Episode 376 - Haunted Cafe Lafitte in Exile | The Queer Ghosts of Bourbon Street
Café Lafitte in Exile, the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States, isn't just a historic landmark—it's a living archive of queer resistance and resilience. Founded in 1933, the bar became a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people during a time when homosexuality was criminalized, and its very existence was forged in defiance. When a homophobic landlord tried to evict the bohemian crowd in 1954, the patrons didn’t just leave—they marched two doors down in a dramatic 'Grand Exile Party,' renaming the bar Café Lafitte in Exile as a bold statement: you can exile us, but you can’t erase us. This act of collective rebellion infused the space with enduring emotional energy, which paranormal researchers believe has attracted spirits of legendary patrons like Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote, as well as a playful poltergeist named Mr. Bubbles. The bar remains a vibrant hub of culture, hosting events like the iconic napkin toss—a tradition born from the HIV/AIDS crisis as a joyful, cathartic tribute to lost loved ones. Beyond the ghosts, the episode is a love letter to queer community, survival, and the power of choosing where you belong—even in the afterlife.
Café Lafitte in Exile was founded in 1933 as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people during a time when homosexuality was criminalized.
In 1954, the bar’s patrons staged a dramatic 'Grand Exile Party,' marching two doors down to protest eviction and renaming the bar to symbolize their defiance.
The bar’s emotional history—rooted in survival, community, and resistance—creates a powerful energetic field believed to attract spirits of past patrons.
Legendary writers Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote are said to still frequent the bar, with Williams often seen in a tan linen suit at the far end.
Mr. Bubbles, a cheerful poltergeist from the disco era, is known for sliding barstools, ruffling hair, and playfully pinching patrons.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Sponsor: IQ Bar – Brain & Body Fuel
The episode opens with a sponsor ad for IQ Bar, a brand offering low-sugar protein bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffee. The hosts promote the Ultimate Sampler Pack with 20% off for podcast listeners via text to 64000.
The Emotional Shift of Being 'Normal'
The hosts reflect on their personal journeys toward emotional regulation, expressing surprise at feeling 'normal' for the first time—free from daily emotional turmoil, especially as spring arrives and energy returns.
New Orleans: A City of Contradictions
The hosts explore the duality of New Orleans—its dark, haunted reputation alongside its vibrant culture, music, and celebration. They introduce Café Lafitte in Exile as a beacon of queer joy and resilience.
The Ghost Penis & the Real Lafitte
The hosts clarify that Café Lafitte in Exile is not the same as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, where they previously captured a ghost penis. They discuss the shared name and the confusion it caused.
The Birth of a Queer Sanctuary
Café Lafitte opened in 1933, immediately after Prohibition ended, becoming a covert safe space for LGBTQ+ people in the deeply conservative South. It served as a bohemian haven for artists, writers, and intellectuals.
“So they leave, but he's like, we're not going to just leave. I am leaving in literal exodus. On the night of 1954, all of the regulars picked up their drinks. The bartenders grabbed their bottles and they marched two doors down.”
“Oh, it gives me hope that I can – I have a little bit of choice in the afterlife. That I can choose to go somewhere that made me really happy.”
“It is run by the dead. Yeah. But then we get places like Cafe Lafitte in exile, which is beautiful. And it exists as this like beautiful community, not only for the living gay community, but also the dead gay community. That's great and fantastic. Good energy. Great place. Love it.”
Hosts
Café Lafitte in Exile
organization
Tennessee Williams
person
IQ Bar
brand
Truman Capote
person
Mr. Bubbles
other
Lafitte Blacksmith Shop Bar
organization
Grow Therapy
brand
Helix Sleep
brand
Little Spoon
brand
Ollie Dog Food
brand
Episode 375 - The Gribble House | Haunted Savannah, GA
1h 17m • 5/31/2026
Bill Kristol: Trump Is All-In on Authoritarianism
54m • 6/1/2026
Bill Kristol: Trump Is All-In on Authoritarianism
11m • 6/1/2026
Encounters x334 - Haunted New Orleans | Voodoo, the Rougarou & French Quarter Frights
1h 8m • 6/4/2026
Ask the Coach Q&A (2026 Edition)
53m • 6/11/2026
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime