5 reviewed party hostels · from €16.01/night · Hostelworld rated
Bourbon Street doesn’t just hum: it roars. By midnight, the street is packed with groups spilling out of bars like The Cat’s Meow and Tropical Isle, hurricanes in hand, brass bands blasting from every doorway. If you’re travelling solo but want instant mates, the hostels here make it easy. Auberge NOLA Party Hostel, for example, sits a three-minute walk from the action on Conti Street, with a nightly happy hour that starts at 7 pm sharp. Most hostels in the French Quarter are small, so you’ll recognise faces fast and end up bar-hopping together. The scene isn’t just about Bourbon Street, though. Frenchmen Street, 15 minutes on foot, swaps cover charges for local jazz and BYOB spots where a beer costs half as much.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
The friendly owner and staff offer free nightly parties, daily social events and a great fun atmosphere. Located between the Garden District and the French Quarter, the great reviews and the fact that is a Hoscar winner for best hostel in USA 2018 should make it on of your options for a great time in New Orleans.
The only hostel in town with a swimming pool; also with a deck for sunbathing and a stage with regular live music (someone said jazz jam session?) and a friendly and buzzing atmosphere. With hot breakfasts on offer and low-priced evening meals, your best base to enjoy New Orleans!
HI New Orleans, steps from the French Quarter, is a party hotspot buzzing with cocktail nights at Besame and lively hostel events. Its vibrant common areas spark electric social vibes, with easy access to Bourbon Street’s nightlife. Friendly staff fuel the fun, making it a gem for an unforgettable, party-packed adventure in New Orleans’ heart.
Amazing party hostel with great staff. The vibrant 24 h on-site bar is serving the best beer in the city. Here, you can meet locals and travellers from all over the world. Located in a former historical hotel, The Quisby offers plenty of common areas and terrace for guests to hang out. Free breakfast included.
Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans, steps from Frenchmen Street, is a party gem near vibrant bars and live music. Its historic charm fuels social vibes, with Bourbon Street’s nightlife just a short walk away. Friendly staff share local party tips, making it a gem for an epic, party-packed adventure in the city’s lively heart.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A four-bar crawl that hits Bourbon Street’s biggest clubs, including The Cat’s Meow and Razzoo. The ticket includes a welcome shot, skip-the-line entry, and drink discounts all night. Crawls start at 9 pm and finish around 1 am, but most groups keep going afterwards. Dress code is smart casual: no flip-flops or tank tops.
A two-hour walking tour that visits four historic bars in the French Quarter, with a local guide sharing stories about pirates and voodoo. Each stop includes one free drink and a history lesson. The crawl runs at 6 pm and 8 pm, making it a good warm-up for the night ahead. Wear comfy shoes: cobblestones are uneven.
How New Orleans's nightlife zones break down
The epicentre of New Orleans nightlife, packed with bars, jazz clubs, and 24-hour po’boy shops. Bourbon Street is the main drag, but Royal and Dauphine Streets have quieter dive bars and art galleries. Most party hostels cluster here, so you’ll never walk more than 10 minutes to your bed.
A 15-minute walk from Bourbon Street, this is where locals go for live music without cover charges. The three-block stretch between Royal and Esplanade Avenues has jazz clubs, reggae bars, and late-night food stalls. It’s safer and cheaper than the Quarter, with a younger crowd.
A world away from the French Quarter’s chaos, with oak-lined streets and mansions. Magazine Street is the main artery, packed with vintage shops and cafés. Hostels here are quieter, but the St. Charles streetcar connects you to the French Quarter in 20 minutes. Ideal if you want a break from the party.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A Bourbon Street staple where karaoke starts at 8 pm and turns into a full-blown dance party by 11. The crowd is mostly 20-somethings on pub crawls, so it’s loud and friendly. Entry is free before 10 pm, but drinks are $10–12: go early for happy-hour wells at $6. Expect a line after midnight.
One of the oldest bars in the US, lit by candlelight and serving $5 daiquiris until 2 am. The piano player starts at 9 pm and takes requests: expect singalongs to Sweet Caroline by 11. It’s cash-only, so hit an ATM first. The courtyard is quieter if you need a break from the noise.
Frenchmen Street’s best jazz club, with no cover before 8 pm and $5 local beers. The stage is tiny, so you’ll be close enough to feel the sax player’s breath. Gets packed by 9 pm; arrive early to grab a table. No food, but you can bring your own snacks.
A dive bar with a jukebox and $3 wells during happy hour (4–7 pm). The crowd is a mix of locals and backpackers, and the bartenders will let you sample bitters if you ask nicely. Open 24 hours on weekends: useful if you miss last call elsewhere.
A wine garden in the Bywater with live jazz on the patio most nights. Order cheese plates and charcuterie at the bar, then grab a seat outside. It’s walk-in only, and the queue starts forming at 6 pm. A glass of wine costs $8–12, and the vibe is relaxed but social.
A gay bar with drag shows starting at 10 pm and $5 vodka sodas all night. The crowd is friendly and mixed, and the dance floor gets going after midnight. Cover is $10 on weekends, but it’s free if you arrive before 11 pm. Cash-only at the bar.
A reggae bar on Frenchmen Street with $4 Red Stripes and jerk chicken plates for $10. The front room has live bands most nights, and the back patio is quieter. Happy hour runs 5–7 pm; get there early to avoid the cover charge after 9 pm.
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