If you’ve ever walked down Bourbon Street with a plastic cup in your hand, you’ve heard it. That wall of sound—part professional belt, part bachelorette party screech—echoing out from a 19th-century building on the corner of Bourbon and St. Peter. That’s Cat’s Meow New Orleans. It isn't just a bar. Honestly, it’s a rite of passage for anyone visiting the French Quarter who has ever felt the inexplicable urge to sing "Don’t Stop Believin'" in front of three hundred strangers.
Most people think of it as a tourist trap. They aren't entirely wrong, but that’s a shallow take. The place has been around for over 30 years, surviving hurricanes, economic crashes, and the ever-changing whims of the New Orleans nightlife scene. It’s stayed relevant because it does one thing exceptionally well: it turns regular people into rock stars for exactly three minutes.
The Weird History of a Karaoke Empire
It started back in 1989. While other spots were focusing on jazz or generic dance music, the founders of Cat’s Meow New Orleans leaned into the then-rising trend of karaoke. But they didn't just put a machine in a corner. They built a stage. They added a professional sound system. They hired emcees who knew how to work a crowd like a Vegas ringmaster.
The building itself is classic New Orleans. It’s got that weathered, historic vibe that contrasts sharply with the high-tech video screens and neon lights inside. You're standing on floorboards that have seen decades of spilled Hurricanes and nervous foot-tapping. It's that friction between the old-world architecture and the raw, modern energy of a live performance that makes the atmosphere so thick you can almost taste it.
People often ask if the "World's Best Karaoke Bar" claim is just marketing fluff. Well, when you consider the sheer volume of performers and the fact that they’ve expanded to locations like Las Vegas, it’s hard to argue with the pedigree. They were early adopters of the webcam era, too. Long before Twitch was a thing, you could log onto their website and watch a grainy, live feed of whoever was butchering "Before He Cheats" at 2:00 AM.
Why the Emcees Make or Break the Night
You can’t talk about the Cat’s Meow New Orleans experience without mentioning the hosts. They are the glue. A bad karaoke bar is just a sequence of awkward silences and technical glitches. Here, the emcees keep the energy at a constant boil. They roast the crowd. They hype up the shy singers. Sometimes they jump in on backup vocals if someone is clearly dying on stage.
It’s a specific skill set. You have to be part DJ, part comedian, and part therapist. I've seen hosts navigate a rowdy stag party and a group of retired librarians in the same twenty-minute span without losing the room. That’s the "secret sauce" people miss. It’s not about the songs; it’s about the permission to be ridiculous.
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Navigating the Chaos: Survival Tips for the French Quarter
If you’re planning to go, don’t just wander in at midnight on a Saturday and expect a front-row seat. It’s packed. Like, "shoulder-to-shoulder-sweating-on-strangers" packed.
- The Early Bird Special: They usually have a 3-for-1 happy hour that starts early in the afternoon. It’s the best time to actually get a song in the queue without waiting three hours.
- The Balcony Factor: If the main floor is too intense, head upstairs. The balcony overlooking Bourbon Street is legendary for people-watching. You get the music from inside and the circus from outside.
- Song Choice Matters: Please, for the love of everything holy, rethink "Bohemian Rhapsody." It’s too long. Everyone does it. Try some 90s R&B or a deep-cut country track. The crowd loves a surprise.
The drinks are what you’d expect from Bourbon Street—strong, sugary, and served in souvenir containers. The "Cat-a-tonic" is a staple, but honestly, stick to beer if you want to keep your voice (and your dignity) intact for the morning. New Orleans humidity does weird things to your hydration levels.
The Cultural Impact of 701 Bourbon Street
There’s a reason celebrities show up here. Over the years, folks like Miley Cyrus, Bill Murray, and even members of NSYNC have been spotted at Cat’s Meow New Orleans. It’s the one place where fame doesn't really matter because the 21st-birthday girl from Ohio just blew the roof off the place with a Whitney Houston cover.
It represents a specific brand of New Orleans "lagniappe"—that little something extra. It’s the hospitality of letting you be the center of attention. While the city is famous for its world-class musicians on Frenchmen Street, this place celebrates the lack of talent. It’s democratic. It’s loud. It’s messy.
Critics sometimes complain that Bourbon Street has become a "Disneyfied" version of itself. Sure, there’s some truth to that. But spots like this keep the pulse going. They provide a safe space for the kind of uninhibited joy that is increasingly hard to find in buttoned-up cities.
Dealing with the Crowds and the Noise
Let’s be real for a second. If you hate noise, stay away. If you hate crowds, stay away. If you think karaoke is a sin against music, definitely stay away. The sound bleeds out into the street, mixing with the brass bands on the corner and the barkers calling people into strip clubs. It’s a cacophony.
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But if you’re in the mood? There is nowhere better. There’s a psychological phenomenon that happens in a room full of people singing the same chorus. It’s a collective release. You’ll see total strangers hugging because they both know all the words to "Mr. Brightside." In a world that feels increasingly divided, there’s something weirdly poetic about a karaoke bar being the great equalizer.
Practical Logistics for Your Visit
Cat’s Meow New Orleans is located at 701 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116. They are generally open 365 days a year, because the party in the Quarter never actually stops.
- Cover Charge: Sometimes there is one, sometimes there isn't. It usually depends on the time of day and what’s happening in the city (like Mardi Gras or Southern Decadence).
- The Queue: The "Song Slips" are your currency. Be nice to the person running the booth. A little kindness (and maybe a polite tip) goes a long way in a busy bar.
- Safety: It’s Bourbon Street. Keep your wallet in your front pocket. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Use the buddy system. The bar staff is generally very good at spotting trouble, but you’ve got to be smart.
The interior layout is a bit of a maze. You’ve got the main stage area, the side bars, and the stairs leading to the second level. If you’re with a large group, pick a "home base" near one of the pillars so you don't lose each other in the sea of neon.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think you have to be a good singer. You don't. In fact, being too good can sometimes be a buzzkill. The best performances at Cat’s Meow New Orleans are the ones with the most heart. It’s about the stage presence. It’s about the guy in the seersucker suit doing a choreographed dance to "Ice Ice Baby."
Another misconception is that it's only for tourists. You’d be surprised how many locals end up here. After a long shift at a nearby restaurant or hotel, hospitality workers often swing by for a drink and a song. It’s a community, albeit a very loud and rotating one.
The Technical Side of the Show
They take the tech seriously. The monitors are positioned so you can see the lyrics from almost anywhere on stage, which is helpful if you’ve had one too many Hand Grenades from down the street. The lighting rigs are professional grade. When those spotlights hit you, it feels real.
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They also offer a recording service. You can actually get a video of your performance. It’s one of those things that seems like a great idea at 1:00 AM and then becomes a terrifying piece of evidence when you watch it at noon the next day while nursing a hangover at Mother’s Restaurant.
Actionable Insights for Your Night Out
To make the most of your time at Cat’s Meow New Orleans, you need a strategy. Don't just wing it.
First, pick your song before you even walk through the door. The song book is massive, and trying to choose while standing in a dark, loud bar is a recipe for indecision. Have a "Go-To" and a "Backup."
Second, utilize the balcony. If the stage area feels suffocating, the balcony offers a reprieve. You can still hear the music, but you get that fresh(ish) Mississippi River air and a view of the madness below. It’s the best seat in the house for observing the chaotic beauty of New Orleans.
Third, respect the rotation. If the host says it’s a two-hour wait, believe them. Don't pester the booth. Instead, use that time to make friends with the people around you. Some of the best stories in New Orleans start with a conversation in the karaoke line.
Finally, know when to leave. The energy peaks around midnight. If you stay until 4:00 AM, things get a little weird—and not always the "fun" kind of New Orleans weird. Catch the high point, sing your heart out, and then head off to find some late-night beignets or a slice of giant pizza.
Cat’s Meow New Orleans isn't just a bar; it's a testament to the city’s spirit of "Laissez les bons temps rouler." It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s unapologetically exactly what it claims to be. Whether you’re on stage or in the back of the room, you’re part of a tradition that celebrates the joy of simply being alive and having a microphone in your hand.
Check their social media for special events or theme nights before you go. Sometimes they have "Gold Club" perks for regulars, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a local celebrity taking a turn at the mic. Just remember: in New Orleans, the only thing that matters is that you showed up and played your part in the show.