Gay New Orleans Guide


Gay New Orleans is a decadent and stunning Southern Capital offering visitors a heady mix of superstition and cajun spice.

Gay New Orleans Guide

New Orleans, the perfect blend of history and good times!

TThe birthpace of Jazz, New Orleans has always welcomed those that refuse to conform. It is a true beacon in the conservative Deep South. New Orleans is host to some of the world’s sexiest gay events. The Lavender Line, the city’s gay district, is fused into the fabric of the city and is home to the oldest gay bar in the United States. It is also the starting point for the annual gay pride parade.

New Orleans has blurred the lines of what is gay and what is straight! Whether it is Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Halloween or just a regular Tuesday, every night is a party night in gay New Orleans.

Everywhere you look, you can see the influence of the city’s Spanish and French colonial roots, from its architecture to its cuisine. Add in the cultures of Creole, Irish and Italian immigrants and you have a city that is truly unique. There is no other place like New Orleans. Explore our insider guide to New Orleans’ gay scene and discover the very best places to play and stay.

The Melrose Mansion

Set in a restored 1884 Victorian gothic mansion, The Melrose Mansion is located on the edge of the Marigny with spacious luxury suites with sub zero refrigerators, washer and dryer, Jacuzzi tubs, and cathedral ceilings.



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The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel 4 Star

1.6km from the gay district.

The Ace Hotel is located in a beautifully restored Art Deco building whose interiors pay homage to the city’s history—painted furniture and murals evoke Louisiana’s lush landscape.

Located in the Warehouse District of gay New Orleans, within a 5-minute walk to Harrah’s Casino, Ace Hotel New Orleans boasts a rooftop bar and award-winning restaurant. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness centre, and guests can enjoy live music on-site.



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The Old 77

The Old 77 – 4 Star

12 minute walk from the gay district.

The Old No. 77 Hotel occupies a rehabilitated 19th-century coffee warehouse in gay New Orleans. Exposed-brick walls and hardwood floors showcase the eclectic, tastefully curated vintage interiors. The French Quarter is 12 minutes’ walk away.



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The Cornstalk Hotel

The Cornstalk Hotel – 4 Star

Located in the gay ditrict.

The Cornstalk Hotel is a 14-room French Quarter boutique hotel with antique period furnishings, lush gardens, and a porch overlooking Royal Street.



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Henry Howard House -3 Star

2.5km  from the gay district.

Located in the garden district, the Henry Howard House is a gay operated boutique hotel offering 17 rooms, each with private bath. Private courtyards and balconies, free wi-fi, and complimentary breakfast are also features of this 1850’s Mansion guesthouse.



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The Prince Conti

The Prince Conti – 3 Star

Located in the gay district.

The Prince Conti Hotel offers 24-hour concierge service and an on-site restaurant. The hotel features completely non-smoking guest rooms with convenient coffee makers. The Bombay Club restaurant at the Prince Conti serves Nouveau Creole cuisine for dinner every evening.



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W New Orleans

The W New Orleans – 4 Star

Located in the gay district.

Next to the historic Jackson Square and within walking distance of the Riverwalk, the W New Orleans hotel in the French Quarter of gay New Orleans offers an outdoor courtyard pool and an on-site restaurant.



Booking.com

Gay Map of New Orleans

New Orleans Gay Scene

New Orleans has a very laid back attitude when it comes to sex. You are very unlikely to experience any discrimination on your visit.

Gays and straights share Bourbons Street, home of most city’ gay bars and clubs. Gay visitors tend to gravitate past St. Peter street on the northern end. You can carry drinks into the street, but only in plastic cups, not in glass or cans. Most bars never close, and all are now 21-plus only.

The district of Marigny in the French Quarter is also a popular spot, offering a more relaxed vibe. It is easy to reach by going up Chartres, and get back on Royal.

Getting here and getting around.

Louis Armstrong International Airport is 11 miles from the French Quarter. Most hotels offer a courtesy shuttle. Taxis are plentiful. There is also an Airport Shuttle (USD 24 approx) and the Express Bus.

Those traveling by train arrive at the Central Business District, a short taxi ride away from the French Quarter.

Getting around gay New Orleans is easy. The city is made for walking. The French Quarter is just 14 blocks from beginning to end and Marigny is a short stroll away.

The Street cars will take you to most of the tourists spots, They are a fun way to explore the city. For something different, Take the Canal Street Ferry and enjoy a crossing on the Mississippi river with great views of downtown.

The Gay Neighbourhoods of New Orleans

marigny

Take a walk in the Marigny district and explore old New Orleans.

The French Quarter

Known to locals as “The Quarter”, the French Quarter or the Vieux Carre, is the beating heart of gay New Orleans. Most first timers spend much of their time in this district. The area is bordered by the Rampart, Esplanade, Canal and the Mississippi River.

Visitors to The Quarter can enjoy a unique mix of Spanish, French and Creole architecture as well as the ubiquitous cast-iron balconies from which gay boys dance and dangle every night of the week!

Marigny

Marigny is just a short trip northeast of the French Quarter. This district is famous for its 19th century quaint Creole cottages. The scene here is quite relaxed, more “grown-up” some would say, when compared to the raucous of Bourbon Street. The busiest gay bars and restaurants are centred along Frenchman Street and Elysian Fields.

The Garden District

The Garden district is home to the city’s stunning old mansions and is just south of the French Quarter. It is a lovey area to wander where you can enjoy the unique homes and old-world architecture of New Orleans.

New Orleans Gay Bars & Clubs

New Orleans blurs the line when it comes to what is a gay or straight bar. This is after all a place where diversity is celebrated as can be seen in festivals such as Southern Decadence. Even Easter has a gay parade.

Most of the famous gay bars are on the French Quarter’s “Lavender Line,” a stretch of St Ann Street that bisects Bourbon.

  • The Allways Lounge is an alternative theater & bar putting on plays, burlesque shows & indie music concerts in funky digs.disco, Boys on Parade home to Sunday Tea Dances and drag shows.
  • Cafe Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. The bar is home to the Sunday Trash Disco, regular karaoke nights and daily happy hours. The Cafe is the most entertaining gay corner during Carnival famous for its beads flung from the balconies, and what boys will do to earn them!
  • Corner Pocket is a divey gay pub known for scantily clad men dancing on the bar each night from 9pm. Home to such parties as Wet Jocky Shorts, New Meat amateur strip and Barry Bareass Dancer of the Week.
  • Cutter’s bar is located in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood bar. It is well known hunting ground for bears, big buffets, sports event specials, live talent shows and eclectic monthly art exhibits.
  • Golden Lantern is a cash-only gay bar offering draft beer, cocktails & drag shows in a snug, brick-lined space. Famous as the bar where the Southern Decadence Parade begins each Sunday before Labor Day. Home to well-loved bartenders and drag shows.
  • Good Friends is a Gay bar with a laid-back vibe, mahogany bar & a Victorian-styled upstairs with a balcony. Head upstairs to the Queens Head Pub with wrap-around balcony – famous for “Separator” milk-based frozen libations.
  • GrandPre’s is a fun gay bar attracting a mixed crowd famous for its many shows including the Queerlesque drag burlesque shows.
  • Mags 940 is a Gay Bar located in the Marigny that also doubles as a bed and breakfast. With live performances, creative cocktails, Mardi Gras Krewe royalty and guests from neighboring B&B, weekend shows.
  • Napoleon’s Itch is rollicking gay nightspot known for signature drinks & its annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza. It hosts a famous male dance show, live concert and street party during Southern Decadence.

Dance

  • Oz New Orleans is a 2-story, 24/7 gay dance club with DJs, drag shows, go-go dancers & a balcony for people-watching. . Fun all year with hot crowds, weekend male strippers, amateur strip-offs, burlesque, comedy cabaret and drag shows.
  • Bourbon Pub & Parade is a 24/7 gay bar with 2 floors, a balcony & nonstop dance-club music keeping the party going. Upstairs you will find the Parade.

Cruise

  • The Phoenix Bar is a gay bar catering to the leather crowd provides a no-frills 24/7 hangout with a pool table. Renegade Bears’ is held on the 3rd Friday as well as monthly beer busts on the back patio. Upstairs Eagle is a touch-and-feel cruise bar and their COK store sells leather attire, kink, latex gear, underwear, lubes and more.
  • Rawhide 2010 is a down-to-earth gay leather bar with daily happy hours, pool & adult videos on TV. It is one of the top leather bars in the US and home to Saturday Night Leather, blackout parties; open 24-hours every day.

Gay New Orleans Events

Halloween New Orleans

Halloween New Orleans

From: Oct. 26.2023 - To: Nov. 01.2023
Gay Halloween in New Orleans means party time, a chance to dress up, drink and look for that special trick or treat, and there are lots of treats to be had.
Halloween at OZ, New Orleans

Halloween at OZ New Orleans

From: Oct. 27.2023 - To: Nov. 01.2023
Join the hottest guys from across the USA and beyond for a weekend of Halloween fun in New Orleans, the perfect place to celebrate this spooky weekend.
HNO Circuit Party New Orleans

HNO Circuit Party New Orleans

From: Oct. 27.2023 - To: Oct. 29.2023
HNO New Orleans is one of the most celebrated gay party weekends of the year while also being one of the longest-running and most respected fundraising circuit events
Gay Christmas and New Year's Eve in New Orleans

Gay Christmas & New Year's Eve in New Orleans

From: Dec. 02.2023 - To: Dec. 31.2023
New Orleans is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas and ring in the new year, from gala dinners to all-night parties, street celebrations and more
Luna Fete Festival of Lights New Orleans

Luna Fete Festival of Lights New Orleans

From: Dec. 07.2023 - To: Dec. 10.2023
Illuminated costumes, couture, and creativity take centre stage at Arts New Orleans' LUNA Fête
New Orleans Mardi Gras

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 01.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024
The New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras Weekend takes place from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Dates vary depending on the fall of Easter.

Gay Easter Parade New Orleans

From: Mar. 31.2024 - To: Mar. 31.2024
The New Orleans Gay Easter Parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar and many gay-owned restaurants and retail shops.
French Quarter Festival New Orleans

French Quarter Festival New Orleans

From: Apr. 11.2024 - To: Apr. 14.2024
The French Quarter festival is the world’s largest showcase of Louisiana food, music and culture. The event has been showcasing the city's unique heritage for over 30 years.
New Orleans Jazz Fest

New Orleans Jazz Fest

From: Apr. 26.2024 - To: May. 05.2024
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana.
New Orleans Pride Festival

New Orleans Pride Festival

From: Jun. 07.2024 - To: Jun. 09.2024
New Orleans gay Pride is listed as one of the fastest growing Pride Celebrations in the Nation and is the city's official Pride Festival
NOLA Pride Fest New Orleans

NOLA Pride Fest New Orleans

From: Jun. 08.2024 - To: Jun. 08.2024
Celebrate pride with friends from near and far at the biggest outdoor block party and festival in New Orleans
red-dress-run-new-Orleans

Red Dress Run New Orleans

From: Aug. 10.2024 - To: Aug. 10.2024
The Red Dress Run in New Orleans doubles as a fundraiser and a chance to party! All proceeds from the event go directly to charity.
Southern Decadance

Southern Decadence

From: Aug. 29.2024 - To: Sep. 02.2024
Southern Decadence New Orleans is a top gay Labor Day Weekend destination, one of our world's major annual gay events with circuit parties & gay fetish events
Oz Southern Decadence

Oz Southern Decadence

From: Aug. 29.2024 - To: Sep. 02.2024
Celebrate Southern Decadence in the heart of New Orleans at OZ, home to the most famous parties in NOLA
The Bourbon Pub, New Orleans Southern Decadence Official Party

The Bourbon Pub New Orleans Southern Decadence Official Party

From: Aug. 29.2024 - To: Sep. 02.2024
Celebrate Southern Decadence weekend at the official home of the best parties in gay New Orleans The Bourbon Pub.
Hit It New Orleans

Hit It New Orleans

From: Aug. 30.2024 - To: Aug. 30.2024
If you visit NOLA for any major weekend, including Southern Decadance, Pride or Mardi Gras, then make your way to the HIT IT Party
The Phoenix, Southern Decadence Block Party

The Phoenix Southern Decadence Block Party

From: Aug. 30.2024 - To: Sep. 02.2024
If you are visiting New Orleans for Southern Decadence, then the place to be is at The Phoenix and their famous block parties, complete with piggy gogo daddies and of course the jam-packed Eagle bar.
4th of July New Orleans

4th of July New Orleans

Awaiting dates
Fourth of July celebrations in New Orleans include several international festivals and a spectacular fireworks parade on the river
Bearracuda Southern Decadence Edition, New Orleans

Bearracuda Southern Decadence Edition New Orleans

Awaiting dates
New Orleans plays host to the Bearracuda party during the sexiest week of the year, Southern Decadence.

Southern Decadence Pool Party

Awaiting dates
Bearmania present Wet Dreams, their infamous pool party during Southern Decadence, New Orleans
Horse Meat Disco, Southern Decadence

Horse Meat Disco Southern Decadence

Awaiting dates
Celebrate Southern Decadence at one of the most iconic gay parties and enjoy the unique hospitality of the Filmore in NOLA
Furball Dirty Disco Tea Dance New Orleans

Furball Dirty Disco Tea Dance New Orleans

Awaiting dates
Furball teams up with Dirty Disco for an epic end-of-Labor Day weekend party in New Orleans
Furball New Orleans

Furball New Orleans

Awaiting dates
Joe Fiore's legendary Furball returns to New Orleans for a Southern Decadence special event
Fornication Party, New Orleans

Fornication Party New Orleans

Awaiting dates
Fornication brings the world's hottest porn stars to the party. Yes, this is not a "Performance", it is a play party, the porn stars are here to play with you.

Gay Friendly Restaurants in New Orleans

Something Special

  • Jacques-Imo’s in Uptown’s Riverbend area offers unpretentious New Orleans dining with an eclectic mix of Creole dishes.
  • The Pelican Club is a Stylish place with a sophisticated Creole menu, 3 dining rooms, a bar & weekend piano music.

Traditional New Orleans Cuisine

  • Crabby Jack’s is a daytime place for hefty po’ boys, fried chicken & other Cajun grub in a funky counter-service space.  A po’ boy is a traditional sandwich from Louisiana. It almost always consists of meat, which is usually roast beef or fried seafood, often shrimp, crawfish, fish, oysters or crab. The meat is served on New Orleans French bread, known for its crisp crust and fluffy center.
  • Seafood from a coal grill & raw bar, plus local brews, are found in rustic digs with weathered wood at Peche, New Orleans. Don’t miss the jumbo Gulf shrimp with bacon and shell beans.
  • The Gumbo Shop serves Authentic, locals-approved gumbo simmered & served on rice, plus Creole staples & courtyard dining.

Burgers and Comfort food

  • Clover Grill is a retro-styled diner with a camp vibe, drawing crowds from neighboring gay bars with burgers & breakfast served 24/7.
  • Grab a burger at the Camellia Grill, a fabled institution for diner fare dished out by bow-tied servers, plus late-night dining.
  • The Louisiana Pizza Kitchen is a comfortable Italian eatery serving wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas & wine in a family atmosphere.
  • Elizabeth’s Restaurant is a down-home country classics & a busy brunch restaurant located in a bustling space hung with local art, plus a bar, set in a funky century-old house in Bywater.
  • Enjoy baby back ribs, beef brisket, sausage links, mac-and-cheese, and baked beans at The Joint! You can’t miss the unassuming striped yellow shack.

Coffee and Brunch

  • Stop for coffee or lunch at Press Street Station, a culinary project of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA).It i an all-day option from NOCCA’s culinary students for sandwiches & other contemporary Louisiana plates.
  • The Market Cafe serves great jazz buffet breakfasts and sublime Bloody Marys located steps from the French Market.
  • In Bywater, take a fresh juice at Satsuma Café on Dauphine.
  • Cafe Amelie is a romantic spot for elegant contemporary Louisiana fare, plus a lush Princess of Monaco courtyard with a fountain.
  • Café du Monde is the world’s most famous coffee shop and a New Orleans institution on 800 Decatur St. Visit the original coffee stand in French Market since 1862, serving distinctive local coffee laced with chicory and delicious beignets (French donuts).
  • Enjoy one of the most talked about brunches in all of New Orleans: Drag Brunch at the Country Club. Mimosas, lip-synching drag queens and eggs,

Top things to See and do!

  • Take a tour of the  Oak Alley Plantation, Upriver between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Pay a visit to the stunning main mansion as seen in a number of Hollywood movies such as Interview with a Vampire.
  • Visit the Creole Laura Plantation and explore this one-time sugarcane operation.
  • The Whitney Plantation offers the unique perspective of hundreds of first-person slave narratives.
  • Enjoy  a Honey Island Swamp Tours for fascinating excursions on quiet, small boats through one of the lushest and most beautiful wetlands on the Mississippi Delta.
  • Explore Uptown and experience New Orleans renowned and opulent 19th Century mansions
  • Go boutique shopping on Magazine Street, after you take in the 350-acre Audubon Park, with its pretty pathways shaded by ancient oak trees.
  • Don’t miss the iconic Garden District where you can view event more ornate mansions. Then end your trip at the spooky Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
  • Visit the Presbytère where you can immerse yourself in the culture and chaos of Mardi Gras.
  • Take a tour, Literary tours, ghost tours, cemetery tours, Segway tours, LGBTQ history tours, carriage tours, bike tours, the list is endless.
  • Explore the shops on Magazine Street, five miles of fun. You’ll find antiques, home décor items, clothing boutiques and fun thrift shops

Highlights not to miss

  • Watch the sunrise over the mighty Mississippi. One of our favorite locations for this is in Woldenberg Park. To get there, simply walk up St. Louis Street in the French Quarter until you see the river.
  • Head to Hot Tin Rooftop Bar (at the Pontchartrain Hotel) and enjoy cocktails while checking out the city’s skyline.
  • Take the historic St. Charles streetcar and admire some of the city’s best architecture on this iconic street.
  • Grab your next wig and get some great outfit ideas at Fifi Mahony’s, the perfect shop for a city whose locals love to dress up for almost any occasion.
  • Head to the Allways Lounge where you can check out some of the city’s best drag and burlesque performers.

A Streetcar named Desire!

canal street

Visit the for the Elysian Fields and trace the steps of Blanche Dubois!

Relive the magic of “A streetcar named desire” and explore Gay New Orleans like Tennessee Williams.

Take the St Charles line for a memorable streetcar experience. It is the world’s longest running streetcar line. The 13th mile route has been in operation since 1835 and takes you down the beautiful tree-lined St Charles street past the world famous antebellum mansions.

The streetcars on the St Charles line date back to the 1920s and feature the original mahogany seats and brass fittings. You are guaranteed to bump into fellow gay visitors on the line making it a fun experience and a way to meet new friends from around the world.

New Orleans Apartments

Bourbon Street Balcony Upscale Condo

8 guests · 2 bedrooms · 4 beds · 1 bath

Bourbon Street Balcony Upscale Condo

Luxury, history, courtyard, high ceilings, location, Location! Balcony overlooking the famous Bourbon St. Newly renovated and furnished with new appliances, furniture, n linens. One of the most beautiful Condos in the area. Steps to the Marigny..

Deluxe Steps From Bourbon

6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1 bath

Have the quintessential New Orleans experience by staying in the heart of the French Quarter in this historic estate dating from 1859. Enter at the distinguished brick archway on bustling St. Philip Street, walk through the luscious courtyard access .

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