich at the house. Out of groceries, I offered to make the two-​block walk to The Holy Ground.
It’s a classic neighborhood watering hole. There’s a bar and tables up front, you order food and play darts in the back room-​apparently darts are a very big deal to the clientele here judging from all the awards on the wall. If the dark interior isn’t for you, there are several tables on the sidewalk, which were always populated the week we were there.
Back to lunch. I stepped up to a window in the back room and the cook took my order. He was incredibly friendly, asked where I was from and where I was staying, agreeing that Mid City is a great part of town. So into the conversation was he, that he apparently didn’t hear my entire order… I got home with only one sandwich/​salad combo instead of two, and avocado was missing from the other. It wasn’t a huge deal, I wasn’t charged for the missing stuff, and with the Zapp’s we had at home it was enough food. Just disappointing.
The food itself was good; I don’t remember the name of the Tuscan-​chicken type sandwich, but the meat was moist and the dressing was really good. The salad was simple, but the Creamy Thyme dressing was so good I’ve vowed to try to recreate it here at home! So, not a perfect experience, but I fell in love with Mid City, so I’ll likely be back!

This isn’t a bad little hangout. If I lived in the area, I would definitely give it more stars, but since it’s a little out of the way and not really worth the drive time, 3 stars it is.
This dimly lit bar caters mostly to neighborhood folks. The bar is a good size and the crowd is lively and fun. When I went, I didn’t stay very long but I see that there is a nice group of regulars that hang out here. The bar was pretty smoky, but since the smoking ban kicks in on April 22^nd, that’s not a huge issue.
I’d come back if I were in the area, but I would go out of my way.

Love this bar. Fantastic atmosphere: good, inexpensive drinks, plenty of seating and the kitchen in the back makes some of the best sandwiches in the city. My only complaint is the smoke — it used to not be so bad but has become almost unbearable since Christmas. Overall, a great bar, both for the neighborhood and the city.

My husband and I have come to this bar for over three years, We used to live in a apartment above the bar. I came in tonight looking a bit shabby, I had a long day. The female bartender, who I have never seen before, completely ignored me. Didn’t even look at me. The man came up and was a smartass and said he guessed he was a bartender then asked me for my ID when I placed my order. I am 35 years old. I have been a bartender on bourbon street for three years. The past six months I have managed a bar. It is completely ridiculous to be so rude to a patron. I can only assume it was because of how I looked because I have seen the man many times. I have never in three years been asked for my ID. It was mainly how rude they were and embarrassing to me.

I love this neighborhood joint. The bartenders are a class act. They remember your name and what you like to drink. They are prompt and witty. The bar is clean and large enough for groups so that you can meet up with the gang for a Saints game or Soccer event-​as favored by the owner. The décor is Irish, with an eclectic collection of oversized ashtrays. Pool tables in the back, dart boards as well and an active kitchen. Bathrooms are always clean, and on special occasions the bar serves of family style food for all. The only downside to the Holy Ground is the smoke-​which can get pretty bad at times, but am told they are actively seeking an even better solution than what they currently have in place.

Great little neighborhood bar with fascinating local characters! Friendly service with a decent beer selection and excellent live music. Really the only downside was the indoor smoking but beggars can’t be choosers.

This became our local bar the week we were staying in New Orleans. Friendly staff and the bar food was delicious. Great drink prices as well. I look forward to visiting here again next time I’m in town.

My brother frequents this pub often. Me and the ball n chain went for a soccer game, and the place was electric. A big older crowd — owners have been involved for quite some time — and you know you will have a good pint at this place once you walk in.

Awesome dive bar. Cool hipster locals to look at. Good place to get a drink and actually talk to the people you went there with. They got the popup Burning Bush now which i want to try. (their old food was amazing)
Good place to go see a game too. They dont get that too crowded so it doesnt get annoying.
(not a meat market)

Things that I love about this place:
–It’s in Mid-​City.
–It’s within a close driving range to home after some adult beverages.
–They have Smithwick’s on draft.
–They serve Tullamore Dew (our favorite Irish Whiskey).
–I always know SOMEone there (either sitting at the bar or working behind it).
The #1 reason I don’t come here more often:
–It is SO freakin’ smokey that just walking in the door and ordering a beverage to enjoy outside (where I can actually breathe) leaves my clothes SO stinky that I have to strip down the second I walk into my house. :-(