Recently, Nola.com published their list of the top ten bars in New Orleans. Here they are in alphabetical order: 

· Arnaud's French 75 ·Avenue Pub   ·Bacchanal  ·Barley Oak  ·Cure   ·Erin Rose  ·Mimi's in the Marigny  ·The Saint  ·Sazerac Bar  ·Twelve Mile Limit

Quite frankly, I haven’t heard of a majority of bars on this list...probably because I haven’t really left the “Tulane Bubble” and the bars most-frequented by Tulane students. So, to combat Nola.com’s list, I present the top 5 bars in New Orleans according to the typical Tulane student.

5) The Columns— If you're looking for a break from the crazy busy scene of the bars around Broadway, take a trip down St. Charles to the Columns Hotel, where the cozy and classy atmosphere gives students a chance to sit down and enjoy a drink. Their Bloody Mary’s and Bellini’s are not to be beaten, but if you choose to go to The Columns, you must dress appropriately. A casual, but nice dress for girls, and a button down or polo for boys is recommended. 

4) The Bulldog—The Bulldog is for all you beer lovers out there who want a night to sip and enjoy one or two (or three) of the featured “50 beers on tap with 100 more in bottles,” (as the Bulldog website claims). The outdoor seating is not to be missed, as there are taps with beer constantly streaming out, making little waterfalls of beer. Yes, frat boys, there are legitimate waterfalls of beer here. The Bulldog is especially packed Wednesday nights where for every pint you buy, you get a collectible pint glass to bring home. But go early, as The Bulldog gets packed fast Wednesday evenings. (21+) 

3) F&M’s—Everyone knows Thursday night is F&M’s night. Even though this bar is on Tchoupitoulas, you will willingly pay for a cab there for you know, once you arrive past midnight, you can dance on pool tables, drink on the outdoor patio and eat cheese fries said to be the food of the gods 'till your heart's content. F&M’s, or Fumps as it is so affectionately called by its most loyal patrons, continues to come back strong even after numerous fires and temporary closures. Everyone goes for the drinks and the dancing, but everyone also knows you stay for the cheese fries at the end of the night. (21+) 

2) The Palms—The Palms has practically been my second home during my time in New Orleans, and it excites me greatly I can see that giant neon Palms sign from my front door. Few will remember the stripper pole that once graced the now pool table area, but they definitely have some pictures of themselves on it. The Palms offers a nice outdoor area with fans for hot nights and heat lamps for those few chilly nights. Flip For It Fridays and Rock, Paper Scissors on Wednesdays with the bartenders are incredibly amusing and fun. You win, your drinks are free. Simple as that. The Palms also has a little VIP area, so unless you know the bouncer or someone to let you in, you will have to enjoy the blasting house and pop music on the always crowded dance floor. (19+)  

1) The Boot—Obviously no list would be complete without the “number one college bar in America.” The Boot is your typical dive bar from the outside, but it's so much more to its loyal customers. Almost every Tulane has fond and not-so-fond (or maybe no) memories of The Boot’s Fifty Cent Night on Tuesdays. Freshman always get excited about 50 cent shots and $1 mixed drinks on their first Tuesday at school, but TEMS staff know a few don’t make it home that night. Wednesday and Friday Happy Hours are not to be beat, either. Triple well drinks range from $5-$6 and many students choose to celebrate the end of the week at Friday Happy Hour, which lasts from 4pm-9pm. Bloody Mary's are made by the gallon and the 90’s/early 2000’s music that plays during this time brings the mood to a very high level of happiness. Few choose to leave Happy Hour for dinner, as Boot pizza, which I compare to manna from heaven, and the Crepes à la Carte, sandwich The Boot. All in all, although the Boot is considered a dive bar by Yelp and many New Orleans natives, it;s considered another home by many Tulane students.    

Sources: http://www.nola.com/bar-guide/index.ssf/2014/07/ne... http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/...