Frenchmen Street
New Orleans, LA
Bourbon Street may hog the spotlight, but in New Orleans, the real party is on Frenchmen Street. This little three-block section of the French Quarter is home to the numerous music venues and dance halls that have put New Orleans’ 7th Ward on the map. Order a drink “to go,” and pop in and out of a variety of venues like the locals do.
Come to this little slice of live-music heaven to see how New Orleans earns its reputation as a music capital. Join a music pub crawl to access the best live music hotspots (which might otherwise be difficult to find); many crawls include a stop at a traditional New Orleans cocktail bar. You can also opt for a jazz-themed tour with stops at Louis Armstrong Park, Marigny, and Frenchmen Street.
Most venues on Frenchmen Street only allow guests 21 and older, though a few allow children until 10pm.
You’ll find the most live music venues north of the 500 block.
Bring some cash with you for cover charges and to tip local street performers.
Frenchmen Street is east of the French Quarter and extends from the university campus to the Mississippi River. It’s within walking distance of the French Quarter, but you can also reach the area by taking a streetcar to the French Market or the St. Claude’s and Prager St. stop.
The best time to enjoy some live music on Frenchmen Street is on a weekday evening; there’s almost always something playing, and you’re more likely to snag a seat or a space at the bar. The street and venues can get crowded on weekends.
If live music isn’t your cup of tea, or you don’t consider yourself much of a night owl, you can still experience the allure of Frenchmen Street with an evening visit to the Palace Market. This open-air market features more than 80 local vendors selling art, jewelry, and other handcrafted goods.
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