Many local French Quarter bars and restaurants have remained open during Christmas in the past and, in fact, some consider it obligatory because of tradition. Reveillon, for instance, is a New Orleans French-Creole tradition that’s celebrated with luxurious holiday dinners during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
And some places choose to stay open because tourists. It’s the French Quarter. Many, but not all, hospitality industry workers here prefer to work, whether they feel compelled to do it or just love what they do, and some may even be expected to work on Christmas.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions/shutdowns have severely impacted the operations of many businesses in the French Quarter and we’re left wondering what’s open or closed. Here’s an incomplete, but continually updated, list of bars and restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Day.
By the order of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, all on-premise alcohol consumption at bars and restaurants must stop at 11 p.m., although bars must still close at 11 p.m. Open hours may vary.
This is an ongoing list and will be updated throughout the day/night. If you’re open, please contact Dave Minsky at dave@thequarterrat.com or Eric T. Styles at styles@thequarterrat.com.
UPDATED: Dec. 24, 2020, 5:21 p.m. CST
The Upper Quarter, 1000 Bienville St.
Will be open starting at 2 p.m. on Christmas Day for the Saints game.
The Alibi, 811 Iberville St.
This dive bar located on Iberville Street will be open until about 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It’ll reopen at 3 p.m. on Christmas Day in time for the Saints game and close at about 11 p.m.
Palm and Pine, 308 N. Rampart St.
This restaurant will be open for Christmas, with their last seating at 9:45 p.m.; closed for Christmas Day.
The Abbey Bar, 1123 Decatur St.
The bar will have poboys and fixings available. Bartenders Erica, followed by Erica, will be on hand pouring cocktails until 11 p.m.
Fahy’s Irish Pub, 540 Burgundy St.
Fahy’s will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Mr. B’s Bistro, 201 Royal St.
Open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Jimani Lounge and Restaurant, 141 Chartes St.
The Jimani will be open on Christmas Day from 5 p.m. until about 11 p.m.
Molly’s on Toulouse, 732 Toulouse St.
Molly’s will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Toulouse Dive Bar, 738 Toulouse St.
The Dive Bar on Toulouse Street, located next to Molly’s, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Jessica will have homemade Christmas cookies and hot spiced apple cider for the Dive Bar Christmas day.
Copper Monkey Grill, 725 Conti St.
The Copper Monkey Grill (and bar) will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
MRB, 515 St. Philp St.
MRB’s will be open on Christmas Eve from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Christmas Day from noon to 11 p.m. with the Saints game ready to roll.
Turtle Bay, 1119 Decatur St.
Will be open from 11 a.m to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Day.
Local 718, 718 Bourbon St.
Local 718, which replaced Johnny White’s on the corner of Bourbon Street and Orleans Avenue, will be giving out meals free of charge to locals and service industry workers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Market Cafe, 1000 Decatur St.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to at least 4 or 5 p.m. (all times subject to change).
The Dungeon, 738 Toulouse St.
Will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cosimo’s, 1201 Burgundy St.
Cosimo’s bar, located on the corner of Burgundy and Governor Nicholls Street, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cafe Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon St.
Open on Christmas Eve from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a Christmas party.
ACME Oyster House, 724 Iberville St.
Open on Christmas Eve, but closes at 4 p.m.
Olde Nola Cookery, 205 Bourbon St.
Open Christmas Day from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.
Arnaud’s and the French 75 Bar, 813 Beinville St.
Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and open Christmas Day for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Bourbon House, 144 Bourbon St.Not open Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, Open Christmas Eve until 9 p.m.
Mambo’s, 411 Bourbon St.
Open Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Good Friends Bar and Queens Head Pub, 740 Dauphine St.
This bar will be open normal business hours on Christmas Eve, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Betty’s Bar and Bistro, 700 Burgundy St.
Will be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St.
Corner Pocket will be open on Christmas Eve from noon to 11 p.m and on Christmas Day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Three Legged Dog, 400 Burgundy St.
Open Christmas Eve and Day from noon to 11 p.m.
American Sports Saloon, 1200 Decatur St.
American Sports Saloon, also know as the “ASS” bar, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Spirits on Bourbon, 615 Bourbon St.
Will be open 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Checkpoint Charlie’s, 501 Esplanade Ave.
Simply known as “Checkpoints,” this bar will be open both days, Christmas Eve and Day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart St.
Open Christmas Even and Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Longway Tavern, 719 Toulouse St.
Will be open on Christmas Eve from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., but closed Christmas Day.
The Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Original Pierre Maspero’s, 440 Chartres St.
Open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days. You can make a reservation here.
Killer Poboys, 219 Dauphine St.
Open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed for Christmas Day.
Crossing Bar, 439 Dauphine St.
Open both days from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant, 1001 Esplanade Ave.
Buffa’s is still holding its annual Christmas Eve film festival, which runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cafe Maspero, 601 Decatur St.
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 9 a.m to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Curio Bistro, 301 Royal St.
Curio will be open Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Royal House, 441 Royal St.
Open regular hours on Christmas Even from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. and Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal St.
Will be open regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Even and Day.