Venue Detail
Good Friends Bar
About this venue
Good Friends Bar is a beloved, multi-level French Quarter neighborhood institution that offers a relaxed, welcoming refuge just one block off the chaotic main Bourbon Street strip.Voted repeatedly as the city's top neighborhood gay bar, the venue balances a cozy local living room feel downstairs with upscale vintage flair upstairs. The first floor centers around a beautiful 292-square-foot solid mahogany bar anchored by neon calla lilies, a brick fireplace, and flat screens playing hit music videos or sporting events [1.1.1']. Upstairs houses the Queens Head Pub, a stunning, intimate lounge styled with Victorian decor, Andy Warhol artwork, and historic New Orleans photography. The pub opens onto a magnificent wrap-around balcony that offers some of the best, unobstructed panoramic views of the French Quarter skyline. Famously known as the "Unofficial Gay Bar of the New Orleans Saints", it seamlessly blends casual Southern socializing with high-quality cocktail craft.
Practical details
Address: 740 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, United States
Hours: Thu-Sun open 24 hours; Mon 13:00-05:00; Tue 13:00-00:00; Wed open 24 hours.
Canonical: https://www.queeratlas.app/new_orleans/venues/good-friends-bar--486
Venue intelligence
Know before you go
Typical queue
Minimal to none (under 5 minutes) during standard operating hours. A brief 10 to 15-minute wait can occur for entry onto the upstairs balcony on high-occupancy holiday weekends.
Best night
Sunday afternoons for their famous daily happy hour specials and their signature frozen cocktail, "The Separator". It is also unmatched on autumn Sundays when local queer fans pack the bar to watch Saints football games.
Locals vs visitors
A balanced crossover of neighborhood LGBTQ+ regulars, laid-back tourists looking to escape the heavy club bass, sports fans, and straight-friendly allies.
Dress code in practice
Extremely casual. T-shirts, shorts, sneakers, and casual street attire are standard. Saints jerseys and team colors are heavily encouraged on game days.
Staff inclusion
Exceptionally warm and community-forward. Their award-winning, long-tenured bartending team (regularly recognized at the annual New Orleans Gay Appreciation Awards) creates an instantly familiar, highly respectful transgender-safe environment.
Reviews
3.3 / 5
3 reviews