Zastrow Street

Zastrow Street, formerly Slut Street, was a street found in the Dock Ward of Waterdeep in the 14 and 15 centuries DR.

Geography
The street ran north to south, with a bend toward the east in its northern third. At the northeast end, Zastrow Street ended at the Way of the Dragon at a three-way junction with Candle Lane. From the bend, Trollcrook Alley went northwest to Snail Street. Further to the south, Pearl Alley met it from the west. Zastrow Street ended in the south at Fillet Lane. Nearby, on the west, Manysteps Alley ran parallel, between Zastrow Street and the Way of the Dragon.

Notable Locations
From north to south, notable locations on Zastrow Street were:
 * The Thirsty Throat tavern, on the corner with Candle Lane
 * Alex Lenter's Storage, a warehouse
 * Aurora's Realms Shop, Slut Street Catalogue Counter
 * The Purple Palace, a festhall
 * The Old Xoblob Shop, a curio shop on the corner with Fillet Street

History
In the, Renaer Neverember and Floon Blagmaar were ambushed by five Zhentarim agents on Zastrow Street, and kidnapped for questioning about the Stone of Golorr.

Background
First mentioned in print in Waterdeep and the North (1987), Slut Street was named and created by Ed Greenwood. As early as 1999, he explained "Yes, there is a "Slut Street" in Waterdeep. Yes, I put it there. And no, the word 'slut' had no sexual connotation to British and Canadian folks until the last 15 years or so (creeping American influence). It meant "a slovenly woman" or, in earlier times, "a working drudge." So this was where the poor serving wenches dwelt, shopped, and could be hired - not a Prostitutes' Row." This is the earliest known meaning of the word "slut" and one carried through its history. Regardless, the presence of the Purple Palace festhall and its courtesans is suggestive of the other meaning, and of medieval streets with much more explicit names.

In Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (2018), the street was renamed "Zastrow Street", after Elliot Zastrow, a fan map-maker who was thanked for "his extensive research" in the credits. It was the scene of some minor events in the adventure.

Notably, Slut Street was mentioned by 5-edition designer Christopher Perkins in his D&D Canon blog post in 2021 as an example of old lore that "should be buried so deep that it never again sees the light of day". Specifically, he said "When we updated the map for Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, we gave that street a new name. The old name was never good to begin with and does not withstand the test of time." The post was widely shared, making Slut Street commonly known for the first time in almost thirty years.