The Allways Lounge on St. Claude is known for its inclusive crowd, but even more renowned is its diverse live entertainment, which on any given night might include a cat circus, drag show, burlesque bingo, or naked karaoke. The drinks are cheap, the crowd is fun, and you can expect the unexpected — anything from a relaxing poetry reading to a roaring comedy show — that, after all, is the best part of New Orleans’s most avant-garde theater. 

Catch Pridefest at the Phoenix, the beloved corner Marigny bar that gets just the right amount of rowdy — on Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a live music and DJ lineup to give any local fest a run for its money. The bar also serves as the kickoff point for the annual Gay Pride Parade, held that Saturday, followed by all night long celebrations upstairs at the bar — which might just be the highlight of the whole day.

American Townhouse is a new gay-owned bar and restaurant from the folks behind the legendary 700 Club — if you know, you know. Located across from Armstrong Park, the bar and restaurant is part of the Rampart street renaissance and brings together craft cocktails and elevated bar food in a renovated historic house and a classic French Quarter courtyard. Check the calendar for Pride month events, including LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest on June 3, a tea dance on June 4, and more.

Located on the more residential end of the French Quarter, the Golden Lantern might seem like an easy-going, neighborhood dive bar at first — it is. However, come Mardi Gras Day and Southern Decadence, and the spot becomes ground zero for all the action. The intimate bar is best known for its happy hour(s) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., nutritiously-packed bloody Mary served in a “Lantern Trash” go-cup, and weekend drag shows. 

A proud anchor of Bourbon Street’s “Fruit Loop,” Café Lafitte in Exile’s claim to fame is that it is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the country, with the ghosts of past patrons occasionally visiting. It must be a sign of a good time if ghosts return from the afterlife to pay a visit but beware of Mr. Bubbly, who has been known to get grabby and pinch butts. The upstairs bar and balcony hosts weekly events, including karaoke and dance parties, while the downstairs has a welcoming bar with cheap drinks and views of Bourbon Street — ideal for people-watching.

The Bourbon Pub and Parade — also known as the Pub — has a large downstairs bar, best to catch up with friends, as well as catch a breath between dancing. Don’t expect the big game playing on all their TV screens, because those are there for endless streams of music videos. The Pub is best known for the second-floor club with go-go dancers, karaoke, drags shows, and DJs on any given night. It just depends on what night of the week it is, but Sunday is always the best with guest performers, dancing, and singalongs. 

All roads lead to Oz — except, in New Orleans, it’s less of a yellow brick road and more of a potholed one with puddles of spilled sugary drinks, so watch those ruby slippers. Oz is the place to end up on a Saturday for the best dancing in New Orleans. The shirts come off the later the night gets, so you have either been warned or even further enticed. For those who aren’t into late nights, Oz hosts Drag Bingeaux on Sunday nights at 7 p.m., just one of its weekly events. See here for the full lineup.

Crossing Bar, which calls itself “the best gay straight food serving bar in New Orleans,” has been a previous host for Grrlspot dance parties as well as for regular RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, Saints game watch parties, and pop-ups. It’s traditionally a big part of New Orleans Pride celebrations, and this year should be no different — revelers can usually count on the annual Beach Party here.

The cozy Uptown gay bar is tiny, but mighty with daily drink specials, welcoming regulars, and entertaining bartenders.  Located in the Touro neighborhood, the bar is far from the French Quarter scene and a welcomed addition to the otherwise more conservative Uptown area. This is the place to go to keep it intimate or closer to home on a quiet night.