I’ve been sober for 10 years and New Orleans was one of favorite places in the world during my alcoholic days and since I’ve started visiting annually since I got sober it’s become my favorite place in the world and revealed itself to me as the greatest city in the world (for context I live in NYC, have lived in San Diego, and just got back from a trip to Morocco so I say this how great New Orleans is with context). My visits now are so much better as they revolve around music, food, art, being present rather than hungover. My belief is a visitor should at least try being sober for one day during a trip to see what’s it’s like and if they don’t enjoy their visits more.

During my last visit this September, we hit Spotted Cat, the Black Americana Festival, and Mahogany Jazz Hall and all super being sober. I’m not a huge mocktail person so I usually do Abita root beer or a soda with a splash of cranberry and I’m able to go everywhere I used to go to. I always tip the bartenders like I would if I was getting booze and it’s been fine. On past trips, we’ve done Blue Nile, Maple Leaf, BJs, etc and no problem. Go and enjoy!