Event Dates
From: Saturday, August 9, 2025
To: Saturday, August 9, 2025
The Red Dress Run in New Orleans doubles as a fundraiser & a chance to party.
The Red Dress Run in New Orleans doubles as a fundraiser and a chance to party! All proceeds from the event go directly to charity, typically held on the second Saturday in August.
- Visiting New Orleans, stay close to all the gay bars and clubs in the French Quarter. Stay in the “Suburb” rated Hotel Monteleone, in the perfect location, just close enough to Bourbon Street gay bars to be convenient, but not noisey. The hotel features a gym, outdoor pool and stylish rooms.
The Run
- Next Edition: Saturday 9th August, 2025.
- Every year on the second Saturday in August, the New Orleans Hash House Harriers (a local “drinking club with a running problem”) host Red Dress Run, a charity “run” in the Crescent City.
- The runners, with drinks in hand, continue their route through the French Quarter and spend the rest of the day celebrating. Expect a sea of red throughout the neighborhood!
- Participants in the Red Dress Run can sign up to support the charity. Registration usually includes donations to local charities, special live music and beers for the run.
The Route
- The run usually begins in New Orleans Crescent Park in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans, just outside of the French Quarter. The exact location is only announced to those who registered.
- Crescent Park opens at 9:00 a.m. with a DJ playing until the run starts at 11:00 a.m. when runners swarm the French Quarter. Following the run, lunch is served at noon back at Crescent Park for those registered and will include fish tacos, red beans and rice, jambalaya, hot dogs, sausage, poboys, pizza, and more. Beer, wine, and snowballs flow throughout the day.
Crescent Park
- Crescent Park is located right on the riverfront in Bywater. The park stretches for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi, providing unparalleled views and access to the water.
- The park is a 7 minute drive or 34 minute walk (possibly longer in Heels and a dress) from the gay bars along Bourbon Street.
- Stay close to the park at the “Superb” rated Look out inn, complete with pool, located in the Bywater neighborhood.
Where to stay in New Orleans
The following New Orleans 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 our editors
choice, close to the gay bars
For information and advice on
The Red Dress Run visit The Website
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.
130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
This 5-star hotel in
is a 15-minute walk to Jackson Square. The elegant hotel features The Rooftop Bar, a full-service spa and rooms with a 42-inch flat-screen TV.Guest rooms at The Roosevelt offer stylish décor and luxury amenities. Bathrobes and a 14-inch TV are offered in the bathroom and each room has a minibar.
300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Located in the historic
on Bourbon Street, Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans offers accommodation with an outdoor pool, multiple bars, and a jazz club. The hotel is decorated with modern art and offers several on-site dining options.Complimentary WiFi, a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator are included in all rooms at this New Orleans Royal Sonesta. Each room includes a seating area, safe and private bathroom. Some rooms offer a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street or the pool. Extras include bathrobes and luxury toiletries.
621 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Located on the most fashionable corner, St. Louis at Royal, the hotel has received the 4-diamond luxury award for the past 27 years and has earned the Pinnacle Award for meeting services.
Whether you’re visiting
for work or play, you’re in company – the is truly the place to see and be seen.541 Bourbon St New Orleans, LA 70112
This boutique hotel is located on
in the center of ’ . It features an outdoor pool surrounded by a tropical courtyard and a bar.All guest rooms at Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter have views of the courtyard or French Quarter and feature a flat-screen TV and minibar. The spacious rooms are elegantly decorated with wood furniture.
509 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Situated in the
, this hotel was built in the 1800s and provides simple rooms with coffee facilities. Guests are a 5-minute walk from Jackson Square.Each air-conditioned room at the
provides a desk and cable TV. The rooms include carpeted floors and exposed brick walls.830 Conti StNew Orleans, LA 70112
Steps from Bourbon Street and the Aquarium of the Americas, this hotel is located in the French Quarter of New Orleans and offers 24-hour concierge service and an on-site restaurant.
Prince Conti Hotel features completely non-smoking guestrooms with convenient coffeemakers.
625 St Ann StNew Orleans, LA 70116
Situated in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Place D'Armes provides accommodation in a historic hotel and rooms with exposed brick walls. Popular points of interest nearby include St Louis Cemetery No 1, Bourbon Street and Morial Convention Center. Free WiFi available.
All units in the hotel are fitted with a TV, seating area and complimentary toiletries.
234 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
This air-conditioned apartment features free WiFi, the kitchen features a dishwasher, a living room with a flat-screen TV with streaming TV options and local channels are available. Other facilities at this two-bedroom apartment include a fitness centre.
822 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112
All units feature a cable flat-screen TV and iPod docking station. Units include a seating and/or dining area. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, Every unit comes with a private bathroom with a bath or shower, free toiletries, & a washing machine
127 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Featuring accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning and flat-screen TV, Bourbon Place I Sextant is situated 500 m from Bourbon Street and 700 m from St Louis Cemetery No 1. metered parking and a garage parking close to the property.
1111 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa bed, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. A dishwasher, a microwave and fridge.
801 Bourbon StNew Orleans, LA 70116
The Bourbon Pub Parade is New Orleans' largest gay bar and nightclub that welcomes everyone. We are simply the place to be! Big gay bar with 3 bars & a dance floor always busy
2240 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
Alternative theater & gay bar putting on live entertainment, burlesque cabaret shows including Burlesque Bingo with Lefty Lucy and jock strap lube wrestling
800 Bourbon StNew Orleans, LA 70116
New Orleans Premier Gay Dance Club and the GAA Dance Club & Show Bar One of the best gay night clubs in town
901 Bourbon StNew Orleans, LA 70116
Cafe Lafitte in Exile is the oldest Gay Bar in North America. It is multilevel venue with out door seating and wrap around balcony that allows sweeping view of world famous Bourbon St. and beyond.
740 Burgundy StNew Orleans, LA 70116
The French Quarter's seediest Gay Bar. Come thirstier than ever, and ready for a GOOD time!
740 Dauphine StNew Orleans, LA 70116
Popular and relaxed gay bar, Good Friends Bar is a multi level venue designed for a causal night on the town or a quite evening with that special someone or group of friends.
940 St Louis StNew Orleans, LA 70112
Where the Boys are dancing nightly on the bar!
The Corner Pocket is your basic neighborhood bar during the day and early evening. Crowds flock to the club 7 nights a week beginning at 9pm to see the latest dancin' boys the bar has cornered for its stable.
834 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Grand Pre's is the LGBTQ Cheers of the French Quarter. It's a friendly bar without big city prices
1012 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
From the owners of the 700 Club comes a new bar, restaurant, courtyard, and event space to welcome the gay community and their allies. Along with a beautifully renovated building, we also bring a brand new menu that celebrates elevated bar favorites from around the world and adds healthy options to the French Quarter. Our full bar includes local beers and a wide selection of wine on tap as well as delicious daiquiris and craft cocktails.
941 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
Gay bar catering to the leather crowd provides a no-frills 24/7 hangout with a pool table.
734 Bourbon StZNew Orleans, LA 70116
Gay lounge bar Bourbon Street's Premier Bar for Specialty Craft Cocktails & Never a cover charge. Famous for Mojito's, Bloody Mary's, Hurricanes, and the cleanest bathrooms on Bourbon St.
700 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Locally owned, LGBTQ tavern with pub grub, regular drag shows & outdoor tables.
1239 Royal StNew Orleans, LA 70116
Established in 1964, The Golden Lantern has maintained its reputation of being one of the best neighborhood gay bars in the quarter.
439 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Crossing is a neighborhood gay video bar in the historic Vieux Carré.
940 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
New Orleans entertainment destination for Drag Shows, Male Revues, Cold Daiquiris, and more
542 N Rampart St New Orleans, LA 70112
New Orleans' Number One Black Owned Gay Bar
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We have chosen hotels in New Orleans that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Red Dress Run in steamy New Orleans
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.