The Carousel Bar & Lounge
4.5(5.1K)google
4.2(1.9K)yelp
Local LifeNight-FriendlyDate SpotLive MusicMust-See
Overview
The Carousel Bar & Lounge, located inside the historic Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, is a legendary New Orleans watering hole famous for its rotating 25-seat bar. Installed in 1949, this beautifully ornate, carousel-themed bar gently rotates full circles every fifteen minutes on a system of antique steel rollers. Over the decades, it has served as a creative haven for legendary literary icons like Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Truman Capote, making it a bucket-list destination for masterfully crafted classic cocktails.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-2 hours
Best TimeHighly strategic to visit on weekday afternoons between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This world-famous 25-seat rotating bar inside Hotel Monteleone is exceptionally popular; afternoon arrivals offer your best chance to secure a coveted bar seat to enjoy a signature Vieux Carré cocktail before evening crowds peak.
Getting ThereNestled beautifully inside Hotel Monteleone at 214 Royal St. For hassle-free transit, ride the Canal Streetcar line and disembark at the Royal St stop, followed by a short, scenic 2-minute stroll down Royal Street directly into the historic hotel's grand lobby.
Travel Tips
- The famous 25-seat rotating carousel bar does NOT accept reservations and is strictly first-come, first-served. To secure a moving seat, line up in the Hotel Monteleone lobby 15 minutes before the 11:00 AM opening.
- If you miss out on a rotating bar stool, regular lounge seating is available where you can order the signature Vieux Carré or Sazerac. The bar completes a full rotation every 15 minutes; stay clear of server lanes when taking photos.
- Crowds peak heavily during evening live jazz sets. While there is no formal minimum spend, patrons occupying seats are expected to order at least one beverage. A neat-casual dress code is expected; swimsuits or offensive tees are banned.
Reviews
Positive
- Sipping a drink at a beautifully rotating, 25-seat vintage carousel bar offers a unique aesthetic and spatial experience that is worth the hype.
- The bartenders are masters of their craft, and their signature Vieux Carré cocktail is widely considered the absolute gold standard in the city.
- Located within the historic Hotel Monteleone lobby, it features refreshing AC, excellent upscale security, and a beautiful sense of elegant order.
- There is no cover charge or admission fee; once you secure a spot, you only pay for your drinks while enjoying top-tier live lounge piano music.
Heads up
- Since the rotating carousel has only 25 seats, it is constantly ringed by hovering tourists, meaning catching a spot requires immense patience and luck.
- The drink prices are steep due to its viral fame, drawing a noticeable premium markup compared to other premium local jazz lounges.
- The entire open lounge area is boisterous and incredibly loud; if you are looking for an intimate, quiet conversation spot, this will disappoint.
- Because of the overwhelming crowd density, bartenders are slammed, leading to transactional ordering and occasionally slow drink delivery.