Overview
The Faubourg Marigny (FAW-borg MER-ih-nee), commonly just Marigny, is a hip neighborhood just "below" (down river from) the French Quarter.
Best known for the great live music district on Frenchmen Street, the Marigny also offers neighborhood cafes & businesses, historic architecture, and more.
1 things to do · 16 places to eat · 16 bars & cafés · 25 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Faubourg Marigny
Cafe Istanbul
Named after a legendary Frenchmen Street venue of a generation ago, the new Cafe Istanbul is theater space with a bar in the New Orleans Healing Center, a renovated old warehouse building now a community center. Live the…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby New Orleans)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- GPT Gulfport Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport — 66 mi away. Directions
Marigny is maybe the most foot friendly neighborhood to explore in the whole city. It's small, compact, and centrally located, and many visitors get to the area by simply walking down river on Royal or Dauphine from the French Quarter. A tip: Bourbon St does not intersect Frenchmen St, and walking to Marigny on Bourbon is a pretty surefire way for an out-of-towner to get turned around.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$169 a night (typical $165), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$240, comfortable ~$340.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
It has the air of what the French Quarter was a generation or two ago before there was so much tourist development. It has a few small hotels and many bed-and-breakfasts, as well as a number of good restaurants, coffee shops, and music venues. Part of the city's old high ground, it fortunately escaped the worst of the post-Katrina disaster.
Orientation
Marigny is down river from the French Quarter, to the north-east by compass. Due to its odd shape (following a bend in the Mississippi River), locals often divide the Marigny into the "Marigny triangle" and the "Marigny rectangle." The triangle runs from Esplanade Avenue (abutting the French Quarter) to Elysian Fields Avenue. The rectangle begins at Elysian Fields and runs to the railroad tracks on Press Street, where the Marigny abuts the Bywater district (the "Ninth Ward").
Get in
By foot
Marigny is maybe the most foot friendly neighborhood to explore in the whole city. It's small, compact, and centrally located, and many visitors get to the area by simply walking down river on Royal or Dauphine from the French Quarter. A tip: Bourbon St does not intersect Frenchmen St, and walking to Marigny on Bourbon is a pretty surefire way for an out-of-towner to get turned around.
By car
Parking is fairly easy, especially if you venture a little further east. The main avenues for getting around are St Claude/Rampart, Elysian Fields, and the Esplanade. Frenchmen St gets backed up during events only.
By bus
Quite a few New Orleans RTA buses pass by here.
- 55, Elysian Fields: this is the most noticeable route cutting through Marigny, and is also the most useful, as it will take you through the French Quarter along Decatur to Canal and the CBD, or north through the 7th, 8th, and Upper 9th Wards and on to the University of New Orleans in Gentilly.
- 5, Marigny-Bywater: you can theoretically catch this bus on Canal Street at the corner of N. Peters (right in front of the Canal Place tower, across the street from the casino); it goes through the French Quarter on N. Peters/Decatur Streets before taking Elysian Fields back four blocks to Dauphine, and from there follows Dauphine Street through the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods all the way down to Poland Avenue next to the Industrial Canal. Coming back up the route is the same except the bus follows Royal Street instead of Dauphine.
- 88, St Claude-Delery and 57, Franklin: both routes will pick you up on St Claude and take you down Rampart past the French Quarter to Canal and the CBD. The 88 going eastbound will take you past the Bywater and on to the Lower 9th Ward.
- 91, Jackson-Esplanade: this bus picks up only at the edge of the district, at Rampart & Esplanade, but the route is pretty handy. Going upriver, it goes past the French Quarter, through the heart of the CBD and on to the Garden District in Uptown. Going back along Esplanade, it will go straight through Mid-City.
By taxi
Taxis are pretty easy to catch in the busy section of Frenchmen St.
See
Architecturally, the Marigny is known for its many styles of Creole cottages, most of which date to the 19th century. Its "heart" is Washington Square Park (bounded by Frenchmen Street, Royal Street, Dauphine Street, and Elysian Fields Avenue). Frenchmen Street is the main nightlife district, with half a dozen live music clubs and just as many restaurants in four short blocks.
At Mardi Gras, the Marigny is one of the city's hidden hot spots, popular with locals who enjoy partying in the streets without the drunken frat-boy atmosphere of Bourbon Street. Crowds gather at the corner of Royal and Kerlerec (outside the R-Bar), as well as at the intersection of Royal and Franklin. Elaborate costumes are the order of the day, along with brass bands and many drummers. Two weeks before Mardi Gras, the Marigny is also the starting place for the Krewe du Vieux, a satirical, raunchy parade in 19th-century Carnival style, complete with small floats drawn by krewe members and mules.
Known for its bohemian atmosphere and low rents (though the latter is changing), the Marigny is home to many artists and musicians, as well as a sizable gay and lesbian population. Among its notable residents are chef Paul Prudhomme, painter James Michalopoulas, and actors Harry Shearer and Jennifer Coolidge, who can be seen around town when they're not working in L.A. Local writers include New Orleans mystery writers Julie Smith and J.M. Redmann, as well as Andrei Codrescu, Michael Swindle, and Kevin Allman.
Do
Buy
Shop Louisiana Music Factory
Specializes in local music, with a wide selection new and used CDs, plus vintage vinyl upstairs. Local musicians often play free sets here for promotion when they come out with a new record. The staff here usually know their stuff and can make good recommendations.
Eat
Budget
Eat 13 Monaghan
An Irish themed bar and grill, squeezed into an odd warehouse space. Good Irish beers and late-night grub, including Huevos Rancheros and pulled pork sandwich. Vegan options available.
Eat Cafe Rose Nicaud
Coffees, teas, and fresh deli sandwiches, quiches.
Eat Cake Cafe
Great bakery with sandwiches.
Eat Flora Gallery and Coffee Shop
Ultra-funky coffeehouse with light fare, as well as poetry readings, board games, and the like.
Eat Mona's
Middle Eastern cuisine, with excellent shwarmas, and an extensive vegetarian selection. Other locations around the city.
Eat Schiro's Community Cafe & Bar
Great food, reasonably priced. Great vegan/vegetarian selections, even for breakfast. Small community market attached.
Eat WhoDat Coffee (formerly Hallowed Grounds, formerly Marigny Perks)
Friendly coffee shop with free wireless internet and easy parking. Gourmet coffee and tea, soup, salad, sandwich and pastry selection, reasonably priced.
Eat Breakaway's R & B
Your Favorite Creole Cookhouse in The Marigny. New Orleans Unofficial Rock & Roll Hall of Fame From the Chef of Green Goddess. The name is inspired by Irma Thomas’ song “Breakaway.” The R&B means restaurant and bar more than rhythm and blues, but the Artigues liked the idea of a reference to local music to help set the tone for their neighborhood place.
Coffee, snacks & supplies
Eat Alois J. Binder Bakery
Breads and pastries to go.
Eat The Orange Couch
Coffee house with light snacks, ice cream, and WiFi.
Mid-range
Eat Adolfo's
Cozy, slightly quirky yet charming Italian. Let the waiters guide you to the nightly specials.
Eat Feelings Cafe
The way the French Quarter used to be 50 years ago. Great piano bar, balcony overlooking nice courtyard. Definitely a locals place and great value, but not for the homophobic.
Eat Marigny Brasserie (formerly Cafe Marigny)
Good menu, and a popular wine and martini bar.
Eat Praline Connection
Much more than pralines (a sweet pecan candy), good Creole soul food at a reasonable price.
Eat Sukho Thai
Authentic Thai food in a neighborhood cafe.
Eat Wasabi
Excellent sushi and Japanese cuisine. Good selection of sakes.
Drink
Frenchmen Street is in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood just below the lower edge of the Quarter. A 4 block stretch of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops mixed with live music venues make it one of the city's most hip places, catering more to locals than tourists (though tourists are certainly welcome, and welcomed).
On any given night, one might find modern jazz, swinging traditional jazz, Latin American style music, rockabilly, and more within this small area. Except for Buffa's, all the below venues are all either on this stretch of Frenchmen Street or just around the corner from it on Esplanade Avenue.
The best way to enjoy Frenchmen (particularly on weekends) is to walk the street with a drink in hand, listening to the music in each club. Many don't have cover charges, but most require at least a one-drink minimum to enter and listen to music. Whenever the music is enjoyable, don't forget to put some cash in the band's tip jar.
Drink Apple Barrel
Sometimes has live music too. Local characters, low prices, no attitude.
Drink AllWays
Lounge in the front, small theater in the back. The hub of fringe theater, plays, bands, and variety shows often. Very friendly and comfortable for all.
Drink d.b.a.
New York style bar on Frenchmen, if you need a bit of sophistication when you drink. Great selection of beers, and frequent live music.
Drink Dragon's Den
A charmingly dilapidated, well-hidden club (go down the building's side alley, then up the stairs to your left), with a balcony on Esplanade and an opium-den feel inside. Live music, occasional poetry slams, serves food.
Drink Friendly Bar
Gay neighborhood bar where locals gather to hang out in a no-pressure atmosphere.
Drink Iggy's
Neighborhood bar with a lot of neighborhood characters; very friendly for all. Frequently serves food.
Drink The John
Relaxed neighborhood hangout with rockabilly, country, and punk on the jukebox. Named for the gold-painted toilet seats that serve as stools at the tables. With inexpensive stiff drinks served up in Mason jars, this spot for locals offers one of the best deals on Frenchmen St.
Drink Mimi's in the Marigny
The toniest bar in the Marigny (but hardly pretentious), with billiards, Galaga, occasional live music, and tapas served from the restaurant upstairs. Good selection of beers and specialty drinks. Hip Hop and Funk DJs Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of singles on the weekends.
Drink Phoenix
Gay neighborhood bar by day, catering to the leather crowd at night. Also the official United Cab stand for catching rides back into the French Quarter.
Drink R-Bar
Hip but laid-back hangout that's comfortable by day and happening at night; great jukebox.
Live music
Drink Blue Nile
A staple of the Frenchmen Street set of music venues, Blue Nile serves up funk, blues, jazz, and New Orleans-style brass bands. A plus is the big dance floor. Unlike most places in Marigny, though, it often charges a cover, so be sure to sample the music from outside before making the decision to go in.
Drink Buffa's Lounge
Small bar room in the front; the big room in the back (also accessible from the side door on Burgundy Street) hosts live music and other events, including a popular jazz brunch on Sundays.
Drink Checkpoint Charlies
This bar has bands, pool tables and laundry facilities if your clothes need awashin'. Local rock and jump bands.
Drink The Maison
The place to go for dinner + jazz (pretty energetic jazz), with the largest dining room on the street, and three stages for music.
Drink Snug Harbor
Perhaps the city's foremost modern jazz venue.
Drink The Spotted Cat Music Club
Cozy bar with good hot jazz.
Sleep
Stay 1870 Banana Courtyard B&B
In 1800s former elite bordello. B&B now. Balcony rooms with a view or budget rooms, each w/different theme. Lagniappe: free soft drinks, bottled water, generous continental breakfast. Tropical courtyard with hammock, verandah with porch swing. Wi-Fi. New fangled stuff, ensuite like: private bathrooms, cable TV, phone, heat and A/C. Gated parking lot.
Stay Suite Jazz
Circa 1861, the building has typical high ceilings, chandeliers, hardwood floors, Cable TV, WIFI Internet Access, Central Air, a fully stocked kitchen and more! A queen sleigh bed, travertine tiled shower & original artwork by fabulous artists. Windows have added sound protection. Sylvia is one of New Orleans' best ambassadors and a great concierge/hostess/tour guide.
Stay River House New Orleans
Three-story antebellum guest house with separate apartments on each floor. Amenities include complementary Wi-Fi and a swimming pool. Rates are lower during the summer (June 1-August 31) and higher during special events (Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Halloween, and New Years Eve). All payments must go through Airbnb or VRBO. A 2-night minimum stay is required.
Stay safe
Like with many urban neighborhoods, there have been problems with crime in Marigny and in the nearby Bywater neighborhood. The Frenchmen Street corridor with most music venues and restaurants is generally safe. Cabs are plentiful and are always a good idea if you're traveling to areas with less "foot traffic."
Go next
The lower part of the French Quarter is adjacent to the Faubourg Marigny just upriver. The Bywater serves as the Marigny's downriver neighbor, with a similar vibe but even less visited by out-of-towners. The 7th and 8th Ward neighborhoods begin just back across St. Claude -- while much of this section is still struggling 6 years after the Katrina disaster, it also has some attractive venues and sights just a short distance from Marigny. Drive, bike, or take the bus back on beautiful Esplanade Avenue toward City Park (located in Mid-City New Orleans) where you can visit NOMA museum and the free admission, not-to-be missed, Sculpture Garden; alternatively you can also get there by catching the Riverfront Streetcar just beyond the floodwall at the foot of Esplanade Avenue- this will take you lengthwise through the French Quarter along the Mississippi, then back along Canal Street.
Nearby
Chalmette
City / town · 1 listings · 6 mi away
Jefferson
City / town · 10 listings · 6 mi away
Metairie
City / town · 18 listings · 8 mi away
Avondale
City / town · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Kenner
City / town · 5 listings · 12 mi away
Saint Rose
City / town · 1 listings · 15 mi away
Jean Lafitte
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Luling
City / town · 4 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.