Bar: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
Location: 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Score: 9.1/10
The city of New Orleans is full of history and culture. Whether it’s food or holiday traditions, history in New Orleans goes back 100s of years. That leads us to a bar known as Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. The building was constructed in the 1720s and is believed to be the oldest structure to be used as a bar in the United States.
Lafitte’s is named after Jean Lafitte. It is from this building Lafitte ran a smuggling ring. The blacksmith in the name of the bar comes from Jean’s brother, Pierre. He used the building as a blacksmith shop, providing a legal front for the brother’s illegal operation they were running. While Lafitte had nothing to do with the actual bar, his role in smuggling cemented him in New Orleans history.
The building and interior has stayed true to its age. Brick and concrete make up the exterior, and a slate roof helped the building escape two great fires. The interior is very dim, lit by candles and lamps. It’s not typical bar decor. No neon signs or beer posters plastered everywhere. The exposed wood beamed ceiling, concrete, brick walls, and dainty tables make you feel like you’re back in time.
Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by some phenomenal bartenders. Quick service and very personable. They add on to the experience and will shoot the shit with all the patrons. You have a wide variety of drink options. The Purple Voodoo Daiquiri is a must try. They also have a variety of Red Bull drinks matched with different liquors, which make for a great pick me up after drinking on Bourbon Street all day. After grabbing a drink, you can grab a table at the front, or head into the back where the piano is, to enjoy a live performance. Lafitte’s is also rumored to be one of the most haunted spots in New Orleans. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of Jean Lafitte’s ghost tucked away in one of the corners. I’d imagine he would be drinking a Voodoo Daiquiri.
Of all the bars in New Orleans, Lafitte’s stands out big time. They don’t have any lucrative deals or some crazy gimmick to attract a crowd. They are just an all around solid bar. It’s a lively atmosphere with cheap drinks. With all the bars in New Orleans, most people want to bar hop, and I totally get that. But I can confidently say I would gladly spend a trip with this being one of the only bars I attend.
If you haven’t been to New Orleans, you need to. If you have been and haven’t visited Lafitte’s, you gotta get there. If you’ve been to New Orleans and Lafitte’s, I appreciate your taste in bars, and keep going back.
Decor: Decor fits the historic age of the building. Concrete and brick walls, wood ceilings, and old tables and chairs make you feel like you’re with the Lafitte brothers and their smuggling partners.
Price: Doesn’t have the lucrative deals that some of the bars offer, but still extremely cheap. Can catch a great buzz and not worry about breaking the bank.
Service: Awesome service. Bartenders get your drinks quick, and also will hold a conversation with the patrons. Makes it more of a personal experience which a lot of bars in New Orleans lack.
Atmosphere: Can be lowkey or way more active based on the crowd that night. If you enjoy a live piano, it makes for a perfect spot. It also feels less hectic than some of the other bars on Bourbon, making it a perfect escape.
Cleanliness: Zero concerns. Clean bar.
Bonus Points: None.