story and photos by Kayte Deioma

In 1999, Harrah’s newly built 115,000 square foot gambling palace became the first land-based casino in New Orleans. Located at the edge of the business district, across from the French Quarter and the waterfront, the establishment weathered the hurricanes and flood of 2005 much better than its riverboat competition and was quick to reopen after the storm. They also got right back to work on the hotel tower which they had begun building on top of a historic building across the street from the Casino. Despite all the competition for labor and materials, the new luxury 450-room hotel was completed in record time and opened in September 2006, before some of the older hotels had completed repairs.

The Casino has already demonstrated its ability to stand up to the weather. With the variety of games, multiple restaurants, a theatre, night club and gift shop and an underground tunnel to the hotel, it’s the perfect place to hole up on a rainy day or night.

The Décor

The inside of the Casino is decorated with a New Orleans theme. Mardi Gras jesters smile down from the top of columns. French Quarter balconies are suspended over the poker room. Streamers surround the Masquerade nightclub and bas-relief jazz allegories march around the top of the room.

The Games

Gambling opportunities at Harrah’s New Orleans include 2100 coinless slot machines with many different themes such as the new Party Gras five-reel and multi-denominational machines, as well as video poker. There are 92 table games including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Big Six Wheel, Let It Ride, MiniBacc Dragon Bonus, and Baccarat by request. There are 23 tables in the French Quarter themed poker room. In addition to regular poker tournaments and tours, daily games include 3 and 4 Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em, Pot Limit Omaha, Caribbean Stud, and 7 Card Stud.

Harrah’s is not set up for regular beginner’s lessons, but the pit person will explain the basics if asked, and there are occasionally lessons scheduled and classes for dealers.

The Food

You can get everything from Starbucks coffee to haute cuisine inside the Casino and Hotel. At the top end are the French-influenced restaurant Riche by celebrity chef Todd English inside the hotel, and in the Casino, the Besh Steakhouse by New Orleans’ own much-acclaimed chef John Besh of Restaurant August fame. In the mid-range you’ll find the popular Asian fusion restaurant Bambu Asian Grill and Sushi Bar, and Harrah’s Buffet, which is more like a food court with different counters offering different cuisines all for one price. For a quick bite, the Cafes on Canal include a Starbucks, Fudruckers (burgers) and McAlister’s. Harrah’s Buffet is the only thing open for hard core all-night gamblers.

Additional restaurants, including the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant are adjacent to the hotel across Fulton Street, a pedestrian area with sidewalk dining for both Riche and Gordon Biersch.

The Entertainment

Whether you want to watch, listen or get up and dance, there are plenty of evening entertainment options at Harrah’s. For the foreseeable future,Hats! The Musical is playing in the 500-seat Harrah’s Theatre. Hats! The Musical celebrates women over fifty through the story of a woman about to have a birthday and a group of older women giving her something to look forward to. The Ice Bar at Masquerade Nightclub features live bands on Wednesdays, happy hour specials and a unique video tower above the bar as well as more gaming right in the club. The 528 by Todd English jazz club is off of Riche Restaurant and Fulton Street in the hotel tower. The Harrah’s Mardi-Gras-style jazz band parades through the Casino concourse periodically to liven things up.

Harrah’s Casino
8 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 533-6000