Rawhide Lounge

Country Western · Cruising · New Orleans, LA

LGBTQ-owned

About

In the French Quarter near St Ann Street, Rawhide Lounge is a leather bar that's been open since the 1970s. The crowd is mostly 30s and 40s, with a healthy mix of bears and country-western regulars. Drinks are cheap and strong, and there's a pool table in the front room.

The back half of the bar stays very dark, and the bathrooms even darker. If cruising is your interest, that's where things happen. The vibe is laid back but no-nonsense: it's not for prudes. Happy hour draws a steady crowd, and later it can get packed, especially during Southern Decadence or Mardi Gras. Keep your belongings close. For a more dance-focused night, Oz is just around the corner.

Located in the French Quarter on St Ann Street, Rawhide Lounge is within walking distance of several other gay bars and Bourbon Street.

Features

✓Cheap, strong drinks served daily
✓Pool table in the front room
✓Dark backroom and bathroom cruising scene
✓LGBTQ-owned since the 1970s

Good for

✓Backroom✓Leather✓Pool Table✓Happy Hour✓After Hours✓Smoking Area✓30 Somethings✓40 Somethings✓Bears✓18✓Country Western✓Cruising✓Cocktail Lounge✓Pub/Tavern

Practical

✓LGBTQ Owned

What people say

257 community ratings.

From the community

Every night at Rawhide is exciting! Much like Spinal Tap, their volume can go up to 11 or even 15 sometimes. Just don't bring your mother, the crowd is fun and rowdy.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“Good spot but been slow lately”

Decent spot for a low-key beer and some fun. Every time I've visited in the past couple years, it's been quiet and not very busy. Not sure if that's just bad timing or the new normal, but it's still a decent spot. There's a cover charge of $5 at the door, but it seems to be only on weekends.

A guest · Over a year ago

“good bar but we careful”

This bar is a fun, low-key, and casual spot to hang out. However, the back area and bathrooms are extremely dark, and when it's that dark, things tend to happen. During busy weekends like Southern Decadence, Mardi Gras, and Halloween, some people come looking for trouble. I and many others have been pickpocketed here. Keep your belongings safe since it gets very crowded in the back, making it hard to tell when someone is intentionally grabbing you versus just bumping into you. Be safe and enjoy yourself.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“Dark and seedy, just the way a leather bar should be”

This is my favorite gay bar in New Orleans. It's dark and seedy, exactly what a leather bar should be. The music is always great, drinks are strong, and the crowd is friendly. They have a pool table and games. Just be careful going to the bathroom since it's extremely dark and you might get groped along the way.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“Whats done in the dark”

Not sure where to begin with Rawhide. This was another bar where my friends and I spent a lot of time during our week in New Orleans. Drinks are cheap compared to most places and stronger than most. Since I was here during Mardi Gras, it was probably busier than usual, but there was always a decent crowd, even the Wednesday after Mardi Gras ended. Half the bar is dimly lit, the other half barely lit at all, and for good reason. A lot of fun happens in the dark. This place isn't for prudes or anyone easily offended by sexual situations. Just going to the bathroom means venturing into the dark, and you never know what you'll see, feel, or taste along the way.

A visitor · Over a year ago