Drinking underaged in New Orleans Louisiana ?

If you don't make a drunken mess of yourself like most tourists do here, then you'll be fine, you'll stay off the radar.   Just have him buy the drink for you.  YOU go sit at the table while HE goes to the bar.  Some bars will check your ID on the way in and give you a bracelet to wear that indicates you are under age.  I know Tropical Isle doesn't check ID on the way in.  

The federal government blackmailed Louisiana into changing the drinking age from 18 to 21 in 1996.  There are only two exceptions when buying alcoholic beverages in a bar, club, or restaurant:

1.  If you are 18, 19, or 20 and your parent buys the drink for you.

2.  If you are 18, 19, or 20 and your age 21+ spouse buys the drink for you. 

In both cases the establishment can demand to see proof of the relationship (birth certificate or marriage license) and you both need government issued photo ID which matches the names on the BC or ML.  The establishment can still refuse to sell alcohol to someone under 21 even if an exception applies.   

Unfortunately, your bf buying drinks for you is not covered by either exception. He > may < be able to buy drinks for you in more relaxed bars that aren't frequented by underage customers but it is not something you can count on getting away with.

What I suspect many people in your situation do is carry a flask and add alcohol to the cola/juice/whatever by going to the restroom so the staff does not see them do it.  

There is no problem with your bf sharing alcohol with you while the two of you are in your hotel room or in a private home.  That can be an issue in other states, but not Louisiana 

Yes, it is legal. We're going back soon with our 19-year-old daughter. When we took her last year, at 18, she was able to drink in most places if we ordered the drink for her. There are some places where you have to be 21, however, but they will let you know.

It is sad that you believe "how great the night life is." is dependent on alcohol.

How sad you cannot understand the legal drinking age.

Could you get away with....   MAYBE not guaranteed.

Bars are fined when caught selling to underage.They have no joy in paying the fines.

Do as you will . Being an obnoxious drunk is not a good idea. Police will not care how old you are.

You might get away with it.

You might be stopped at the door.

You might be asked to leave.

You could also have a grand time and not consume the expensive alcohol laced items.

I was there two years ago, and every place I went I saw someone busted for underage drinking.  The bartenders and security people were on top of it like crazy.  Only saw the cops called twice, though.

My sister was 20 a few years ago and she successfully got in a bar and someone else bought her a drink near the French quarter. An employee later came up to her and asked her to leave. You’ll probably get away with it at least for a little while. 

Drinking any alcohol is bad for one's health, but anyway they have a lot of police down there and they are eager to bust underage drinkers.  If you get away with it depends on a lot of variables, like were you drink and how much.

No unless you have a really good ID. Bars have to pay a heavy fine and risk losing their liquor license if there’s too many violations so they’re extra careful when it comes to serving alcohol. 

New Orleans has fine experienced bar staff who are expert at spotting fake IDs. They've seen lots of them and know what to look for.