The eastern border of the French Quarter, these few blocks are packed with a variety of restaurants, bars, tattoo parlors and alleys that have art and other goods for sale, this is a lovely place to wander day and night. There is always something going on. Always music playing, food being served. I always suggest this to visitors from out of town as an experience away from Bourbon Street. This is a more refined nightlife. Close enough to all other popular locations. I could spend an entire evening within the confines of these 3-4 blocks and be fully entertained. Some of the event venues you can eat in the dining area and listen to the music in the next room. read more

My sister's Bach party and I stayed right in the heart of the French Quarter. After a fun, friendly, slightly drunk, chaotic night on Bourbon Street, we were looking for something more chill. We heard that Frenchmen Street offers a good amount of jazz music, so we headed over. Funny enough, we were a little late getting there and ended up at Café Negril because most places were either super packed or had a cover charge. (Feel free to look them up for my review!) - Dope live reggae band and no cover charge! Overall, Frenchmen Street was quite a fun experience. We enjoyed the lively music and vibrant atmosphere. Even better, we decided to walk back to our Airbnb--which was about a mile or so--and the whole area felt safe, even late at night. Definitely a great spot to unwind and soak in some authentic jazz vibes after a wild night on Bourbon! read more

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Frenchmen Street is a funky, colorful, music and food-filled area of NOLA, near Royal, Esplanade and Bourbon Streets. So much fun to take a walk in the evening, listen to music in the street, grab a bite and a drink. The party has started! read more

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During our drive from the airport our rideshare driver told us that "Frenchmen Street is what Bourbon Street was 40 years ago" where big companies didn't come in and commercialize the place. Similar to Bourbon Street though, it also has tons of restaurants, bars, and live music going on at all times. There's also the Frenchmen Art Bazaar which is a gallery of local art. Restaurants are open late if you're looking for a late-night snack. We left the Spotted Cat at around 11pm and Frenchmen Street was still crazy packed even on a Monday night. If you're looking for a quick detour from Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street is a nice change of pace. read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Frenchman Street is a vibe! It's a Wednesday evening and music, food, shops are wide open, u9 and down the entire street. This is a must if in NoLA! read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This is a cool spot to check out if you're visiting NoLa! It's not big but it has enough action to entertain tourists and locals alike.

So glad we came here Frenchman street is a super cool area to hang out at We were told this is where the "locals" hang out at Not too far away from Bourbon street but far enough away if you know what I mean This street has all your NOLA needs Jazz bands playing Gator food Open nite markets Tons of cute bars and stores Many places to eat at We went to a drag show on this street Friend for her palm read here We came We saw We conquered read more

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This place is lit. Very small area of pubs and party animals but still worth visiting. Great atmosphere and scene of great food and drinks. It starts getting better and better as if becomes late night. Must visit for at least a night when you visit New Orleans. Jazz and live music everywhere. We hopped many pubs to get a taste of all. read more

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As a disclaimer: I visited in early to mid-November in 2021 - depending on when you go, your experience may be different. Generally speaking, in NOLA, Bourbon St. is the place to go. However, Bourbon St. is a terrific assault on the senses and is truly not for everyone. Frenchmen St. offers a very welcome change of pace from the perpetual commotion that bears the name Bourbon St. It's also shorter, so decision fatigue isn't as much of a problem. The restaurants and bars along the street are relatively calmer. Don't worry; there is still plenty of live music, just not at a level that will cause clinical insanity after two hours. It was a delight to walk down the street, find a place where I liked the music, pop in, and relax. Whether or not Bourbon is your cup of tea, you should not leave NOLA without paying Frenchmen a visit! read more

We decided to take a trip to NOLA at Christmas. One of those days I decided to leave my hubby at the hotel to rest. I hadn't been in the Frenchman Street area since before Katrina. I love it. The small restaurants. The really great music venues. The park. If I ever move to NOLA this is definitely an area that I would tryout. And another great thing it was around 80 in the city. But I loved the walk from the riverside Hilton. read more

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Nice local street with a nice vibe excellent music. I have no idea why Bourbon Street gets all the hype. Unless you are a 21 year old college kid letting loose, there is nothing there for ya. Go to other parts of this amazing city, just like Frenchman, read more

Great space, wonderful music, nice choice of food options. Some local creative art also.

I recommend their catfish burger, so delicious , the owner is friendly and the service is on point.

We spent the better part of a late afternoon and on into the evening bar hopping on Frenchman Street. Coming here feels very different than going to Bourbon Street - it's more authentic; less sophomoric and crazy. This is a totally chill place to find good jazz clubs, great food, and a uniquely New Orleans vibe. We particularly enjoyed the Spotted Cat Music Club, and there are plenty more places that are just as cool :-) Tip: Starting at around dinner time, most of the venues along Frenchman Street start to get pretty crowded, so if you've got the time to visit during the afternoon so much the better. read more

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We all know about bar hopping on Bourbon Street with the drunken masses! But where things are really at are on Frenchman Street! Well, at least for me, this scene appealed to me much more. You are still hopping from bar to bar but the focus is on the music and enjoying the chill vibes of NOLA rather than stumbling around looking for....Whatever it is people look for on Bourbon Street (a good time, shots, hookers, blow). Frenchmen Street was one of my favorite things I did while in New Orleans and I recommend it highly as a *must do* while in town. While on Frenchman I got a taste of different types of music at different types of bars, I hit up: -The Night Frenchmen Art Market - random but awesome non-drinking spot. -The Spotted Cat - Jazz Swing Band Music! -Maison - Traditional Folk Jazz! -Apple Barrel Bar - Acoustic style Jazz! -Blue Nile- Blues! And that is just a taste of what Frenchmen had to offer. There were many more bars than the ones we went into, but be wary as some have covers. In my mind, no need for the cover, simply buy a drink when inside and tip the musician if you like their music. I loved being able to get different vibes and sounds at each spot on Frenchmen. I'd love to come back and hit up more places. They say Frenchmen Street is where the locals go to hang. Well then the locals are smart. Music in bars! Music in the streets! Random Pop Up Bands! Art everywhere! Street food vendors! Friendly people! Happy Sarah. read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Spontaneous music on Frenchman - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Frenchmen St. was wild last night. I have never seen it like this. It has always been a nice escape from bourbon st with a chill vibe and jazz music filling the air. I hope it isn't becoming like Bourbon St. read more

Love!! Unlike Bourbon Street, this area is more for the grown folks. There are restaurants, bars & vendors. This is what I'd consider the art & culture district. The vendors will sell soaps, lotions, jewelry, & artwork.Music played here is: Jazz, funk, blues. You can still get the local NOLA fare here and unlike Bourbon Street, not as many sloppy drunks and doesn't reek of raw sewage. As a 30 something, do Bourbon Street on the first day and then come here to recover and remember your age. read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

One of my favorite places to spend evenings. A lot of great places. Great venues with music. You can see it starting to change. It's becoming what Bourbon Street used to be 20 years ago. More people are discovering it. I hope it doesn't lose its charm read more

I took a quick walk along the Frenchmen Street Corridor in the daytime since I'm not into drinking and am only so-so about jazz. I was just being a tourist and checking out the architecture and the art. I also didn't have much time to just wander on my final day in the city. read more

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Love the vibe and the endless live music. Had such an amazing time here. People here are great and loved every minute of this place.

Unfortunately Frenchman St.was pretty much shut down on our most recent trip to New Orleans. The year before you could barely walk down the sidewalks it was so packed. We were really looking forward to going into a few bars and enjoying live music. Maybe next year. Over Spring break New Orleans had not gotten back to full openings due to Covid and people are angry. We walked around and got an opportunity to talk to a couple of firemen who handle the Frenchman Corridor. They said the city is losing massive amounts of $$$$ due to the mayor not fully reopening. Politics was keeping most of the city shut down while we were there. We found only one live music venue. Oh well....we will try again next year when we head back to NOLA over spring break. read more

I have a dark sense of humor so I get a kick out of watching tourists try to find a place to eat at 6am on Frenchmen St. Shhhh... the neighborhood is resting for yet another nights reveries! Now is not her hour. Frenchmen St. belongs to the night, and my favorite local thing to do is to traverse it without spending a dime. Enjoy the art market, grab a free comedy show and bask in the electric glow of music as it streams out into the world... only to be silenced by the time the next 6am tourist from Manitoba tries to figure out what all the bub bub is about. read more

Frenchmen Street is no longer a hidden secret but I'm okay with that. At the end of the night, it's still far better than Bourbon and while it can be loud and crazy it's still one of the best parts of NOLA to me. Listen to jazz, listen to blues, buy something from the art market, eat at one of the restaurants, and dammit listen to the brass band when they setup shop on one of the corners (these kids are far more talented than half the adults I know). It's right outside the Quarter and an easy walk. Hell, you can stop and get beignets on your way back. Overall, this is my happy place, my Disney World. read more

A whole strip of local and live music- Jazz galore! Literally everyone we came across had recommended this site for us to visit during our trip- i recommend this to anyone and everyone to come to this street to get your fill of jazz music. read more

Wonderful street full of bars, live music, and perfect late night food options. This is a a different vibe from bourbon because it's not as crowded and there aren't as many options but it's still a great time. When you don't want to fully jump into tourist mode, this is the perfect little stop. The live music is truly one of a kind in New Orleans so you will be pleased no matter which place you decide to stop in the area. Also, there's almost never a cover for any of the bars so you can literally hop in and out of any place you'd like! read more

I am going to go against the general consensus and say that I think the Frenchmen Street Corridor, as a whole, has seen its better days. It does have some redeeming qualities, but even those are unable to make me ever want to return. The Good You can actually find good, local live music on Frenchmen Street. There is usually a pretty decent brass band playing on one of the corners. Be a good citizen and tip them if you like their performance. The Bad Everything else. Since being so brief isn't my style, I will elaborate. Many of the bars are too small to actually enjoy live music. They pack far too many people inside which makes getting a drink, using the bathroom, or even watching the band nearly impossible. Even the larger bars are filled to capacity or more which causes the same issues. There seems to be a very lax stance on open drug use, particularly marijuana in this area. I realize many people love smoking weed and think the fact that some clubs either condone or turn a blind eye to its use is a great thing. I am not one of those people. Besides it being illegal, it smells horrible, and it's incredible brazen and rude to subject me to your degenerate ways. There also seems to be a certain element who despise the tourists that now frequent Frenchmen. I realize I like to wear jeans and button up shirts, but I am most certainly a local, and most certainly like to spend money. Looking at me like I am some sort of asshole because I am perusing your art, or walking down "your street" is not cool. If it weren't for people spending money here, this place couldn't exist for you and your degenerate buddies. Traffic is allowed to drive down the street. This means that when the sidewalks are filled with weed smoking hipsters you will be forced to walk in the street, with cars trying to hit you. There are also cars parked along the street which further hampers safe walking. The city should really consider making several blocks of the street pedestrian only at night. I fully expect that many people who read this review will disagree with me. I hope that you at least respect my opinion, but if not, I hope you enjoy your street. It is highly unlikely that you will see me there anytime soon. read more

~~~~~~Frenchmen Street~~~~~~ ~~Where The Locals Hang Out~~ ~~Where The REAL Party's At~~ So You All Heard of The Famous Bourbon Street, Right? Mardi Gras central! Beads galore! Where it's legal to walk around outside with brewskis or your choice of poison, even double-fisting it! In my opinion, it's Las Vegas, San Diego, & DTLA all in one area. Party Central bar-hopping with a mix genre of music, both DJ's spinning and live bands performing. There were several strip clubs and a good number of fancy restaurant choices in the mix. We had enough time to check out both areas during our first visit (we definitely plan on making another trip back). Bourbon Street was fun but Frenchmen Street was a BLAST!! Street Musicians Jazzed it up all night long, creating a Fun Open Vibe for ALL. There was lots of dancing on the street. You could feel the Happiness in the Air!! read more

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While Bourbon Street is for tourists and outsiders, Frenchmen Street is for locals! Or at least that's what the locals have told me when I asked for their preferences, and even if this isn't true, Frenchmen is definitely better than Bourbon: the debauchery is still there but it's a lot more fun and less chaotic. Live music is everywhere, the bars are cleaner and less trashy, and the crowd is generally more about having a good time than trying to get wasted. For the whole NOLA nightlife experience, go to both Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets, but if you had to pick only one, go for Frenchmen Street because the food is even better too. You'll definitely a good time here whether you plan to drink or just to dine. read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Just as New Orleans begins to lose its luster as you head East, this street lights up your walk again with bright colors and a little bit of atmosphere. read more

Frenchmen Street Corridor - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Great time good people. Good singing and amazing live music. You can stay out all night if you want.

Yeah so I'm sold. I love New Orleans. And I love tourism & the money generated for the city. But sometimes, you just need a break from the norm. HERE is where that break can be found. I simply love that on this 3 block strip you can find at least 4 different genres of music. Home of Jazz; what would do you expect?? I love to sashay down this corridor, take in all the sights & sounds if my city. Here is where locals come to play. If one cares to flee from the glitz & glamour of #theNOLAbaby, meet me here. read more

Great to people watch and sample a variety of bar action/cuisine. Strangely, enough my first exposure to this stretch of street was back when Snug Harbor was the only club and there was a Catholic Elder car facility around the corner. I would drive my grandmother over to pick up one of her nun friends...my have times changed. Anyway, there are a number of great bars and music clubs, good restaurants, and just about anything else you could want. On busy nights, there are often food vendors set up around so you can do walk up food. Just remember that this street does get just as crowded as Bourbon so don't show up on say Halloween if crowds make you freak out. Also, this is NOT a closed street, so do watch for cars. read more

If all you know about New Orleans is Bourbon Street, French Quarters, and Girls Gone Wild, then you need to check out the Frenchmen Street Corridor. Another Houston Elite Yelper, Robby V. who's originally from New Orleans, had suggested for me to check this street out and I'm glad he did. When I was walking down Bourbon Street, I ran into a whole lot of commotion: loud music and younger adults getting their drink on. The crowd on Frenchmen Street Corridor seemed to be older and more mature. You can hear jazz music playing from inside the clubs as opposed to loud dance/top 40 music blasting along Bourbon Street. Don't get me wrong, fun will still be had on Frenchmen. Drunkenness can still be found on Frenchmen. Craziness will still ensue on Frenchmen. However, all those happen on a different level. The only downside to the clubs on Frenchmen is most of them charge a door fee to get in. They're not much, only $5 and up. But those who know me know that I dislike paying a cover fee. Not because I'm cheap, but because I would like to be able to get in and decide whether or not I like the place and if I wanted to stay or leave. I'm not willing to pay $5 just for the privilege to step foot in the door and leave 30 seconds later. I did enjoy Frenchmen Street Corridor. This street would be great if you're looking for something more low-key and to enjoy some jazz. I will definitely be back on this street during my future NOLA trips. I suggest you take some time to get away from all the craziness that is Bourbon Street and check this street out. read more

If you want an actual local experience, avoid Bourbon Street altogether and visit Frenchman Street. The music was the real deal here, not like all the carbon copy cover bands on Bourbon. Something very authentic and organic about this Street. Love the little art market right in the middle of it. Great vibe in this part of town. If you want to get away from the sleazy tourist traps, do this instead. read more

161. Visit Frenchmen if you want to: a) get away from the drunks b) hang with the locals c) have good food d) have good music e) all of the above Correct answer: E read more

Since I am still working my way slow and steady through recent vacation reviews, I am dedicating my 800th review to one of my new favorite places. Earlier one evening, we made new friends at the Carousel Bar (http://www.yelp.com/biz/carousel-bar-new-orleans#hrid:R-qevCrU1PTPMMCbCbfAWA) who took us under their wings and whisked us away from our original Bourbon Street plan and down to the Frenchman Street Corridor. Located just outside the French Quarter, it is a lengthly but completely doable and seemingly safe walk. If you want to, you can stop in another bar on the way for a drink and break from walking and/or take advantage of the liberal open container policies and enjoy drinks on the go. We happened to do both of these things as we were in no hurry at all and just soaking in the experience (and the booze, apparently.) Upon turning the corner to the sights and sounds of Frenchman Street, it was clear that this is what New Orleans is all about. We ended up at Cafe Negril (http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-negril-new-orleans-2) where there was no cover and an amazing reggae band playing. Everyone was shaking their booty and I felt like I was drinking and dancing among welcoming locals, whether or not they actually live in the area. If you are looking for a rich New Orleans experience that is tons of fun, but with a lot more class than Bourbon Street, spend an evening (or two or three) on Frenchman Street. It is an absolutely delightful experience. read more

I was actually a bit disappointed with the music offerings on Frenchmen street when I visited. Starting at about 11PM I went to a couple different venues on a Saturday night. I found a lot of the bands to be fairly cheesy, but either the musicians got better as the night wore on or I drank more because I liked the last band I saw around 3 AM at Maison. Everyone says to just go to Frenchmen Street and you are sure to find good music, but I think I will do a little bit more research of the bands playing before I go back to Frenchmen St again, or wait until 3AM to go. Earlier in the night I did see a pretty good country band at Igors Check Point Charlie. Regardless of quality of music, everyone on Frenchmen St was thoroughly committed to having a good time. read more

Oh. My. Gosh. Frenchmen Street is what I imagined New Orleans nightlife would be! It surpassed my expectations. The atmosphere is infectious. Music is everywhere: jazz, Latin, brass, hip-hop, reggae. There are street musicians a-plenty and they really work hard for your tip money. It is crowded with tourists whenever I go there. But unlike Bourbon Street, there are plenty of locals milling about as well. Think Bourbon Street...the same level of general debauchery but with a lot less of the tackiness. I can't single out a club to go to, because every single one I've gone to was just great fun. So if you get tired of the Bourbon Street scene, you should definitely head to Frenchmen and do your laissez-les-bon-temps-roulez-ing here! read more

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We found out too late about Frenchmen Street. The front desk at our hotel said the best two days to go were Wed/Thurs 8p-9p. The best we could do was to tour the corridor in the daytime. It's a three block stretch oozing of jazz. Forget Bourbon Street with all the young people boozing away. We were spoiled with a jazz club by our hotel which we frequented, but we will definitely come to Frenchmen on our next visit to NOLA. read more

This is a crazy place to have a great meal with friends and family! Then go from vendor to vendor to shop and buy different items, some are hand made, home made and some is shipped in. I came here several times and have never been disappointed. But, you do have to be Street safe here. Watch out for the "Pocket pickers". I DO NOT CARRY A PURSE HERE. Have fun! The nights are great for going from Bar to Bar to hear each band play and have a drink and then move to the next place, then before you know it, it becomes a "CRAWL"! That's when UBER COMES IN handy. Even at 2:00am in the morning. read more