NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Time comes for all of us, even the Phoenix gay bar.
The Marigny institution (941 Elysian Fields Ave.) that bills itself as New Orleans’ only 24/7 “leather, bear and fetish bar,” shocked patrons Monday (Aug. 10) by announcing it would start accepting credit cards for payment — for the first time since opening in 1983.
“That’s right, y’all. We’re finally stepping into 2026,” the bar grudgingly muttered in a social media post. “Please be patient with our bar staff while we learn the new system and figure out all these fancy modern technologies.”
Ending its 43-year aversion to plastic won’t be easy for the bar or its regular customers, but will make things easier for out-of-town visitors to Southern Decadence (Sept. 3-7), who sometimes were caught unawares by the bar’s strict cash-only policy.
“Now, don’t get it twisted … CASH IS STILL KING,” the post continued, “and we will always love you for bringing it.”
Most importantly, the post stressed, no one should dare pulling out a card in the Phoenix before the new payment policy is implemented Aug. 24 at 3 p.m.
“To be very clear: AUGUST 24TH. 3PM,” the bar warned. “Not August 23rd. Not August 24th at noon. Not ‘but I saw the Facebook post.’ Please do not come in here before 3PM waving your Visa at us because we will lovingly point you toward the ATM.”
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