 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. During Southern Decadence
2004, Bourbon Pub/Parade will host all the
official events. If you plan to attend more
than two of the parties, purchase a Weekend
Pass ($70). It guarantees VIP admission to
each of the nightly events. No one gets hassled
here.
The Scene
The Bourbon Pub and Parade is actually two
clubs in one. Downstairs, the Bourbon Pub video
bar is a frenzied singles hangout, with crowds
often spilling out onto the street; upstairs,
the Parade offers a serious dance experience
with nationally known DJs, an impressive laser-light
show and a state-of-the-art sound system. Throbbing
high-energy beats blast from both, dominating
the airwaves of the entire street corner
The Draw
As the epicenter of gay nightlife in the French
Quarter, this is the place to be for big gay
holidays like Mardi Gras, Southern Decadence
and Halloween. And it doesn't lack for customers
the rest of the year. While women and straights
are welcome, gay men of all ages and races
are the predominant clientele
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