Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans packs a fascinating history full of vampires, pirates, voodoo, and booze and is home to some of the oldest bars and restaurants in the US.
As a New Orleans lover who visits a few times a year, I can confirm that Bourbon never gets old!
Truthfully, Bourbon is so much more than a Street – it’s an experience.
From bars and hotels, history and hauntings, cocktails and voodoo, these are the bucket list experiences you must try on Bourbon Street:
The Truth: Why is Bourbon Street so Famous?
From its past life as a prohibition paradise to its current life as a 24/7 party, Bourbon Street in New Orleans has always been so famous because of its association with alcohol.
The popular myth is that the Street is named after the booze, but actually, it’s named after a royal French family, like so many rues of the French Quarter.
Today, Bourbon is a parade of neon lights, loud music, and walk-up bars that stay busy every night of the week.
Street performers, people partying on ancient wrought iron balconies, candlelit bars, strip clubs, fine dining, and a Voodoo shop- just Bourbon street things!
Drinking on Bourbon Street: Laws Made Easy
One thing that may not be clear before your visit is whether it is legal to drink on Bourbon Street.
The short answer is yes.
Lousiana’s Open Container Law
Louisiana has no law that bans open containers, but New Orleans is the only place you can drink on the streets, and even then, this is mostly in the French Quarter and parts of the Garden District.
Important: Your drink must be in a plastic container, not glass.
The Walk Up Bar
This plastic-only rule is what inspired the French Quarter to go cup, with some places even serving drinks out of walk-up bars or windows.
Actually, some of the bars on Bourbon are simple to-go spots for alcohol (see Huge Ass Beers below).
New Orleans Bourbon Street Bucket List
#1 Drink a cocktail born in New Orleans
If you’re trying to remember “What is the famous drink in New Orleans?” the answer is several, but the most well-known are the Sazerac, Hurricane, Vieux Carre, and Ramos Gin Fizz.
Each of these cocktails was first mixed in the Crescent City, and trying at least one should be on your New Orleans bucket list (see below!).
4 signature drinks of New Orleans to try on Bourbon Street:
- The Sazerac, the official cocktail of Louisiana
- The Hurricane, invented at Pat O’Briens on Bourbon Street
- Vieux Carre, invented at the Carousel Bar on Royal Street
- Ramos Gin Fizz, my favorite on this list
Tip: If you don’t drink, check out this guide to finding non-alcoholic drinks in New Orleans.
#2 Get the balcony experience
Drinking over a balcony, possibly finding a set of beads- it’s a French Quarter thing. These are the top 3 Bourbon Street bars with balconies:
#1 Bourbon Heat
What to order: Drink specials, gumbo
Bourbon Heat is a nightclub straight out of the Bourbon Street bingo book. Check mark for all of these:
- HUGE balcony overlooking Bourbon
- secluded courtyard
- VIP bottle service
- dancefloor with live Go-Go dancers and DJs
#2 Krazy Korner
What to order: HAPPY HOUR
The biggest covered balcony on the Street, plus a 3-for-1 happy hour, makes Krazy Korner an essential stop when partying on Bourbon Street in New Orleans or anywhere in the French Quarter.
#3 Bourbon Pub and Parade
What to order: Any of New Orleans’s signature cocktails
Bourbon Pub and Parade is The French Quarter’s biggest gay nightclub. You’ll find all the staples like karaoke, themed parties, drag shows, go-go dancers, and a large wrap-around balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.
Make no mistake, this is a party place, open 24/7.
#3 See a ghost
In the French Quarter, nearly every building has a New Orleans-style ghost story, and Bourbon is no exception. These are the best historic and haunted spots on Bourbon Street:
Old Absinthe House
As a writer, Old Absinthe House is my favorite place to drink in the French Quarter.
Over the years (and during prohibition), artists, pirates, celebrities, politicians, and outlaws have sat in this bar.
Like so much about the French Quarter, Old Absinthe House has to be experienced to be truly understood.
Ghosts at Old Absinthe House
The ghost of famous New Orleans pirate Jean Lafitte still drinks here, and he’s known to laugh loudly and randomly, lingering around in his fancy pirate hat.
Other celebrity ghosts at Old Absinthe House include Andrew Jackson (yes, that one!) and voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
Tip: If you don’t like licorice (I don’t), Absinthe will taste unpleasant. Drink it anyway.
Laffitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
What to order: Voodoo Daiquiri
The infamous last bar on Bourbon Street, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, is (like all things Lafitte) mysterious once used (allegedly) as a front for smuggling and various pirate plots.
So obviously, Lafitte’s Bar is haunted by Jean Lafitte. The bar is lit by candles, creepy in a cool way, and always a fun stop on Bourbon Street.
#4 Watch live music
Music is a huge part of New Orleans culture. These are the 3 best places to watch live music with a cocktail on Bourbon Street:
Tip: I wrote an entire guide to live music in New Orleans
#1 Fritzel’s European Jazz Bar
What to order: Any of the signature New Orleans drinks (Sazerac, Hurricane, etc.), Jager cocktails
Since 1969, Fritzel’s European Jazz Bar has played live jazz on Bourbon Street in New Orleans nearly every night of the week. The atmosphere is laidback and classy without feeling too stuffy.
#2 The Jazz Playhouse
What to order: Draft beer, bar food
Head to the Royal Sonesta Hotel to watch live music in a smaller setting at The Jazz Playhouse. Expect retro, speakeasy, intimate vibes.
#3 Pat O’Brien’s
What to order: Hurricane, Alligator po’boy (or bites, if you don’t want a whole sandwich)
The birthplace of New Orleans’s famous cocktail, the Hurricane, Pat O’Briens, is a casual venue with a patio, piano lounge, and killer Cajun food at the restaurant.
#5 Get a Huge Ass Beer
What to order: a HUGE ASS BEER
You gotta getta Huge Ass Beer when on Bourbon Street. Order yourself a 70-ounce to-go beer and keep moving down the Street.
#6 Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo
Although there is some controversy over who’s really buried in Marie Laveau’s tomb, one thing that’s for sure is that her Voodoo shop is badass.
You’ll find lots of local metaphysical goods and souvenirs in Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, a tiny religious/magickal shop and museum on the site of Laveau’s former home.
Spiritual readings (tarot, psychic, etc.), spells, and magickal advice are dispensed in the back room. It’s said that the spirit of the Voodoo Queen sometimes lends a hand.
What to Eat on Bourbon Street
Wondering where to eat in a city known for its culinary excellence? Eating is one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans, so I’ve got you covered.
These are the 5 best places to eat on Bourbon Street, from budget to fine dining:
Tip: Foodies who want to experience the original flavors of New Orleans beyond Bourbon should check out this French Quarter food tour.
#1 Nola Po’Boys
Seafood, Southern
What to order: Poboys (catfish, seafood bisque, roast beef), muffuletta, boudin, roast beef sandwich
Nola Po’Boys has some of the best po’boys on Bourbon Street or anywhere in New Orleans. The roast beef po’boy is dripping in chunks of cheese, and the sandwich itself (like all portions here) is huge.
#2 Olde Nola Cookery
Seafood, Cajun, Creole
What to order: Gumbo, gator bites, red beans, and rice
The Olde Nola Cookery is comfortable, colorful, and casual. You’ll find lots of Cajun and Creole seafood plates, and though it’s a bit cramped, the upstairs balcony has awesome views of Bourbon Street.
#3 Mambo’s
Creole
What to order: Oysters Rockefeller, crawfish etouffee, red beans, and rice
I like Mambo’s because it has a rooftop bar with views of downtown New Orleans and the party on Bourbon. Like most places to eat on Bourbon Street, the food here is amazing.
#4 Bourbon House
Seafood, Creole
What to order: The raw oyster bar, Bourbon milk punch, shrimp and grits, bread pudding
Bourbon House is known for its beautiful venue with paneled walls, an incredible oyster bar, and a ridiculous number of Bourbon choices. The crab claws over garlic bread are the golden ratio of garlic and bread.
Don’t leave without trying the Bourbon Milk punch, which is essentially Bourbon + milk, frozen and delicious.
#5 Galatoire’s
French, Creole
What to order: Bread pudding, turtle soup, Oysters Rockefeller, crab yvonne, crab au gratin
Established in 1905, every dish at Galatoire’s is a masterpiece, and I don’t say that lightly. If you’ve followed my journey for any length of time, you know that I LOVE food. Galatoire’s is one of those places I go back to again and again.
Note: Jackets are required for men. If dressing up men isn’t your thing, trust me, it’s worth it.
Where to Stay on Bourbon Street
If you’re scouting for hotels on Bourbon Street, know that your options are divided into two categories:
- In the middle of a nonstop party
- On the quiet end of the block, a few minutes walk from the nonstop party.
No matter what you’re into, here’s where to stay on Bourbon Street:
Best Bourbon Street balcony hotel: Four Points By Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton is in the middle of all the action on Bourbon.
This is not the hotel to pick if you want a quiet, laid-back part of the Quarter. The balcony upgrades are worth it for the cool experience and amazing people-watching.
Most historic hotel on Bourbon Street: Lafitte Hotel and Bar
New Orleans is a historic city, so why not stay in a historic hotel? Laffite Hotel and Bar is a restored 1849 mansion; rooms here are each unique and furnished with antiques (some have balconies!).
Another bonus of this hotel is that you’re on the quieter side of Bourbon, near Jackson Square, yet literally minutes away from all the action of the bars.
Best for your budget: City House Hostel New Orleans
City House Hostel is clean, very well located on Bourbon Street, and has an incredible atmosphere, an important feature in any hostel. Expect typical hostel murals and a common room filled with games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on Bourbon Street?
What is on Bourbon Street: bars, good food, beads and balconies, to-go cocktails, and some of the best memories of your life. Bourbon Street in New Orleans is a must-see!
What happens on Bourbon Street?
A better question is, ‘What doesn’t happen on Bourbon Street?
This block is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Southern US for partying, balcony bars, and letting the good times roll.
Does Bourbon Street party every night?
This is like asking if Las Vegas parties every night. The answer is ‘hell yes.’
Bourbon Street parties every night. Monday night is more quiet than, say, Saturday, but every single night is a party on Bourbon Street.
Is Bourbon Street worth visiting?
Yes, Bourbon Street can get wild. It is full of strip clubs and bars, an all-night party. Still, Bourbon Street is worth visiting, if for no other reason than the fact that it is a New Orleans icon.
Is Bourbon Street safe during the day?
Bourbon Street is safe during the day and during the night. And it’s never quiet. Whether it’s 12 PM or 12 AM, you will find lots of quirky stuff to do on Bourbon, as well as other tourists and police.
Can you drive down Bourbon Street in New Orleans?
During the day, Bourbon Street is open to cars, and while you can drive down the road, you probably should not.
Honestly, it’s just a pain in the ass between pedestrians and the delivery trucks that come every morning. In the late afternoon, Bourbon closes down and only allows pedestrian traffic.
