Frenchmen Street in New Orleans

What are the highlights of Frenchmen Street?

Frenchmen Street is most popular for its live music scene, thanks to storied music venues, bars and clubs lining a 3-block section in Faubourg Marigny. The Blue Nile is reputedly one of the pioneers of music culture on Frenchmen Street – expect excellent bands performing funk, blues, and soul, along with DJs spinning dance tunes until late.

Right next to the Blue Nile is Three Muses, an upscale jazz bar and restaurant where you can enjoy global small plates and artisanal cocktails. The Maison is a 3-storey music club that’s very popular with fans of jazz, brass, and funk. Shows start as early as 4 pm on weekends and 5 pm on weekdays.

The Apple Barrel occupies an intimate venue with excellent acoustics for nightly jazz and blues concerts. If you prefer a more diverse range of music, check out Dragon's Den. The multistorey club has 2 bars and 2 stages. Its line-up consists of reggae, jazz, funk, rock, EDM, hip hop, and even burlesque shows.

Washington Square Park offers some much-needed respite from the busy Frenchmen Street. Founded in the 1800s, the 2.54-acre park is a prominent gathering place in the Faubourg Marigny neighbourhood. There are benches under the shade of historic oak trees, street performers in and around the park, as well as special events and concerts throughout the year.

Good to know about Frenchmen Street in New Orleans

Frenchmen Street is part of New Orleans’ Faubourg Marigny suburb. It’s about a half-mile northeast of the French Quarter, so you can easily get there by foot. On the way, it’s a good idea to stop by the New Orleans Jazz Museum, just to get a feel of the city’s jazz roots before catching a show.

The New Orleans Streetcar lines have stops along Frenchmen Street. If you’re travelling on the Riverfront Line (46)(47), disembark at the French Market Station and walk for around 6 minutes up north to reach the street.