Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street may be more famous (or notorious) than New Orleans, itself. Contrary to a lot of opinion, it is NOT named after the Kentucky Whisky. When the city was founded, it was named after the French Royal Family, the "House of Bourbon", which produced a number of French kings, including Louis XIV, The Sun King.

The Kentucky Whisky, Bourbon, had no connection however, with naming of Bourbon Street. It is named after Bourbon County, Kentucky. Now, why the county was named Bourbon.?

At any rate, Bourbon Street was a prestigious residential street during the early days of New Orleans. For the past century, particularly since World War II, it has had an entirely different reputation, which is now more closely related to that Kentucky Whisky. Intermingled here are traditional jazz clubs, strip joints, restaurants, bars of every type, and the ubiquitous souvenir shops.

Bourbon St. during the day is much like any other French Quarter street. Reeking with the aromas and stenches of the previous night's partying, it is quiet, with delivery trucks, and bar and restaurant owners, who are busy hosing down the sidewalks. At twilight, however, as the lights come on, it comes alive with crowds of partygoers and the curious. There is a cacophony of music emanating from the various bars and clubs, as barkers try to entice people inside their respective establishments.

During Mardi Gras, however, the street is closed to vehicles for five days, and it seem as if the party goes on forever.

You might want to bookmark these, because you will find it absolutely fascinating to observe the Bourbon Street Wildlife at different times of the day or night, during the different seasons (check it at Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve, or during the Sugar Bowl or Super Bowl).

Lagniappe

Girls Gone Wild: College Co-Eds Mardi Gras (2000)
Not all girls (flashers) get caught by the police. Many got caught on video. VHS, DVD