Frenchmen Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Frenchmen Street. Photo by Stephen McCarthy via Flickr
To this day, tour guides tell you that Frenchmen Street is an off-the-beaten gem, a “local’s Bourbon Street” where real New Orleanians gather to listen to live music and grab a drink.
Excuse a bit of an eye roll on our part; that “locals-majority” term may have rung true at the beginning of the twenty-teens, and to a degree, it’s an accurate description of Frenchmen throughout the 90s and much of the noughties. But the street really achieved a critical mass of popularity post-Katrina, and in the past few years, Frenchmen is tourist-central come evening, especially on weekends.
But so what? It’s still a blast. On Frenchmen Street, certain things are just guaranteed: proximity to good music, good food, interesting culture, and an unbeatable street scene. Of course, this street is popular — who wouldn’t be lured in by those considerable qualities?
Here’s our block-by-block breakdown of what to look for on Frenchmen Street, starting from the Decatur-Esplanade intersection and moving “down” towards St. Claude Avenue. Keep in mind that music sets usually pop off between 6 and 11 p.m., although there is always room for variation.
Note that we only cover the “music strip” of Frenchmen Street in this article; there are other parts of the street that include both residential, parkland, and commercial blocks.
Check Point Charlie by Infrogmation of New Orleans on Flickr
Esplanade & Decatur
Of course, the weirdness gets a start right at the beginning of iconic Frenchmen. Heck, it gets a start before you even get on Frenchmen — there’s usually a jumble of tourists, locals having a night out, and tribes of youths in the neutral ground (median) that runs through Esplanade Avenue out here.
Be on the lookout for Check Point Charlie (501 Esplanade Ave). This may look like a rough punk music bar (and it still is, in a lot of ways) from the outside, but management attracts a pretty wide range of clientele. Check Point Charlie feels pretty divey, but once inside, the music is almost always wonderful. An added bonus: Check Point sells amazing cheeseburgers throughout the evening. A nicely charred patty on a bun is a great means of regaining energy during late Frenchmen Street nights.
LA Music Factory. Photo by Infrogmation New Orleans on Flickr
Esplanade & Decatur, Part 2
The city streets do a weird geography trick, forming a “v” around the Faubourg Marigny fire station. Frenchmen Street exists on both sides of that “v.”
Just around the corner (and technically not on Frenchmen, but worth noting) is the Dragon’s Den (435 Esplanade Avenue), one of the city’s standout music clubs. You won’t get any PreHall-style Dixieland jazz here — the Den, which has been featured in TV shows like True Detective, is all about an eclectic range of music, from DJ nights to reggae to Latin dance parties.
Also at the edge of this block is the enormous Louisiana Music Factory (421 Frenchmen Street), your one-stop shop for all things related to the state’s considerable musical heritage. Seriously, if someone cut an album and has a connection to the state of Louisiana, chances are the staff here can get that music into your hands.
Beyond the above, be on the lookout for pop-up art galleries and similar businesses in this stretch of Frenchmen.
The Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street. Photo by Stephen McCarthy via Flickr
Between Decatur & Chartres
Now the street is getting hot.
First up: The still-vacant space at 504 Frenchmen Street, which used to be home to the mainstay Mona’s, replaced post-pandemic by the now-defunct Torshi. We’re hoping the space won’t stay vacant for long. Just across the street, a little ways off of Frenchmen, is the Brieux Carré Brewing Co. (2115 Decatur Street), a microbrewery with a dozen taps, snacks, and an outdoor seating area.
Moving on. This is Frenchmen Street, so music is in the cards. The Maison (508 Frenchmen Street) is a relatively new bar compared to some of its neighbors on this street, yet it is one of the major centers of gravity for local live music. Jazz acts take over the large front area, where you can order excellent imbued spirits from behind the bar. This spot, plus the nearby Bamboula’s (516 Frenchmen Street), seems to attract a younger crowd on the weekends, although to be fair, you can get any kind of crowd anywhere depending on the time of the year.
Further down the street, we come across the Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen), one of the city’s great jazz clubs. There’s never really an off night here, although you can get acts ranging from raucous brass band dance parties to soulful crooners; make sure to check the online schedule before you pop in.
Nearby, the Three Muses (536 Frenchmen) is one of the great dinner-and-a-show venues in town, seeing as it combines those two elements on any night you please. It can get crowded, so you want to make a table reservation (good for 90 minutes, after which you can go to the bar.) The rule makes sense, else everyone would sit through the nightly shows and no tables would ever open up.
Dat Dog. Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans
Between Chartres & Royal
Pro tip: Not only is the second floor of Dat Dog (601 Frenchmen) filled with decorations culled from the Krewe of Chewbacchus (the city’s science fiction/fantasy-themed Mardi Gras krewe), but the balcony is also a great spot for people-watching, especially the bands that often play at the intersection of Frenchmen & Chartres. The hot dogs are pretty amazing too.
Cafe Negril (606 Frenchmen) is one of our favorite spots for reggae and dancehall music in the city, not least because there’s an excellent taqueria slinging tacos in the back kitchen. Across the way, the Apple Barrel Bar (609 Frenchmen) is one of the smallest, most intimate venues in New Orleans; upstairs, you can treat your date to a romantic Italian dinner at Adolfo’s.
Afterward, head next door to the Art Garden & Floating Gallery (613 Frenchmen), an open-air venue that showcases local artwork, sculpture and crafts. Want a souvenir from New Orleans? Get one here, as you would be giving your money directly to local creators.
We continue this trip with three excellent jazz clubs: d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen), with its enormous beer and whiskey menu and consistent lineup of great acts; Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen), the classiest jazz joint in the neighborhood, where you can enjoy a dinner with your show; and The Spotted Cat Music Club (623 Frenchmen), a club where you can groove to some of the most talented live acts in the city.
On the same block, you’ll find Frenchmen All Day (630 Frenchmen St.). Small and quaint, Frenchmen All Day is a cafe with indoor seating, as well as sidewalk cafe seating, a full bar, coffee, and brunch fare. The menu has breakfast quiches, Cuban sandwiches, and NOLA staples like crawfish etouffee. The last venue we’d like to highlight that lives on the block is Marigny Brasserie (640 Frenchmen St.). This casual, live music venue at the end of Frenchmen offers an elevated Cajun/Creole menu, hand-crafted cocktails, a good wine list, and local draft beer plus, of course, live music.
Between Royal & Dauphine
Across the street, on the 700 block of Frenchmen Street, you’ll find the tiny but popular Remedy Bar (The Royal Frenchmen Bar, 700 Frenchmen St.). Sharing the same address is Mr. Joe’s Island Grill & Seafood BBQ, where you can get ribs, jerk chicken and smoked brisket platters till 2 a.m. We end our journey at Washington Square, a charming, historic park where you can walk your dog, rest on the benches in the shade, picnic, fly a frisbee, or hit the small playground with your kid.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Satchmo SummerFest Celebrates the Legacy of Louis Armstrong
Photo courtesy of Satchmo SummerFest on Facebook
Satchmo SummerFest started in 2001 as a tribute to Louis Armstrong, one of New Orleans’ most prominent native residents, on his 100th birthday (“Satchmo” was one of Armstrong’s several nicknames). Ever since the fest remains the August highlight and just the respite we need from the long weeks of summer.
The annual festival, traditionally held over the first weekend of August in the French Quarter (falling on Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024, this year), is easy to navigate and get to. The fest will be spread on two stages at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (at the Old U.S. Mint).
While the 2024 music and vendor lineups are TBA, the always-stellar music lineup included in the past the Big 6 Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, Preservation Brass, Jeremy Davenport, Charmaine Neville, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, and more.
Among the festival’s traditional special events, the annual Jazz Mass will again be held at St. Augustine church (1210 Governor Nicholls St.) on Sunday, August 4, at 10 a.m. It’s a popular event, so arrive early if you plan to attend.
Immediately following mass, join the “Satchmo Salute” second line parade, which will make its way from the church to Armstrong Park before secondlining down to Esplanade Avenue and the festival’s grounds at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
For schedule, lineup and updates please check the event’s website or its Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Satchmo SummerFest on Facebook
You may also want to know:
Admission is free.
There will be shaded picnic tables on the grounds for dining.
Parking: For street parking, you may want to look along the stretch of the French Market and at the foot of Esplanade Avenue. There is also a 24/7 parking lot by the French Market along the river. Enter from St. Peter Street.
Pops’ Playhouse for Kids at the Jazz Museum will have children’s activities.
No coolers or ice chests, and no outside food or drink, please.
Festival details:
What: The annual Satchmo SummerFest
When: Saturday-Sunday, August 3-4, 2024
Where: New Orleans Jazz Museum (at the U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., French Quarter)
Admission: Free
Schedule and food vendors: https://satchmosummerfest.org/
Coming to New Orleans in August?
Check out our guide to where to stay in the French Quarter, and be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels. Also, consider booking a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans.
For easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy August!
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The Inside Scoop on Southern Decadence in the French Quarter
Photo by David Fary
Born in the early 70s as a going-away party, Southern Decadence has evolved into a massive and immensely popular four-day festival that celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and attracts participants from all over the world. It’s traditionally celebrated over the Labor Day weekend and is considered the fifth largest event in New Orleans after Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, and the French Quarter Festival.
This year’s Southern Decadence falls on Saturday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The 2024 Grand Marshalls Jeffrey Mayeux, Paribe Meyer and Vanessa Carr Kennedy announced that this year’s theme is “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” and the official colors are blue (50 shades of blue to be exact), gold, and pink flamingo pink. Just like every year, most activities will be centered in and around the French Quarter, with lots of block parties and dance parties at bars and clubs on Bourbon Street.
The hub of the festival is again Bourbon Pub/Parade, with two rocking floors and an expansive balcony. The Pub will be open late nightly, especially on Friday and Saturday (till 5 a.m.)
Photo by David Fary
The Pub will be hosting numerous events throughout the festival, including a kick-off and closing parties. It will again serve as an epicenter of the annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza, a free show/block party happening at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets.
The annual Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade on Sunday will start at the Golden Lantern Bar (1239 Royal St.) at 2 p.m.
Photo by David Fary
Several French Quarter bars and clubs will also host the festival crowds that weekend. Oz dance club and Lafitte’s, both on Bourbon St., will be hopping as they do every year. Oz has DJ’d shows every night and fills up during Southern Decadence. Lafitte’s, a 24/7 French Quarter mainstay since the 1950s, has generous happy hour deals and a wraparound balcony. Although not part of the Bourbon Street stretch, the Good Friends bar at 740 Dauphine St. in the French Quarter also receives a fair share of the festival partygoers. The downstairs will be open for 24 hours Wednesday through Sunday.
Although a lot of events are confined to the French Quarter, the festival generally spills into quite a few bars and clubs in the Marigny and the Bywater. The Friendly Bar at 2301 Chartres St. is a quiet neighborhood bar with a pool table, solid jukebox, and well-priced drinks. Big Daddy’s Bar (2513 Royal St.) also has a pool table, a jukebox, and a neighborhood vibe. These two bars, plus Pepp’s Pub right next door to Big Daddy’s Bar (it replaced Cutter’s), are great for a quiet after-party conversation.
Photo by David Fary
Are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans during Southern Decadence? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Royal Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Royal Street between St. Louis and Conti streets. Photo by Ken Lund
For a full 13 blocks stretching in the French Quarter, Royal Street runs parallel to Bourbon Street, yet this thoroughfare — one of the finest stretches of art galleries, antique stores, wrought-iron balconies, restaurants, and architecture in the USA — is sometimes almost completely missed by visitors. This is a real shame; beyond the qualities we’ve just described, Royal Street makes a nice counterbalance to the neon and noise of Bourbon. Well, you’ve read these words, so now you’ve been briefed: Royal Street is pretty cool. Here’s our block-by-block guide, running from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue.
Hotel Monteleone and the Carousel Bar & Lounge
214 Royal Street
The Monteleone is one of the grandest old-school New Orleans hotels and has a history of housing authors — from Ernest Hemingway to William Faulkner to the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival — and ghosts. We are not big on contacting other realms of existence here, but we have come close at the excellent Carousel Bar, where the constantly rotating main bar area conspires with the strong drinks to make you feel extra loopy.
Cafe Beignet
334 Royal Street
Almost everyone coming to New Orleans has heard of Cafe Du Monde, but Cafe Beignet seems to fly under a lot of radars. Without making a value judgment, we’d say the beignets at Du Monde are smaller and crisper; the ones at Cafe Beignet are larger and softer. One definitive judgment call: This is one of the most romantic outdoor dining destinations in the Quarter. You’re on a quiet, pretty stretch of Royal where the main company is begging pigeons and sparrows.
The 400 Block
The 400 block of Royal is distinctive because an entire side of the street is taken up by one building: the Louisiana Supreme Court. This massive, marble Beaux Arts building wouldn’t feel out of place in Washington, D.C., but for the palm trees and humid wind that always sways around the steps.
The structure was finished in 1910, vacated in 1958, neglected for decades, and eventually restored to its old glory in the 1990s. On the front steps, you’ll see a statue of Edward Douglass White Jr., 9th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme County, best known for upholding the right of states to segregate in Plessy vs. Ferguson and upholding the eight-hour workday after reviewing the Adamson Act.
Across the street is Brennan’s (417 Royal Street), one of the most important restaurants in the city. Back in the day, spots like Brennan’s led the revival of Creole cuisine that popularized New Orleans food across the country. Stop in for any meal, although we particularly love breakfast with a classic “eye-opener” (cocktail).
The Pedestrian Mall
The blocks of Royal between Bienville and Orleans streets become a pedestrian mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Take advantage of that window and use your feet to explore this gorgeous stretch of the French Quarter.
Trashy Diva
537 Royal Street
Ladies looking to look good: It’s hard to beat this shop (even if by name alone), which sells 40s and 50s-inspired retro dresses, jewelry, lingerie, and all-out fabulousness. There’s an entire line of clothes for those who live rockabilly, plus some corsets and other fun finds if you’re feeling adventurous. (There’s another location, at 712 Royal street, dedicated to lingerie).
The Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal Street
Get a little dressed up and treat yourself to a classical Creole brunch, accompanied by jazz music, in the airy, lovely courtyard this restaurant is named for. Or take a date here in the evening; there are few restaurants in this city that can match the sheer romantic power of the Court.
Royal & St. Peter
While buskers can be found plying their trade all around the Royal Street pedestrian corridor, for some reason — maybe it’s the acoustics of the area — the quality of the live musicians who occupy this patch is generally quite high. Stop by, and try to soak up the shade and the sounds.
Royal & Orleans
While we would generally characterize Royal Street as the quiet alternative to Bourbon Street, this particular intersection, which sits at the back of the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, is one of the busiest street scenes in the city. Artists hawk their paintings, street performers and puppeteers busk for the public, tourists mill about, and a general air of playful chaos extends onto the whole scene. This is one of our favorite intersections in the city.
Reverend Zombie’s House Of Voodoo
713 Royal Street
What do you need? Love potions? A psychic reading? A little gris-gris to make the day go by easier? A fetish doll for the nightstand? A mask from a continent far away? This store got you covered.
Gallery Burguieres
736 Royal Street
You should probably stop into every art gallery you encounter on Royal Street, but we have to cop to being particular fans of the works of Ally Burguieres, who is best known for her sketches and paintings of animals. Her work is characterized by bold color, flowing lines, and a general funky sensibility that’s easy to love.
ESOM ART
811 Royal Street
ESOM ART replaced the quirky and popular Tresor Gallery in this space, showcasing abstract art, mixed media, and jewelry made by Tony and Tracey Mose, both artists and owners of this gallery.
Cafe Amelie
900 Royal Street
Did you skip our suggestions about having a nice date night at The Court of Two Sisters? That’s fine — the elegant courtyard and delicious modern Louisiana fare at Cafe Amelie are all part of a package that is equally as romantic and heart-stopping.
Fifi Mahony’s
934 Royal Street
New Orleanians like to get dressed up — we’re not ones to say no to a costume party. And seeing as no costume is complete without a fabulous hairpiece or wig, we feel confident saying Fifi Mahony’s is vital to the very cultural heartbeat of the city. Seriously: The staff here knows how to put together some amazing head ornamentation or help you select the perfect wig for your dome. Don’t leave town without popping inside.
Gallier House
1132 Royal Street
One of the best-preserved historic homes in the city, the Gallier House was built over 150 years ago and reflected the then-cutting-edge interior design. The house is operated as a museum alongside the Hermann-Grima House; visitors can marvel at period furniture and architectural details, and learn about both the Gallier family and the slaves, and later domestic servants, who enabled their opulent lifestyle.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal Street
If it’s late at night and you need a po-boy in New Orleans, head on down to Verti Marte, which somehow packs the crowds in a store that feels like it has a total of 10 square feet of floor space. There’s plenty to love on the menu of this bastion of calories, but you can’t go wrong with All That Jazz — ham, turkey, shrimp, mushrooms, and melted cheese doused in a sinful sauce that we dream about in the wee hours. Verti Marte is open till midnight nightly.
Bennachin
1212 Royal Street
Not many visitors list West African cuisine as their number one reason for visiting New Orleans, even if much of the Creole food they enjoy has its roots in that part of the world (gumbo, for example, has clear links to West African stews). In any case, you can sample dishes like sauced piquant chicken served over jollof rice and wonderfully spiced greens, all served in a friendly, cozy dining room. Bennachin was one of the first places in New Orleans to feature vegan items on its menu.
Mona Lisa
1212 Royal Street
We know it’s weird that this spot seems to share an address with Bennachin (above), but they’re just adjacent to each other. Mona Lisa is what a lot of people imagine when they hear “Italian restaurant” — it’s not fancy, but there’s dim lighting coming from candles plunked in Chianti bottles, pictures of the old country, and some of the best pasta in the city. Bonus: It’s inexpensive, including the delicious red wine, and the place is covered in the Mona Lisa art of every iteration.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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North Rampart Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Rampart-St. Claude streetcar by Cheryl Gerber
For people who like living on the edge — of the French Quarter, that is — North Rampart Street is where it’s at. This street serves as the northernmost boundary of the French Quarter, dividing it from Tremé. You’ll find less foot traffic on this bustling thoroughfare than in other places in the Quarter, but no shortage of photo-worthy destinations. Plus, thanks to the recently installed streetcar line, getting around Rampart Street is a snap. Here are a few must-visit destinations on the historic thoroughfare, starting by Canal Street and going toward Esplanade Avenue.
Rampart-St. Claude Streetcar Line
Long ago, almost all of New Orleans was crisscrossed by streetcar tracks. In the mid-20th century, streetcars fell out of favor as buses became the norm, and many tracks were ripped up and repaved. Today, this charming, energy-efficient form of mass transportation keeps regaining popularity.
The newest streetcar line is the Rampart-St. Claude route, which travels from the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to the intersection of St. Claude Avenue (Rampart changes to this name when it passes Esplanade Avenue) and Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny. Each ride costs only $1.25 (exact change required; or you can buy passes for up to one month online).
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal Street
The beautiful, 4,000-seat theater opened in 1927 as a silent movie destination. Eventually renovated after years of neglect following Hurricane Katrina, it shines more brightly than ever. One hundred and fifty lights twinkle in the domed auditorium ceiling, evoking a starry nighttime sky, and the entire interior resembles a 15th-century Italian courtyard replete with columns, arched doorways and mosaics. Broadway shows, touring musicians and comedians all make stops at this theater — which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — and you should, too.
New Orleans Athletic Club
222 N. Rampart Street
Established in 1872, this marble-clad, chandelier-hung gym boasts the Old World opulence you’d expect of a club where Tennessee Williams and Clark Gable once worked out. Modern exercise equipment meets luxurious amenities, including a saltwater lap pool, free parking, over 50 group exercise classes, and a full bar. Your hotel key, ID and $20 get you a day pass to this storied gym, and you truly can make a day of it. Start with free coffee and newspaper in the impressive library, move on to a yoga class in the ballroom, then sit in the sauna, shower, grab a cocktail, and finally head out on the town feeling refreshed.
Palm & Pine
308 N. Rampart Street
This relative newcomer (since 2019) is a relaxed, brick-lined restaurant serving local, Mexican & Caribbean cuisine, plus wine and craft cocktails. Think laid-back, casual-cool fine dining.
Black Penny
700 N. Rampart Street
This dive bar has several pages’ worth of craft beer on the menu (and most come in a can). The space is both weathered and welcoming, featuring a refurbished bar, exposed brick and beams, and long booths.
Louis Armstrong Park
701 N. Rampart Street
Inside this leafy, 31-acre park, a large statue of Satchmo himself presides over fountains, walking trails, lagoons, and the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Armstrong Park is also the location of Congo Square, where enslaved Africans and free people of color congregated on Sundays to socialize, dance, and sell goods in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This historic park is the birthplace of jazz, named for a jazz legend, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The park also hosts several annual festivals.
Rampart Treehouse
740 N. Rampart Street
Self-billed as a “slice bar,” Rampart Treehouse is a colorful, well, bar that serves pizza. There are at least 10 pizzas on the menu, including vegetarian and vegan options, and available both to go or in-house, whole or by the slice. There are also a couple of salads and sandwich options on the menu, plus a whole lot of booze one would expect from a full bar.
Bar Tonique
820 N. Rampart Street
For the destination revered for its perfectly crafted cocktails, there’s not an ounce of pretentiousness about Bar Tonique. It’s small, cozy, and even romantic (there are comfortable couches, nooks, and a fireplace). Overall it feels more like a neighborhood bar, with specials chalked on the board (no food, no live music), not a cocktail lounge. The ingredients, however, are often house-made, and the extensive menu is staggeringly categorized. There are daily specials (whiskey flights Tuesdays and caipirinha Thursdays, for example). Some are unique to the bar; others are modern twists on the classics, with welcome deviations and house-made syrups. Service industry folks enjoy a discount.
MaMou
942 N. Rampart Street
Opened in 2022 (replacing the longtime neighborhood fave, Meauxbar), MaMou is a modern French brasserie from Executive Chef Tom Branighan and Sommelier Molly Wismeier. The menu is European continental cuisine with Creole influences, using mostly Louisiana ingredients and prepared with French techniques. The airy, whimsical interior serves as a perfect backdrop.
Effervescence
1036 N. Rampart Street
The French Quarter has a champagne-centric bar to call its own. Effervescence opened its tall doors on N. Rampart St. in March of 2017 and has become the destination for high-to-low sparkling wines from all over the world, champagnes, small plates, and live music. The setting is modern and polished, and there’s ample outdoor seating. There’s also a full bar, and dozens of still wines by the glass and bottle, plus a limited beer selection — but it’s the bubbles you’d come for. Check out a variety of themed flights, or order half a glass, if you’d like to try a variety. The small plates are meant to be shared — like the Gulf seafood plate or crispy Brussels sprouts. Effervescence is also a good spot to try caviar, from the prized osetra to the local (and more affordable) bowfin.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Chartres Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Photo by Trevor Mark
When it comes to Chartres Street, the best approach is to keep it simple. That guideline pertains to both the street’s name (no need to pull out your French pronunciation guide — it’s simply pronounced CHART-ers), and your approach to exploration. Chartres Street is lined with historic sites, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Here are just a few top spots to check out.
Photo by Teemu008 on Flickr
Napoleon House
500 Chartres Street
Although this weathered brick building was offered as a refuge to Napoleon Bonaparte by its owner, New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod, the exiled emperor died before taking advantage of the gesture. However, the name stuck. Napoleon House served as a family home, grocery store, and bar before coming into the ownership of Ralph Brennan in 2015, who added it to his lauded restaurant collection. Today, it’s a unique place to taste New Orleans cuisine in a setting that feels rich with history.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
514 Chartres Street
Truly one of New Orleans’ must-see oddities, this museum is a beautifully preserved, circa-1823 pharmacy. From leech jars to bloodletting devices and a soda fountain, the multi-story building’s medical paraphernalia and exhibits offer a glimpse into the past — and a reminder that simpler times weren’t always better.
United Apparel Liquidators (UAL)
581 Chartres Street
Frugal fashionistas: Your “it” spot is here on Chartres Street. Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander Wang — you’ll find all these designer labels at UAL, discounted 70% to 90%. The small chain was launched in 1980 and now boasts 10 locations across four Southern states.
Photo courtesy of Sylvain on Facebook
Sylvain
625 Chartres Street
This chic gastropub is a great place to grab a cocktail or a multi-course meal. Lauded by publications including Southern Living and Travel + Leisure, it’s dim, intimate, and very New Orleans.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
The Cabildo and The Presbytere
701 and 751 Chartres Street
These neighboring 17th-century structures were built in the Spanish colonial style (and later destroyed by a 1788 fire and rebuilt). They have served as courthouses and commercial sites, but today they house the Louisiana State Museum.
Photo by Trevor Mark
Muriel’s Jackson Square
801 Chartres Street
There’s no better place to sip a brandy milk punch than on the second-floor balcony at Muriel’s overlooking Jackson Square, where both the people-watching and the view are excellent. But Muriel’s courtyard is a close second. Don’t forget to stop by the Sunday Jazz Brunch! Somehow, shrimp and grits just taste better paired with the lively sounds of a jazz trio.
Photo by Louisiana Travel on Flickr
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
1100 Chartres Street
Built in 1748, this gracious, French Colonial cathedral is one of New Orleans’ oldest buildings. It was also the place where many of New Orleans’ founding matriarchs first resided. These casket girls, who were sent from France to serve as brides for colonists, lived with nuns until marriages could be arranged. Many locals proudly claim their casket girl ancestry — and even more, come to this convent to pay homage to the original New Orleanians.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Dauphine Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
A dauphine is the wife of the French king’s oldest son — and just as its name suggests, a stroll down Dauphine Street will make you feel like royalty. That’s thanks in part to the standout restaurants that line the elegant (and, yes, regal) corridor. But Dauphine Street is also host to attractions that range from humble to down-out weird. Here are just a few top spots on Dauphine Street.
Killer PoBoys
219 Dauphine Street
Killer PoBoys launched as a pop-up in the rear of Erin Rose bar — and the proprietors still sling sandwiches there. But if you want to taste the innovative po-boys in a more expansive environment, this counter-serve restaurant fits the bill. Killer PoBoys expanded to these Dauphine Street digs in 2015, where a steady flow of French Quarter workers, locals and tourists rub shoulders over truly outstanding po-boys. There’s a sweet potato and greens version for the vegan crowd, a cheddar omelet po-boy for breakfast fiends, and a seared Gulf shrimp and sriracha version that has the flavor profile of banh mi. In short, Killer PoBoys has a po-boy for every palate (the menu changes, so this is just a sample of what to expect).
Museum of Death
227 Dauphine Street
What better place to contemplate your mortality than the most haunted city in the United States? The Museum of Death offers creepy, oddball, and downright disturbing artifacts and paraphernalia. Shrunken heads, mortician equipment, serial killer letters, graphic crime scene footage, and more fill the space. This morbid museum may be a little too intense for children, as well as some adults.
Deja Vu Restaurant and Bar
400 Dauphine Street
This full-service restaurant and bar in the French Quarter is always ready to accommodate. You will find a wide variety of options on the menu ranging from traditional New Orleans fare to downhome comfort food, all reasonably priced. Deja Vu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long and is available for dine-in, carry-out or delivery. Open till 11 p.m. nightly.
Bayona
430 Dauphine Street
Legendary chef (and James Beard awardee) Susan Spicer has crafted a restaurant empire, racking up accolades from Food & Wine, the John Folse Culinary Institute, the Zagat guide, and many others. Opened in 1990 in a 200-year-old cottage, Bayona is the restaurant that put her on the map. Today, its globally accented Louisiana cuisine feels both classic and forward-thinking.
Good Friends Bar
740 Dauphine Street
Laid back and welcoming, this is the Cheers of French Quarter gay bars. You’ll feel welcome at its mahogany bar (or on its second-floor balcony) whether it’s your first visit or your 50th. P.S. Good Friends is a great place to watch the New Orleans Saints play.
Matassa’s Market
1001 Dauphine Street
It’s an MVP for French Quarter locals and tourists alike: a family-owned market where you can grab everything from a sausage po-boy and a six-pack to paper towels and bananas. Plus, they deliver. Is it any wonder Matassa’s business has been booming since its funding in 1924?
Washington Square Park
Dauphine Street forms the northernmost boundary of this dog-friendly park in the Marigny, where you’ll find playground equipment, shady oak trees, benches, and grassy fields. The 2.54-acre park is a comfortable neighborhood hangout and a great place to unwind. Grab a beer and a hot dog from Dat Dog, or get a latte and a sandwich from Ayu Bakehouse, and enjoy a picnic in the park.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
All photos except Deja Vu are by Cheryl Gerber
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Burgundy Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
The French Quarter is many things: a historic site, a shopping and entertainment district, a premiere food and drink destination, and, to many tourists, an adult Disneyland. But for roughly 369,749 New Orleanians, according to the 2022 Census, the French Quarter is home.
Nowhere is it easier to remember that the Vieux Carre is a living, breathing neighborhood than on Burgundy Street. Unlike Bourbon Street, with its daiquiri bars and strip clubs, or Royal Street, with its antiques shops and boutiques, Burgundy Street is lined with the down-home essentials that make the French Quarter livable.
From parks to bars, Burgundy Street is the place to go if you want to live like a local. Here are a few of our favorite neighborhood hangs.
French Quarter Wedding Chapel
333 Burgundy Street
From cake pulls to second lines, New Orleans has rich wedding traditions, which is just one reason so many couples plan destination weddings in the Big Easy. But for spur-of-the-moment nuptials, this petite, 24-hour wedding chapel fits the bill. Reverend Tony Talavera (Rev. Tony) can waive the 72-hour waiting period that usually accompanies a wedding license application, so you can get married on the spot.
Whether you want a 20-minute ceremony or a two-hour affair that includes a violinist, photography, second line, and hankies for 50 guests, there’s a package for every price and preference. You can also get a “specialty reverend” (Elvis, vampire, Wicca, or voodoo). It’s no wonder more than 15,000 people have gotten hitched here.
Photo courtesy of Fahy’s Irish Pub on Facebook
Fahy’s Irish Pub
540 Burgundy Street
Fahy’s is a decidedly local scene, especially after restaurants and other bars begin ending their shifts for the night. The popular drink at Fahy’s is a local version of the “mind eraser,” a sweet vodka concoction served in a pint glass and slurped quickly by two or more people simultaneously through straws in a race to the bottom. Pool is very popular here, as evidenced by the rows of small, wooden lockers for regulars to stow their personal pool cues and gear.
Rawhide Lounge
740 Burgundy Street
This down-to-earth gay leather bar has daily happy hours, pool, a jukebox, a laid-back vibe, and adult videos on TV. Although Rawhide (you might hear referred to it as The Silver Fox) bills itself as a craft cocktail bar, the prices are reasonable. There’s also a dance floor with an abundance of disco balls. You can’t beat the location, either.
Quarter Grocery & Deli
836 Burgundy Street
Along with sundries and alcohol, this unassuming convenience store also has a deli with sandwiches and po-boys. How great is that? Especially since the French Quarter isn’t exactly teeming with convenience and grocery stores.
Cabrini Playground
931 Barracks Street
Although its official address is 1219 Dauphine Street, this fenced playground backs up to Burgundy Street. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a must-stop and a great place to let little ones burn off excess energy. Slides, climbing equipment, jungle gyms, grassy fields, and more are all available at this neighborhood park. You can also walk your dog there, as long as your furry companion is on the leash.
Cosimo’s
1201 Burgundy Street
This dim, dog-friendly neighborhood hang is just the place when you’re in the mood for a pint and conversation in a laid-back environment. During crawfish season, you might get lucky and stumble upon one of Cosimo’s boils, and the bar serves top-notch pub grub year round. It’s a great place to take in a New Orleans Saints game, too. Plus, there are pool tables, Pac-Man and pizza — what more could you need?
Buffa’s
1001 Esplanade Avenue (where Esplanade Avenue meets Burgundy Street)
A neighborhood staple since 1939, this beloved neighborhood destination isn’t so much a dive bar as it is a community center. On any given night, patrons will find live music, open mics, and more in Buffa’s back room. The menu ranges from classic bar bites (burgers and fries) to Louisiana fare (gator balls and red beans and rice). Plus, there’s breakfast and a Sunday brunch. Another plus — Buffa’s is open (and serves food) till 2 a.m. every night. Buffa’s is technically located in the Marigny, but it’s right across the street from the French Quarter, so it’s good enough of a reason to recommend it.
Ruby Slipper Cafe
2001 Burgundy Street
Looking for brunch? Cross over into the Marigny and hit up The Ruby Slipper, a local chain serving Louisiana-tinged breakfast staples, such as barbecue shrimp and grits or banana pecan pancakes. Plus, there’s a full bar. Just don’t get there too late — this popular spot attracts a weekend crowd and long waits.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
All photos except Fahy’s Irish Pub are by Cheryl Gerber
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Tales of the Cocktail Returns to New Orleans This Summer
Tales of the Cocktail by Cory James Photo
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation‘s popular annual conference returns Sunday, July 21 – Friday, July 26, 2024, providing festival-goers with six action-packed days of tastings, special events, and scheduled seminars. This is a perfect chance for spirit enthusiasts from all over the world to create and exchange ideas and techniques in the cocktail world.
Developed for any and all spirit enthusiasts and professionals, Tales of the Cocktail gets the whole city involved with a variety of special events and celebrations throughout the week. Regardless of whether you are a bartender, bar owner, distiller, mixologist, tastemaker, or just a passionate lover of food and drink, Tales of the Cocktail is an event you will not want to miss.
Celebrating History With Every Sip
Some of the world’s most famous cocktails were invented in this city: the Sazerac, Brandy Milk Punch, and Ramos Gin Fizz, to name a few. This festival started as a walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars, and now, celebrating 22 years in 2024, it attracts thousands of people from all over the world with dozens of events hosted over just six days (see the packed conference agenda here).
The focus of Tales of the Cocktail is to create a valuable experience for bartenders, distillers, ambassadors, and other members of the industry. The festival is constantly adapting to the needs of the industry by developing programming that allows participants to learn, network, and hone different skills. There’s a different theme every year, and the 2024 one is “Inspire.”
The festival features multiple seminars and tastings, and if you’ve ever wanted to explore the “spirited” side of New Orleans (drinks, not ghosts), there are multiple tours, happy hours, tastings, seminars, book signings, bartender contests, networking, and more.
Tales of the Cocktail by Cory James Photo
More Than Just Drinks
Tales of the Cocktail highlights the important connection between two of our favorite subjects – food and drink – and to that end, the Spirited Dinner series will feature special cocktail and food menus at restaurants across the city. The Tales’ signature annual blowout, the “best of” Spirited Awards, will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Tales of the Cocktail by Cory James Photo
Get Your Tickets
Please note that tickets for special events are sold individually, so you can build your own itinerary. You can also get day and week passes. The prix fixe tasting menus and food-pairing dinners are especially popular, and the tours and cocktail-themed parties also tend to sell out quickly, so we highly recommend getting your tickets as early as you can.
Tales of the Cocktail by Cory James Photo
What to Do and Where to Stay in the French Quarter
If you are looking for things to do in New Orleans, you will have no shortage of exciting options right at your fingertips. In addition to Tales of the Cocktail, there are many other exciting festivals and events taking place in The Big Easy in the summer, including culinary festivals.
Many of the Tales’ events are located in the French Quarter, so why not choose a historic hotel nearby? Check out these historic properties, all located in or near the French Quarter, some with charming saltwater pools.
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What to Do in New Orleans This August
August in the French Quarter brings the promise of a series of festivals, parties and holidays — official and unofficial — that seem to pack every weekend. Truth be told, the month’s calendar gets so busy, we have to wonder why spring gets to carry the label of “festival season.”
As the days reach their maximum length and the nights get sultry and sweaty, remember that the best means of keeping yourself close to the action in the French Quarter is booking a hotel that’s within walking distance of all the action. Speaking of — here are some of our favorite summer events popping off in the Vieux Carre during August.
COOLinary
Thursday, August 1 – Sunday, September 15, 2024
The premise of COOLinary is simple: Dozens of area restaurants offer prix fixe menus to customers at a discount. Sometimes, a significant discount — this is a New Orleans event that’s as popular with the locals as tourists, and many city residents take advantage of Coolinary to engage in a bit of gastronomic splurging.
Interested? Check out the COOLinary website and see what restaurants are participating (and for which meals; some spots, for example, only offer a COOLinary menu during lunch). You don’t have to do anything else but show up and get fed; usually, the Coolinary menu is included as a special insert or addition to the regular menu.
Museum Month
Thursday, August 1 – Saturday, August 31, 2024
If you’re in town this August, be sure to take advantage of the Museum Month deal. During the month of August, museum members have the opportunity to visit all participating institutions, FREE OF CHARGE, using their current membership throughout the month of August.
You must be a member of a local museum to take advantage of this deal. This is a great opportunity to explore on the budget. In the past, participating museums in (and near) the French Quarter include the Beauregard-Keyes House, Audubon Insectarium, Contemporary Arts Center, The National WWII Museum, Old Ursuline Convent Museum, New Orleans Jazz Museum, New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, and Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
Fidelity Bank White Linen Night
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Back in the days before air conditioning, New Orleanians kept cool and looked fresh in the face of August swelter by wearing light-colored linen clothing. Back in the days before White Linen Night, local art galleries felt the pinch of the August tourism slowdown.
In order to combat said slowdown, and to showcase local summer fashion, White Linen Night was created. Art galleries and restaurants on the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street in the Warehouse District throw their doors open for a night of wine, art perusing, dining, and more wine — plus modeling of, naturally, the latest in white linen fashion.
Satchmo SummerFest
Saturday-Sunday, August 3-4, 2024
An initiative from the folks at French Quarter Festivals, Satchmo Summer Fest is a celebration of the city’s most famous musical son (Louis Armstrong, nicknamed “Satchmo”) and New Orleans music in general. As New Orleans festivals go, this one is pretty beloved — it’s family-friendly, kicks off within the French Quarter with a popular parade, the lineup is truly local, and it’s free. More than almost any other festival we mention, this one feels like a New Orleans street party (again, for families), and it definitely should not be missed if you’re in town.
Red Dress Run
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Probably the last thing any sane human being wants to do in the midst of a New Orleans August is run, but then again, the folks involved with the New Orleans Hash House Harriers (NOH3) have always been a little crazy. The Red Dress Run is your chance to see a bunch of locals of all genders don red frocks and go careening through the city on a madcap 2-3 mile course.
Said route is kept secret until the day of the run, but racers always pass through the Quarter. Come out, wear crimson, have a beer (many of the runners will be joining in with you), and enjoy the show.
Dirty Linen Night
Saturday, August 10, 2024
The more rebellious sibling to White Linen Night, Dirty Linen is a similar gallery evening, but in this case, the galleries are located in the Quarter along 300-1100 blocks of Royal Street, and the vibe is a little more counterculture. Peruse food trucks, galleries, and bars, help yourself to the wine the gallery owners brought along with them, and enjoy an unbridled celebration of the creativity of the city.
Southern Decadence
Thursday, August 29 – Monday, September 2, 2024
New Orleans’ largest LGBTQI+ event is a citywide party that celebrates the huge impact the local gay and lesbian community has on the city at large. Almost a week’s worth of partying will kick off within the Quarter, spreading across New Orleans as more and more guests swoop into town for several days of… well, as the title says, decadence.
Coming to New Orleans in August?
Check out our guide to where to stay in the French Quarter, and be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels. Also, consider booking a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans.
For easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy August!
