This year the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo is being held from June 12-15 in New Orleans and if you haven’t registered yet, get over to SHRM.org and get on it! There is something really special about New Orleans. There is so much good fun, music, and fun in NOLA and it’s even more magnified during the annual SHRM Conference as New Orleans is really rolling out the red carpet for us. After so many virtual conferences and events over the past two years, I’m thrilled to be able to attend in person, and I know you are too.
There are a lot of things I’m excited about for this year’s conference, but I’m going to start with a list of things to do in New Orleans during the #SHRM22 conference. I’ve put together a list of off the beaten path places that are can’t miss in NOLA. But first, if you are looking for SHRM related parties and events, I’d love for you to join our VIP SHRM Party List by texting ‘SHRM’ to 512-548-3005.
Here are my top seven:
- The New Orleans Vampire Cafe: Opened in 2021, this gothic cafe features a vampire-themed atmosphere and specialty cocktails named after blood types and crafted with Vampyre Vodka. It also offers outdoor tarot card readings in the Vampire Courtyard of Good & Evil, snake oil and custom fangs, world-class magic shows, self-service tea leaf readings, bite mark temporary tattoos, and more. Creep their Instagram for more. Open daily from 9am to 11pm. 801 Royal St., French Quarter.
- Bottom Of The Cup Tea Room: If you’re looking to experience something a little supernatural during your trip to NOLA, this tea room specializes in tarot card, palm and tea leaf psychic readings (and has been doing them since 1929!). Bottom of the Cup has established a reputation as being the place for the most reliable and authentic psychic readings in New Orleans. Closed on Tuesdays! Make online reservations here. 327 Chartres St., French Quarter
- The Dungeon: This is a dive bar that has been open in NOLA since 1969. It used to open at midnight (but opens at 6pm now, closing time is 3am and they’re closed on Wednesdays). It’s down a tiny secret alley just a quarter block off of Bourbon Street and there are no photos allowed inside, which just adds to the mystique. Here’s a little about The Dungeon’s origin story. 738 Toulouse St., French Quarter
- Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone: Rotating since 1949, the accurately named Carousel Bar & Lounge has become a NOLA icon at one of the city’s most haunted hotels. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to go for a spin, but you do have to be 21 or older. The carousel has 25 seats that take visitors on a fun ride around the bar while you sip on signature cocktails. Insiders say: Get the Pimm’s cup. They didn’t invent it; it’s just really good. There’s also a vast menu with tasty interpretations of Southern and all-American classics. Open daily from 11am to midnight. 214 Royal St., French Quarter
- Cemetery & Voodoo Legends Tour: If you want to get your daily steps in and learn a little bit about the history of haunted NOLA, this two-hour walking tour is historically accurate and hosted by 5-star guides. The tour is $25 per person ($15 for Veterans), begins at Pirates Alley in the French Quarter, and you can book tickets online on the website.
- Berry’s Latitude 29. Noted tiki writer, historian, and cocktail creator Jeff “Beachbum” Berry uses the term “Rum Row” to refer to the short stretch of the French Quarter along which three tiki bars operate. Berry’s bar, Latitude 29, is the third bar in the area that celebrates the culture of tropical drinks and what Berry calls “the paradigm of rum, sugar, and lime.” And according to locals, it’s the most authentic tiki experience. Sunday through Thursday hours: 4pm to 10pm. 321 N. Peters St., French Quarter.
- Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans Cultural Center & Collection. Most tourists head to Marie Laveau’s on Bourbon (and we’re not knocking that), but we hear that Voodoo Authentica tends to be less crowded and the staff is very informative. It’s part of NOLA’s history, plus couldn’t we all use a cleansing spell or a Juju to lift our spirits? (A Juju is a blessed object that is said to keep evil and negativity at bay.) Open Monday through Sunday, 11am to 7pm. 612 rue Dumaine, French Quarter.
Did I miss a must view place? If so, leave a comment below! Check out the conference calendar and sessions at SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022. I hope to see you there!
Get access to the SHRM VIP Unofficial Party List by texting ‘SHRM’ to 512-548-3005.
