Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
The hottest bear event in the USA comes to the Hottest City for the Hottest Weekend, Its going to be a scorcher!
The hottest bear event in the USA comes to the Hottest City for the Hottest Weekend, Its going to be a scorcher!
New Orleans plays host to the Bearracuda party during the sexiest week of the year, Southern Decadence. The party welcomes 100’s of furry guys to dance the night away!.
- Visiting New Orleans for the party? Stay close to the venue at the Hotel Provincial, a 4 star hotel rated “Fabulous” by guests with stunning period decor, spacious rooms and an outdoor pool, right in the French Quarter.
The Party
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates, typically the Friday of Southern Decadence.
- Doors open at 9pm with beats by guest DJs. The party is Hosted by Matt Bearracuda with the hot bear Go-Go’s dancing all night during the Saturday of the Southern Decadence Weekend.
- Bearracuda is the largest attended bear dance party and most prolific gay dance event in the U.S. The event has been held in 62 cities across the world, including parties in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, London, LA, Atlanta & Sydney.
- The party takes over the Joy Theatre on Canal Street with space for over 1,000 people and runs until 2 am.
- Music by guest DJs. Hosted by Matt Bearracuda.
- Decor & Photos by Dusti Cunningham.
- For more discover our insider’s guide to the best of Gay New Orleans.
The Venue
- Joy Theatre New Orleans – Named after its founder Joy Houck, the former Canal Street landmark movie palace now serves as a staple of New Orleans’ burgeoning music and arts scene.
- Featuring a state-of-the-art audio/visual system, a fixed stage, three permanent bars, and multi-tiered balcony seating spread out over 10,000 square feet.
- The venue is a 6 to 10 minute drive from the heart of the French Quarter, depending on traffic.
Where to stay for Southern Decadence Weekend?
- The best place to stay is in the French quarter which is where you will find most of the gay bars and clubs. The following hotels are currently trending with our readers:
The Roosevelt Hotel, Omni Royal, Royal Sonesta Hotel, French Market Inn.
Book your hotel in advance & save money
Book Now and Pay on arrival!
The Hotel Monteleone is where we stay
in New Orleans, close to all the gay bars.
For information and advice on
Bearracuda visit Facebook
If you want to be close to all of New Orleans famous attractions, including the top gay-nightlife options in the city, the French Quarter remains the hub of where to stay, with dozens of hotels of all types and grades.. Adjacent to the Quarter and just downriver, you’ll find a number of gay-friendly smaller properties in historic and trendy Faubourg Marigny, which is also home to several gay-popular restaurants and bars.
Address: 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 100 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 541 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 830 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 626 Saint Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 801 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2513 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 718 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 1328 St Bernard Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2240 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 800 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2021 Foucher St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
Address: 2301 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 634 Louisa Street, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 901 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 740 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 740 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 940 St. Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 834 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 1012 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 941 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 1239 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 439 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 940 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 542 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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We have chosen hotels in New Orleans that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Southern Decadence Parades
New Orleans doesn’t have distinct gay neighbourhoods in the same way as some other cities like West Hollywood or Chelsea in New York City. However, the city is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and you’ll find gay-friendly establishments and events scattered throughout various neighbourhoods, especially along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.
Photo: Laissez les bons temps rouler! Bourbon Street is at the heart of Gay NOLA.
Downriver from the French Quarter with colourful, eclectic houses & a vibrant arts scene along Frenchman St.
East of the Marigny and close to Crescent Park with stunning views of the River and the NOLA skyline.
Known as the Arts District, perfect for art enthusiasts & museum-goers with trendy restaurants & boutique hotels.
The CBD offers easy access to Bourbon Street and a variety of dining options, shops, and cultural attractions.

Columbus 4th of July at AWOL