Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

Great memories at this old haunt. Old black man singing blues on the piano, famous place, dimly lit. I stop there everyi time I'm in NOLA.

Okay so i have not gottne a chance to go down and see this place yet but plan on it soon as i can.. But i wanna go se this place as Pierre Lafitte is my Blood relitive. threw my fathers side of the family. been looking for pictures and stuff it is so neat to learn that the building thay once used is still standing

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.

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!!!

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

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.

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!

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....;)

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.

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.

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.

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?

If you don't dig this as one of the finest local bars in any city in America you just don't know how to enjoy yourself! Bone Daddy spent a few days there in August '06 as part of a cross country trip. N.O. is the best and Lafitte's was the high point. ""Attorneys at the round table"" near the fireplace were the friendliest ambassadors N.O. has to offer. Locals make you feel like a local. Bartender was attentive and friendly. Drinks were never empty and price was very fair. Dark smokey Piano bar in back was as amiable and sinister as you'd expect. Easy, easy place to kick back and enjoy bein' alive (if you are).
If this place doesn't do it for you....you're deader than Bone Daddy........be nice or leave.

What a disappointment. Lafitte's is billed all over the 'net and in the press as a destination for a romantic interlude. We gave this bar two chances on our recent visit to NO, it failed the romance test both times. I don't know what's happened to this hideaway in the past year, but it's become little more than a tourist trap in my eyes.

Great place -- one of the must visit bars in NO. Fantastic atmosphere and good drinks. Worth the price.

Great little place to hang and have a drink!! It seems different at night only because its so dark but its cool night or day! You gotta stop in for a hurricane, they are really good there.

Being from Louisiana, I go to New Orleans at least once a year. I always wanted to stop at Lafitte's every time I went and finally worked up the courage this year. It was the best decision I had made in a long time. No wonder it was named the ""Most Romantic Bar"" in New Orleans. I won't tell you more because you have to experience it yourself. ENJOY!