As New Orleans gears up to host its 11th Super Bowl, the city promises a celebration that will be unlike any other, combining two mega-events in one. Coinciding with Mardi Gras, this year’s festivities will blend the thrill of football with the spirit of Carnival season.
Of course, the festivities next month take place in the shadow of a deadly rampage that took place in the early hours of this past New Years’ Day. The attack, which struck on Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s French Quarter, killed 14, and the city has put extra precautions and security measures in place to protect next month’s revelers. Local officials have tapped former New York City police commissioner Bill Bratton to review its safety plans, and the city has been given more in federal resources for the event.
“New Orleans & Company is building upon our strong partnerships with NOPD, Louisiana State Police as well as other law enforcement agencies, to enhance coverage for upcoming events and meetings and secure additional patrols in heavily visited areas,” said Kelly Schulz, senior vice president of communications and PR for New Orleans & Company, the city’s official destination marketing and sales organization.
It’s a familiar pivot for a city that has long transformed grief into renewal, from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to today. The spirit of the city is one that famously acknowledges life’s frailty by living it to the fullest — its party-hard ethos is rooted in a history of perseverance.
Go to Super Bowl LIX
Caesars Superdome celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with improvements to the fan experience. The 1975-opened building listed on the National Register of Historic Places recently wrapped up a four-year, $560 million renovation that included Wi-Fi upgrades, three new atriums, two new 40-yard bars, a 4,000-square-foot end zone field-level club and enhanced accessibility for disabled fans.
If you want to see the action yourself, game-day tickets can be purchased on the secondary market for around $6,000. But for that price, you’re better served getting one of the VIP packages that start at nearly $7,000 — this particular option includes a pregame party, an open bar, food and a live show from Ludacris. Some of the more expensive packages also include hotel stays, which is helpful because most of the city’s rooms are sold out.
For those who need a place to stay, Caesars New Orleans had availability at press time. A seven-minute drive from the Superdome, the nearly 800-room hotel recently transformed from a Harrah’s after a $435 million renovation and features the area’s only land-based casino and restaurants from noted chefs like Nobu Matsuhisa (he debuted the state’s first Nobu), Bobby Flay and local favorites Emeril Lagasse and Nina Compton.
Entertainment and Parties
Festivities kick off at the Superdome on Feb. 3 with the Super Bowl Opening Night, when players and coaches from both teams make their only public appearance before kickoff. Watch them get interviewed by media and enjoy live New Orleans entertainment.
The Super Bowl Experience follows on Feb. 5 to 8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Bring the family to partake in interactive games, player meet-and-greets and photo ops with Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Shaq’s Fun House will take over Mardi Gras World on Feb 7. The seventh annual festival-circus-carnival hybrid with games and rides will feature performances by John Summit, Ludacris, DJ Irie, Myles O’Neal and DJ Diesel (the alter ego of host Shaquille O’Neal, a Louisiana State University alum). This will be one of the places to spot celebrities — Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Russell Wilson and Michael Phelps attended past fests.
The next night, the venue will host the fifth annual Sports Illustrated The Party. Dom Dolla and Diplo will play high-energy sets. Prior parties have drawn the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian and Justin and Hailey Bieber. Diplo also will headline the Feb. 7 Super Bowl Pre-Game Party at Generations Hall.
Loud Luxury, Timbaland, Plastik Funk and Unkommon will take the stage at Generations Hall for Feb. 8’s Maxim’s Saints and Sinners party.
One can’t-miss event is the Super Bowl Host Committee Parade on Feb. 8. The first-time Mardi Gras-like parade will roll through the French Quarter with Super Bowl-themed floats, marching bands, stomping groups and appearances from celebrities and athletes. Spectators can catch themed “throws” — complimentary items tossed to the crowds from the massive floats — like NFL beads and stuffed footballs.
Football-loving foodies will want to attend Feb. 8’s Taste of the NFL at the National WWII Museum. Chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry and Mark Bucher will host the NFL-sanctioned charity event, which also will include NOLA institutions like Brennan’s, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and Restaurant R’evolution. They will cook up Southern fare such as brisket beignets, red velvet lobster mac and cheese and chargrilled oysters.
Eat your way through the Guy Fieri Flavortown Tailgate at Mardi Gras World on Feb. 9. Pregame with the spiky-haired chef at the world’s largest tailgate and watch performances by Diplo, Flavor Flav and local rockers Cowboy Mouth.
Food, Drinks and Other Activities
Venture beyond the big events to get a taste of the local culture while still celebrating the Super Bowl. Escape the crowds by going Uptown for the weekend Super Brunch at iconic restaurant Commander’s Palace. Listen to live jazz while indulging in elevated Creole tailgate-inspired fare, like foie gras sliders with torched taleggio and crab-boiled peanut mostarda, and dirty bird poppers with slow-smoked pork boudin-stuffed quail, candied jalapeño and Creole cream cheese.
Elsewhere in Uptown, modern Israeli/Mediterranean restaurant Saba will add two cocktails only for Super Bowl week: riffs on the Spanish drink Kalimotxo (this Cherry Coke-like version uses red cream Manischewitz) and the Stone Fence (bourbon and hard cider with baharat syrup). And natural wine bar Really Really Nice Wines will hold Super Bowl Bingo as the game plays out. Hit bingo and win a glass of bubbly. For something stronger, colorful Asian fusion gem Mister Mao will host The Mister Mao Pop Out, a shots menu served during the halftime show that will include the Hoodoo espresso martini shooter, the Almond Joy shot, a housemade fireball and the Make It Rain, a 1.5 oz pour of all three.
Closer to the downtown action, Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel’s famed Sazerac Bar will provide a Super Bowl menu of cocktails like the Royal Blues (Crown Royal Deluxe, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, muddled blueberries, agave syrup, calamansi and tobacco and leather bitters). French Quarter Cuban/Caribbean spot Cane & Table will offer several game day-inspired libations with rum and sugar cane distillates.
Scoop up treats at the excellent Ayu Bakehouse, which will package to-go boxes of mini pastries and game-day bites, breads stenciled with team logos and muffuletta king cakes, which the bakery is bringing back just for the Super Bowl.
If you were lucky enough to reserve a room at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans before it sold out, you’ll enjoy guest-only Super Bowl weekend programming, including daily live music, Chandelier Bar tastings and access to the onsite restaurants and bar (the outlets will close to non-guests).
While Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans also is full, you can stop by for The Late Checkout x The Ritz-Carlton pop-up shop Thursday to Monday. The white logo tee, white flag tees, sweatshirts, navy joggers, blue zipper jacket and more will be for sale from the coveted designer collection.
