I don't mind locking outside if there is a reasonable place to do so. If not, I really have not had problems with rolling a bicycle into any place in New Orleans except one. Chase Bank on St. Charles Avenue corner of Gravier Street. They have "agents" dressed like Secret Service who pounce immediately if you even try to lock up to the railings outside. The bank is in a huge building - the building security is the problem. I fly in at speed and try to get my lock closed before they get to me. Then I tell them I am a customer at the bank and they should DO THEIR JOB and protect my bike from theft while I run into the bank for five minutes. They get furious. When I am on my road bike (really expensive) I sometimes actually get the bike all the way inside of the bank before they can react. That can be funny too. Most times I just avoid that branch.