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Nobody nails the weekend’s can’t-miss nightlife like Night+Day. But what if you’re feeling feisty mid-week? Forget about quiet evenings curled up with your Kindle—we’re giving you prime picks for Weeknight Fun around the world. Hump day will never be the same!
The Draw: Rebirth Brass Band’s regular Tuesday night gig at the Maple Leaf is a New Orleans institution. No trip to the Crescent City is complete without experiencing their thumping beats. The Scene: A young, sweaty crowd packs this shoebox of a club every week and dances to the infectious rhythms of the Rebirth Brass Band. Part of the new wave of New Orleans brass music, Rebirth ramps up the traditional horn sound with big measures of funk, soul and hip hop. Their theme song is “We Come to Party,” and that’s no idle boast. When Rebirth plays at the Maple Leaf, there’s no better place to be in the city. Hot Tip: No matter what the schedule says, Rebirth rarely plays a note before midnight. Plan accordingly.
Rio Mar 800 S. Peters St., Central Business District, 504-525-3474 riomarseafood.com
The Draw: Sample a few new wines and nibble on free tapas from New Orleans’ best Spanish kitchen. The Scene: Each Wednesday from 7–8pm, this cheery warehouse space is the place for an informal and friendly early evening hour of imbibing. The Wednesday wine tasting typically features four different glasses for $20. When it ends, stick around for an excellent meal that mixes classic Spanish dishes with seafood-centric, pan-Latino creations. Hot Tip: Around the corner, Rio Mar’s sister restaurant, La Boca, is a dead-on authentic Argentine steakhouse that mixes a perfect pisco sour. The nearby Warehouse Arts District is home to many of the city’s best restaurants, from Emeril’s to Cochon.
W.I.N.O. 610 Tchoupitoulas St., Warehouse Arts District, 504-324-8000 winoschool.com/
The Draw: Take your appreciation of wine to the next level with a Tuesday night class at the Wine Institute of New Orleans.
Students taste at least eight different wines. The Scene: Each week at 7pm, the well-informed teachers at W.I.N.O. lead seminars on everything from wine / chocolate pairings to the wonders of cabernet. The wine bar is equipped with high-tech Enomatic machines that dispense a sip or a full glass of 80 different wines. Despite the minimal decor and food that barely extends beyond cheese and olives, W.I.N.O. is a haven for cork connoisseurs and serious sippers planning that next big purchase for their personal cellar. Hot Tip: At W.I.N.O. you can sample by the ounce rare and expensive wines such as Château d’Yquem.
