New Orleans may be the best city in the world for drinking in hotels. No room key required.
The French Quarter and the Central Business District are full of grand hotels whose bars are institutions in their own right, open to anyone who walks in. Many of the city's classic cocktails are tied to them. Here are the hotel bars worth the detour, and how to enjoy them.
Carousel Bar & Lounge, Hotel Monteleone
The most famous bar in the French Quarter is a merry-go-round. The circular bar at the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street slowly turns under a painted carousel canopy, so the view changes while you drink. Order a Vieux Carré, the cocktail associated with the hotel, and be patient for a seat on the carousel itself: the lounge around it is a fine place to wait.
Sazerac Bar, The Roosevelt
At the Roosevelt, just outside the Quarter, the Sazerac Bar is all dark wood and art deco murals. It takes its name from the Sazerac, the rye and absinthe cocktail New Orleans claims as its own, and it is the classic place to order one, or a Ramos Gin Fizz, the frothy local classic.
Hot Tin, Pontchartrain Hotel
In the Garden District, the rooftop bar of the Pontchartrain Hotel offers a sweeping view over the city. Go at sunset, and expect a crowd at weekends.
The Elysian Bar, Hotel Peter & Paul
In the Marigny, the Hotel Peter & Paul occupies a former church complex. Its Elysian Bar is a quieter, more intimate address, known for its afternoon cocktail service and a calm the Quarter rarely offers.
Polo Club Lounge and Chandelier Bar
For a more formal evening, the Polo Club Lounge at the Windsor Court is made for a quiet Martini in deep armchairs, and the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons, named after its centrepiece, is where the city's newer glamour gathers.
How to drink in a New Orleans hotel bar
- You do not need to be a guest. Walk in, and if it is busy, wait to be seated.
- Dress is smart casual at most; in summer, light clothes are fine.
- Go early in the evening for a seat, later for the atmosphere.
- Tip as you would anywhere in the US, around 20 percent.
Why hotel bars so often have a city's best bartenders, from New Orleans to Zurich, is explained in our piece on hotel bars.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous hotel bar in New Orleans?
The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, a circular bar that slowly rotates.
Do you need to stay at the hotel to drink at its bar?
No. Hotel bars in New Orleans are open to everyone.
Which New Orleans hotel bar has a view?
Hot Tin, the rooftop bar of the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District.
