Cafe Lafitte
In Exile
The
Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. Café Lafitte is a must see if you are interested in visiting an incredibly unique landmark in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Dating back to 1933 and the end of Prohibition, Café Lafitte has always been welcoming. Both Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote used to frequent the bar----and the famous, infamous, locals and visitors can still be seen day and night. We are always open. Both the upstairs and the downstairs bars have outdoor seating------it’s a great Bourbon Street hangout any day, and it can’t be beat during Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence celebrations. View the largest outdoor picture screen in the Quarter on weekends and football games.
And speaking of our upstairs bar, The Balcony’s upscale décor is perfect for intimate conversation, sweeping views of the Quarter from our balcony, a few games of pool with some friends---or can even be reserved for group functions.
Don’t miss a visit to this jewel of modern atmosphere steeped in New Orleans history.
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IN EXILE
The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Gay Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar
The first comprehensive treatment of the history of gay New Orleans drawn primarily from the recollections of dozens of gay men and women who lived it, Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist weave a fascinating narrative of how gay New Orleans evolved throughout the twentieth century. In Exile also illuminates the darkness in which ordinary gay people lived secret double-lives for decades and chronicles the social forces which ultimately enabled gay New Orleanians to live openly and honestly.