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Germain, grapefruit juice, fresh blueberry garnish - and the ginger press -whisky, mint syrup, ginger beer, mint sprig - are among the most popular bevvies at this spot in the business district's Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel.Ĩ. Bar Uncommon: More upscale and modern than many of the places listed so far, Uncommon (pictured above) takes its cocktails seriously. There's really not much more that needs to be said: Mimi's is a good time. Mimi's in the Marigny: Live music is always on the menu at this tapas bar (signage seen above), and so too are attractive, fun-loving gaysĭancing upstairs. Napoleon's Itch: A relaxed gay bar that's just as popular with straight people, this French Quarter institution also two floors to explore as you wet your whistle and get a feel for the city's vibe, among other things.Ħ. With four floors between them, it's easy to spend an entire night, even more, trying to take it all in.ĥ. Similar in clientele and techno-flavored mood, these bars are where Bacchus would go if he were gay and visiting the Big Easy. Bourbon Pub and Parade/OZ: New Orleans's Bourbon Street is a non-stop party, and these two clubs, Bourbon Pub and Parade and Oz, revel in it. Pool tables, slot machines and shuffleboard are also on hand for an evening of fun, games and, yes, making new chums.Ĥ. Good Friends Bar: Another French Quarter destination, this watering hole lives up to its name, and the upstairs balcony, Queen's Head Pub, is especially warm, both in terms of crowd and setting, complete with wallpaper, antique molding and salon-like atmosphere. It's definitely best to hit it up later in the evening, when things really get going.ģ. Rawhide 2010: You guessed it: this French Quarter nightspot is aimed at the leather and denim set, but all boys and girls are welcomed with open arms. The $3 bloody mary is exceedingly popular for sipping on quiet Saturday nights on the balcony.Ģ. Cafe LaFitte In Exile: Established in the 1930s, Cafe LaFitte hold the distinction of being the Big Easy's oldest continuously running gay bar, and remains a fan favorite over 70 years later, especially because of its unpretentious crowd and cheap, strong drinks. Bubbly who pinches people on their rear ends.1. In the book Queer Hauntings, Ken Summers writes that bar patrons claim to have occasionally seen the ghosts of deceased individuals who were fond of the bar, as well as a 'frisky' ghost named Mr. In 1954, author John Steinbeck wrote an article about Tom Caplinger and Cafe Lafitte for the Saturday Evening Post, describing Caplinger as "an uninhibited, unkempt scholar, whose laissez-faire policy of running a gin mill can only be termed unique." Ghost Stories At the grand reopening party in 1953, patrons arrived costumed as their favorite 'exile', including people like Oscar Wilde, Dante, and Napoleon. In the 1950s, during rising tension between the club and the landlord, manager Tom Caplinger moved the club to the building where it is now located. In its early days, the bar was managed by Mary Collins, a lesbian, and drew a mixed crowd of lesbians, homosexuals and heterosexuals. This building is now called Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. The original Cafe Lafitte in Exile opened in the building that had been the noted pirate Jean Lafitte's blacksmith business in the 18th century. Operating since the end of Prohibition (albeit in two different locations) the bar claims to be the oldest gay bar in operation in the United States. The bar is open 24 hours a day and has had influential guests including Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. During the New Orleans Pride Parade, 2016