A few months after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in August 2005, Jenna Jordan began looking for other queer women. She wanted to connect with people like herself who had come back to New Orleans after the storm. While some neighborhoods with large gay populations, like the French Quarter, were mostly spared from flooding, others with more queer people of color and lesbians, such as Mid-City, weren’t as lucky.
In February 2006, Jordan and a few other graduate students from Loyola and Tulane universities organized a meetup for queer women at a dive bar called St Joe’s in Uptown. Spread by word of mouth, only about 20 people showed up that first Tuesday night. But within five years, it grew into a large dance party drawing hundreds. That gathering became Grrlspot, a monthly pop-up event for queer women in New Orleans that continues today.
“It was about finding out who was back, catching up, and maybe meeting new people,” Jordan said. “I don’t think that would have happened without Katrina. There would have been no reason for it.”
Lesbian bars across the U.S. have been disappearing. After a peak in the 1980s with over 200 nationwide, only 38 remain today, according to the Lesbian Bar Project, which documents these spaces. New Orleans’ last lesbian bar, Rubyfruit Jungle, closed in 2012. After Katrina, many people couldn’t afford to return and rebuild, shrinking the community and leaving fewer places for queer women to gather. Grrlspot helps fill that gap with four annual parties—Mardi Gras, Pride, Southern Decadence, and Halloween—held at different bars around the city. Each event draws over 600 queer women.
For New Orleans resident Charlotte D’Ooge, Grrlspot’s popularity stems from the lack of a large enough population or financial support to sustain a new lesbian bar. “After Katrina, there was a real housing issue… it became extremely expensive,” said D’Ooge, who studied the storm’s impact on queer women for Tulane in 2008. “Wages weren’t going up here, but expenses were. That kept a lot of people from being able to return home and to their communities.”
Jordan aims to create a safe space where lesbians and trans women can express joy. The pop-up events feel like big celebrations, she said, with “just really good energy.”
One citywide event she looks forward to each year is Southern Decadence, an LGBTQ+ festival that started small in 1972 and has grown into a multi-day celebration with parades, street parties, and drag performances, attracting hundreds of thousands from around the world. “The best way to describe it is like gay Mardi Gras,” Jordan said. Grrlspot will hold its next event during Southern Decadence on August 30 at Toulouse Theatre.
After a Mardi Gras parade this past February, attendees filled Toulouse Theatre for Grrlspot’s party, enjoying burlesque and drag king performances. Women in colorful costumes danced under strobe lights to top 40 and hip-hop played by a DJ, while acrobats and go-go dancers moved through the space.
Jordan said everyone is welcome to join the festivities, except unaccompanied cis men. “It heartens me…””When I see trans women there, it means a lot, because I don’t think trans women often feel comfortable in many so-called ‘lesbian spaces,'” Jordan said. “That’s a kind of space I’m not sure really existed much before.”
She promotes the events on Instagram, Eventbrite, Facebook, Gambit, and in local publications. While other lesbian pop-up events have come and gone over the years, Jordan noted that they eventually faded away. Grrlspot, she said, is the only one with a continuous connection to rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
After the storm, many lesbians began hosting more gatherings at home, according to Misti Gaither, who has organized lesbian and queer events in New Orleans for two decades. Until last year, Gaither and her wife hosted an annual fundraiser called Winter Wonderland for 14 years, raising money for two nonprofits. The event featured performers and recognized lesbians who made positive contributions to the local community.
“There may not be a true lesbian bar in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lesbians here. We still care about the community, and there are still lesbians fundraising for important causes,” Gaither said. “Just because there’s no central gathering place, it hasn’t lessened people’s desire to connect and make a difference.”
While bars play an important role in queer networking, she emphasized that the lack of one in New Orleans shouldn’t stop lesbians from coming together. Grrlspot, she added, offers one way for queer women to do just that. Lesbians shouldn’t “lose that drive to improve things,” Gaither said, “and maybe one day we’ll see a resurgence of lesbian bars.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lesbian PopUp Bar in New Orleans
1 What is this lesbian popup bar in New Orleans
Its a temporary eventbased bar that celebrates lesbian culture and community often described as a gay Mardi Gras due to its festive and inclusive atmosphere
2 When did it start and why
It began after Hurricane Katrina as a way to rebuild community spirit and provide a safe joyful space for LGBTQ individuals especially lesbians
3 Where is it located
The location changes since its a popup but its typically hosted at various bars or event spaces in New Orleans Check their social media or website for updates
4 Is it only for lesbians
No its open to everyone who supports and respects the LGBTQ community though it centers lesbian visibility and culture
5 What makes it like a gay Mardi Gras
It features vibrant parties costumes music and a celebratory vibe similar to Mardi Gras but with a focus on queer and lesbian themes
6 How often does it happen
Its usually a seasonal or occasional event not permanent Dates vary so follow their announcements for upcoming popups
7 Do I need tickets or reservations
Sometimes yesespecially for special events Its best to check in advance as popular nights may require tickets or have limited capacity
8 What kind of events or activities can I expect
Live music DJs drag performances themed parties dance nights and community gatheringsall with a fun inclusive energy
9 Is it familyfriendly or adultsonly
Most events are geared toward adults but some daytime or allages events might occur Always verify before bringing minors
10 How has it impacted the community since Hurricane Katrina
It has provided a resilient space for connection healing and celebration helping strengthen LGBTQ networks in postdisaster recovery
11 Are there any common issues or challenges attendees face
Limited space during popular events occasional long lines or location changes can be frustrating Planning ahead and arriving early helps
12 What should I wear or bring
Wear whatever
