Gay hot spots in the French Quarter

There are many sites you can go to and find reviews of local restaurants, hotels, clubs, etc. But if you're anything like me, you prefer that someone just tell you straight-up without having to search these places. On our most recent visit to the Big Easy for this year's Southern Decadence, I realized I needed to be the voice for some of those inquisitive minds.

If you're a regular in the New Orleans French Quarter, then you know that Oz (corner of Bourbon and St Ann) is the dance club to go when you just wanna let go and be free. The dance floor is fabulous with its state-of-the-art lighting and all-around party ambience. Be prepared to hand over a few bills for cover during special events such as Decadence, Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve, etc. And of course all the best looking guys are here, so if you have to wait in line a while, let this be an incentive for you.

If you're more about chilling with friends and just taking in everything around you, then step across the street to Bourbon Pub/Parade. The downstairs bar is a lush little video haven, with go-go boys galore dancing atop the bars, and some of the hottest music playing on the screens. The bartenders are friendly, but it can get crowded, so be patient and understanding. Parade can be found upstairs. It's a swank little dance floor with high-energy music blasting through your core. There's a lounge area to just sit back and chill, and a wrap-around balcony to enjoy your drinks and just look out at the madness passing by.

Just around the corner and down the street (St Ann and Dauphine) you'll find Good Friends Bar. Then name says it all! Good people, great music, hot dancers, and sexy people all around is what this friendly spot has to offer. And just like any of the other bars, drink prices are very reasonable. Here's a tip: If you're there on the weekend, go upstairs to the corner section of the bar closest to the men's restroom. It's the part where the bartenders get in and out. It's the easiest spot to get a drink, and the bartender's not too bad to look at either. ;)

Just a few short blocks away at 700 Burgundy, you'll find 700 Club. It's a relaxing bar with plenty of seating and lots of bar space. I personally think that Club 700 is where you want to unwind at the end of your French Quarter bar tour for the night. Have a nightcap and unwind to some fun music and good conversation with friendly folk.

If you walk up about 4 blocks toward downtown you'll find Corner Pocket at Burgundy and St. Louis. If you're into hot young guys dancing and flaunting their packages in your face, then you'll definitely want to stop by. Bad boys, bad boys! It's a small venue, but there are usually 5 guys up on the bar at once dancing and making their rounds so that you can see all their glory and stuff a bill or two down their jocks. Here's a tip though. Ashlee the bartender is a sweetheart and an awesome server! Ahslee is always on it. The one to watch out for is Bruce. When it gets busy, his fingers get sticky. If he thinks you're drunk, he'll take any opportunity to short-change you. I've been a victim of his twice now, this year at Decadence, and last year for New Year's eve. My advice, if Bruce is your only option, then make sure you carry plenty of small bills for a tip and use fives when buying your drinks. This makes it easier for you to keep track of what you're giving and getting back. where as if you hand him a twenty, he'll try to pass it off as a ten. The old bastard will get you. Either way, the guys are hot and DJ Lisa is fun.

If you're the kind of person who likes to grab a bite before calling it a night, then you'll want to end your evening at Cafe Lafitte in Exile. Upstairs is fun for the gentlemen, while the lower level is fun for everyone. If you like watching the dancers while gettin' your drink on, then take a seat upstairs and hold on to your hats! No girls allowed. :) The best part about ending the night here, for all you late night munchers, is Clover Grill right across the street. The world famous cafe makes your food while you wait. If you sit at the front counter, you can actually watch them make it. Not a big selection, nor a big dining area, but the staff is fun and friendly and it's an experience you'll want to tell all your friends about after.

A few other bars I haven't mentioned, and probably best that you experience for yourself are Rawhide (for all the leather bears out there) and Golden Lantern. Keep in mind that all these bars are in the French Quarter, so everything is within walking distance. If you're like me, and you've seen most of the sights in NOLA, and your real intentions are to party it up, then you'll want to make sure you get your hotel in the French Quarter or downtown so that you can easily walk back to your room after a long night of binge drinking. I've learned from experience, cabs will not pick you up if you're puking while they stop in front of you. LOL!