Rawhide 2010 is the name of the oldest gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is generally simply called "Rawhide", and is named "2010" due to the humorous notion that it will be in that year that the bar will officially need full remodeling. For the past ten odd years the bar has specifically catered to a gay male crowd interested in the leather fetish scene, S&M or those in the bear community. The bar emphasizes a lack of stereotypical "gay attitude" and focuses on masculinity and aggressive male bonding. They host holiday events and special contests, including a weekly pool competition. They frequently have a "black out night" where lights are completely turned off (the suggestion being that sexual activity can occur in the dark.) The bar unofficially has a "back-room", a small area between the main bar and the restroom, where sexual activity occurs. Though not openly endorsed by management, it is only half-heartedly discouraged. The bar was the focus of a 2003 scandal during which a religious organization attempted to shut down Southern Decadence due to public sex occurring between men in bar doorways. The bar was affected by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, and though normally a 24-hour establishment, shut down for many weeks. The bar re-opened with new part-time hours and new staff.
