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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

Dive Bar$$$$

French Quarter, New Orleans

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8.7^/10

1,802

ratings

Ranked #3 for whiskey in New Orleans
"Try the purple voodoo then head to the back for a live piano man."(37 Tips)
"Congratulations, you've found one of Esquire's Best Bars in America."(23 Tips)
"I love this place when the sun is down and the piano is playing."(34 Tips)
"the purple drink is one of the best on bourbon!"(24 Tips)

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380 Tips and reviews

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purple
piano
purple drink
candlelight
bar
casual
authentic
piano music
tours
slushies
good for groups
fireplaces
good for singles
great value
jukebox
fruit juice
outdoor seating
rustic
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Erik RowleyJanuary 29, 2015
Been here 5+ times
My favorite bar on Bourbon St. A nostalgic and laid back atmosphere, always a great crowd, and the voodoo slushies are amazing. This is my comfort zone bar...and it's haunted.
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Upvoted 3 weeks ago
Tony TJune 14, 2017
Take a step into the past! Built between 1722 and 1732. It served as a real Blacksmith Shop. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States!
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DensJune 9, 2011
Worth checking out if yer on Bourbon St. They say it's oldest bar in the US (1772, pre-independence!) tho I think there's 3-4 other bars claiming the same. Would be classier w/out the ATM & jukebox.
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Upvoted Feb 22
Amanda JeffriesJuly 19, 2016
A true piece of history to see. You have to see it during the day (so you get your bearings on the layout) and then return at night to see it candlelit to feel the ambiance.
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Latham BrunsonDecember 2, 2014
I love this place when the sun is down and the piano is playing. The purple stuff will catch up with you quick. It's a great getaway from Bourbon Street while still being on Bourbon Street.
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eric bornemannNovember 25, 2020
Great history candle lit bar that seems full of mystery and magical atmosphere once you get past midnight. It’s wonderful when it’s quiet and too late and it feels like time outside has stopped.
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Kirti DNovember 7, 2015
It's one of the oldest bars in America! Hurricanes are awesome (made with real fruit juice, not the canned garbage that will give you a hangover). Try the Voodoo Daiquiri, too! #PurpleDrank
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Julia ColosimoJuly 23, 2015
This bar is a true piece of history, and supposedly the oldest bar in America. The ambiance is wonderful and inside feels like a time warp. I only wish they would ditch the brochures and the ATM!
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S. GiantAugust 11, 2022
Note the original architecture of bricks between diagonal wood beams and order a hurricane, which is made with the original recipe. Tour groups come and go, which is fun.
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Georgiana M.April 17, 2019
Get the Voodoo Daiquiri but act like a local and ask for "the purple drink". Also, the piano man does song requests 🎹
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Marcelius F.November 4, 2015
First off all the purple drank was way overrated. Don't waste your $. Lafitte's is an amazing place to go anytime, any day. It has a good vibe, lighted only by living lights. Great hurricanes!
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Ryan EugeneNovember 12, 2018
My favorite bar in New Orleans. The decor feels like it hasn't changed since the 1700s except for the pictures of celebrities on the wall. Get a Voodoo Daquiri (Purple Drink) and people watch.
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Pandora KatSeptember 12, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Many have complaints but you have to understand this bar for what it is. It survived centuries, Katrina & tourists of Bourbon street. Experience it for what it is & the unparalleled Voudou daiquiris.
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Amanda BlainSeptember 6, 2012
Love this place.. Worth checking out if you are in the area and make sure to take lots of pictures. Drinks can be pricey but its New Orleans :)
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Laur Lo SkiJuly 16, 2017
The bar itself doesn't seem that great but the history and the fact that they don't use electricity is pretty damn cool! Worth visiting if you're in the city.
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Amy TremmelMarch 18, 2015
Oldest bar in America. Go here in the day and take a seat. But also go at night to see the full effect (no electricity!) And the piano guy!
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Social News NetworkDecember 1, 2013
One of the oldest bars in the US, the infamous Jean Lafitte's blacksmith shop has been turned into a local favorite, try the hurricane or voodoo daiquiris if you're on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
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Tony MDecember 14, 2014
Pull up a stool at the candle strewn piano hidden in the back. The pianist/singer on Friday was extraordinary, making the typical Elton John, Billy Joel, John Lennon setlist seem special, romantic.
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Connie ChiuApril 30, 2017
One of the oldest bars in the US. Super hipster in an old fashioned way. Try the purple voodoo then head to the back for a live piano man.
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Chelsea RuthDecember 2, 2011
Definitely stop by for a drink before or after your night on Bourbon. Very chill, laid back spot. Fireplace in the middle of the building, multiple open doors on the side, courtyard..worth a stop!!
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Nicole CheramieNovember 9, 2018
Toast to the days of the pirates at this bar, the oldest in the USA, named after a colorful & mysterious swashbuckler. Try the purple drink if you dare, a frozen daiquiri, and people watch for hours.
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Nicole CheramieNovember 27, 2018
Toast to the days of the pirates at this bar, the oldest in the USA, named after a colorful & mysterious swashbuckler. Try the purple drink if you dare, a frozen daiquiri, and people watch for hours.
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Aubrey LittletonOctober 18, 2018
Though not always a bar, this building is "reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States," having been built in the 1700s. Enjoy a drink and some piano tunes by candlelight.
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Adrian PhillipsMay 17, 2015
Grab a beverage and sit around the piano and listen to whatever awesome musician is playing that night. Grab a drink out the outside bar if the inside is slammed.
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Eva 🐾 BanovaJuly 6, 2018
Cool bar with a cool history. Make sure you read about it before heading there. The Voodoo drink is different. You might not like it
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Jake SmithMarch 25, 2016
Ordering the Purple Drink can also net you a souvenir cup, which is an added bonus to the delicious liquid flowing through your lips at this, the oldest bar in America.
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Tanya RojasNovember 21, 2015
Love this place. It has a lot of character. The piano player played to the crowd, which was fun. Smelled a little weird though.
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Daniel McDonoughJuly 25, 2014
Apparently the oldest continually occupied bar in the US. Also a great place to wait out a rainstorm. Don't go in the back. It's dark and I'm not sure what happens back there.
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Greg SchulerFebruary 3, 2017
One of the oldest bars in America. Worth stopping by to soak up the history, with a drink of course.
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Stan HorwitzDecember 24, 2012
The elderly blonde woman who plays the piano there sings off-key, but she plays well and she is awesome beyond what mere words can convey.
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PARANOLAJanuary 20, 2012
Built in 1722, this old building has a long history, mostly unknown. A great place to get away from the noise up Bourbon Street up towards Canal. Always offer a sip of your drink to the spirits!
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Brea SimpsonFebruary 12, 2016
My favorite thing is to get some purple drink and listen to the piano singer in the back.
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Jan-Erik SamuelsenJune 6, 2015
The crowd was good, live piano music and helpful waiters. Wouldn't really go there to relax, since it's pretty noisy. Kinda touristy. Try the purple drank!
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Joey JMay 22, 2015
Voodoo Purple drink. I'd like to rename this beverage to the Jamarcus Russell "Purple Drank". Sorry J. It's delicious, but I did think of you. GL on the comeback. You are talented.
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Marc CSeptember 25, 2015
Been here 10+ times
Get the Purple Drank, sit in a dark corner, and enjoy the atmosphere. As most places in NOLA, a great place to people-watch
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Rudi RietOctober 22, 2012
A lovely old tavern on the "unfashionable" east end of Bourbon Street, and that's what makes it special: dark, moody, attracting locals and the handful of tourists who venture beyond the traps.
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Venkatesh HodavdekarApril 27, 2015
Really cool candlelight bar with a lot of history. This bar is part of the haunted tours.
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Kameron PearsonJuly 18, 2017
Get the Voodoo Daiquiri!! Amazing for a hot day and made with ever clear and rum!!! 🥃
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Donna KlinglesmithNovember 21, 2017
Fuckin grand piano, that's wuts GREAT here. Oh, and no electric light, all candlelit n shit #Pianogoddess #HavePianoWillTravel
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Ryan NixonOctober 15, 2021
Purple drink and Abita beers on draft. The blood oath cocktail was well done, something for everyone
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Brad BensonDecember 31, 2013
Angèl is an amazingly-talented pianist. Grab a drink, pull up a stole, and make a request. Be sure to tip! One of my fav nights!
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BarryJuly 6, 2012
Go during daylight hours. First you will get a seat and also you can see the details of the bar. It is not very well lit, so seeing it in daylight really helps.
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Jackie ToddDecember 6, 2016
I know people can knock that daiquiri machine because this place is SO old school, bit the voodoo daquiri is delicious. Especially on a hot day.
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K BJuly 12, 2024
Oldest bar in the US. Lafitte's hurricane uses a unique blend of rum, pineapple, cranberry, orange, and passion fruit juices
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Briana PrietoMay 12, 2018
My favorite drink ever! Voodoo slush. It’s a grape slushy and amazing.
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Casey RaeJuly 5, 2017
Hurricanes were awesome and the purple drink (if you like grapes) candle light everywhere
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Jamie WomackNovember 21, 2016
I really dislike how they have a TV now. Place used to be really cool when they held by the 'no electricity' tradition. Eggnog daiquiri was delicious.
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Kenny MackMarch 22, 2013
One of the most amazing nights of my life! Playing rock'n'roll alongside Mike on the grand piano is something I'll never forget! Thanks to Toozup and the guys at Lafittes for an amazing gig!
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Emily AndinoMarch 10, 2015
One of the oldest bars in America, and supposedly haunted. At the less rowdy end of Bourbon Street. The Hurricanes are delicious here!
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Carolina EscobarMarch 9, 2014
Loved this place. Apparently it's the oldest bar in America! It's very dark but there's a piano and purple drank so what more could you want?
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