Cafe Lafitte in Exile facts for kids
Cafe Lafitte in Exile is a well-known bar located in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It has been open continuously since 1933. This makes it one of the oldest bars in the United States that has always been open. It is known for welcoming many different kinds of people for a very long time.
How It Got Its Name
The first Cafe Lafitte bar was in a famous old building at 941 Bourbon Street. This building was known as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. It was once the business of a famous pirate named Jean Lafitte way back in the 1700s!
The owner of the bar, Tom Caplinger, had to move from that old building. So, he opened a new bar at 901 Bourbon Street. He named this new place Cafe Lafitte in Exile. The "in Exile" part means it had to leave its original home.
A Look Back in Time
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This bar is open all day, every day. Many famous people have visited it. These guests include writers like Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote.
The bar first opened after a time called Prohibition. During Prohibition, it was illegal to sell alcohol. Even though the bar moved once, it has been open ever since 1933. It is known as one of the oldest bars in the country that has stayed open.
In its early days, a manager named Mary Collins helped run the bar. She made sure it was a welcoming place for everyone. It became a spot where many different people felt comfortable.
In the 1950s, the bar had to move to its current location. The grand reopening party in 1953 was very special. People dressed up as their favorite "exile." Some costumes included famous figures like Oscar Wilde, Dante, and Napoleon.
In 1954, a famous author named John Steinbeck wrote about Tom Caplinger and Cafe Lafitte. He wrote an article for a magazine called The Saturday Evening Post. Steinbeck described Caplinger as a unique person who ran his bar in a very relaxed way.
Spooky Tales
Some people say that Cafe Lafitte in Exile has ghosts! In a book called Queer Hauntings, Ken Summers writes about these stories.
Bar visitors sometimes claim to see the ghosts of people who loved the bar when they were alive. There is also a playful ghost named Mr. Bubbly. People say this ghost likes to gently pinch them!
