New Orleans is one of the most queer-friendly travel destinations in the country. Between Southern Decadence, the annual Gay Easter Parade, and an extraordinary NOLA Pride festival, the city welcomes love and self-expression among all individuals and has plenty of LGBTQ+ activities to take part in. In addition, New Orleans has some of the best LGBTQ+ bars you have to try.
Given New Orleans' incredible bar culture, it should come as no surprise that NOLA has incredible bars that directly cater to the queer community. Keep reading to find out the best LBGTQ+ bars to relax and unwind in, as well as help celebrate the local community here in New Orleans.
10 LGBTQ+ Bars to Enjoy in New Orleans
1. Golden Lantern
1239 Royal St., (504) 529-2860
thegoldenlanternneworleans.com
Walk on the wild side at the Golden Lantern, a gay bar that opened 60 years ago with rainbows for miles. It is the original home of Southern Decadence, and, oh boy, is it decadent. It's intimate, it's welcoming, and it's one of the most beloved gay bars in the French Quarter.
See live music, drag artists, hype DJs, and friendly bartenders who will serve you a good time. There are daily specials like $2 jello-shots, $5 mimosas, and $7 bloody Marys. Dance, drink, drag, and slay!
2. Good Friends
740 Dauphine St., (504) 566-7191
goodfriendsbar.com
Victorian-styled gay bar Good Friends is where friends become lovers. The Queen's Head Pub (also known as the Balcony Bar) is location in Good Friends and is the place to be in the French Quarter. The bar is a multi-level venue with a wide selection of liquor, beers, and pool tables.
On top, watch the French Quarter skyline on the balcony with friends. Sing your favorite karaoke songs on Tuesdays with drag host Terri Aqui. It is a great spot for date night and dance nights. Happy hour is Monday to Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $3.75 good drinks. Don't miss their special events during Southern Decadence.
3. Oz New Orleans
800 Bourbon St., (504) 298-8420
ozneworleans.com
Oz on Bourbon Street is the NOLA gay dance club that everyone raves about. There is something new and glittering there every day of the week. Oz is the proud holder of the longest running drag show in the city, Ladies of Oz. There is also an antique balcony overlooking the French Quarter for some extra romance.
The fun never stops with the variety of events Oz hosts. Monday is karaoke, Tuesday is open talent night, Wednesday is show night with the queens, Thursday is Queers of Comedy, Fridays are freaky, Saturdays are Kingz and Corsets, and Sundays are go-go dancing and bingo! Get excited in all the right ways at Oz.
4. Bourbon Pub and Parade Disco
801 Bourbon St., (504) 529-2107
bourbonpub.com
Bourbon Pub and Parade was ranked one of the top 10 gay bars worldwide by Gay Traveler Magazine. Not only does it have a prime location on the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets, Bourbon Pub and Parade is also a top host for the Southern Decadence festival. Every year, they sell tickets for VIP admission to a Southern Decadence Party. Your ticket includes a private entrance, as well as welcome cocktails and a cocktail party. Don't miss this exciting opportunity or their weekly drag shows and birthday extravaganzas!
Everyday of the week is something new! Mondays is Madness and Drinks, Tuesdays is show-tune singalongs, Wednesdays is Happy Hour all day, Thursday is karaoke night, Friday is RuPaul Drag Race, Saturday is DJ mix, and Sunday is the Napkin Toss! Go see the shows everyone is talking about from celebrity impersonation nights to non-stop dance parties.
5. The Country Club
634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742
thecountryclubneworleans.com
A pool, drag brunch, fancy Creole-Southern dinners, and amazing cocktails—could heaven sound any better? The fabulously famous drag brunch at the Country Club is every Saturday and Sunday. It is one of the best places to go in the Bywater, and one of the only places you can swim there too. This club is chic, laid-back, queer, and full of color. Try one of their respected cocktails at the cabana bar, and be your free and special self!
The pool is a $20 day pass and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Amenities include a sauna house, a hot tub, a temperature regulated pool, and more. Get there early so your seat isn't taken!
6. Napoleon's Itch
734 Bourbon St., (504) 237-4144
instagram.com/napoleons_itch
Napoleon's Itch is yet another fan-favorite to visit, especially during the Southern Decadence festival. Every year, there is a massive outdoor concert in front of the bar, commemorating the original Southern Decadence 50 years ago.
Napoleon's Itch is a part of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel and it is a must-see in the French Quarter. This bar also hosts lots of events, including shows, signature cocktail nights, and live music. Napoleon's Itch is in a prime location to go while bar-hopping through many other LGBTQ+ bars in the neighborhood.
7. Grrlspot
Locations Vary
grrlspot.co
Grrl Spot is an exciting pop-up bar for queer women and folks of all genders. Each month, Grrl Spot hosts an event at a different venue for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate. Events range from large shows and dance spaces to more intimate bar settings.
Grrl Spot also hosts several special events for large festivals like Pride, Essence Fest, and Southern Decadence. Check out their Instagram (@grrlspot) for the latest updates and pictures of their wild parties!
8. The Phoenix Bar
941 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 945-9264
phoenixbarnola.com
The Phoenix is an edgy bar located in the Marigny neighborhood. They host events on Tuesdays and Fridays to keep guests on their toes. Tuesday nights are reserved for weekly pool tournaments and drink specials. On Friday and Saturday, join The Phoenix for beer busts and block parties.
The bar also hosts special events during Pride weekend and the Southern Decadence festival. Check out their website for more information, gear, and recommendations for "gay-owned and operated accommodations."
9. Rawhide 70116
740 Burgundy St., (504) 525-8106
rawhidenola.com
Rawhide Lounge is an exceptional gay bar in the French Quarter. They host daily Fireball happy hours and weekly events. Most notably, these include Hump Day (Wednesday) specials and Drink or Drown nights. Rawhide Lounge also allows guests to host their very own Keg Party with up to 20 individuals.
The bartenders are well-rounded and speak multiple languages, including English, French, and American Sign Language. Head to Rawhide Lounge for your next night out!
10. The Corner Pocket
940 St. Louis St., (504) 568-9829
cornerpocket.net
The Corner Pocket is a gay men's bar near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. Come to The Corner Pocket for Thursday's Retro Night, Friday dance contests, and more. Every Sunday, The Corner Pocket hosts Zingo, their take on bingo followed by a DJ performance.
You can also come to happy hour every day from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Check their website for special events, hangouts, and more French Quarter fun!
Feel Like a Queen at These New Orleans' Queer Bars
New Orleans has always been a unique city that is really unlike any place else in the Deep South. Fortunately for NOLA's local queer community, the Crescent City has the distinction of being not only one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the South, but also the entire United States.
From bars to LGBTQ+ businesses, the Big Easy is more than welcoming to all sorts of people and ensures that everyone has a good time while here. Whether you're part of the community or an ally, you are welcomed in New Orleans.
