Lafitte In Exile (New Orleans, Louisiana)

 pub / public house, tavern, gay bar

901 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-8397
www.lafittes.com/

The Daddy Of 'em All. Lafitte in Exile is the oldest Gay bar in the country and has a long and interesting history. During his years in New Orleans, Tennessee Williams used to frequent Lafitte's. New Orleans most celebrated Carnival event, the Bourbon Street Awards, were hosted by Lafitte's until the early 80's when massive crowds forced them to move from Bourbon Street to St. Ann and Burgundy. Wood Enterprises continues to host the awards at Rawhide 2010. Someone mentioned that the name (...in 'exile') stemmed from the bar having to move for some reason.

Lafitte's features two floors of music and video. Downstairs you'll find the main bar. Upstairs you'll find a pool table and the balcony! During Carnival, because the Gay crowd dominates this part of Bourbon Street, people tend to be a little more "adventurous" in their pursuit of beads and the balcony at Lafitte's can be quite "entertaining."

Lafitte's is popular all year round and is open 24 hours a day.