10 Best Gay Bars in New Orleans
LGBTQ+ acceptance, historic landmarks, and cultural celebrations are deeply rooted in New Orleans' history. The city's queer nightlife has been apart of the city's identity for nearly a century.
Within the streets of the French Quarter, the city served as a safe haven for many. Historically, Bourbon Street near St. Ann and Dumaine streets, known as the "Lavender Line," marked the start of the French Quarter's strip of gay establishments including Oz New Orleans, Bourbon Pub and Parade, and Good Friends Bar. Here are 10 of the best nightlife spots for LGBTQ+ folks and allies.
1. Golden Lantern
1239 Royal St., (504) 529-2860
thegoldenlanternneworleans.com
Known as the homebase of Southern Decadence, The Golden Lantern is an all-inclusive LGBTQ+ neighborhood bar in NOLA's historic French Quarter. Opened in 1964, this bar features cheap drinks, weekend drag shows, and a casual and welcoming environment.
The Golden Lantern is the official home, organizer, and launching pad for Southern Decadence's modern parading traditions since the '80s. This bar is the starting location for the annual Grand Marshal Parade that happens every Labor Day weekend.
2. Good Friends
740 Dauphine St., (504) 566-7191
The Good Friends Bar is a popular gay bar and hangout in the French Quarter. Located at 740 Dauphine St., this bar features a casual bar downstairs and the Victorian-style Queen's Head Pub upstairs.
The downstairs bar features a classic 292-square-foot mahogany bar, a brick fireplace, a pool table, shuffleboard table, and flat-screen TVs. The Victorian-themed space with an independent bar, classic artwork, and a wrap-around balcony overlooks the French Quarter. The Good Friends Bar is known for its mixed crowds of LGBTQ+ locals and visitors that offer a neighborhood feel and comfortable environment.
3. Oz New Orleans
800 Bourbon St., (504) 519-9396
Located at 800 Bourbon St., Oz New Orleans is a gay dance club and show bar that features a two-level spacious layout, high-energy drag shows, and a balcony overlooking the French Quarter. This club hosts the award-winning Ladies of Oz drag shows, game shows, and themed dance nights.
Oz New Orleans is an all-inclusive, vibrant space that welcomes locals and visitors. The bar is known for serving strong, heavy-pours, where club-goers can order New Orleans staples such as the fruity and sweet Hurricane.
4. Bourbon Pub & Parade
801 Bourbon St., (504) 529-2107
Bourbon Pub and Parade is one of New Orleans' largest LGBTQ+ nightclubs and is at the center of queer culture in the French Quarter. Located directly across from Oz, this is a multi-level club that has been in operation since 1974.
The downstairs bar is known for casual socializing, music videos, and the happy hour scene, while the upstairs dance club features high-energy guest DJs and a wrap-around balcony. They host classic weekly activities including drag shows, karaoke, and show tune sing-alongs with custom drink specials.
5. The Country Club
634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742
Known for hosting the longest-running drag brunch in New Orleans, The Country Club is a high-energy, interactive experience that serves up excellent food and bottomless mimosas. Led by local drag stars, The Country Club's drag brunch is recommended to be booked months in advance due to its immense popularity.
Chris Barbato, executive chef of the restaurant, crafted a contemporary Creole-Southern menu with Italian-French fusion. Their crab beignets, friend green tomatoes, and shrimp and grits are popular among customers. They also serve award-winning wine and creative season craft cocktails.
6. Cafe Lafitte in Exile
901 Bourbon St., (504) 522-8397
Located on 901 Bourbon St., Cafe Lafitte in Exile first opened its doors in 1933 and is the oldest continuously-operating gay bar in the United States. The building was relocated to its current location in 1953 due to a change in landlords, hence the "exile" in its name.
This bar features a lively downstairs area with a large bar, music videos on rotation, and even an "eternal flame" sculpture by Enrique Alférez. Cafe Lafitte in Exile is also known for their "Love is in the Air" napkin toss tradition on Sunday nights.
7. Grrlspot
Multiple Locations, (504) 512-0453
Grrlspot is a pop-up lesbian and queer dance party that hosts venues in New Orleans each month. This unique experience began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as a small meet up for queer women returning to the city.
Grrlspot hosts major themed parties themed around high-traffic celebrations such as Mardi Gras, Pride, Halloween, and Southern Decadence. DJ sets, dancing, go-go dancers, and live entertainment are also showcased during their nomadic events.
8. The Phoenix
941 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 945-9264
The Phoenix is New Orleans' long-running leather, bear, and fetish bar, located at 941 Elysian Fields Ave. The name derives from the immortal firebird of myth and the capital city of Arizona.
Since 1983, this bar has served as a community staple that features a patio and great drinks. The Phoenix hosts Mark's Pool Tournaments every Tuesday, Club Socials every Friday and Saturday, and Mary's and Mimosas with Will every Sunday.
9. Rawhide 70116
740 Burgundy St., (504) 525-8106
Rawhide 70116 is a dive bar that serves as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The bar features a classic, red pool table for bar-goers to engage in friendly competitions. There also is a jukebox that plays a variety of tunes.
This bar serves an extensive selection of ice-cold beers ranging from local craft brews to classic crafts.
10. The Corner Pocket
940 St. Louis St., (504) 568-9829
Located on 940 St. Louis St., The Corner Pocket is a gay dive bar that opened in 1982. Known for its casual, nightly atmosphere and entertainment, this bar features go-go dancers performing "coyote ugly style" on top of the bar.
The Corner Pocket has cheap drinks and friendly bartenders and hosts popular weekly events including Friday night amateur-contest nights and special holiday events.
