TT West — New Orleans Gay Leather Bar & Knights d’Orleans
Nestled on Rampart Street in the heart of New Orleans’s once-thriving queer nightlife district, TT's West was more than just a bar — it was a leather and social hub where community, culture, and LGBTQ+ expression found a home in an era when safe spaces were few and far between. For decades, TT's West hosted gatherings, mixers, and late-night energy that helped define the Crescent City’s underground queer scene.
What made TT's West especially legendary was its role as a meeting ground for the Knights d’Orleans — a local gay leather and motorcycle club whose members would meet, socialize, and organize events within its walls. The Knights d’Orleans and TT's West weren’t just about good times; they were about identity, camaraderie, and solidarity in a world that often pushed queer people to the margins. Events, clubs, and gatherings brought people together not only to ride but also to build community and culture at a time when queer spaces were vital lifelines.
