Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop   

Perhaps only in New Orleans could a bar exist that's simultaneously romantic and decadent. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, nestled in the less-touristy environs of lower Bourbon Street, is that bar. Whether or not you believe infamous pirate Jean Lafitte used this former blacksmith shop as a front for more nefarious enterprises, the location is still rich with history. For one thing, it's the oldest structure in the country (circa 1772) still doing service as a bar, and it helps keep that mystique alive with its conspicuous lack of electricity. Candles and a fireplace provide the only light. The bar also numbers playwright Tennessee Williams and more recently Lenny Kravitz among its more famous patrons. Besides these bullet-point features, Lafitte's boasts a friendly staff, a good mix of locals and tourists, and relentlessly casual atmosphere. Keep an eye out for piano standards on the weekends and potent Everclear-laced cherries every night.