Cafe Lafitte in Exile

“My home bar away from home.”

This is my home bar in New Orleans, the one I consider my bar away from home. On Sundays I go for the Famous Napkin Toss, which always makes me smile. It's called Trash Disco and starts at 4:00 PM. At some point, barbacks hand out wads of cocktail napkins, and the glee and enthusiasm become palpable. The intro starts with a stutter beat, eyes get wide, and then John Paul Young's voice sings "Love Is In The Air." When I first connected the napkins to the lyrics, a childish excitement pulsed through me. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! Love and napkins are in the air! The bartenders are friendly, outgoing, and efficient, which is a task given the crowd for the Napkin Toss. It's an ideal place to set up your drinking headquarters while visiting the Big Easy.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“IF you are in New Orleans....”

I went while walking in the French Quarter, but I wouldn't make a special trip to go there. It was never busy when I saw it. As of mid-April 2015, smoking was still allowed in bars, and this one was no exception. It was dark, not air conditioned, and not inviting. I was disappointed, especially since I was there during one of the busy times in the Quarter.

A guest · Over a year ago

“Try the Purple Voodoo!”

Supposedly this is the oldest bar in the United States. It has a fun, laid-back vibe with live piano music and two separate bars. Be sure to try the Purple Voodoo!

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“For a good time...”

I first discovered this New Orleans treasure in the early 80s on my first visit. Several years later, in 1990, we moved here, and this bar was always the first stop of the day or night, being three blocks from home. Ah, the memories of nights (or afternoons) there. It always has the best DJs in town and dancers on the bar for special events, but what day in New Orleans isn't a special event? I've watched staff come and go, but the new ones are as eager to please as the ones they replaced. One downstairs bartender is a star; she can sling cocktails all night and keep you laughing the whole time, and she's a great singer too. Upstairs, you never know what to expect except it will be fun. The balcony is the best in the city and great for watching eye candy day or night, but it gets packed early and stays packed on big holidays like Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence. I won't share my secret for squeezing into my favorite spot at the railing. Upstairs on those biggest holidays is something you have to experience to believe. No room for playing pool then, but the pool table is a virtual smorgasbord and it can take a while just to walk around it. This may be the oldest gay bar in the city, so I guess that makes me older than dirt, but that's okay. From the second you walk in and see that welcoming gas flame fire pit, you know you belong.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“Disappointed”

One of the oldest gay bars in the United States with tons of history, so I visited. Nice locals and clientele, good music. Two stories and a nice layout. My only complaints were the fruit flies and the pre-made slushy drinks, which were obviously old and not fresh at all. Also, the drink pour system is metered, so it was difficult to get a strong drink there.

A visitor · Over a year ago