10 Places to Eat at for Krewe of Barkus
Each Carnival season, for one day, the French Quarter is dedicated to the dogs. The Krewe of Barkus will return with its annual costumed dog parade on Sunday, February 8. Starting and ending in Armstrong Park, Barkus moved through the French Quarter with hundreds of dogs and their owners dressed in anything from themed costumes to Mardi Gras beads, creating a lighthearted and family-friendly celebration. The event draws crowds who follow along with drinks in hand and snacks from nearby establishments. Whether one is marching in the parade alongside their pet or watching from the sidelines, these nearby restaurants and bars are convenient spots to eat, drink, and stay close to the parade route throughout the day.
1. Bar Tonique
820 N. Rampart St.
Located close by Armstrong Park, Bar Tonique is one of the first and last stops along the Barkus parade route. The bar is known for its unique cocktails, mixed drinks, beer, wine and hard liquor selections. There is also a collection of daily specials ranging from $8 daiquiris on Tuesdays, $8 Moscow Mules on Wednesdays, and $8 Mai Tai's on Sundays—the day of Barkus.
Their location near Armstrong Park makes it an ideal location to grab a quick drink without straying too far. The interior also features a cozy atmosphere with brick accents and a fireplace.
2. Good Friends Bar
740 Dauphine St., (504) 566-7191
Good Friends Bar is a spot in the French Quarter with multiple floors and balcony seating. Located on Dauphine Street, Good Friends Bar is home to a cocktail called The Separator, which is similar to something of an alcoholic milkshake, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
The bar is also known as one of the city's most popular LGBTQ+ bars with a mahogany bar aesthetic and Victorian-looking interior. Upstairs, above the Good Friends Bar, is the Queens Head Pub, which offers a quieter atmosphere that is intimate and features Victorian accents with oak floors to relax. Its central Dauphine Street location keeps visitors within walking distance of the Barkus route while offering plenty of room to relax and recharge.
3. Wakin' Bakin'
900 Dumaine St., (504) 233-3877
Wakin' Bakin' is a reliable choice for breakfast and brunch, with comfort meals that are filling for parade day. They have two locations in New Orleans and one of them is on Dumaine Street in the French Quarter, within proximity to the Barkus parade route. Their menu features food items such as the OG Bowl, which is a breakfast bowl filled with bacon confit, melted cheddar cheese over grits, and topped with two eggs.
The SuperBowl dish features Cajun-style hash and black beans under melted cheese, bacon confit, sage sausage, caramelized onions, and jalapeños. This is all topped with poached eggs, salsa. and avocado. The menu also features an array of omelet options, coffee and tea, and other soft beverages. For parade-goers attending Barkus early, Wakin' Bakin' is a great stop for a hearty meal that is filling before a day outside, watching the parade.
4. Laffite's Blacksmith Shop Bar
941 Bourbon St., (504) 593-9761
Laffite's Blacksmith Shop Bar is one of the oldest bars in the country and is located on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. According to their website, the structure was built between 1722 and 1732 by Nicolas Touze. The bar is dimly lit, with a historic and rustic interior, and serves cocktails, frozen drinks, and a wide beer selection.
Its Bourbon Street location makes it an easy walk from multiple points along the Barkus route, and the steady flow of bar-goers keeps the energy high all day. It also does not accept reservations, and it is open from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. every day of the week.
5. New Orleans Vampire Café
801 Royal St., (504) 581-0801
The New Orleans Vampire Café is a restaurant and bar located on Royal Street. The restaurant is somewhat vampire-themed, serving "Blood Bag Cocktails" that put Fangria (Vampire Sangria), Vampyre Vodka Pomegranate Lemonade, or non-alcoholic beverages into Vampire Café blood bags to drink. Other cocktails also align with the vampire theme. There is also a full restaurant menu that combines Creole and contemporary food options. Breakfast options include a breakfast sandwich with egg, avocado, and onion/bacon jam. There is also avocado toast topped with smoked salmon, pickled cucumber, onions and dill oil.
There is also a weekend menu that offers these options in addition to an alligator po-boy, Nutella toast, steak & eggs, and a vampire breakfast burger. The main menu features options such as blacked alligator, garlic mussels, the vampire Caesar salad roasted elephant garlic served with rosemary focaccia toast. The restaurant's indoor seating and air-conditioning offer a break from the crowds, and its Royal Street location keeps visitors close enough to step back out for the parade quickly.
6. Pere Antoine
720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930
Located on the corner St. Ann Street and Royal Street, Pere Antoine serves traditional Creole and Louisiana Cajun dishes in a relaxed restaurant setting. The menu features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, such as their royal blacked catfish, Creole combination jambalaya, a variety of po-boys, beignet fries, and Mardi Gras pasta featuring spicy Cajun sausage, shrimp, and chicken combined with tomato, cream, and local seasoning.
The restaurant is a good choice for a sit-down meal or an early dinner during or after the parade. It is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day, with the exception of Friday and Saturdays when they are open from 9 a.m. through 11 p.m.
7. Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro
720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930
Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro is a dining experience that puts a focus on wine and bistro-style dishes. Located on Orleans Street, the atmosphere is cozy, with a courtyard setting, balcony seating, and fairy lights hung throughout the outdoor patio. The menu includes items such as cheese and charcuterie boards and a goat cheese salad for starters, as well as Cajun surf and turf, Creole pasta, and shrimp remoulade for entree-style meals.
There is also an extensive wine list and assortment of craft cocktails. Its courtyard atmosphere provides a quieter alternative to the more hectic atmosphere of Bourbon Street. On the day of Barkus, the restaurant will be open from 4 p.m. through 10 p.m., in addition to all other days of the week with the exception of being closed from Monday to Wednesday.
8. Bourbon "O" Bar
730 Bourbon St., (855) 771-5214
Located inside the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, the Bourbon "O" Bar serves classic drinks such as their specialty cocktail, the Weller Millennium, which includes notes of caramel, oak, and dried fruit. They also offer cocktails like the Hurricane and the Ramos Gin Fizz, which incorporates gin, heavy cream, and fresh lemon and lime, in addition to a selection of bar snacks.
The bar is located in the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, with a candle lit interior and cozy atmosphere all around. In close proximity to the Barkus Route, the bar is open from 1 p.m. through 12 a.m. every day.
9. Tropical Isle
721 Bourbon St., (504) 529-4109
Known for its famous "Hand Grenade" drink and cocktails, Tropical Isle is a high-energy spot that specializes in frozen drinks. Their staple Hand Grenade is neon-green, served in a tall canister that matches the color of the drink.
Alongside the famous beverage, the bar serves daiquiris, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. With multiple locations across Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, the bar is widely accessible to the Barkus parade route, but especially at their 721 Bourbon St. spot. Locations are open from 12 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. everyday, with the exception of closing at 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
10. Voodoo Lounge
718 N. Rampart St., (504) 265-0953
Located just outside the quarter near Armstrong Park, the Voodoo Lounge is accessible to the Barkus parade route. It serves as a neighborhood bar with affordable drinks and a local crowd.
Their menu includes signature cocktails such as the Geaux Home Heaux, which is similar to a Long Island Iced Tea. The establishment is also a stop during ghost tours, with many customers returning after paying a visit for this reason. It is located near the parade's start and finish and is open 24 hours every day.
