How to Celebrate Pride 2021 in New Orleans This Weekend

Following a 2020 without official celebrations, Pride weekend 2021 has arrived in New Orleans with a series of parties, performances, and restaurant and bar specials — and, in a promising trend, the return of house floats, New Orleans’s answer to a “canceled” Mardi Gras 2021. There are events happening throughout the month of June as part of National Pride Month, but the biggest weekend for celebrating New Orleans’s LGBTQ+ community kicks off Thursday, June 10, running through Sunday, June 13.

Find a way to celebrate Pride in New Orleans with help from the guide below, whether seeking a drag brunch, underwear party, or simply a tour of colorfully-decorated house floats, with some special cake and cocktails thrown in, too.

Underwear party at Lafitte’s in Exile

The self-proclaimed oldest gay bar in the U.S., Lafitte’s in Exile is a central point of celebration for the weekend, beginning with an opening ceremony on Thursday, June 10 followed by an Underwear Party beginning upstairs at 6 p.m. $5 admission, or it’s free if you check your pants at the door.

Drag breakfast at Mags

Have breakfast with Princesse Stephany Friday, June 11 at Mags, the longtime Elysian Fields gay bar in the Marigny. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; see here for more information.

Krewe of Pride house floats

Inspired by New Orleans’s embrace of decorating houses like floats for Mardi Gras 2021, the Krewe of Pride formed to do the same to celebrate Pride 2021, and there is a map on their Facebook page for revelers wanting to explore the ever-impressive creativity of New Orleans residents. Additionally, a list of participating homes and their addresses (with their permission) can be found here, or check them out on the Krewe of Pride’s Instagram page.

Hangover Brunch at Lafitte’s in Exile

On Saturday, June 12 at 11 a.m., Lafitte’s in Exile is hosting an outdoor dance party/hangover brunch, simultaneously unveiling their new “King’s Courtyard.”

GrrlSpot dance party at Crossing

Monthly lesbian and queer dance party GrrlSpot is hosting a Pride party at Crossing Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m., featuring vaccines distributed by CrescentCare, vodka, or “dance juice” from Supergay Spirits, and music by DJ Gage, DJ Vaughndutch, and Staycation. See here for more info.

Rainbow doberge cake and cocktails at Bakery Bar

The rainbow doberge cake from beloved local baker Debbie Does Doberge is almost always available at Bakery Bar in the LGD or the newer sister spot in Kenner, Debbie on the Levee — but what better weekend to snag a slice, alongside a Romario Grande cocktail, made with Leblon Cachaca, yellow chartreuse, pineapple, and blue caraco.

Bakery Bar/Facebook

Tea dance at Vaughan’s Lounge

Essential 9th Ward bar Vaughan’s Lounge is always a party, and despite the name, the tea dance on Sunday, June 13 promises the same — tea dance refers to parties where gay couples could openly be together and dance in the 1940s and 1950s. From 4 to 8 p.m. celebrate with music, drink specials, and food from La Guaguita food truck. See here for more info.

Tea dance at Bar Marilou

Maison de la Luz’s chic bar, Bar Marilou, is also hosting a Sunday tea dance, and this one includes a cocktail and amuse bouche pairing alongside Bar Marilou’s impressive a la carte bar snacks menu. Tickets, which includes drag queen, drag king, burlesque, and boylesque performances, in addition to the drink and food included, are available for 5 and 8 p.m. seatings on Sunday, June 13.

Pride party at Urban South Brewery

From 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, Urban South Brewery is hosting a “Beaming with Pride” party, featuring a day of drag performances, live music, and food from the Sassy Chef and DJ Liz Owen. Of course, Urban South will be pouring their two specially-released Pride beers, Beaming and Sparkle Juice, as well as their other brews. Proceeds benefit House of Tulip and the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans.

Urban South Brewery/Facebook

Did we miss a special restaurant or bar Pride event? Leave a comment or send an email.