I used to go to this great city frequently for business, and about 8 years ago I discovered a hidden gem in the French Quarter: An old building with a sign for "Thai Massage" which offers a lot more. I rang the old-fashioned doorbell and was greeted by a young Thai lady, who I guess was the hostess. She took $50 up front and then summoned all the other young ladies who were working there. All younger, mostly attractive, and most had great bodies. I picked one, we proceeded upstairs to a massage room, massage started, then she asked what I really wanted. A total bargaining experience - it starts from $100-$300 and you have to bargain down as far as you can. Expensive, but well worth it (especially for the U.S.). I returned several times.

Anyway, I haven't been there in years and was wondering if it's still there after Katrina and a crackdown on these places I read about. For those familiar with the French Quarter, imagine you are on Canal Street facing the Quarter. It's almost all the way to the right, where Decateur Street is right before the river. You walk one block into the Quarter and it's 1- 1 1/2 blocks to the left of Decateur.

You may be referring to the Bangkok Spa but I'm not sure if it is still open. I haven't been to the Quarter in awhile.

I think you're right about the name. About a block in from Canal street and 1-2 blocks to the left of Decateur. Sounds like you've been there. How was your experience?

I've never been. Never knew what it was when I first passed by it. Happened to notice one of my customers standing outside but he was too drunk to recognize me.

Yeah, I had passed it a few times before, always suspecting what it really was. Then one day I had the guts to actually ring the bell, very nervously.

How is New Orleans doing now? I know people who lost their homes after Katrina.
I really love the city. Great jazz and blues. My favorite club was Snug Harbor. Incredible restaurants. Can you imagine if they had a legal RLD and "coffeeshops?"

They did for 20 years: Storyville.

-paniked

New Orleans- a city I love as much as Amsterdam. I have been partying in New Orleans several times a year for the past 23 years. Been to jazz fest 12 times. Some of the best days and nights of my life have been spent in NOLA. The city had as much soul and character as any American city. Jazz Fest was the most musical week on the planet.

I know the Asian MP you are talking about, always wondered about the joint but was concerned that it was just another tourist rip- off scheme like so many of the flesh parlors in the Quarter. It's on the same street as Acme Oyster House, Dickie Brennans Steakhouse and The Gold Cup strip club correct ? The prices seem a bit steep. I remember NYE 1999- 2000, I attended the Radiator's Millenium Pajama Party and spent the wee hours of Jan 1st, 2000 in the Gold Cup in my pajamas- it was a blast.

There was a documentary on A&E I believe about the famous Canal Street Brothel that was in business for years till the Fed's shut it down. It was not located near the Quarter, out towards Matarie I suppose. The madams black book had the names of celebs, judges, politicians etc.

Anyway, I have not had the courage to go back yet, I will soon. Snug Harbor, Tipitinas, House of Blues, Howlin Wolf, and Maple Leaf are all up and going. Check out the new movie, out now, called De Ja Vu- it is about a terrorist attack on the Algiers- Canal Street Ferry, filmed post- Katrina. The film contains lots of shots of the Ferry, Greater New Orleans Bridge, the Mississippi, Cajun Queen, Riverwalk etc. Pretty decent movie.

Check Out

www.offbeat.com

www.nola.com

www.wwoz.com

New Orleans is coming back slowly. There are still some businesses that have not reopened.
I've only been to the Quarter once since Katrina.

I'm about 20 miles south of New Orleans. We "only" had about 3 feet of water. That was from water coming over the levee...not from any breach. I've hadn't had any time to play much. I've been trying to get my house repaired and my business back in order. I'm looking to the 2 weeks I will have in Europe this July. I fly into A'dam and will travel from there. I want to visit a FKK.

Trip - Last time I went to JazzFest was 6 years ago. Incredible. The whole city is jumping. The concession food they have at the fest is incredible - "crawfish monica" mmmmm (I think that's the name), crawfish pie, jambalaya, etc.. Snug Harbor, Tipintina's, Howlin' Wolf, The Funky Butt, an actually good House of Blues, and so many other jazz clubs, are all the bomb.

Paniked - Tell me more about the Storyville RLD. I know there's a jazz club/bar/restaurant called Storyville at the beginning of Bourbon Street.

The strip clubs on Bourbon aren't that great. But on the outskirts of the city, there are some truly, truly outrageous all night strip clubs.

New Orleans may be the most hedonistic city I've been to, including Amsterdam!! These people really know how to live. I love how when they wake up they are already thinking about dinner. MMMMM! Galatoire's. I'm not a huge drinker, but they have some great bars also, with real ambience, and of course, great music! I really miss Abita beer, especially Abita Purple Haze.

By the way, I'm pretty sure it was called the Bangkok Spa. Yes, I think it's the same street as Acme Oyster (mmm, oysters!)- perpendicular to Decateur, Royal, and Bourbon. On the right side of the street if you're walking from Decatuer to Bourbon. It looks like an old, run down, abandoned building. I don't believe it's on the street corner, rather it's mid-street.

Storyville:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storyville

-paniked

Pretty interesting reading. I like the old mayor's quote: "You can make it illegal, but you can't make it unpopular." This area (the old Storyville) is now a very dangerous area of town. On at least a couple of my previous visits I read about murders occurring there, only a couple of blocks away from where I was partying.

My last visit there, in 2003, the staff was predominately mature VN. One, whose name I forget, still looked pretty good (busty spinner type) and gave an enthusiastic service. $140.

I probably went there 3-4 times. Never saw a lady who was even close to being mature. Each time, all the girls were 18-23-looking. For those that have been there: It's kind of funny when you go in and talk to the girl up front (I think with a cashier), and then she summons the group of girls in the room to the right who are all watching television.

anyone know if the Harrah's casino is still open?

It's open.