Central City BBQ is turning 10, and the New Orleans barbecue joint is marking the milestone with a free, all-ages party called the Backyard Boogie & BBQ Fest on Nov. 19, 2026. The celebration runs from 5 to 9 p.m. across the restaurant's indoor and outdoor venue, with live music from Flow Tribe and DJ Raj Smoove headlining the night.
According to Biz New Orleans, the anniversary festival is designed to recognize Central City BBQ's 10-year milestone and celebrate the people who have supported the restaurant along the way. The event welcomes both longtime regulars and first-time visitors, with general admission free of charge, though guests must RSVP in advance to attend. Those who want a more comfortable experience can opt for a $20 VIP ticket, which includes guaranteed indoor seating and one complimentary drink.
A Decade on Rampart Street
Central City BBQ opened its doors in 2016 at 1201 Rampart St., according to centralcitybbq.com. The restaurant became a reality thanks to a decades-long friendship between founders Aaron Burgau and Marc Bonifacic, the site notes. Over the past ten years, the spot has served what the site's reporting describes as award-winning barbecue while becoming a gathering place for customers, neighbors and community members in the process.
The festival itself is sponsored by Urban South Brewery and Big Easy Whiskey, per the same Biz New Orleans report, pairing local beer and spirits with the smokehouse's anniversary celebration. The sponsorships give the evening a distinctly New Orleans flavor, tying the city's brewing and distilling scene into the party alongside the barbecue and live music.
Flow Tribe and DJ Raj Smoove Headline
Flow Tribe, the New Orleans band known for blending funk, rock and local rhythms, will perform at the festival. The group was founded in 2004 and, according to flowtribe.com, was solidified in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destruction, giving the band a mission tied closely to the city's musical identity.
Joining Flow Tribe on the bill is DJ Raj Smoove, described by Biz New Orleans as a longtime fixture of New Orleans' music scene. Per rajsmoove.com, he is a New Orleans-based DJ and music industry professional with more than 30 years of experience spinning in the city.
How It Compares to Other NOLA BBQ Fests
Central City BBQ's anniversary bash arrives in the same fall stretch as the 20th anniversary Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, held Oct. 9-11 at Lafayette Square Park, as reported by My New Orleans. That festival also offers free general admission alongside performances, food and artisan vendors, and Central City BBQ itself was listed among its 2026 Food Market vendors. Where the two events diverge is on the high end: a VIP pass to the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival runs $315 plus taxes and fees for access to an indoor hospitality lounge, complimentary snacks and drinks, and VIP viewing areas, a steep contrast to the $20 VIP option at Central City BBQ's own anniversary party.
