We’ve all read the negative posts. Or, had a moment face-to-face with someone who wasn’t wearing a mask, who wasn’t washing their hands, or who openly sneezed on some cash and then tried to hand it over.

I’ve also found a great deal of hope in our city of New Orleans, stemming from people who were doing the right thing.

I’ve entered restaurants to find they were supplying every visitor with a mask––even at their own expense, during a time when extra expenses could prove dire. I’ve spent casual dinners out, excited at how safe a patio felt, and how temperate, thanks to newly added fans. Again, at the restaurant’s own expense. I’ve been blown away at one dive bar’s stringent rules and regulations.

If you’re in New Orleans, or you’re a visitor coming back to New Orleans, here are my favorite spots to frequent that keep you safe from Covid-19 in beautiful ways.

Betty’s Bar & Bistro

Formerly The 700 Club, this dive bar in the French Quarter has been a stomping ground since I moved here. They have the best chicken sandwich in the neighborhood and a cheap Happy Hour, but when I stopped in to pick up to-go a few days ago, I ended up staying for the meal. Why? You are met at the door with hand sanitizer, and you follow a masked staff member to your table, which is surrounded by blue painter’s tape and open windows. If you’re inside your tape area, you can hang out without a mask. Leaving your tape bubble? Mask up, folks! They even allow you to sit at the bar, but have removed the stools in-between for 10-foot spans.

Croissant d’Or

The patio here is shaded all day, and as such, stays much cooler. Grab a croissant from Peter, the owner, and bring your laptop. They have free, fast WiFi. You can also dine in, beneath high ceilings with plenty of room to avoid other guests, free hand sanitizer and the world’s best quiche.

Elysian at Hotel Peter & Paul

They turned their entire driveway in between the buildings into a “piazza.” Essentially, it’s a giant white wedding tent with wrought iron tables. But, they added fans––to keep you cool and to blow the Covid-19 germs down Burgundy Street. Get the grits! And the pâte!

Cane & Table

This is my favorite place for Happy Hour or Sunday brunch during normal times. It used to feel like such a score to find a table in a quiet, cute French Quarter courtyard, with its romantic stone work, tropical greenery and bright blue chairs. They now go above and beyond, with tiny signs you flip on the table if you want the waiter to stop by. Otherwise, you are left alone. They also meet you at the door with free masks and sanitizer, plus send you off with a touch-free bill service. I mean, could Kirk be any cuter in his mask?

The Magazine Antique Mall & Century Girl Vintage

I went shopping yesterday. I needed normalcy. I also wanted to support a few independently owned shops. I chose a day of vintage, and picked up an ice bucket for entertaining and a fun new ring, shaped like a leopard head. If you’ve ever been in my home, you’ve no doubt noticed I own a life-sized silver-plated leopard, as well as a crumbling second leopard outside, as well as a small black cat that looks like … well … a … Okay, I have a weird obsession.

Let’s leave that for now and just say that both these shopping experiences started with “Masks mandatory” signs on the front door, an entirely masked staff, and some hand sanitizer. Century Girl is also doing fun Instagram stories, and you can secure a purchase by sending her a message.

Harold’s Plant Shop

Tape! Sanitizer! Employees masked up, even though they are working outside, in atrocious heat some days. Harold’s has been a real saving grace these last few months, and I think they’d likely done record business. They were almost out of plants the last time I went. I really didn’t need to go, because this is my patio, now.

I have also been to the other plant shops in town, and while Perino’s is trying, they aren’t enforcing the rules. There were dozens of people shopping without masks. Harold’s insists upon them, which makes this pro-mask woman very, very happy. Their prices are among the best in the city, too. If you want a larger selection, go to Perino’s. If you want ducks and a larger selection of planters in all colors, go to Urban Roots … and if you want cut flowers, see my next paragraph.

Flora Sauvage

Stop by this little shop on Royal and Barracks and lightly tap on the window. They will throw the hurricane shutters wide. You stand outside, while they point to various flowers within, and you let them know how many stems you want. Then they create your bouquet, you hand over a credit card through the window and off you go to decorate your dining room table.

Southern Swings Nail Bar

This is the only place I would go for a pedicure, because you can make a reservation for an outdoor service. There are fans. Masks. And they offer free Champagne. Did I like the experience? It was lovely, but in all honesty, I won’t go back. I was really was torn. I wanted to support people who were back at work, and I left a 40% tip.

But, for me, the whole experience felt a little tone-deaf and insane. It’s too soon. No one needs a pedicure. I do my nails at home now. I could just as easily do my feet.

Is it likely to catch Covid-19 from 15 minutes, 5 feet away from someone, where you both have masks on, outside in a breeze? CDC says, “No.”

I just think I will continue to do my own toes for the time being.

I came. I tried. I’m back at my house.

Maybe this week, I’ll just take the salon ladies some cookies, as a gesture of support and solidarity in tough times. If you want a pedicure, or maybe you’re so stressed that you actually need a spa treatment, I would tell you to go here. Make a reservation for outside.

For those visitors curious about coming back, I say, “come on down,” so long as you are looking for a quiet, thoughtful few days, where you can be respectful and spend money in places following the rules. If you need suggestions on hotels doing the right thing, I’m happy to investigate that for you. The airbnb options are plentiful, as well.

And … as with all these places … tip HUGE if you can. Stay safe, New Orleans.

**All images for this post were stolen shamelessly from each business’ Instagram.