New Orleans is one of the best LGBTQ-friendly cities to party, enjoy holidays, attend themed events, and meet like-minded people. This vibrant city embraces diversity and attracts not only tourists but also remote workers who relocate to New Orleans to experience the unique energy of the local queer community.
From iconic bars with almost 100 years of history to inclusive festivals and parades, the city offers some of the most prominent experiences. The best gays and lesbians in New Orleans gather together every night to dance, drink cocktails, enjoy drag performances, and attend themed parties.
Whether you’re new to the city or just visiting, don’t skip these hotspots! Here you can meet a perfect someone — someone to spend a night with or, if you are lucky, someone to spend a life with.
5 Best Gay Bars in New Orleans’ Historic French Quarter and Bywater Neighborhood
The French Quarter of New Orleans is a unique place with a great historical heritage. It has existed since the 17th century and keeps attracting locals and gay visitors from all over the world.
Bourbon Street is one of the main streets of the French Quarter. If you want to meet gay guys, head straight to this street and treat yourself to a cocktail or beer at one of the following spots.
Bourbon Pub Parade
Address: 801 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Bourbon Pub Parade, located on Bourbon Street, is known to be one of the best dancing clubs in New Orleans. Resident and invited DJs play their sets day and night, hot gay guys dance on the bar in their underwear, burlesque performers rock the stage, and friendly bartenders serve delicious cocktails. This is a great place to meet gay people who embrace nightlife and dancing over other things.
Café Lafitte
Address: 901 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Everyone who loves history and visiting places that played a significant role in establishing LGBTQ+ culture can’t skip this gay bar. It has served queer clients since 1933 and is known to be one of the few bars in the whole country that has continuously operated through decades.
Café Lafitte has been, and is now, popular among famous LGBT actors, writers, and other creative people. Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams were among the frequent visitors here. People who work in creative fields come to this place to chat, flirt with like-minded people, and find inspiration.
The Golden Lantern
Address: 1239 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
The Golden Lantern is another gay bar with a long history — through decades, it has maintained the reputation of a top queer-friendly bar with the most welcoming and intimate atmosphere. This place takes a special place in many people’s hearts because it’s where Southern Decadence originated. This bar is the starting location of the Official Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade.
Oz New Orleans
Address: 800 Bourbon St, New Orleans
Oz is a gay dance club — it’s the center stage of nightlife in the French Quarter. Music is playing and events are happening every day, all month long. So whether you visit this club on a Wednesday or Saturday night, you’ll get a dose of entertainment and enjoy your night out. It’s a haven for people who can’t imagine their life without music, dancing, and fun people around.
There was one more gay bar on Bourbon Street that was a top-choice nightspot among members of the LGBT community — it was Napoleon’s Itch. Unfortunately, it has recently closed down after operating for 23 years.
The Phoenix Bar
Address: 941 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
The Phoenix Bar belongs to a popular pub chain, and it’s highly popular among the gay, bear, pup, and leather communities. The Phoenix Pool Tournament is hosted every Tuesday night, and club events are held every Friday night (the list of clubs/krews includes Lords of Leather, Puppies Social, Renegade Bears, and Crescent City Leathermen). You can join the crowd, enjoy alcoholic drinks, and have fun.
Best Lesbian Bars in the French Quarter and Other Queer-Friendly Neighborhoods of New Orleans
Qiqi
Address: 2021 Foucher St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Qiqi is a great lesbian bar that hosts trivia on Mondays and free drag shows on Fridays. Guests choose this place because they can enjoy live music, play pool, and of course, have a couple of affordable drinks. Check their Instagram to learn more about weekly events and feel the intimate vibe of this welcoming bar.
Good Friends Bar
Address: 740 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Good Friends is another welcoming bar in the French Quarter. It features multiple levels and balcony seating — you can choose whether you want to sit inside and enjoy a more intimate atmosphere, or sit outside and admire the sunset. On Tuesday nights, you can participate in “non-judgment karaoke” and sing your favorite songs.
Pal’s Lounge
Address: 949 N Rendon, New Orleans, LA 70119
Pal’s Lounge is a woman-owned, “local feel” bar located in Mid-City. It’s packed with locals not only on Saturdays but all week long, because it serves the best brews and has the most friendly and amusing bartenders. If you want to have fun, head to this bar and party up until its closing time — 3 a.m.
GrrlSpot
Address: No specific location
While there are many LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs in the French Quarter and other neighborhoods, GrrlSpot is the only lesbian pop-up bar designed specifically for queer women and their friends. It changes location every month, so you should check when and where the next party will be so you don’t miss a chance to attend it.
The Country Club
Address: 634 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117
The Country Club is a true gem of the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods of New Orleans. It offers drag shows, fancy brunches, and provides access to the pool. It’s the best place to visit on the weekend to relax, unwind, and chat with friendly gay people.
New Orleans Festivals
Southern Decadence
Southern Decadence is a festival that unites LGBTQ people who want to express their true identities through custom-made costumes and performances. The festival takes place during Labor Day weekend and culminates in a parade through the French Quarter.
Southern Decadence is also known as the Gay Mardi Gras — the LGBTQ version of the world-famous winter festival. The event features LGBTQ Mardi Gras gay krewes: Armeinius, Amon-Ra, Petronius, and Lords of Leather. The krewes surprise the public with bright performances — you can watch them, or you can join them.
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
New Orleans’ historic French Quarter also hosts a literature festival that attracts gay and lesbian visitors who are into reading and art. If you call yourself a bookworm, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this festival in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Buy some great books and chat with other enthusiastic readers.
Wrapping Up: New Orleans Is a Center of Entertainment for the Queer Community
New Orleans is a great place for the LGBTQ community to live and visit during Pride Month and all year long. Whether you come here to spend a weekend at crowded local bars, participate in Gay Mardi Gras, visit art markets, or enjoy other kinds of entertainment like drag shows or pool parties, the city will not fail to impress you.
Singles who want to meet New Orleans locals or visitors use dating apps like Grindr, Mingle2, Scruff, HER, and Jack’d.
However, the best choice is Taimi. It’s the most effective app in New Orleans because it’s designed specifically to cater to the needs of gay and lesbian daters, and it allows you to see people nearby. You can use the location filter to find someone who’s hanging out at the same gay bar in the French Quarter as you. Download the Taimi app and explore dating opportunities in New Orleans!
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