Ann Street toward the eastern part of the Quarter, which indicated which part of Bourbon Street had gay bars. Traditionally, the French Quarter had what was colloquially known as the Lavender Line on St. Much of what we know of Lafitte is lost to history, but the blacksmith shop where he once operated is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter. Navy, Lafitte was instrumental in the American victory with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, a key turning point in the War of 1812. Jean Lafitte and his men were known for smuggling and privateering in New Orleans and nearby ports.
The Café Lafitte opened in 1933 at the location of what is now Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the purported house of 18th century pirate and local legend Jean Lafitte, which had sat unused before its conversion into a bar. Located deep in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Café Lafitte in Exile bar is the self-proclaimed oldest gay bar in the United States.
