Why Dirty Linen is the Hottest Date Night (Or Girls’ Night) on Royal Street
While I had some really great nights at White Linen Night in my twenties, I have felt that I needed a change of pace in my mid-thirties. This has led me to fall in love with Dirty Linen Night. For the last five years, my friends and I have been taking delight in the the Royal Street gathering. “Born as a satirical play on White Linen Night, DLN invites participants to relish in everything dirty, and is the one event that celebrates the not so pristine side of the French Quarter.” And that it does! The vibe is completely different than White Linen Night, and it is a great time to let loose and enjoy a different view of the Quarter.
DLN takes place on August 9th this year. Check out their website here: Dirty Linen Night for more information on times and participating locations. Why not make this weekend the time you try your New Orleans staycation? Check out below as to why DLN is your next date night (or girl’s night).
1. It is WAY less crowded.
Love me some White Linen Night, but historically, it is as crowded as Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras day. Dirty Linen allows for so much more room to sashay down Royal while roaming in and out of shops. You are actually able to move down the street without getting lost in the sea of white linen.
2. Laid back and welcoming
It’s the French Quarter. The vibes are funky and fun. The art is different, the shops are different. Tradition is to throw on your dirty linen from the weekend before. Or don’t. Anything goes on this night. Every walk of life is out there enjoying the art scene, bar scene, food scene. Leave the art enthusiasts on Julia Street and embark on the eccentric side of the Quarter.
3. Marvel at the Red Dress Run finish-line floaters
Red Dress Run technically is the morning of DLN, but they continue to infiltrate the Quarter well into the evening. You RDR people are WILD. RDR is a commitment that my liver can not make. It amazes me to see them with the stamina to be going well into the night. It truly is an art form! The sights are endless with the RDR crew.
4. Mommy loves a summer cocktail
Each year we start at the Brennan’s Roost Bar and order one of their summer drinks such as the Flamingo. That cocktail is begging for an Instagram moment. Since I only drink gin in the summer, my go to is the Pimm’s Cup. In my humble opinion, you can’t consider yourself a New Orleanian until you’ve had one in the Brennan’s courtyard at sunset during the summer.
5. Coolinary is on the menu
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (cue Andy Williams). Try out a restaurant with a Coolinary menu. My favorite year after year is Pelican Club. Man, do they have a Coolinary menu for the books! There are obviously so many restaurants to choose from but we continue to flock back to Pelican Club each time.
Give Dirty Linen Night a try this year. You won’t be disappointed. Unfortunately, I will be out of town, which makes me sad. But hit me up with your best DLN insta pics at claudiva_504 .
