The oldest bar in the United States and the most haunted place in New Orleans. These are claims made by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Piano Bar and Lounge. While both of these claims are hard to prove or disprove, it is a very unique place with a lot of history.
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The structure was most likely built as a house in the 18th Century during the Spanish Colonial period. It is also one of the oldest surviving structures in New Orleans. The building escaped two great fires at the turn of the 19th Century due, in large part, to having slate roofing.
According to lore, the Lafitte brothers, Jean and Pierre (a blacksmith himself), operated a blacksmith shop here. It is also said that they plotted their pirating and sold their contraband within these walls. Fueling these legends is the fact that the property was owned by the family of Simon Duroche (aka Castillon) and privateer Captain Rene Beluche. While the adventures of Castillon are somewhat lost to history, Captain Beluche commanded his ship “Spy” in Lafitte’s Baratarian fleet.
While not the owners of the premises, it is within reason that the Lafitte brothers met with buyers here. A wealthy Creole would not want to invite a pirate to his home on Royal Street, but the corner of Bourbon and St Phillip could be viewed as neutral ground.
A more outlandish claim regards tunnels beneath the building leading to the river to smuggle goods. While all of this may be legend and lore, this one seems most certainly to be. In a city with such a high water table and parts even below sea level, constructing these tunnels seems an impossible task.
Caught up in the “history” or legend of the place, we had to have their “purple drank”. Otherwise known as a Voodoo Daiquiri, its ingredients will get you to believe almost anything. Bourbon, Everclear, grape juice, and ice blended together. To say it’s a strong drink is an understatement. But, I have to say it was tasty. I might even try my hand at making one for myself. Or two.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop may be all the legend says, or none of it. Maybe, like many New Orleans legends, it’s truth mixed with Spanish, French, Cajun, African, and American “flavor” thrown in. Either way, the atmosphere is fun and worth a visit. Who knows, after a few Voodoo Daiquiris, maybe you’ll see the Lafitte brothers themselves.