Gay Bars in New Orleans, Louisiana
The gay bars our New Orleans community actually keeps going back to.
accentNew Orleans has some of the oldest continuously operating gay bars in America, and most of them sit within a few blocks of Bourbon and St. Ann. This list is ranked by our own community, with the crowd, the cover, the best night to go, and what to know before you walk in — from 24/7 Quarter institutions to Marigny leather and Mid-City neighborhood dives.
The ranked list
Ordered by community votes, safety reports, and repeat visits on the live map.
- 1
Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Historic institution · French QuarterThe self-proclaimed oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States, and still a two-story cornerstone of the scene. The upstairs balcony over Bourbon and St. Ann is the best people-watching in queer New Orleans.
- Crowd
- Mixed ages, locals and travelers
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Any night — it never closes
Good to know: Open 24/7 — the balcony is the move, especially during Decadence.
See who's out at Cafe Lafitte in Exile - 2
Bourbon Pub & Parade
Dance & drag · French QuarterSquarely at Bourbon and St. Ann, this is the iconic beating heart of gay New Orleans nightlife: a 24-hour bar downstairs and the Parade dance floor upstairs.
- Crowd
- High-energy, mixed, 20s–40s
- Cover
- Free–$10 upstairs on weekends
- Best night
- Saturday
Good to know: Downstairs is free and always open; upstairs is where the party peaks after midnight.
See who's out at Bourbon Pub & Parade - 3
Oz New Orleans
Dance club · French QuarterDirectly across the corner from Bourbon Pub and consistently ranked one of the best gay clubs in the country — go-go dancers, drag, and a dance floor that runs late.
- Crowd
- Dance-first, younger skew
- Cover
- Free–$10 on weekends
- Best night
- Friday and Saturday
Good to know: The Oz/Bourbon Pub corner is the whole crawl — you can bounce between them all night.
See who's out at Oz New Orleans - 4
Good Friends Bar
Neighborhood cornerstone · French QuarterA beloved multi-level bar since 1988, famous for warm hospitality and a crowd that actually talks to each other. Queer-owned, and the easiest place in the Quarter to start a night.
- Crowd
- Laid-back, locals-heavy, mixed ages
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Sunday (piano bar upstairs)
Good to know: Head upstairs to the Queen's Head Pub for the piano sing-alongs.
See who's out at Good Friends Bar - 5
The Phoenix Bar
Leather & levi · MarignyA 24/7 institution since 1983 and New Orleans' premier leather, levi, and fetish community anchor. Unpretentious downstairs, members-oriented upstairs.
- Crowd
- Leather, bears, older skew
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Saturday
Good to know: Check the calendar for club nights and dress codes before you go.
See who's out at The Phoenix Bar - 6
The Golden Lantern
Legendary dive · French QuarterEstablished 1964 on the quiet residential edge of the Quarter — a classic dive with drag, dancing, and the kind of regulars who will tell you the whole history of the block.
- Crowd
- Locals, all ages 21+
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Weeknights for the regulars
Good to know: It's the traditional starting point for the Southern Decadence parade.
See who's out at The Golden Lantern - 7
The Corner Pocket
High-energy classic · French QuarterA legendary dive since 1983, known for its unapologetic late-night entertainment. Exactly what it says on the tin — go with an open mind.
- Crowd
- Late-night, rowdy, mixed
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Late Friday and Saturday
Good to know: Bring small bills; it's a tipping room.
See who's out at The Corner Pocket - 8
Crossing
Steampunk neighborhood bar · French QuarterServing the LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s with a fully stocked bar, a steampunk fit-out, and a genuine community feel. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- Mixed, no-attitude locals
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Friday
Good to know: Quieter than the Bourbon corner — good for conversation.
See who's out at Crossing - 9
12 Mile Limit
Progressive dive · Mid-CityA relaxed, community-forward neighborhood watering hole well away from the tourist crush — strong drinks, local crowd, and frequent community fundraisers.
- Crowd
- Neighborhood, mixed, all welcome
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Thursday
Good to know: Rideshare here; it's a short drive from the Quarter but not a walk.
See who's out at 12 Mile Limit
This page is the shortlist. The app is the night.
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New Orleans gay bars: quick answers
Where is the gay district in New Orleans?
The corner of Bourbon Street and St. Ann Street in the French Quarter is the heart of gay New Orleans — Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Bourbon Pub & Parade, and Oz all sit within steps of each other, with more bars spreading toward the Marigny.
What is the oldest gay bar in New Orleans?
Cafe Lafitte in Exile, which bills itself as the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. The Golden Lantern (1964) is another Quarter institution still going strong.
How much is cover at New Orleans gay bars?
Most are free. Bourbon Pub's upstairs Parade dance floor and Oz can run around $10 on weekends, and special events like Southern Decadence parties are ticketed separately.
Is New Orleans safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
New Orleans is a welcoming, visibly queer city even though Louisiana state politics are complicated for queer and trans folks. The French Quarter is walkable and lively, but Bourbon Street draws big late-night crowds, so stay aware after dark, use rideshare between neighborhoods, and lean on the app's Follow Me and Who's Out tools.
More city guides
Community-verified LGBTQ+ guides to safe bars, nightlife, and neighborhoods — city by city.