Bourbon Street, New Orleans: A Bachelor Party Guide

What Bourbon Street Actually Is

Bourbon Street is thirteen blocks of bars, balconies, and go-cups running through the heart of the French Quarter. It is loud, sticky, and completely legal to drink on the street.

For a bachelor party, that last part matters. You can carry a drink from bar to bar, which turns the whole street into one long crawl.

The upper blocks near Canal are the party core. The lower blocks past St. Ann get quieter and more residential, so plan your night moving from calm to chaos or the reverse.

The Bars Worth Your Time

Pat O'Brien's

Best for: The rite-of-passage first drink | Price: Hurricane around $13

Open since 1933 and the birthplace of the Hurricane. Enter through the mid-600 block, grab a Hurricane in the courtyard, and post up near the dueling pianos.

Order this: The original Hurricane, and keep the souvenir glass

"Touristy, yes, but you have to do it once. The dueling pianos are actually a blast with a group." Reddit

Tropical Isle

Best for: The Hand Grenade challenge | Price: Hand Grenade around $12

Tropical Isle runs several locations up and down Bourbon and is the home of the Hand Grenade, the melon-green drink you will see everyone carrying. The balcony at 721 Bourbon overlooks St. Louis Cathedral.

Order this: One Hand Grenade per person, and pace yourselves after that

"The Hand Grenade sneaks up on you. Two is a decision, not an accident." Google Review

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

Best for: A break from the neon | Price: $9 to $14 drinks

One of the oldest bar structures in the country, lit almost entirely by candlelight. It sits on the quieter lower end of Bourbon and gives the group a place to actually talk.

Order this: The purple Voodoo Daiquiri, known as the Purple Drank

The Cat's Meow

Best for: Roasting the groom on the karaoke stage | Price: $8 to $12 drinks

The most famous karaoke bar in the Quarter, with a balcony over Bourbon. Sign the groom up whether he likes it or not.

Order this: Whatever is on the frozen machine

Razzoo Bar and Patio

Best for: Late-night dancing | Price: $8 to $13 drinks

A big, high-energy dance bar right in the party core. When the group wants a DJ and a dance floor without leaving Bourbon, this is the stop.

How to Run the Night

• Start with a go-cup. Order your drink to go and carry it to the next bar. Glass is not allowed on the street, so ask for plastic.
• Eat before you drink. Grab a muffuletta or a po-boy in the Quarter first. The street food later is fine but the night is long.
• Set a meeting spot. Cell service and hearing each other both fail on Bourbon. Pick a corner and a time in case anyone splits off.
• Tip the bartenders a dollar or two a drink. It gets you served faster all night.
• Watch your wallet and phone in the crowd. The upper blocks get shoulder to shoulder after 10pm.

When to Get Off Bourbon

Do Bourbon for a few hours, then walk three blocks over to Frenchmen Street for live jazz and a more local crowd. The best New Orleans bach nights use Bourbon as the opening act, not the whole show.