08/25/09

VIOLENT MANAGER!‎

by user1080

I'm sorry, I have to step in.

All night long the manager was screaming at his staff.

Then he beat up a teenager for drawing on the sidewalk with chalk.

He must be on druggs or something because he acts like a kid.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Everything

02/09/09

Great Bar no lights only candle Lit!!!

by sandeesf

This is a fun old bar with tons of atmosphere. It is really great No lights just candle lit. It has a great piano bar in the back of the bar. Its a ways to walk off of Bourbon Street but worth the walk give it a try!!!

• Pros: Charming and Oldest bar in the United States
• Cons: A little walk off the beaten path

01/13/09

Best bar in NOLA

by KYSHARON

I had a wonderful birthday celebration here, Does anyone know who the piano player was on Sat 12/27? He was great and so much fun- will make this a regular stop when in town

• Pros: comfortable
• Cons: none

01/09/09

A piece of Nola History

by kikki5577

I wish I hadn?t taken so long to pay my respects to this New Orleans institution. My husband and I have many vivid memories of New Orleans, most of them filled with personalities, liquor and great music. Our night a La Fifitte?s is one of our most vivid.

After a great dinner and several stops at other bars down Bourbon and Royal we made it Lafitte?s. We had no tourists? aspirations, we just a happened on the candlelit bar. After a few beers the bartender pointed us towards Jean?s table where we drank with the local ghost and listened while the piano player took requests.

As we sat near at table near the window a stately woman in an evening gown walk past us on the sidewalk outside. She entered the bar and walked to piano. After a, brief, whispered conversation with the piano man, he started into the classic notes of Stormy Monday. She sang what was the most poignant, memorable version of that song I have ever hear, kissed her musical companion on the cheek and walked out of the bar, headed for her next venue.

For us, this has become a defining moment; the instant when we felt the roots of New Orleans and it found its place in our hearts. For those who can get past the rough interior, there is magic here. Make friends with ghosts and they will repay your with your own piece of New Orleans history.

• Pros: Atmosphere, music, history.

05/23/08

More laid-back than the busier part of Bourbon Street

by missjeebie

Our first visit was mid-afternoon during the week. It was a steaming hot day, and the cool dark interior was just what we needed. The place was pretty quiet, save for a table of 4 who inexplicably ordered Cokes in the oldest bar in the land. We had a couple of Abita Ambers, savoring the feel of the establishment's history in the exposed brick walls, the ancient floorboards, the fireplace where we guess the blacksmithing was performed. Next time was nighttime after growing tired of the never-ending swirl of the other, nuttier end of Bourbon Street. The jukebox was indeed too loud, and competed rudely with the somewhat sad piano player (2 requests she took: "Tiny Dancer" & "Hey Jude"--not really what we were craving in New Orleans). The waiter was quick and polite, the beer cold, the place lit by candles on the tables--something in all our bar-tours we've yet to see anywhere else. It's got atmosphere, it's historic, it's a must, even if just to brag that you've been to the oldest bar in the USA! And if you get hungry, the Clover Grill is practically across the street, open 24 hours, breakfast all day and night, and a real diner with counter service even!

03/14/08

Watch out for those grape VOODOO slushies...

by Eternallyhere

The fact that it is mainly lit by candelight just adds the ambience and the history of the place.

I think it was my favorite bar on Bourbon Street. Inexpensive, the drinks are GREAT and Chris the Bartender serves as some great eyecandy....;)

• Pros: Ambience, Great Place to meet people, Laidback...Loved it!
• Cons: There are none

10/30/07

A New Orleans Classic!

by robertaltman

One bar you cannot miss while in New Orleans. Reasonably priced drinks, a semi-intoxicated musician at the piano, and a million dollars worth of ambiance. Claims to be the oldest bar in the U.S., but who knows? Either way, worth a stop before going to the Clover Grill for a delicious burger or side of eggs. Countless children may be attributed to the romantic atmosphere of Lafitte's.

• Pros: Can't see your date in the dark
• Cons: Can't see your date in the dark

09/09/07

so loud that it is impossible to even order a drink!

by jeaniereavis

Lafitte's used to be a wonderful place to drop in, have a drink, and enjoy the fantastic, candlelit atmosphere while listening to some great old songs on the not-overly-loud jukebox. Post-Katrina, management has made some changes, and not for the good. The previous jukebox selections have been replaced with popular songs, and the volume level has been turned up to a deafening level. In addition, at night they will have the piano player playing AND the ridiculously loud juke-box going on at the same time...and this is a small place. The noise level is an assault on your eardrums. It is impossible to even order a drink without screaming. When we complained to our waitress, she said that they get complaints all the time and that management refuses to make any changes.

This used to such a great place, it is really sad that this has happened. I would not recommend this place to anyone unless you bring earplugs with you. If I want to hear this ridiculously loud music, I will go to Oz down the street.

06/07/07

Destroy the Jukebox!!

by zacharyh

I'm sure this place was magical at some point, but now it's really as obvious and conventional as any other schmo bar. Mainly this is due to the horrendous jukebox that now occupies the main room. I kid you not, I heard selections from Candlebox, Ugly Kid Joe, and Puddle of Mudd. This drowns out the piano player, who is now sequestered in the back room, and it creates the feeling of "bad Frat bar." Added to this is the fact that they lie about the history of the place. It has clearly been renovated, with careful attention to making it "appear" old, yet everyone, including local tour guides, keep peddling the myth that this is the original real deal. My advice for the owners - ditch the jukebox and let the place get nice and ugly again.

02/03/07

Best bar atmosphere,

by adwgeo

bar none. Dimly lit, beer tastes better, piano crowd in the back, forget the outside world. Hey, is that Aragorn sitting over there in the corner?

• Pros: Bar atmosphere
• Cons: Had to leave at some point