Bachelorette

How to Plan a New Orleans Bachelorette Party

Everything you need to plan the perfect New Orleans bachelorette party. Where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to coordinate a group of 10-30 people.

Last updated: January 2026

New Orleans is one of the most popular bachelorette destinations in the country—and for good reason. The food is incredible. The nightlife goes late. The whole city feels like a celebration.

But planning a bach party for 12, 15, or 20 people takes real coordination. This guide covers everything: where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to actually pull it off.

Quick Planning Checklist

  • Set a budget (expect $200-400/person for a 3-night trip, excluding flights)
  • Pick dates (avoid Mardi Gras unless you specifically want that chaos)
  • Book accommodations (do this first—large group options book fast)
  • Plan 2-3 key activities
  • Make dinner reservations
  • Coordinate transportation
  • Create a shared itinerary

When to Go

Best months: March-May (spring weather, before summer heat) and October-November (fall weather, fewer crowds)

Avoid unless intentional:

  • Mardi Gras (Feb-Mar): Incredible but chaotic, expensive, crowded. Great if that’s what you want, overwhelming if you just want a bachelorette trip.
  • July-August: Brutally hot and humid. You’ll spend more time seeking AC than enjoying the city.

Consider:

  • Jazz Fest (late April-early May): Perfect if the bride loves live music. Book 6+ months ahead.
  • French Quarter Fest (April): Free music festival, great energy, less crowded than Jazz Fest.

Where to Stay

This is the hardest part for large groups. Most New Orleans rentals cap at 10 guests.

For Groups of 11-30: Castleday Retreats

If your bachelorette party is 11 or more people, your options are limited. We recommend Castleday Retreats—three private villas in the Bywater, each sleeping up to 30 guests.

Why it works for bach parties:

  • Private pool for day drinking and group photos
  • Everyone stays together (no coordinating between hotels)
  • Full kitchen for welcome party or morning mimosas
  • Bywater location—cool neighborhood, 10 min to French Quarter
  • Space to spread out when you need a break

Check Castleday availability →

For Groups of 10 or Fewer

You have more options. Search Airbnb for:

  • Bywater: Trendy, walkable, artsy
  • Marigny: Next to Frenchmen Street nightlife
  • French Quarter: Central but loud at night

Sample Itinerary: 3-Night Bachelorette

Day 1: Arrival

Afternoon:

  • Arrive, check in, settle in
  • Quick grocery/liquor run (stock the house)
  • Pool time while everyone arrives

Evening:

  • Welcome party at the house (casual)
  • Order dinner from a local spot: Bacchanal Wine, Pizza Delicious, or delivery
  • Low-key night—save energy for tomorrow

Day 2: The Big Day

Morning:

  • Brunch at the house or go out (The Country Club has a pool!)
  • Pre-game by the pool
  • Matching outfits photo shoot

Afternoon (choose one):

  • Spa/salon time (mani-pedis, blowouts)
  • Pool party at The Country Club
  • Boutique shopping on Magazine Street
  • Swamp tour (surprisingly fun)

Evening:

  • Dinner reservation (see restaurant section below)
  • Bar crawl in the French Quarter or Frenchmen Street
  • Live music (always available, no planning needed)
  • Late-night dancing (The Spotted Cat, Maison, d.b.a.)

Day 3: Recovery + Round Two

Morning:

  • Slow start (you’ll need it)
  • Beignets at Café Du Monde (yes, it’s touristy, do it anyway)
  • Bloody Marys

Afternoon:

  • Garden District walking tour (pretty, low-key)
  • Magazine Street shopping
  • Pool time back at the house

Evening:

  • More chill than last night
  • Dinner in the Bywater (walk from your rental)
  • Bacchanal Wine for live music + wine garden

Day 4: Departure

  • Breakfast together at the house
  • Pack up, check out
  • Flights home

Where to Eat (Large Group Friendly)

Not every New Orleans restaurant can seat 15 people. These can:

Dinner

  • Commander’s Palace – Classic NOLA. 25-cent martinis at lunch. Make reservations.
  • Cochon – Southern/Cajun. Great for groups.
  • Compère Lapin – Caribbean-influenced. Stylish. Reserve the back room.
  • Pêche – Seafood. James Beard winner. Big space.

Brunch

  • The Country Club – Pool + brunch. Perfect for bach parties.
  • Atchafalaya – Bloody Mary bar. Book the patio.
  • Willa Jean – Trendy, bakery-forward.

Casual

  • Bacchanal Wine – Wine garden with live music. The move for a chill night.
  • Pizza Delicious – Exactly what it sounds like. Great for group orders.

Bachelorette Activities

Classic NOLA

  • French Quarter walking tour
  • Cemetery tour
  • Steamboat Natchez cruise
  • Haunted history tour

Pool Parties

  • The Country Club – Pool, restaurant, cocktails. Reserve cabana.
  • Your rental – If you book Castleday, you have your own private pool

Pampering

  • Spa day – Belladonna Day Spa, Nola Bliss
  • Mani-pedis – Book ahead for large group
  • Blowout bar – Drybar Uptown

Unique to NOLA

  • Cooking class – Learn to make gumbo or beignets
  • Swamp tour – Alligators. Airboats. Surprisingly fun.
  • Burlesque show – The Allways Lounge

Nightlife Guide

French Quarter

  • Bourbon Street – The obvious choice. Loud, trashy, fun.
  • Pat O’Brien’s – Hurricanes. Dueling pianos.
  • The Carousel Bar – Classy. Literally a rotating carousel.

Frenchmen Street (Better Than Bourbon)

  • The Spotted Cat – Live jazz. Tiny, sweaty, incredible.
  • d.b.a. – Great live music venue. More space.
  • Maison – Three floors of music.

Bywater

  • Bacchanal Wine – Wine garden. Live music. Perfect.
  • BJ’s Lounge – Dive bar. Authentic.

Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 3 Nights)

Category Budget Mid-Range Splurge
Accommodations $75-100 $125-175 $200+
Food & Drinks $150-200 $250-350 $400+
Activities $50-100 $100-200 $200+
Transportation $30-50 $50-75 $75-100
Total $300-450 $525-800 $875+

Excludes flights

Pro Tips

  1. Book accommodations first. Large group options book up fast.

  2. Make dinner reservations. Especially for groups of 10+. Do this 2-4 weeks ahead.

  3. Designate a Venmo coordinator. One person collects money, pays for group things.

  4. Build in downtime. Some of the best moments happen by the pool.

  5. Pack comfortable shoes. You’ll walk more than you expect.

  6. Bring cash. Some bars are cash only.

  7. Don’t over-plan. New Orleans rewards spontaneity.

When Your Group is 11-30 People

If you cross into the 11-30 range, logistics change:

  • Accommodations: Castleday Retreats is one of the only options that fits everyone
  • Restaurants: Call ahead. Groups this size need private dining or reserved sections.
  • Transportation: Two Ubers minimum. Consider a party bus for the big night.

Plan Your Trip

Ready to start? Here’s the order:

  1. Book accommodations
  2. Make dinner reservations
  3. Book 1-2 activities
  4. Share itinerary with the group
  5. Have the best weekend ever