Part of the Gay New Orleans Guide — bars, events & things to do.
New Orleans, Louisiana
One of America's oldest gay bars, on Bourbon Street since 1953.
Right on Bourbon Street, Cafe Lafitte In Exile is a cornerstone of queer nightlife in the French Quarter and one of the oldest gay bars in the country. Open since the 1930s, it carries decades of history without feeling stuck in the past—welcoming, unapologetic, and deeply woven into the fabric of New Orleans’ LGBTQ+ scene. The energy shifts with the hour: relaxed cocktails downstairs by day, then louder, flirtier, and more electric as night rolls in. Upstairs balconies offer prime people-watching over Bourbon Street, while strong pours and a mixed crowd keep things social and easygoing. It’s the kind of place where locals, travelers, and regulars blur together—equal parts bar, gathering spot, and living piece of queer history.
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