Cat’s Meow Bourbon Street
Live Cam

This camera looks down on Bourbon Street from the Cat's Meow karaoke bar, right in the thick of the French Quarter. It is one of the most watched street views in the United States, and for good reason: the pavement below almost never empties. Brass bands, bachelorette parties, cyclists and curious tourists all pass through the same narrow frame.

Why Bourbon Street? Few streets anywhere carry this much life per block. Bourbon Street is lined with balconies, neon and open doorways, and the sound spilling out of them changes every few steps. The cam sits above one of the corners where karaoke crowds gather, so you get the constant drift of people between bars rather than a single static scene.

Cat's Meow Bourbon Street highlights: As you enjoy the live view, be sure to look out for:

• Mardi Gras Crowds: During Carnival season the street fills wall to wall with costumes and beads, and the view becomes a slow river of people.
• Balcony Life: Watch the wrought iron balconies across the way, where groups lean over the railings to call down to the street below.
• Quiet Early Hours: Just after dawn the street empties and you see cleaning crews, delivery vans and the shuttered doors of the night before.

Beyond the Street: The French Quarter spreads out in every direction from here, with Jackson Square and the Mississippi riverfront a short walk toward the water. Royal Street runs parallel with antique shops and galleries, and the courtyards and quieter residential blocks toward Esplanade show a very different side of the same neighbourhood.

Thanks to EarthCam and their affiliate Cat's Meow Karaoke Bar for keeping this view online around the clock. Sharing a balcony perch on one of the world's most famous party streets lets people far from Louisiana feel the pulse of the French Quarter any hour.

Tune in at night for the noise and the neon, or early in the morning for an almost empty Bourbon Street, and see which New Orleans you prefer.