Final answer:
New Orleans is renowned for its party atmosphere thanks to its diverse and lively culture, history of jazz, and open social scene, contrasting with other areas that experienced strict prohibition laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
New Orleans has long been associated with a party atmosphere, a contrast clearly demonstrated in the way the city embraces its diverse and lively culture (c), one example being the annual Mardi Gras celebration. This festive environment is fueled by the city’s rich history of jazz music and its reputation for musical innovation and performance, which is a testament to New Orleans’ extensive musical traditions rather than a lack thereof. Jazz played a central role during the Prohibition era in locales like speakeasies, offering a space that showcased not just the music but also a burgeoning culture of social and sexual liberation.
Moreover, New Orleans' tolerance for different lifestyles and its lax attitude toward alcohol, in contrast to strict Prohibition-era policies elsewhere, allowed for a more open social scene. This is quite opposite to the early 20th century, where an establishment like the Vernon club in Vernon, LA went out of business after the legalization of beer in a previously dry county, indicating how prohibition laws affected vice businesses. Opposed to the strict alcohol regulations (a) and contrasting the serene and peaceful environment (b), it’s New Orleans’ vibrant cultural mosaic that sets the proper stage for a party atmosphere.
The city’s party atmosphere is also rooted in its history, such as during the Bourbon Era, when the Creole elite adopted Enlightenment ideas to justify their desire for more social and political authority (b), indirectly contributing to the city's unique social fabric. Another important aspect was the historical segregation of venues, like the Cotton Club in Manhattan, where a “plantation atmosphere” prevailed, and black artists entertained a white-only clientele. Such contradictions of American culture also resonated in New Orleans, where the elements of black culture were both celebrated and segregated, further enriching and complicating its cultural landscape.