People gather by the hundreds to witness or participate and the balconies are packed for hours on end. In between bar stops, people walk and gather on Rue Bourbon, many peering up at the balconies for girls willing to lift their top for a peek at their breasts in exchange for a string of Mardi Gras beads. Just pour unfinished drinks in plastic “to go” cups and hit to the street. Often, people are allowed to roam freely from one to the other arriving or departing with cocktails. There is no cover charge at any of them, although bars with bands generally charge more for drinks. The bars range from dives to small clubs with live bands to places with counters serving frozen drinks, beer and jello shots (some made with Everclear). Sprinkled in are a few restaurants, jazz clubs and hotels. Located right in the middle of the French Quarter, it is a collection of bars, souvenir shops, more bars, strip clubs and sex shows (though it hardly compares to the Red Light District of Amsterdam), and even more bars. The heart of Bourbon Street is only about 7 blocks in length, but it’s an intense seven blocks. There’s no holding back when you’re on Bourbon Street! The balconies provide an elevated perch to see the action below on Bourbon Street. This article does not included any of the gay bar and drag shows, which are located on the far end of Bourbon Street, half a mile or so in the direction opposite of Canal Street.
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Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is full of many visitors and the bars provide plenty of liquid courage to meet fellow-minded PubClubbers from all over the country and even the world. Some places do have live jazz in keeping with New Orleans tradition. There are classic cocktails, the World Famous Cats Meow with its karaoke, and live music with cover bands is everywhere, as are dance floors. In New Orleans, and in particular on Bourbon Street, it’s all a matter of mind, body and soul and spirit(s). įor some, the body says its time to leave far before the clock does for others, it’s the last man (or woman) standing. It is simply a friendly block party and it goes on until you decide to leave. Being largely a tourist area, Bourbon Street gets groups of reveling travelers.īourbon Street is neither decadent nor elegant, seedy nor snazzy, cheesy nor charming. Ya gotta have beads on Bourbon Street shots help, too.
That Allan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett song “It’s Five O’Clock somewhere” has a home here. In New Orleans, it has no beginning or end. In most cities, the weekend starts on a Thursday. Weekdays are hardly distinguishable from weekends. It is all part of the Orleans experience and provides for great people watching in addition to having your own fun. It is full of cheap drinks – particularly during the daily happy hour specials at most of the bars – and you can feel like Oscar Wilde, Jean Lafitte or Mark Twain while going wild. This is New Orleans’ most famous street, the Amsterdam of America, a place dominated by drinks and drinkers where the cocktail is king and bars stand side-by-side block after block. 504 - 899 - 6987.A Guide To The Balconies, Beads & Bands In The Big Easy Bourbon Street is a party with balconies and lots of lively bars.īy Kevin Wilkerson, Nightlife Bloggerįew places on Earth possess the year-round party atmosphere as does New Orleans. 504 - 894 - 9880.īrigtsen's Restaurant 723 Dante St., New Orleans, LA. Patois 6078 Laurel St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 895 - 9441.Ĭlancy's Restaurant 6100 Annunciation St., New Orleans, LA. The Columns Hotel 3811 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 504 - 899 - 9308. 504 - 265 - 0421.Ĭafe Atchafalaya 901 Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, LA. Bon Appetit.Ĭommander's Palace 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA. You will have a lot of decisions to make planning in NOLA. Patois, Clancy, Dick and Jenny's and Brigtsen's are outstanding restaurants Uptown. Have a few drinks at The Column's Hotel on their porch off St. Take the street car to Washington and walk 2 blocks to Commander's. You should plan an afternoon walking and visiting the fine shops and restaurants on Magazine Street in the 3,000 to 5,000 block area. Coquette is another great restaurant a few blocks from Commander's on Magazine. You should have lunch at Commander's in the GD for $25.00 and 25 cent Martini's. Charles Streetcar to Uptown/ Garden District for lunch/dinner at some fine restaurants there.