Built in 1722 — that is not a typo — Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street is the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States and arguably the most atmospheric drinking establishment in New Orleans. Jean Lafitte and his brother Pierre used this Creole cottage as a front for their privateering operation; the blacksmith shop was the cover story. Two centuries later, the candle-lit interior, crumbling plaster walls, and complete absence of anything resembling gentrification make it feel like the pirates just stepped out. Order the signature purple Voodoo daiquiri or settle in for the live piano that starts at 8 PM. The ghosts, according to locals, are free of charge.
