The French Quarter: A Bachelorette Party Guide to New Orleans' Most Famous Neighborhood

The French Quarter: Where Every Night Feels Like a Party

The French Quarter is the beating heart of New Orleans, and one of the most unique neighborhoods in America for a group celebration. Bourbon Street gets the headlines, but the real magic of the Quarter is in the streets around it: the cocktail culture, the architecture, the food, the jazz. Here's how to experience all of it.

Where to Eat in the French Quarter

Breakfast / Morning: Café Du Monde

The beignets at Café Du Monde on Decatur Street are non-negotiable. Go in the morning before the lines get long, order the beignets and a café au lait, and eat at one of the outdoor tables with a view of Jackson Square. You will get powdered sugar on everything you're wearing. It's fine.

Lunch: Felix's Oyster Bar

For a casual lunch with incredible oysters, Felix's on Iberville is the spot. Charbroiled and raw oysters, cold beer, and some of the freshest seafood in the Quarter. Sit at the bar if the tables are full.

Dinner: GW Fins

One of the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans is right in the French Quarter. GW Fins sources fish daily and the menu changes constantly, whatever they're featuring that night will be exceptional. Make reservations.

The Cocktail Bar Experience: SoBou

SoBou at the W Hotel on Chartres has one of the most creative cocktail menus in a city full of great bars. The food is excellent too, this works for a dinner-and-drinks situation or just cocktails before heading out.

The Bourbon Street Strategy

Bourbon Street is chaotic, loud, and genuinely fun for one night. The best approach: walk the full length from Canal Street to St. Ann Street (the main stretch), stop in at the spots that look fun, get a Hand Grenade or a Hurricane from one of the daiquiri bars (they're allowed to be open containers on the street), and then escape to the side streets when you need a break from the crowd.

The side streets, Royal Street, Chartres Street, Frenchmen Street, are where you'll find the cocktail bars, the jazz, and the more interesting nightlife. Frenchmen Street in particular (just outside the Quarter) has live music every night that will blow your mind.

Beyond Bourbon: What Else to Do in the Quarter

Jackson Square: Free and beautiful, the St. Louis Cathedral backdrop makes for great group photos. Street performers, fortune tellers, and artists set up around the square.

The Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel: One of the most beautiful bars in America. Order a Sazerac (it was invented here) and take in the room.

Preservation Hall: Book tickets in advance for a 45-minute traditional jazz show in one of the most iconic venues in New Orleans. It's an experience everyone in the group will remember.

Practical Notes

The French Quarter is walkable, but wear comfortable shoes, the cobblestones are unforgiving after a long night. Open container laws are liberal; you can take drinks to go from most bars. Daytime is just as fun as nighttime, don't sleep through the mornings.