New Orleans Gay District: The French Quarter

Gay New Orleans is simply bursting at the seams with fantastic LGBTQ places to go out. While this vibrant city of the USA may be best known for its iconic jazz scene, the gay area of New Orleans also continues to turn heads thanks to its mix of bars, restaurants, and heaving late-night venues. Most gay life is centered around New Orleans’ über-charming French Quarter, with the main activity happening at the crossroads of Bourbon and St. Anne Streets, affectionately known as the ‘pink strip’.    

If you are looking for some of the top gay bars in New Orleans, Cafe Lafitte in Exile is a good place to start. This is one of the oldest dedicated gay bars in the USA, and was regularly frequented by Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. The bar is open 24/7, and welcomes a mixed and friendly crowd each night. Alternatively, if you want to turn the heat up, head to Phoenix Bar. This place is exclusively for gay men, and is particularly popular with the bear and leather crowd. The bar is split over two floors, and offers dim lighting to send you into just the right mood. 

Once you’ve sipped your way through enough cocktails to make you feel more than confident to let loose on the dance floor, a visit to famous Bourbon Street Pub and Parade should be your next port of call. As far as gay clubs in New Orleans go, this place is legendary. Housed in a typical New Orleans-style building, complete with a wrap-around balcony, Bourbon Street Pub and Parade offers plenty of space to welcome a mixed LGBTQ crowd. Go-go dancers are a regular feature, along with karaoke and lots of dancing. 

New Orleans is one place that knows how to throw a big party, and as far as annual LGBTQ events go, the city is host to two major ones. Gay Pride New Orleans takes place in early June, where the French Quarter comes alive with colorful festivities for three days. At the end of August each year, over Labor Day weekend in the States, Southern Decadence festival takes place. This iconic party welcomes top-notch DJs, and includes a momentous parade.