<p>It’s true that students don’t typically go to the French Quarter. The beginning of freshman year my friends and I did a little bit (like for my birthday) and we still will for events such as for/after the Superbowl (as well as the Saints advancement to the Superbowl) and events such as French Quarter fest (which is the event in the article above). </p>
<p>And to address the other questions. Nearly every bar around here (and by this I mean near campus, Maple Street and the Boot) is 18+ to get in and 21+ to drink, with the exception of Bruno’s (19+ in and 21+ to drink - to keep out high schoolers). That being said, we’re in college and it’s very easy to get around that without a fake idea. Should you know someone that helps, as well as the fact that there is knowledge of bars that will serve without IDing. </p>
<p>As far as the French Quarter/Bourbon is concerned, I personally think it is easier to get served. It is by far more expensive and crowded and filled with annoying drunk tourists, but as a female I have easily entered and gotten served at bars, even those with doormen that are IDing. In fact, because I was not 18 until late summer of my freshman year I used to go to the FQ with friends just because we all knew I could just walk in and get served. So in my experience, the French Quarter is the least strict about it all.</p>
<p>Thanks ellie - I was just guessing that the FQ bars have more to lose if they got caught serving underaged people, but silly me. That would mean that someone was actually enforcing that law in NOLA.</p>
<p>Re: bars before 21 - my best friend is a freshman at Tulane this year and he and his friends have had no problem whatsoever getting alcohol at clubs and bars. I don’t think he even has a fake.</p>
<p>Until a few years ago, Tulane and Loyola had the only dorms in the country where you could have alcohol in your dorm legally if you were under 21. That has since changed and at least at TU (to my understanding) that is no longer the case. The drinking age is 18 for private residences. Louisiana’s and most notably New Orleans lax liquor laws are part of the reason Tulane has a party school reputation. Some kids can’t handle that responsibility. The drinking age is still 21 but there are normal exceptions and other irregularities in the law (I’m not 100% on these so don’t quote me.) </p>
<p>-21 in public, 18 in a private residence.
-Open containers in cars allowed so long as there is not one that would be available for the driver. (So 3 passengers and one driver means there cannot be more than 3 cups, ect.)
-Drive through Daiquiri shops (they are not allowed to put a straw in the cup for the driver. )
-To go cups. You can almost always pour your beer/drink into a non-glass container when you leave the restaurant or bar.
-You can also walk down the street with a drink (assuming you are of age) and not be arrested for it</p>
<p>Keep in mind you can still be arrested for public intoxication. You will probably be ignored in that respect by police unless you are otherwise a problem/nuisance. The biggest thing the police will throw you in jail for in the city is public urination. I would hope that someone serious enough about the college selection process to seek advice on CC would not have that problem but you never know. The other big no no is fighting and/or talking back to the police. </p>
<p>For that matter, a brief word on the NOPD. Do NOT test them. When I moved to Nola in 1992, there were two police officers on death row for two completely unrelated crimes. They have a long history of corruption and while that has long been cleaned up there are still issues. That being said, the police are often not terribly friendly because they have to deal with that corrupt reputation (lack of respect) as well as a bunch of tourists who come down to New Orleans and test the laws and patience of the locals. The NOPD could certainly do better with the rudeness of some of the police in non-arrest situations but they should always be given the benefit of the doubt when you consider the problems that they may have JUST dealt with. It’s easy to understand why a cop might be on edge when minutes before they might have been chasing down a drug dealer who pulled a knife on them in the Quarter. The only reason I post this is because I’ve seen all too many kids from out of town being the bulk of the non-drug related problems. You might be on vacation or only there for 4 years but the tax payers
and police live there.</p>
<p>Sorry, I rambled, but it’s been a slow day other than this Goldman mess (which I find highly entertaining.) Best of luck in school!!</p>
<p>As long as we’re discussing this, let’s talk about marijuana. It’s my understanding that, while Tulane and the Campus Police tend to be very tolerant towards alcohol, their attitude towards marijuana is rather harsh compared to many schools. I’ve heard it’s basically zero tolerance, and if you’re caught with it you’re turned over to the NOLA Police. Is this correct?</p>
<p>(by the way, Chicago had 7 killed and 18 wounded in gang violence yesterday and last night, so this problem is hardly unique to New Orleans)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that can be a rather typical weekend in Chicago. And just as in NOLA, one won’t find many college students in the areas where the shootings are likely to occur.</p>
<p>Scorpio - I believe your statement about marijuana (and other drugs) is correct. At least, they make a major point during orientation and welcome week that drug violations get you into real jail, not Tulane jail.</p>
<p>@Scorpio - You are correct. This is especially true near the beginning of the year. There is no Tulane Jail. You wind up in central lock-up if you are caught smoking.</p>
<p>French Quarter: </p>
<p>This may have already been said, but I think the poster was pretty much dead on in that visits to the FQ become more limited as the year goes on. It isn’t about segregating ourselves at all. The FQ is very, very touristy. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its charm (going there the night the Saints won is a memory I will never forget), but it is by no means the only hot spot for locals and students to have fun at. </p>
<p>Aside from that, most of the bars on Bourbon St. do not allow 18 year olds in (at least most of the time). They have enough business that they aren’t losing much by keeping students out. Elsewhere in the city, 18 year olds can definitely hang out.</p>