The Night Owl's Guide to Baton Rouge

People in Baton Rouge love to eat, drink, dance, and be merry. And Baton Rouge’s bar and restaurant scene is pound-for-pound one of the best in the state; we’d put it up against many mid-sized cities across the country. There are ever-expanding rooftop bar options, live music from local artists, and chefs putting their unique spin on Louisiana Cajun and Creole cuisine. 

Friday – Eclectic Drinks & Bespoke Speakeasies

After work on Friday, start the weekend off at BLDG 5 for cocktails and appetizers. Our favorite drink is the Garden Basil Martini paired with our favorite apps, the Meatballs in Marinara and the Crab Cake Plate.

Next, take the short drive downtown and attend a show at the Manship Theatre, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, or the LSU Museum of Art. There’s always something happening at these locations! 

For a late dinner, we suggest meeting up with friends at Cocha. Try any of the cocktails; they’re all great and change occasionally. Our favorite meals are the Confit Duck and the Osso Bucco. And their non-dairy sorbet options are perfect for a light after-dinner treat! 

After dinner, mosey over to our favorite late-night spot to grab a drink—the Brakes Bar at Spoke & Hub. It’s a cool speakeasy with an eclectic list of drinks. The decor is funky and hip (in the best way), and if you’re lucky, you might catch one of the small music acts they host occasionally.

Saturday – Slow Starts and Long Bike Rides

After such a full Friday night, we suggest starting Saturday off slow with coffee and breakfast at home. 

In the afternoon, take a bike ride along the levee of the Mississippi River. If we have a lot of free time, we’ll even start at the L'Auberge Casino Hotel and ride downtown and back, which is about 26.2 miles (a full marathon!). 

Only have a few hours? Start instead at the Perkins Road Community Park and ride through an off-road trail—use Google Maps, it’s your friend—to the Louisiana State University lakes. For a late lunch, stop by Chimes and grab some Sauteed Crab Claws. Don’t forget to try one of the thousands of beer options they have.

Saturday Night – It’s All About the Vibes

Juban’s is one of our favorite restaurants in Baton Rouge for a Saturday dinner. After a recent remodel, this restaurant's new look and feel is the perfect backdrop to the perfect Saturday night. We love the Louisiana Two Birds and the Pork Ribeye, but their entire menu is divine. You can’t go wrong! Try their signature Into the Mystic cocktail or enjoy a classic, like an Old Fashioned.

For a nightcap, make your way to Hayride Scandal. As a Prohibition-era-themed bar, the decor and vibes are nothing like anything else in Baton Rouge. Take a load off in one of the velvet chairs, sit at the bar for a lively conversation with the bartenders, or enjoy the coziness and privacy of the back room. A few of our favorite drinks are the Whiskey Sour, Blood & Sand, and the Paper Plane.

Sunday – Wind Down for the Week

Sundays are a great day to catch up with friends. Enjoy brunch at Bistro Byronz or the Mid City Beer Garden, which is dog-friendly! The beer garden, with its open patio-like feel, is a must if the weather is nice. 

Baton Rouge has a lot of charm and culture.

Baton Rouge has a lot of charm and culture, and you’ll grow to love her once you know her. One caveat to the weekend activities we’ve suggested above is that we love going to sporting events. So, on Saturdays during football season, you’ll most definitely find us tailgating at LSU and going to a game. Or, you’ll find us rooting on the Lady Tigers during basketball season.