Almost all gay bars and hotels have re-opened in New Orleans (and a few new ones too), especially in the French Quarter. While bars are open, they are still struggling for business and are asking people to "come back to New Orleans".

When most people think of New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the first thing to come to mind. But this city is a fun place to play year-round with its liberal open container laws, bars open 24 hours a day, and lots of gay bars and clubs to choose from. Most of the gay bars are clustered in a small area of the French Quarter around St. Ann and Bourbon Street which makes it easy to barhop and explore all that New Orleans gay life has to offer. You'll find all types of people here from the youngest ("are they old enough to be in here") to those that have been around forever, from the most serious bears to the twinks on the dance floor of Oz or Parade. Even post-Katrina, most holiday weekends bring in big crowds and Labor Day draws the biggest for Southern Decadence, an all-gay (and mostly all male) version of Mardi Gras.