Circle Bar

Stumbled in and fell in love. Cool spot with laid back friendly crowd. There was a DJ playing 45s of 60s/​70s-​music was so good. It was like being in someone’s house at a dance party. I cannot wait to go back!

Cool bar, I came here during mod night and they played some bangers from the 50s. It’s a pretty snug spot so depending on how cozy you like it, you may find it too crowded.

This is a cute little place. It’s dark and pretty small, with just a few booths along the windows, making for a surprisingly intimate atmosphere.
We went here a couple of times. The first night there was no band and it was a good, quiet bar to just hang out and relax. The next time we came in there was a blues rock band playing that made the atmosphere slightly more raucous but still pretty laid back and fun.
Service is quick and prices are good.
Overall this is just a really solid neighborhood dive bar.

Went there on Lundi Gras. As we were leaving, my friend tripped and fell down. As I was helping her up, the girl at the door screamed at us that we had to go. I told her we were leaving, as she continued to scream louder for us to get out. I told her again and again we were leaving as she continued to scream get out. I again told her we were leaving and said she didn’t have to be a b***h about it. As I was walking out the door, she jumped up and shoved me in the back with everything she had out the door. She knocked me into two other people and injured one of them. The manager was unconcerned.

One of my fave neighborhood bars. Yes it’s tiny but size really doesn’t matter in this instance.

I walked my friends about 20 minutes outside the quarter to come here because Norco Lapalco was playing (check out their music if you haven’t, you’re the only reason they’re not famous yet).
The bar is dark and cozy with a great non-​internet jukebox. The area for musicians to play in takes up most of the bar, I could see it being hard to watch a show here especially if it’s a more popular group that’s playing. My friend settled in for most of the evening in this cubbyhole of a booth that offers a dangerous amount of privacy for either foreplay or a nap, depending on how drunk you are.
Since it’s out of the way of the quarter we ended up meeting a lot of friendly locals who live in the area (as well as one couple who didn’t live there but come back once every 10 years or so to see a new band). The trolley stops right outside to take you back to where you’re probably staying, it’s definitely worth the trip.

My fiancé brought me here for a quick drink one night. Trying to park was ridiculous! Once we finally got a spot to park and got inside, I enjoyed it. It’s small, not a lot of seating but it wasn’t crowded. The bartender was very good. Not the overly friendly «I’m just trying to get a tip» attitude, but a «hey wut’s up, let me make you a drink so you can have a good time and relax» attitude. She made probably the best midori sour I’ve ever had. The prices were fair. There was a band inside. I enjoyed their music, but it was a bit too loud for that small bar. Overall, I’d go back for sure! It’s more of a have a couple drinks and relax bar, not the party all night bar. Sometimes you just need that.

Nice night at divey Circle Bar. Good Proseco and ambient solo artists, talkable sound levels mostly good and that’s what we hoped for, likable staff. Comfort level high.

I really wanted to like this place a lot more than I actually did. What better spot for a dive bar than Lee Circle??? Circle Bar isn’t bad, but nothing special. Sure, it’s worth stopping into for a cold one, but you’ll find many more unique watering holes within a few blocks of here.

Dive bar where you would least expect it. I like dive bars but the smell of urine is pretty bad and everywhere. in all fairness i have been there a couple times but last night was the only time i smelled urine. it was pretty bad so we didnt stay long.
the bartender was nice and the dark and stormys were good and cheap. Id go back because i like the place and sometimes they have music. but if it ever smells like urine again i am going to mark it off my list forever.

Written ¹¹⁄₂₀₁₂: Maybe I’m being sensitive but I had a mediocre experience here. I loved everything about this bar except the service… specifically from the bartender. I got the vibe my friend and I were not wanted because we weren’t «hipster» enough. There were two other people at the bar besides us but the bartender kept passing us by. Maybe I’m being dramatic. Other than that the bands were really amazing. The crowd in general was laid back.

Great bar with a lot of character! Great happy hour prices as well! And live music! Definitely stop in here!
We decided to stop in here because of a coupon we had gotten, and it was a great find! It is in this great old building that you can tell has a ton of history behind it. Ask the bartenders about it and they will tell you some of the stories. There were mostly locals there and it had a great atmosphere. I would definitely recommend stopping in here for a drink!

As a bar, this place is pretty cool. Decent prices, good vibe, not too loud, not too crowded, casual vibe. All things I really like. I’d give that experience 4 stars.
However, I’ve been here for live music a couple of times and it just didn’t suit my fancy. That would get 2 stars.
First, the space is SO small that I feel like I’m on top of the band. I wish that was a figurative statement. You can’t really see them unless you’re in the front row (because there’s people in front of you if you’re not in the front). I like to watch the band and see how they interact with each other and how they play their instruments, as I’m a bit of a musician myself. I find that interesting. It’s nigh impossible here.
Second, because the space is so small, it gets really loud. Not in a pleasant way, more in a we’re-cranking-up-the-music-so-loud-it-makes-your-ears-ring-in-this-tiny-space way. It’s like they’re trying to fool you into thinking you’ve got a real party going, when really you can’t fit more than about 20 – 30 people on the dance floor.
Third, what I should have said was «dance» floor. Because it is not really a dance floor, more like a stand-​here-​squished-​up-​against-​the-​band-​and-​all-​these-​strangers-​without-​being-​able-​to-​move-​at-​all floor. And maybe it was the particular show I went to (there were a lot of hipsters in the audience, and I tend to blame them for any– and everything wrong in life… sorry?) but there was really not much dancing when there really should have been. The band was rocking! Why are you just standing there? MOVE. YOUR. BOTTOM. PLEASE.
I would definitely give this place another try, especially because of its location directly off the St. Charles streetcar line, and because maybe it was just a weird crowd the last time I went. I would recommend it for an interesting bar that you probably can’t find in a whole lot of other places on this planet.

Liked this bar. Really did. Jeremy was fantastic when we first got there, awesome vibe. Great 80s music. Then I noticed a mass exodus of customers. Seems Belle was coming taking over the shift. I decided to switch to draft beer. I asked for a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a glass. «No glass,» says Belle. When I pointed them out on a shelf, not 3 feet away from me, she says «No glass on my shift.»
Half the people, half the fun, surly attitude, Belle can really bring ‘em in… Won’t be back.

Ah Circle Bar, the juxtaposition of your skinny little dwelling on Lee Circle with hotels and a supes posh bar and, well, a gas station is enough to draw someone in.
At the crack of dawn, in my San Fermin «Running of the Bulls» garb you can fit a third of the Stomper’s group, but at the crack of 1 am, I can barely move in the throws of elated fans straining their vocal chords to match those of the Natty Light All Stars and ducking tossed Natty Light beer cans, unsuccessfully at times.
It’s like a bar from Harry Potter (showing my youth, I know) that contracts and expands to what the current nature of the beast… er bar is!
It’s not one of my usuals since it’s not really on the track between where I’ve been and where I’m going, but great to get up close and personal with a band, but you’ve gotta be down with some arm touching, possible squishiness, and minor difficulty getting a drink near your coveted spot to watch the band — but the equivalent to a lot of fun if you’re already a little tipsy or not a big drinker.
They have a little back patio, and the bartenders are cool enough. Pretty mellow, when there isn’t a band, for chilling. If the Natty’s are there, watch out for flying beer! Yours, if you catch it!

Really small bar, but a really cool place to see a band.
I spent Saturday evening here for the first time since the whole renovation. We were there to see a band and it was a good crowd. Circle Bar is extremely small, so we were sure to get there early so that we had a good spot at the bar to sit and enjoy the evening. It filled up fast, but the crowd wasn’t too bad. The band performed in a small area in a corner and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The staff was super friendly and attentive and all and all it was a great time.

A nice divey bar, which I tend to not necessarily like, but this one was charming… I think I really liked the great live music I experienced on a Friday night. The drink were fine and the crowd was laid-​back and easy-​going. This is a good spot to go to for a casual evening out and is easy to get to from the downtown area.

Way back, 4 years ago, this place was pretty dive-​y. Dark, uninviting, and cramp… really cramp. They basically converted a house on Lee Circle into a bar with live music. But they left it looking like a house so you had all this negative space that wasn’t be utilized properly. If you came to see some live music, you were basically in the band’s play space.
Then Circle Bar closed for a good time as they made some renovations and boy did it make a difference! It has kept some of its dive-​bar-​ness but infused it with a touch of style. The whole bar area with the expose brick really gets my attention every time I come. It reminds me of One Eyed Jack’s front bar area. Not only can you get your fancy mixed drinks but you can also get $ 2 PBR.
The live music area was also expanded but it still feels like I’m on top of the band as they play. This is fine with me because I know most of the bands members that I come here to see. Their sound system is alright; nothing as sophisticated as Tipitina’s or Howlin’ Wolf but it gets the job done. The more I think about it, the more I assume that the musicians themselves enjoy this space and sound system.
Overall, I enjoy Circle Bar very much and it’s a great place to start an evening or go see some great live music in a more intimate setting.

Super divey, smoke-​free, live music, good/​cheap dranks & it’s right off the Lee Circle St. Charles stop. Perfect! So glad I needed to pee whilst waiting for the bus when our streetcar broke down here,’ cuz otherwise, we woulda missed this hidden gem. They don’t serve food, but luckily a couple set up shop guerrilla style & started selling $ 5 coconut curry po’boys, served in freshly baked bread. So damn good and such perfect timing ‘cuz we were fiending for some grub. Our bill after 10 or so drinks? $ 30. Loooooove! Micah McKee & his band were amazing and definitely added to the vibe of this place.

I love this bar.
I love that it’s in a big ol’ Victorian house looming over Lee Circle and that you feel like you’ve found a secret and spectacular bordello leftover from Storyville days.
I love that they have fantastic specials and all-​around great prices when it’s not happy hour.
I love that they have live music that goes well with the intimate space.
I love that it’s smoke-​free.
And I love that it’s «scene-​free.» As in just some good music, good crowd of varying ages looking to catch some good music… good good good!
I hate to put a «but» in here «but»… Last time I was here, I absolutely loved the bartender who was working but most recently, not so much. Perhaps the chick was having an off night… C’mon, do the hustle, girl!