What's Bourbon Street like in November?

My friends and I will be going to the Alabama/LSU game and thought we'd spend a night or two in New Orleans. I've been there before for Mardis Gras and I know how crazy that can be. I wanted to know what Bourbon Street is like in the off season. Should we bring beads (and yes, we know that's touristy, but we don't mind ;-) Is it worth it to get a hotel with a balcony overlooking Bourbon?