The Country Club

French · Piano Bar · New Orleans, LA

4.1 (700 · Yelp ) ·$$ ·French ·Est. 1977 · · LGBTQ-owned

About

Bar: Full bar

Walking into this cottage, you'll notice the pool area is clothing-optional. It's a mixed-gay-straight crowd, with a backroom and piano bar. The Country Club has been LGBTQ-owned since 1977, offering French cuisine, a full bar, and outdoor seating. The vibe is relaxed but watchful. You can swim, soak, or enjoy a gourmet meal in the dining room.

Cocktail lounges, pool tables, and a smoking area fill the space. Sunday brunch draws a loyal crowd, with bottomless mimosas and a cabana bar. Expect 20-somethings to 50-somethings and some bears. Admission to the pool is $15. Cameras operate throughout, and guards enforce rules—so don't expect any private fun.

The Country Club sits in the Marigny neighborhood between Royal and Chartres Streets, just outside the French Quarter.

Features

  • Clothing-optional pool and hot tub
  • LGBTQ-owned since 1977
  • Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas
  • Full bar and French cuisine
  • Outdoor seating and cabana bar

Cuisine

French

Good for

BackroomOutdoor SeatingPool TableHappy HourAfter HoursAfter WorkClothing OptionalSmoking Area20 Somethings30 Somethings40 Somethings50 SomethingsBearsPiano BarCruisingCocktail LoungePub/TavernCafe

Practical

Mixed Gay/StraightLGBTQ OwnedSwimming PoolBike ParkingGood for KidsReservationsTake-OutCredit Cards AcceptedStreet ParkingVegan FriendlyVegetarian FriendlyHas TVFree WiFiFull BarBrunchLunchClassyTrendyGood for GroupsTable Service
4.1

What people say

Rated from 700 reviews. 39 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp

From the community

The pool is fantastic. It's perfect for relaxing with friends on a Sunday afternoon, ordering drinks, and unwinding. The drag brunch is also very enjoyable, but you need to reserve spots way ahead of time.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“Great place”

The staff is friendly, and it's a good spot to chill or host a private event.

A guest · Over a year ago

“Crack down at the Country Club (watch out boys!)”

This place used to be great for day drinking, swimming, and maybe some evening fun, but that's gone now. There are cameras everywhere and guards who shut down any excitement instantly. If you want something more adventurous, go to the Phoenix or the Rawhide. The $15 pool entrance was once a good deal, but now everything costs more, including drinks, in a city where most places sell PBR for $1.75, and staff constantly bother you. It's simply not worth it anymore.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“BE CAREFUL YOU ON CAMARA !!!!!!!!”

My boyfriend and I went here, and I'm warning everyone to avoid this place in NOLA. You can only get there by car. We parked out front, walked in, and it looked empty. We passed the kitchen, got to the bar where a few people were drinking, and saw a cold burger and fries someone had ordered. They had a screen showing the patio. I asked a guy, and he said we were welcome and that it's a private club with naked people and no photos allowed. He offered to let one of us in free with an $8 fee for the other. We agreed, went through the door, and saw the clean, nice-looking place. The pool and jacuzzi were questionable. We got naked, paid for towels, and went to the pool. Two older guys and a few tattooed straight guys and a girl were there. After the two guys left, my boyfriend and I were alone in the jacuzzi, getting romantic. Suddenly, a blond security guy who looked like a delinquent appeared, shook our hands, and said with a sarcastic smile that playing around wasn't allowed. I said we didn't know since no one was around to tell us. He said there are cameras everywhere. I asked if they film naked people, which is illegal, and he just said we could leave. As a tourist, I was confused. I went to shower and noticed cameras in the sauna and toilets. These people are sick. Filming in a clothing-optional place without consent is wrong; I felt violated. When we left, the waiter asked if we had fun. I said no, they film people without telling them. He said cameras are in every business now, but not in a clothing-optional place, you morons. He said tapes are kept for three years, so I expect to end up online somewhere with my boyfriend in the hot tub at the Country Club in New Orleans.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“Awesome Place”

I love and live this place—I actually work there. But even employees spend their free time here. It's uniquely New Orleans: you can have a gourmet meal in casual but elegant surroundings, hang at the bar with friends, play pool, watch a movie or sports on high-def screens, or get naked in the back to swim, soak in the hot tub, and have a cocktail.

A visitor · Over a year ago

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Country Club take reservations? +

Yes, reservations are accepted.

Is the pool area clothing-optional? +

Yes, the pool area is clothing-optional.

What type of cuisine is served? +

The Country Club serves French and New American cuisine, with Cajun specialties.

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