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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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!
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COOLinary: What’s on the Menu in August
Photo courtesy of COOLinary New Orleans
There’s no better time to dine at an award-winning restaurant during your visit to New Orleans (or while you play tourist in your own city) than in August. Not only do you get to experience cuisine that is an integral part of the New Orleans heritage, but you’ll be doing so at a discount. This is your chance to try out that new restaurant or revisit the old favorite!
COOLinary was conceived by New Orleans & Company (formerly the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau) as a promotion to lure diners to local restaurants in the slower summer months — the month of August especially — during which restaurants all over the city offer discounted dining deals. It’s the only dining program of this caliber that offers deals this time of year, though you can enjoy similar perks during the citywide holiday Reveillon promotion in December and the Restaurant Week New Orleans (June 17-23, 2024).
Ever since COOLinary came into existence 19 years ago, it kept growing in size and popularity. In the past few years, the number of participating restaurants has grown to reach 100, and kept going, some with multiple locations across the city. The restaurants that are taking part in this annual summer promotion are spread all over the city, including the Marigny, CBD, Uptown, and the French Quarter, and run the gamut from the iconic to the smaller casual ones.
In the past few years, the list included the famous Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, Bayona, Commander’s Palace, and Galatoire’s. The Uptown’s Brigtsen’s and CBD’s Maypop both joined this enviable roster in the past. Some more casual participants included local chains like Zea Rotisserie and Bar, and the popular eateries located as far as Harvey and Kenner.
The menus and the list of the participating restaurants are typically announced in June, but, basically, expect:
- Two-course lunch menus for $25 or less
- Two- or three-course dinner and brunch menus for $50 or less
Once posted, the restaurant list is searchable by location, with each listing accompanied by a sample menu that includes the price, and you can also make a reservation right then and there.
Many of the restaurants that participate in these promos are located in the French Quarter or downtown, within walking distance from many historic hotels. So, book a hotel, make a reservation, and get out there and enjoy the culinary gems New Orleans has to offer!
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Famous Streets of the French Quarter
Royal Street by Trevor Mark
When French cartographer Adrien de Pauger laid out the Vieux Carre’s orderly grid in 1721, he envisioned the St. Louis Cathedral as the city’s center. While its Jackson Square location does remain a hub of activity, a modern 21st-century visitor would be hard-pressed to define the Quarter’s center: is it the St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street, bustling Canal Street, or somewhere else? Regardless, we think de Pauger would be proud to see New Orleans thriving over the centuries. Here are a few renowned streets in the French Quarter and what you’ll find there.
Royal Street Between St. Louis and Conti streets. Photo courtesy of Ken Lund
Royal Street
Art galleries, antique shops, fine dining, and fantastic live music — that’s what you’ll encounter on this charming thoroughfare, which runs parallel to Bourbon Street but feels light years away. Some sections are fenced off to form pedestrian malls (don’t bike through these areas — you will be ticketed). Must-stops include the George Rodrigue Studios, dining at Brennan’s, and antiquing at M.S. Rau. Read our block-by-by guide to Royal Street for more spots for sightseeing, dining, drinking, and more.
Bourbon Street
No, it’s not named after booze — though you wouldn’t be the first person to assume so. Pauger actually named Bourbon Street for the French ruling family of the time, the House of Bourbon. Today, Bourbon is the site of a 24/7 party that must be witnessed to be believed. Don’t miss an elegant show at The Jazz Playhouse, a decadent meal at Galatoire’s, and a stiff drink at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. For many more recommendations, read our block-by-block guide to Bourbon Street, the Bourbon Street Bucket List, and the Best Food on Bourbon Street.
Photo courtesy of Tujague’s Restaurant on Facebook
Decatur Street
Decatur Street is a little more locals-friendly, a little more down-to-earth, and in its lower (nearer to Esplanade Avenue) blocks, more laid back than the rest of the Quarter. It borders Jackson Square and Café Du Monde, but if you continue past the iconic beignet destination, you’ll find Tujague’s, the second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans. A little further down, you’ll find Café Envie, a delightful, breezy coffee shop with sidewalk seating. Follow Decatur past Esplanade to land smack dab in the middle of the Marigny Triangle, surrounded by the city’s best music venues and bars. Read our block-by-block guide to Decatur Street for our top recommendations on what to see, do, and eat and drink on Decatur Street.
Chartres Street by Trevor Mark
Chartres Street
This pleasant street is lined with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and souvenir shops, and cuts right through Jackson Square. Visit these must-see museums — the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère. In the mood for shopping? Browse Crescent City Books, Shoe Be Do, Hemline, and UAL. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a meal at Muriel’s Jackson Square, Sylvain, Kingfish, and loads more renowned dining destinations. Read our Chartres Street, a Block-by-Block Guide for more inspiration.
Photo courtesy of Satsuma Cafe on Facebook
Dauphine Street
Named for a dauphine, the wife of a French royal heir titled a dauphin, this regal street hosts plenty of great bars and clubs, especially if you follow it a few miles downstream into Bywater. There, you’ll find the lovely breakfast and lunch destination, Satsuma, a music hub and dive bar extraordinaire, Vaughan’s Lounge, and more to explore. Read our Dauphine Street, a Block-by-Block-Guide for much more.
Armstrong Park by Nigel Burgher on Flickr
North Rampart Street
The western border of the French Quarter, Rampart Street is named for the barricades that guarded the former French colony. Today, it features numerous bars and restaurants (don’t miss the Black Penny and Bar Tonique for cocktails). It also hosts an entrance to Armstrong Park, a leafy, fountain-filled tribute to Satchmo himself, which is also the site of the Mahalia Jackson Theater and the historic Congo Square. Recently, a streetcar line was reinstalled on Rampart Street, which runs all the way from Canal Street to Elysian Fields. Read our North Rampart Street, a Block-by-Block Guide for more fun details.
Crescent Park, Bywater. Photo courtesy of Bridget Coila on Flickr
North Peters Street
Need a breath of air? Walk along North Peters Street, which borders the Mississippi River and its Moonwalk. At the very edge of the Quarter, near North Peters and Elysian Fields, you’ll find a staircase and elevator leading to Crescent Park. The 1.4-mile linear park boasts running trails, gardens, and the best view of the river and downtown skyline you’ll find anywhere.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Burgundy Street
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.”
First off, some of our favorite hangs are located on Burgundy. The two standouts are Fahy’s Irish Pub and Cosimo’s. 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.
This dim, dog-friendly neighborhood hang Cosimo’s is just the place when you’re in the mood for a pint and conversation in a laid-back environment. 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 and pizza — what more could you need?
The Quarter Grocery & Deli is an unassuming convenience store with sandwiches and po-boys, along with sundries and alcohol. How great is that? Especially since the French Quarter isn’t exactly teeming with convenience and grocery stores.
Got young kids or dogs? The fenced Cabrini Playground, which backs up to Burgundy Street with an official address of 1219 Dauphine Street, is 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. To get more details on what you can find on Burgundy Street, check out our Burgundy Street, a Block-by-Block Guide.
So, 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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Bourbon Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
This street is a tourist destination for a reason. It’s a thoroughfare with an utterly fascinating history, and home to some of the oldest bars, family-run restaurants, and gay entertainment districts in the country. In short, while there’s plenty to discover off of Bourbon, there’s a lot to discover on the iconic street as well that may surprise you.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
A Brief History of Bourbon Street
Let’s start, appropriately enough, with the history of one of the oldest streets in North America. First, despite popular rumors to the contrary, Bourbon was not named for bourbon. That particular iteration of brown liquor had not even been invented when the street was laid out in 1721 by Adrian de Pauger. The street, then located in the colony of New France, was named after the French royal House of Bourbon (which bourbon, the drink, was ultimately named for).
Like much of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street’s historic architecture owes far more to Spain than France as most of the street’s French buildings were destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, when the city was a Spanish colony. For most of its history, Bourbon was a modest residential street, populated by a mix of Creoles (New Orleanians of Franco-Spanish descent) and the successive waves of immigrants who settled the French Quarter.
Bourbon began morphing into an entertainment strip in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the Red Light District of Storyville was established a few blocks away on Basin Street. Bleed-over from the Red Light District begot a shift in the Quarter, which became less residential and more entertainment-oriented.
The earliest “jass” (i.e. jazz) artists weren’t headlining festivals in Montreal or Switzerland — they played for customers who patronized Basin and Bourbon Street’s sweaty brothels and music halls (on a side note, those music venues stopped being quite as sweaty when they started installing round-the-clock air-conditioning about half a century later — some of the first nightlife spots in the world to take that step).
Ironically, the shuttering of Storyville’s brothels in 1917 likely accelerated the French Quarter’s popularity as a place to party. At the time, Mayor Martin Behrman said, “You can make it illegal, but you can’t make it unpopular,” and while the “it” he referred to was prostitution, the legal nightlife that surrounded that practice quickly filled the Red Light vacuum.
In the Quarter, the entertainment focus shifted to live music, gambling, burlesque shows, and drinking establishments, dozens of which opened on Bourbon. By the post-World War II period, Bourbon Street was similar in character, if not appearance, to the Bourbon Street of today, although live music was more heavily emphasized back in the day. The Meters played here, as did Dr. John and Louis Prima, among dozens of other acts that have defined successive generations of American music.
While there are still live music clubs on Bourbon, those venues have tended to spread into other parts of the city. On the other hand, Bourbon remains a nightlife epicenter for the New Orleans LGBTQI+ scene, which established a presence here in the early 20th century, when the area had (more of an) “anything goes” reputation. In the present day, while the LGBTQI+ culture is thankfully accepted across the city, the “Lavender Line” on Bourbon and St. Ann streets still marks one of the country’s most fabled gay nightlife blocks.
The Geography of Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street runs 13 blocks through the heart of the French Quarter, from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue; it becomes Carondelet Street past Canal, and Pauger Street past Esplanade. If you were looking at a map, Bourbon runs along a diagonal; confusingly to visitors, the “southern” part of Bourbon (near Canal Street) is Upper Bourbon, while the “northern” end (near Esplanade) is Lower Bourbon. In New Orleans parlance, Upper and Lower refer to the upriver and downriver flow of the Mississippi. If all of the above is confusing, don’t worry — it’s more trivia than vital geographic knowledge.
Upper Bourbon is the area best known to visitors — the land of neon, roaming bachelor and bachelorette parties, strip clubs, and enormous drinks served in souvenir cups. Lower Bourbon has most of the above, but not in such intense concentration; it includes the LGBTQI+ blocks of Bourbon.
While this is not the exhaustive list of every business and attraction on Bourbon (some even may or may not be here tomorrow), here are some of our favorite hangouts, running from Canal to Esplanade. You’ll notice that this guide mostly covers iconic, well-established and most popular restaurants. For more details on where to eat and drink on Bourbon Street, check out our guides to the “Bourbon Street Bucket List” and “Best Food on Bourbon Street.”
The 100 Block of Bourbon Street
Bourbon House (144 Bourbon Street)
The Bourbon House is one of the city’s grand dame, old-school seafood houses. Run by the Brennan family restaurant empire, they serve excellent raw oysters, decadent Gulf seafood platters, and one of the truly great iterations of barbeque shrimp. Their version is cooked in a buttery sauce that is balanced by a generous helping of rosemary.
Photo courtesy of Galatoire’s on Facebook
The 200 Block of Bourbon Street
Olde Nola Cookery (205 Bourbon Street)
If you’re in the market for something simple and noticeably New Orleans, and you’re wandering around the 200 block of Bourbon, Olde Nola Cookery is a good choice. We always have time for barbeque shrimp, which is not grilled or smoked, but rather cooked in a lemon butter and pepper sauce. Plenty of gumbo and Cajun pasta dishes round out the menu.
Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon Street)
Stepping into Galatoire’s is stepping back in time; the restaurant opened its doors in 1905, and not much seems to have changed since (our understanding is they only started accepting credit cards in the ‘90s). The cuisine is old-school, heavy Creole classics — chicken Clemenceau and crabmeat sardou — but folks come for the scene as much as the food. On Fridays, the oldest of old-school New Orleans families line up around the block (or pay people to wait in line for them) and engage in daylong drinking and dining sessions. It’s a spectacle for sure.
Galatoire’s “33” Bar and Steak (215 Bourbon Street)
For decades, nothing changed at Galatoire’s, one of the grandest of old New Orleans restaurants. Then they started accepting credit cards, and eventually, Galatoire’s “33” opened. The times are a-changing, but “33” has the original Galatoire’s charms and its full menu served in the dining room — and it also happens to have some very fine steaks.
Old Absinthe House (240 Bourbon Street)
It’s always a good idea to sidle up to the classic copper bar, and you won’t be the first to do so: The Absinthe House dates to 1806, making it older than most American states, and has hosted Franklin Roosevelt and Oscar Wilde, among other patrons. It can get crowded, but when the bar is (relatively) quiet, we like to order the signature absinthe and dream of boozy days (and famous patrons) past.
Musical Legends Park by Cheryl Gerber
The 300 Block of Bourbon Street
The Jazz Playhouse (300 Bourbon Street)
This is a legitimately lovely music venue in the heart of Bourbon Street (inside the Royal Sonesta). The lineup is straight unadulterated jazz, and the Playhouse hosts some of the most talented and exciting acts in the country.
New Orleans Musical Legends Park (311 Bourbon Street)
Life-size statues of local musical legends line this park, which is a (sort of) quiet respite from the noise and thrum that lines this portion of Bourbon.
The 400 Block of Bourbon Street
Hideout Bar (417 Bourbon Street)
The Hideout Bar has a speakeasy vibe, courtyard seating, live music, and serves the kind of New Orleans/Southern fare you just might be craving after some revelry (think meat pies and boudin balls). Open till 1 a.m. every night.
Tropical Isle by Cheryl Gerber
The 500 Block of Bourbon Street
The sadly now-shuttered iconic club owned by the late, great Chris Owens dominates the block. In August 2022, Gayle Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, bought the three-story building and plans to renovate and lease the property.
The 600 Block of Bourbon Street
Tropical Isle (600 Bourbon Street)
Besides the Hurricane, the Isle’s signature Hand Grenade is the most famous drink in the French Quarter. They taste like candy but are very potent. Tropical Isle also has locations at 435, 610, 721, and 727 Bourbon Street.
SLUSH Frozen Cocktails (601 Bourbon Street)
The historic building hosted a popular live music venue called the Old Opera House until it closed. Back in the day, it was a real French-style opera house. The most current tenant is a daiquiri bar that specializes in alcoholic slushies, popsicles and milkshakes, plus serves pizza by the slice. SLUSH is open till 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and till 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. It has another location at 401 Bourbon Street.
Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo (628 Bourbon Street)
This is one of our favorite tourist voodoo shops. The walls are adorned with masks, gris-gris bags, spell candles, and all kinds of other cool magical paraphernalia. Check out the handmade voodoo dolls fashioned from Spanish moss, and have yourself a consultation — these folks are true believers.
Krazy Korner (640 Bourbon Street)
Longtime bar, club and live music venue with jazz, rhythm and blues plus a balcony, Krazy Korner is located on the corner of Bourbon and St. Peter streets. Over the years, it served as a hangout for the recording artists and is still a great place to catch some live New Orleans music.
Maison Bourbon (641 Bourbon Street)
The sign outside the door says, “Dedicated to the preservation of jazz,” and Maison Bourbon does not disappoint in this regard — it’s a good spot for a live show. It also has a lovely courtyard and a big balcony.
Photo courtesy of Cat’s Meow on Facebook
The 700 Block of Bourbon Street
Cat’s Meow (701 Bourbon Street)
You’ve never heard “Sweet Home Alabama” until it’s belted out by a crowd at the Meow. We have to give this spot credit: It was an early adopter of karaoke, back when people sneered at the idea of karaoke in a bar. The Meow’s enormous popularity is proof of the success of a then-risky business idea. It was so successful that the business open another location on the same block, at 735 Bourbon St.
Pat O’Brien’s (718 St. Peter Street/600 block of Bourbon Street)
While the address for Pat O’s is technically on St. Peter Street, you can enter the bar complex in the middle of the 600 block, right next to Willie’s Chicken Shack. Inside, you’ll find one of the most attractive courtyards and bars in the French Quarter, which is a pleasant surprise for a lot of visitors. There are also dueling pianos. Take a seat, enjoy the tropical ambiance, and order a specialty drink — the Hurricane, of course. The drinks may be sweet, but we’re not going to sugarcoat this next bit of advice: beware the Hurricane hangover.
Bourbon Street Honky Tonk (727 Bourbon Street)
One of the five locations of the Tropical Isle chain with potent drinks and, as you might have guessed from the name, live country music.
Bourbon “O” Bar (730 Bourbon Street)
“Bourbon Street” and “quiet bar that serves craft cocktails” aren’t two concepts that seem to jive, but Bourbon “O” manages to pull it off. OK, maybe it’s not always quiet, but the drinks are gorgeous and well-prepared, which is a welcome development at this stage during our Bourbon Street stroll. Look for it inside the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.
Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub (733 Bourbon Street)
Fritzel’s is a good spot for live jazz and well-prepared iconic New Orleans drinks. They regularly feature plenty of old-school Dixieland. It’s calm and laid back in almost inverse proportion to much of the rest of Bourbon Street — a great stop if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the crowds, or if you just want to listen to some good music. That said, evening shows tend to get more packed, so if you want to avoid it, consider a daytime show.
Ra Shop #14 (739 Bourbon Street)
This smoke shop carries smoking accessories, CBD, e-sigs, vaporizers, and more. The chain has 14 location total, including five in New Orleans — two Uptown and two in the French Quarter.
Bourbon Pub & Parade by Cheryl Gerber
The 800 Block of Bourbon Street
Oz (800 Bourbon Street)
The corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets is known as the “Lavender Line,” which marks the beginning of the LGBTQI+ section of Bourbon Street (you may also be subtly tipped off by the enormous rainbow flags). Oz is one of the more popular gay dance clubs in the city, so expect drag queens, shirtless dancers, and all the rest.
Bourbon Pub Parade (801 Bourbon Street)
A late-night nightclub with two balconies, dance floors, shirtless folks on the bar, drag queens, and a lot of unsa-unsa. It serves as one of the focal points of the annual Decadence fest. Being around since 1974, the iconic club is celebrating its anniversary in 2024.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop by Cheryl Gerber
The 900 Block of Bourbon Street
Clover Grill (900 Bourbon Street)
The Clover is one of our favorite 24-hour diners in New Orleans (on a side note, there aren’t a ton of 24-hour diners in this city, which is a shame). The food is great, but we really come for the atmosphere, which is a heady mix of drag queens, off-work servers, bartenders, hotel staff, tourists, and musicians all hunkering down for burgers and scrambled eggs at three in the morning. Clover Grill’s motto is “We Love to Fry and it Shows.”
Lafitte’s (901 Bourbon Street)
The self-proclaimed oldest continually operating gay bar in the country is open 24/7, and features karaoke nights, disco parties, and a huge wraparound bar and balcony. Established in 1933, at the end of Prohibition, Lafitte’s is said to have been frequented by Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. Because of its location and plentiful outside seating, Lafitte’s is a hub of activity for both Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence in particular.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon Street)
One of our favorite Bourbon Street haunts, this Lafitte’s (not to be confused with Lafitte’s, above) operates out of the oldest building that has served as a bar in the country. It looks the part, too; the walls are all moldering stone and wood, although the scene is pretty modern: there’s a piano bar and the signature “purple drank,” a frozen daiquiri that can quickly end your night (or get it started).
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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The Rundown of the Running of the Bulls in New Orleans
Photo: Some rights reserved by Infrogmation
Most people are familiar with Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona, but not everyone might realize that New Orleans hosts its own Running of the Bulls. Here, though, the “bulls” are the roller derby skaters, dressed in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and wearing horned helmets, who whack the participants with plastic bats during this annual Encierro (bull run).
The 18th annual summer spectacle falls on July 12-14 this year. Here’s the daily rundown.
Friday, July 12, 2024
Friday evening marks the opening of SFNO, called El Txupinazo (pronounced “ el choo-pin-AHT-so”). One of the charities that benefit from this festival, Beth’s Friends Forever, will host this event at the event’s new venue this year, Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Ave.) in Downtown New Orleans, 6-9 p.m. Expect live music, an open bar, a silent auction, and a live auction for a lifetime VIP package for SFNO.
Saturday, July 13, 2024
The actual Encierro will be held on Saturday. Join thousands of runners, wearing all white and accessorized with red scarves and handkerchiefs, as they gather by 6:30 a.m. by Gallier Hall. Yes, the party starts early, and there will be live music, beer, sangria, and food trucks on-site to get things going.
The Procession of San Fermin and an invocation kick off the morning, followed by the run, which starts at 8 a.m. sharp. The run lasts till about noon, followed by a post-run fiesta at Gallier Hall. After that, you can attend the traditional La Fiesta de Pantalones, location for 2024 TBA, starting at noon, or join the other revelers who stick around to make a day of it bar-crawling downtown, including the Warehouse District.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Close out with the annual El Pobre de Mí (“Poor Me”), an Ernest Hemingway-themed party at Gallier Hall, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., with cocktails, burlesque, and a Papa Hemingway Look-a-like contest. This is a non-ticketed event, and there’s no cover, so you can pay as you go.
What else to know
- All events happening on Friday and Saturday are ticketed — proceeds go to charity (get tickets online).
- SFNO benefits Beth’s Friends Forever (named after Nola Bulls cofounder Beth Hanning), which raises money for financially needy women fighting cancer in the Greater New Orleans area. The second charity SFNO has chosen is Big Easy Animal Rescue.
- Since drinking is part of the festival, prepare to get carded.
- El Txupinazo on Friday is 18+ only.
- While there is no dress code, the event organizers encourage everyone to dress in the style of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona: white top and bottom, with something red around the waist and the neck. This being New Orleans, many runners do, and get very creative with their gear.
- There are several paid parking lots in the area, but this is a popular event, so it will most likely be crowded, with limited parking options all around.
- No outside food and drinks are allowed inside Gallier Hall on the day of the run, and no ice chests or chairs.
- Review the rules of the run before you take off, like no touching the bulls and placing kids under 10 on the sidewalk.
Coming to New Orleans this Summer?
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!
