News

July 27, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy Encourages New Orleans Nightlife Businesses to Take Advantage of Free SAFE Bar Network Training and Certification

NEW ORLEANS, LA — The City of New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy (O.N.E.) is encouraging bars, music venues, restaurants, breweries, and other nightlife businesses to participate in SAFE Bar Network’s free training and certification program for hospitality workers. 

Designed specifically for nightlife and hospitality settings, SAFE Bar Network training covers active-bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, harassment prevention, and workplace culture. Trainings are provided on-site at participating venues, can accommodate teams of any size, and are offered at no cost to businesses. 

July 9, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy & City Council partner to support hospitality businesses with summer event series Districts After Dark

NEW ORLEANS - The Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy and City Councilmembers encourage residents to show support for neighborhood nightlife businesses this summer and invite their recommendations for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues they should visit on a special night out in each of the city’s five council districts. 

For five consecutive weeks, between Independence Day and Labor Day, a district City Councilmember and a local social media influencer will go on a night-crawl of three nightlife businesses across the councilmember’s district. One stop is to be chosen by the influencer, one by the Councilmember and the final stop chosen by residents via an online vote at districtsafterdark.com.  

May 13, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Among Founding Members of New National Music Office Coalition

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy (O.N.E.) is proud to announce its role as a founding member of the newly launched Association of Music Offices (AMO), a national coalition connecting city, state, nonprofit, and community-based music offices working to strengthen local music ecosystems across the United States. 

The partnership gives New Orleans direct access to national collaboration around music policy, artist support, nightlife management, workforce development, economic growth, and strategies to sustain local music cultures in rapidly changing cities.

April 30, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Nighttime Economy Initiatives Named Finalists for 2026 Music Cities Awards

New Orleans, LA - Two City of New Orleans initiatives have been named finalists for the 2026 Music Cities Awards, an international program recognizing cities that are using music to drive economic development, strengthen communities, and support cultural ecosystems.  New Orleans is among the top four finalists globally in two categories: Nightlife and Safe Space in Music, and Music Cities Policy.

April 30, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy and The Ella Project Announce Continuation of Music Census Sessions

New Orleans, LA — The City of New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy (O.N.E.), in partnership with The Ella Project, announced the continuation of the Music Census Sessions, a free professional development series designed to support local musicians and music industry professionals. Following a successful inaugural year funded by the City of New Orleans, the 2026 series will be supported through grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). 

Launched in 2025, the Music Census Sessions were created in response to findings from the New Orleans Music Census, which identified a clear need for accessible, practical business education and career development resources for musicians at all stages. 

April 28, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Nighttime Economy Initiatives Named Finalists for 2026 Music Cities Awards

New Orleans, LA - Two City of New Orleans initiatives have been named finalists for the 2026 Music Cities Awards, an international program recognizing cities that are using music to drive economic development, strengthen communities, and support cultural ecosystems. New Orleans is among the top four finalists globally in two categories

February 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Office of Nighttime Economy and Louisiana Department of Health Host Harm Reduction Pop-Ups for Nightlife and Hospitality Workers

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy, in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), will host harm reduction pop-ups in the lobby of Gallier Hall on Monday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

These pop-ups are designed to support nightlife business operators and hospitality workers with the tools, training, and knowledge needed to respond effectively in emergencies as the city prepares for the upcoming parade season. Attendees will be able to pick up free harm reduction supplies, including naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan), a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as fentanyl test strips, which can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in substances. The Office of Nighttime Economy will also have a limited supply of drink test strips available and informational signage for venues to post, reinforcing overdose prevention, patron safety, and emergency response awareness in nightlife and hospitality settings.

October 27, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS RELEASES FIRST-EVER NIGHTTIME ECONOMY STRATEGIC PLAN

New plan establishes a roadmap to strengthen and sustain New Orleans’ after-dark economy through coordination, policy, and partnership.

September 8, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy Announces Block 3 of Music Census Sessions in Partnership with The Ella Project and New Orleans Public Library

The City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy, in partnership with The Ella Project and the New Orleans Public Library, today announced details for Block 3 of the Music Census Sessions, a free public education series designed to provide musicians and music industry professionals with the tools and knowledge to strengthen their careers. 

August 18, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Partners with Loyola University to Launch “Tune-Up Grant Program” to Support Sound Management in New Orleans Music Venues

The City of New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy today announced the official launch of the Tune-Up Grant Program, a new initiative that supports live music venues in improving sound quality and reducing neighborhood noise concerns, while creating career-building opportunities for emerging music industry professionals studying in New Orleans.