Shia LaBeouf Turns Up in New Orleans During Mardi Gras Bar Crawl, Sparking Mixed Reactions
Shia LaBeouf spent much of the Carnival week in New Orleans, moving between Uptown dives and French Quarter bars and drawing a mix of warm welcomes and thinly veiled irritation from staff and patrons. The actor’s appearances — including a boisterous Monday afternoon set around 2: 30–3: 00 PM ET — came as the city swelled for Fat Tuesday.
Bar-hopping through Uptown and the Quarter
Witnesses and employees traced LaBeouf’s movements across multiple neighborhood spots beginning on Thursday and continuing into Fat Monday and early Sunday night. He was seen at a long-running dive on the corner of Napoleon and Magazine, where staff described an evening that began amicably but grew rowdy by late Sunday. One doorman said the actor arrived unshirted and without cash, and that he was “somewhat belligerent” after hours of celebrating. He complied when asked to put his shirt back on and ultimately left without incident.
Other establishments along parade routes and in the French Quarter also reported encounters. At a cigar bar with live jazz he was described as louder than most customers and at one point offering impromptu acting direction to a fellow patron. At a neighborhood bar on St. Charles Avenue he reportedly tried to step behind the bar to play celebrity bartender, prompting staff to ask him to leave. A co-owner at a popular parade-viewing locale said he visited twice during the run-up to Fat Tuesday; on one visit the card was dipped but never signed, leading staff to add a customary gratuity.
Festive energy, confrontations and community reaction
On Fat Monday the actor leaned into the revelry, arriving alone around mid-afternoon with a beer in hand and wearing a striking red embellished top hat, layered scarves and a sleeveless vest over a graphic tee. Multiple patrons described him as animated and sociable — posing for photos, helping organize a small line for pictures and dancing with crowds as the Krewe parades rolled through.
But not all accounts were flattering. One bartender who served him later in the weekend said the behavior felt disruptive, declaring, “He is terrorizing the city!” Another said he repeatedly asked to use a credit card at a cash-only bar. Some staff who had encountered him earlier in the week remembered a more amiable interaction, underscoring the uneven nature of the appearances.
The streak of sightings also renewed public attention on LaBeouf’s past statements about sobriety and behavioral struggles. In recent years the actor has spoken publicly about past alcohol issues and the role they played in personal conflicts. Patrons who mixed with him over the weekend noted an energetic, and at times inebriated, presence amid the already high-octane Carnival atmosphere.
Context and aftermath
Guests and employees said LaBeouf stayed in a luxury short-term rental in Uptown, a neighborhood that hosts many of the city’s major processions. He appeared alone during several outings, although crowds frequently recognized him and asked for photos. Staff accounts indicate that while several visits passed without incident, some encounters required intervention by bar personnel to maintain order.
Efforts to reach LaBeouf’s representatives for comment were unanswered. The string of appearances has elicited both amusement and concern from locals who’ve seen other high-profile visitors come and go during Carnival seasons. For some it was simply another memorable Mardi Gras sighting; for others it was an unsettling repeat of behavior they say reflects deeper issues.
As Fat Tuesday concluded the main weekend of parades and parties, the actor’s multi-day run through the city left an aftertaste of spectacle and contention, exemplifying how celebrity can both amplify celebration and complicate community spaces during one of New Orleans’ busiest weekends.
