by Jette Nightingale

Okay, so you probably envision New Orleans as nothing but frat boys drinking and convincing sorority sisters to show their boobies for beads on Bourbon Street. You're half right. Sure, that's the main part of the tourist industry in town, but there are plenty of hipster haunts to visit if your taste leans more toward The Cramps than Britney Spears.

Hipster Music…
The hipster music joint is One Eyed Jack’s, 615 Toulouse Street. It’s the place for rock 'n' roll shows by South Coast rockers and touring acts like Southern Culture on the Skids. Thursdays are 1980s dance nights and Sunday is all about the Burlesque Review. More good bets are Lounge Lizard’s at 200 Decatur Street , for more local rock, or the Hi-Ho Lounge , on St. Claude Avenue, for everything from punk rock body modification shows to experimental DJs. There's also the Spellcaster Lodge, 3152 St. Claude Avenue, run by musical duo Quintron and Miss Pussycat. It' s in their house, so show times really vary as it isn't a public club.

The Big Top, 1638 Clio Street, is part art gallery, part indie music venue and worth checking out. The Louisiana Music Factory at 211 Decatur Street (across from the House of Blues) hosts a free local music concert every Saturday afternoon. The band plays on a stage set up next to the CD bins. Sometimes, there’s even free beer. even though it's free, you usually get more than you pay for — all manner of New Orleans legends have played free shows at the shop.

Hipster booze….
The Saint, near Magazine and St. Mary streets, is co-owned by none other than Sean Yseult, former White Zombie lady bassist and the foxy Lee brothers of Supagroup. It’s always a rock 'n' roll good time, complete with photo booth and sputnik chandelier. The Circle Bar, at St. Charles Avenue and Lee Circle, is a tiny but very cool place to see music and dance. They have Mod 1960s dance parties and lots of rockabilyy and mod dance bands.

Monaghan’s Erin Rose, 830 Conti Street. It’s a hangout for off-duty hipster strippers (male and female), bartenders and waiters. Molly’s at the Market, an Irish Pub at Gov. Nicholls and Decatur streets, has the cheapest drinks in the quarter and is always filled to the brim with hipsters, hippies and media moguls. Author Tom Robbins sometimes hangs out there, too. The Abbey, 1123 Decatur street, is a 24-hour bar filled with rock n rollers and otherwise arty people, low-lifes and alcoholics lured in by the incredibly cheap booze. The Spotted Cat and Cafe Brazil on Frenchman Street in the Marigny have live music, booze and plenty of people doing silly dances. If you feel like venturing into Mid-City and you like to be surrounded by varga-esque images of pin-up gals, head to Pal's Lounge, 949 North Rendon Street, and hobnob with the late night artsy crowd.

Hipster Cafes...

Flora Gallery and Coffee shop, 2600 Royal Street in the Bywater. Rue de la Course, 3128 Magazine Street and at Carrollton and Oak streets. Indonique Tea and Chai cafe, 4861 Magazine Street.

Hipster strippers…
The ultimate hipster strip club is Big Daddy’s, 522 Bourbon Street. It’s one of the classics on the street, and is just seedy enough to be fun. Plus, this is where a lot of the hipster tattooed rock ‘n’ roll stripper work, and is a former haunt of rock stars Trent Reznor and Marilyn Manson.

Hipster food…
When hunger strikes, go to the Country Flame, 620 Iberville Street. It’s a Cuban greasy spoon where just about everything comes in huge servings and costs less than $6. The vegetarian fajitas with sautéed plantains totally rock. Verti Mart, 1201 Royal, is another local haunt. It’s a corner grocery store with a very New Orleans style deli. They serve everything from foot-long poboys to stuffed baked potatoes, all for under $6. Port of Call, 838 Esplanade Avenue, is the place to go for steaks, burgers and fries. The Dragon's Den, 435 Esplanade Ave, has fab Thai food and live music with a belly dance show every Friday.

Another sure bet is Cajun Mike’s Pub and Grub at 116 Baronne Street. It’s on the edge of the French Quarter, it’s owned by Mike and Kiki, two very nice people; they have the cheapest, stiffest drinks downtown and a menu of awesome sandwiches and appetizers. Kiki’s Cuban sandwich was recently voted best in New Orleans by Gambit Weekly.

Juan’s Flying Burrito, another hipster joint on Magazine Street, has a rock n roll AC/DC soundtrack and the burritos are as big as your head and under $7.The BlueBird Café, 3625 Prytania Street, is the hoppin’ breakfast spot with big plates full of yummy food served by tattooed waitresses, all for $6 and under. It’s cash only and there’s always a line but it moves fast. Sophie’s Ice Cream Parlor, 1912 Magazine Street, has gelato and ice cream and a hot pink decorating scheme. And, of course, if you are in town and want to have a burger, have a cocktail and do your laundry all at the same time, head to one of the many Checkpoint Charlie's around town.

Hipster shopping…
If you wanna shop like a hipster, you can’t miss Trashy Diva (829 Chartres and 2048 Magazine Street) and Fifi Mahony’s (934 Royal Street) for clothing, cosmetics and wigs you can’t find anywhere else. Kruz, on the corner of Decatur and Barracks Streets is pretty awesome, with incense, imported belly dancing gear and textiles from India. For more hipster shopping, head uptown to Magazine Street. Hip shops start at Neophobia, 2022 Magazine, and end at Funky Monkey, 3127 Magazine. Check out Turncoats Clothing Exchange at 1926 Magazine Street for that thrift store turned couture thing.

Hipster art...
The Warehouse District is the center of New Orleans’ new snobby art scene. You can cruise — for free — through galleries. Julia Street is the center of the action. Start at the Arthur Roger Gallery. You can end at the Contemporary Arts Center or The Ogden Museum of Southern Art across the street, but admission is spendy at $10.
The Bywater Art Market is held the thrid Saturday of every month at the corner of Piety and Royal Streets in the ninth ward.