Roll Call: Carnival Triumph - January 9, 2010 - 1-9-10

[gorgamel114]

Yeah very..this year has been stressful and on top of that its my first cruise.

[Philthevoid]

It's my partner's first cruise as well, so it should be exciting to see what he thinks of it. Hopefully he doesn't get sick and the weather is nice. Regardless, it will be better than winter in Indianapolis.

 

He doesn't know any of the details, except that we are going on a cruise.

 

At the moment, he thinks we are leaving from Ft. Lauderdale and hitting San Juan, Puerto Rico. So he'll be very confused when we hit New Orleans.

[gorgamel114]

haha..Im sure we'll have fun..Heres hoping it doesnt rain

[Philthevoid]

I agree! If it rains, I'll be so upset.

 

Hey, do you know of any good run-downs of the gay bars on Bourbon street? Maybe a website that says what types of crowds?

[gorgamel114]

Ok a little rundown of Bourbon street. All of the gay clubs on bourbon are towards the end of bourbon. Its almost like theres an imaginary divder from the gay and straight bars. I tend to only like one bar on bourbon for reasons I mention later. However, there are some bars on side streets of bourbon that are worth mentioning.

 

ON BOURBON:

 

Cafe Lafitte in Exile- Never a Cover Charge

901 Bourbon Street - NOLA

504.522.8397

 

The Daddy Of 'em All. Lafitte's is the oldest Gay bar in the country and has a long and interesting history. During his years in New Orleans, Tennessee Williams used to frequent Lafitte's.

 

Lafitte's features two floors of music and video. Downstairs you'll find the main bar. Upstairs you'll find a pool table and the balcony! During Southern Decadence and Carnival, because the Gay crowd dominates this part of Bourbon Street, people tend to be a little more "adventurous" in their pursuit of beads and the balcony at Lafitte's can be quite "entertaining."

 

This is the bar I frequent most. It isnt nearly as crowded as the others on bourbon mostly because its not as close to where everything else is.

 

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Napoleon's Itch

Bourbon St. @ St. Ann - NOLA

371.5450

 

This upscale club caters to the community in the only non-smoking venue of its kind in the Crescent City.

 

I've never been in this bar but from the looks on the outside its very contemporary and definitely not a stereotypical gay bar.

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Oz New Orleans- Cover Charge after 9pm

 

This bar is definitely known for "twinks" and Drug use. I never go here.

 

 

800 Bourbon Street - NOLA

504.593.9491

 

Oz is one of New Orleans best high energy dance clubs. Since Oz opened its doors, it has been the place to party until daybreak. Details Magazine ranked Oz as one of the top 50 clubs to party in the country. Gambit Magazine ranked Oz as New Orleans #1 dance club. Oz has won Dance Club of The Year at the Gay Appreciation Awards voted on by the Gulf South readership of Ambush Mag year after year and Show Club of the Year many times.

 

Once you experience Oz, you'll understand all the excitement. The greatest thing going for Oz is its location. Oz is located on St. Ann and Bourbon Street which turns into "Mardi Gras Central" during the weeks of Carnival and "Southern Decadence Central" during Labor Day Weekend. If you get to Oz early, you might be able to squeeze your way to the rail of their balcony which overlooks a crowd hungry for beads. A traditional chant is "show me your (insert body part here)!" Once the merchandise is properly displayed, the exhibitor is thrown a pair of beads. The biggest attraction at Oz is the dance floor.

 

The music is hot and the light show will amaze you. Another amazing thing to see at Oz are the dancing boys. On the weekends, Oz has some of the hottest men, take our word for it, dancing on the bar. The dancers will inspire you. And, once they get you worked up enough, you can burn off some of that energy on the dance floor.

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Bourbon Pub Cover charge after 9pm

 

The only other bar on bourbon I prefer.

 

700 Bourbon St

bourbonpub.com

 

Ask anyone in town and they'll assure you the most happening gay bar in the French Quarter is Bourbon Pub/Parade. The slash says it all; this establishment is two separate bars inside the same building. The bottom floor is called the Bourbon Pub, the massive disco at the top of the stairs is Parade. Unified by a devoted clientel, the resulting mega-bar boasts the title: the oldest continually operating gay bar in the United States. Even though both bars are more or less the same establishment, each location has a different vibe. The Bourbon Pub is a cross between a neighborhood bar and a male strip club. It's see it's share of oddities: drag cabaret as well as star-sightings. Local resident John Goodman has been spied along with the wife enjoying the scene. Remarkably, the pub never closes. Upstairs, Parade features ultra-high-tech laser-light disco theatrics, a state-of-the-art sound system, and regular DJs who spin the tunes all night long. Parade hosts a different theme party every night of the week. These change with some frequency but 'Two for Tuesday,' Friday night's 'Boys Night Out' and Sunday's tea dances have become a local tradition. Parade has twice been named 'National Nightclub of the Year' by Dance Music Authority magazine, and in 2004 received the coveted Zagat Nightlife Award of Excellence. The building's two large balconies are always in use. On a slow night, the balcony is a great place to step outside for a breath of fresh air. On a busy night anything and everything has been known to happen on that little terrace overlooking Bourbon Street. This complex, while a gay mens' bar, is openly accepting of everybody, regardless of orientation. The sense of community is so pervasive, there's even a chat room on Bourbon Pub/Parade's excellent web site. It's especially useful in anticipation of their big annual parties: New Year's Eve, Southern Decadence, Pride Festival and Halloween.

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Those are the only gay bars/clubs on bourbon. However, If you are willing to walk a few blocks from Bourbon or take a short taxi ride. Here are some others.

 

Good Friends Bar- Never a cover charge. And only a block away from OZ and Bourbon Pub

 

740 Dauphine Street - NOLA

504.566.7191

 

Always snappy casual is the best way to describe Good Friends Bar and it's laid back classy attitude. Visit the Queen's Head Pub upstairs every Sunday and enjoy Tommy T at the piano from 4 until 8pm as he plays all your favorites and leads the most fun sing-a-long in the French Quarter. No visit to New Orleans is complete without spending a Sunday afternoon here.

 

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The Phoenix/Eagle- If you are staying in the FQ catch a cab.

 

941 Elysian Fields - NOLA

504.945.9264

 

The Phoenix is one of New Orleans' levi-leather bars and the proud home of the Lords of Leather, the Cavaliers Motorcycle Club, and the New Orleans Bear and Bear Trappers Social Club. It's also won Leather Bar of the Year at the Gay Appreciation Awards voted on by the Gulf South readership of Ambush Mag year after year. .

 

When you walk into the Phoenix, there is no mistaking that this is the gathering place for the leather community of New Orleans. Besides the hot crowd, the posters of leather bars from around the world that hang from the walls are a sure give away. If you need information about the leather community or special events in New Orleans, the Phoenix is the right place. The locals and the bartenders will be sure to lead you in the right direction.

 

The Phoenix is one of the largest bars in the city occupying a two story house on historic Elysian Fields- just a short walk from the French Quarter.

 

Downstairs is the main bar where you'll find a competitive pool table. Past the main bar and through the back doors is the courtyard where beer busts take place. Upstairs is the New Orleans Eagle. The Eagle features music and a particularly heavy cruising atmosphere.

 

If you need those boots polished, stop by the Phoenix on a Friday night for a really good spit and shine. The Phoenix also sells a great collection of T-shirts.

 

The Phoenix has been Gay owned and operated over 25 years. Bobby Connell bought the club in August 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina. It's better then ever now, so come see the exciting changes made by Bobby.

 

Open 24 hours 365 days a year. Plenty of free parking here, and an ATM in the bar.

 

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Rawhide 2010

740 Burgundy Street - NOLA

504.525.8106

 

Rawhide 2010 is the only Leather/Levi bar in the French Quarter. Located just two blocks off Bourbon Street, Rawhide 2010 is where New Orleans' hottest men come to meet the tourists and vice versa. Two words you will never hear here are "last call!"

 

Completely remodeled in 1995, Rawhide 2010 features a pool table, three video-poker machines, seven friendly bartenders, and a live DJ as well as cold longnecks and hot videos. Frequent events and nightly drink specials keep the party hopping as long as you keep going.

 

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Tubby's Golden Lantern- Few blocks off Bourbon. Another one of my favorites.

 

1239 Royal Street - NOLA

504.529.2860

 

Tubby's Golden Lantern is your basic neighborhood drinking spot and the second oldest Gay bar in the City. You'll find many of N'awlins legends here night after night. As the Official Home of Southern Decadence, this bar is the starting point for the Southern Decadence Parade that marches every Sunday before Labor Day in September.

[Philthevoid]

Wow, quite the rundown. Thanks!

 

For the most part they are all in safe areas, right? (Meaning, I know it is a city)

 

I am looking forward to it. I just wish I could share some of the details with my Jason, my partner.

[gorgamel114]

Yeah the ones that if I had to worry about would be the ones to far to walk.

 

Heh, when are you going to tell him? When you see the Welcome to New Orleans sign?..lol

[Philthevoid]

Yeah, pretty much. He'll probably figure it out about 2 or 3 hours from New Orleans.

 

He thinks he knows the whole trip now, but not an ounce of it is accurate. This should be fun.

 

I never lie to him, unless it is for his enjoyment. It works well this way.

[Philthevoid]

I just booked us on the Friday night Bloody Mary Haunted Pub Tour. Should be fun!

[gorgamel114]

Good deal..Yeah they should be. Ha as well as his reaction to going to New Orleans. One week away