Hangovers: The Price of Admission to New Orleans' Nightlife

The Price of Admission

The hangover is New Orleans' most democratic affliction — a bipartisan, interfaith, cross-cultural experience that unites tourists and locals, saints and sinners, in the shared misery of having had too good a time the night before. In a city with no last call, go-cups on every corner, and a cultural attitude toward alcohol that can be described as "enthusiastically permissive," the hangover is not a surprise. It's a certainty. It's the cover charge for living in the greatest party city in America.

Typical symptoms include headache, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, absence of hunger, depression, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and regret. That last one is particularly acute in New Orleans, where the regret comes flavored with specific memories: the third Hand Grenade, the Sazerac that seemed like a great idea at midnight, the decision to try the Hurricane "just to see what it tastes like."

The New Orleans Hangover Cure

New Orleanians have developed an elaborate pharmacopoeia of hangover cures, most of which involve eating. A po-boy from Verti Marte at 3 AM is preventive medicine. Beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde are the morning-after sacrament. A plate of eggs and grits at a Bywater diner. A bowl of gumbo that sweats out the toxins. The city's food culture exists, in part, as a support system for the drinking culture — each propping the other up like two friends stumbling home together.

The truly seasoned New Orleanian knows that the best hangover cure is simply to start drinking again — the "hair of the dog" approach that works right up until the moment it doesn't. Bloody Marys at brunch, Mimosas with eggs, a cold beer in the afternoon shade — the city provides abundant opportunities to push the reckoning to tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hangovers in New Orleans

Why are hangovers worse in New Orleans?

No last call, go-cups that encourage continued drinking while walking, extreme heat that accelerates dehydration, and a social culture that normalizes heavy consumption all contribute to more intense hangovers.

What's the best hangover cure in New Orleans?

Locals swear by greasy food (po-boys, beignets), strong coffee, electrolytes, and time. Some advocate for the "hair of the dog" approach. Results vary.