It’s one of the first questions people ask when they book a private balcony on Bourbon Street — and it’s a fair one. You’re planning a party above one of the most famous streets in the world. Of course, you want to throw beads. So what’s actually included?

The short answer: it depends on where you book. And the difference matters more than you think.

What “Beads Included” Usually Means (And Why It’s Misleading)

If a Bourbon Street venue advertises beads with their package, this is not what you really want or need for the experience you envision. This is usually 33-inch, 6-8mm beads — the kind that cost about a dollar a dozen wholesale. They’re lightweight, they’re short, and nobody wants to catch them. They end up in the street, which is exactly why we call them “gutter clutter.”

That’s not a balcony experience. That’s a checkbox.

Size Matters — And So Does What You Throw

A great bead toss starts with the right ammunition. We direct our guests to 48-inch strands or longer. Weight and length make a difference — they carry better, they look better flying through the air, and the crowd below actually wants to catch them.

Beyond standard beads, there’s a whole world of throws that can take your event to the next level:

• Light-up beads that glow in the crowd below
• Big ball beads that stand out from across the street
• Custom beads printed with your company logo or event name
• Feather boas in your company colors or theme colors

Think of the balcony like fishing. You need a lot of chum and some good lures to work the crowd. The right mix of throws is what turns a party into an experience people talk about for years.

How We Handle Beads for Private Events

Here’s what we don’t do: hand you a link and wish you luck.

Good beads are heavy. Shipping doubles the cost, and shipping to Bourbon Street is never a good idea — we don’t accept shipments, and there’s nowhere to store them. We use every inch of space we have.

Instead, we show you exactly where to buy, what to buy, and what gives you the best value for your budget. Then we pick everything up for you and have it open and displayed before you arrive. You walk in, and the beads are in the centerpieces throughout the venue, on the tables, and on the balcony, ready for your guests to wear or throw.

There’s a reason we do it that way. When guests walk in and see the beads laid out and ready, it immediately sets the tone. It’s obvious what they’re there for. The beads carry your company or theme colors through the venue — they’re the decor, the party favors, and the main event all at once. The guests have so much fun tossing beads that we are usually emptying the centerpieces because people are looking for more.

Tossing beads is addictive. It doesn’t matter how many strands you start with — they all disappear. Even on a light night on Bourbon, guests manage to throw everything they have. It’s one of those things you just do on Bourbon Street. Throwing them is as fun as catching them.

Mardi Gras Is a Different Animal

If you’re booking a balcony for Mardi Gras, the bead situation scales up significantly — and the planning needs to match.

Nobody can realistically carry the amount of beads they’ll throw during Mardi Gras. We refer our guests to a local wholesaler who delivers to us daily during the season. The beads are waiting for you when you arrive. No shipping, no hauling, no stress.

Being on a Bourbon Street balcony during Mardi Gras is the closest most people will ever come to riding on a float in a parade. You’re above the crowd with a massive, captive audience below — and they want what you’re throwing.

That’s why we limit our Mardi Gras tickets to 150 guests. Our wraparound gallery balcony at Cornet is the largest on Bourbon Street — it comfortably accommodates 150 guests — and we don’t oversell it. Other venues sell more than twice as many tickets as we do for less space. Our guests are on the balcony tossing beads, not fighting for a spot at the rail.

The Bottom Line

If a venue is advertising beads included, ask the length, size, and how many per person.

A dozen strands of short plastic beads isn’t an experience — it’s a marketing line.

The right beads, the right throws, and a real balcony above Bourbon Street? That’s the difference between watching Mardi Gras and being part of it.

Ready to plan your balcony event? Contact us here to start the conversation.