A Ritz Carlton should be a lot more than a hotel. While few live up to such expectations, the…read moreperfect Ritz Carlton is the gathering place of a city's high society and a wild party, where live music intersects with endless vintage champagne while the patrons engage in scenes that could belong in a Woody Allen film. Not many locations pull that off, yet the Ritz in New Orleans does a very respectable job at it. While New Orleans is undoubtedly known for jazz, The Davenport Lounge builds upon that concept through a highly refined jazz experience. That is a huge plus for any guest of the hotel, as experiencing the city's signature style of music only requires a ride down from the suite in an elevator. The lounge opened in 2000 when the Ritz was established based on the frame of an old department store. Jeremy Davenport, the musician after whom the lounge is named, plays here regularly with his band. The hotel's man restaurant, M Bistro, is essentially a part of the lounge as well. Thus, while technically separate establishments and menus, they share one room with only some columns separating. What does it mean? One can sit down either in the back of the lounge or in the restaurant, all while getting to enjoy the jazz. The food is traditional to the area and genuinely incredible. The drinks are perfectly executed. The service is sharp. All around, The Davenport lounge may not be an old institution of New Orleans yet, but with a couple decades under its belt, it has undoubtedly cemented itself as a luxury jazz party that belongs perfectly in the Ritz.

Pretty sweet spot for a drink, apps and perhaps even a main meal. We stopped by for the 8:45 pm set…read more(not staying at the hotel) on a Wednesday night and had a great time listening to Jeremey Davenport and his band with cocktails (Rusty Nail was outstanding).

After being denied service for our reservation at Antoine's due to "someone's" dress code not…read moremeeting their standard, we were glad to find out that the attached Hermes Bar offers the exact same menu daily after 5 pm. Claimed the last two empty bar seats, and had very fun and accomodating service from the bar staff (no dress code required). From $8 HH drink specials to brabant potatoes, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp remoulade and the truly over the top Baked Alaska, we enjoyed the most decadent bar meal I've ever had by far. So if you like Antoine's menu but not their stuffy atmosphere, then Hermes Bar is where you belong.

We simply stopped in to have a drink and soak up some local color and history at the beautiful bar…read moreassociated with the famous Antoine's Restaurant. Our bartender was Garrett and he was a wealth of knowledge regarding the bar and Antoine's. Numerous presidents have dined in the famous Presidential Room in Antoine's. I had a nice sparkling Rose and my husband picked up a delcious Paradise Park Lager made by Urban South Brewery in New Orleans. It was so good. The atmosphere inside is decadent with rich woods and cool tiled floors. You can order bites from Antoine's to have at Hermes Bar if you aren't dressed for Antoine's or if you are wanting a more chill environment. I would definitely return to this great bar.

Exactly as they say it is... Service is fantastic, drinks, well prepared and the food ... Mind you…read morewe had the bar menu and it was devine!! We had the crab claws (cold dish) and potatoe fry puffs lol that's not the official names but they were tasty. The drinks we had customized but well worth it and the service was quick and effective

You know those places that feel like an institution ,something you just have to visit as a tourist…read more New Orleans has plenty of them, and this one definitely comes across as one of the originals. We found a seat, ordered our drinks, and had a great time once they arrived. The space could have been better maintained- floors were noticeably soiled with spilled drinks and napkins, and there didn't seem to be much effort to clean up during our visit. The drinks themselves were excellent. I had a French 75, and my husband ordered a Sazerac. We also got some fries to go along with our drinks since we were bar hopping and not planning a full meal. The fries were good and paired nicely with the cocktails.Service was generally fine, but overall the cleanliness and upkeep of the space took away slightly from the experience, which is a shame given the reputation of the place.

This is hands down the classier end clubs/Lounges if you are trying to avoid the smell of the…read moreFrench quarters. Drinks are ridiculously expensive and the joint is a bit small. But the vibe is like a big city night club.

I don't know if they have a VIP section elsewhere but this place is tiny from what I remember. They…read morehad good music, a few girls. They didn't let me in with my hat, the bartender spilled a beer all over me, didn't get it free or discounted. I had a great time here hanging with T.O. but we could've went somewhere better

This was such a cozy spot for music and drinks and lounging. We stopped in on a Monday night and…read moresat on the back patios that was completely unofficial and had some charcuterie and wine and just had a fantastic evening.

Hidden gem!! I am obsessed with this place. The bartenders always help me pick out the perfect…read morebottle of wine, usually something I've never tried before, and I always end up loving it. Getting personalized recommendations like that is such a cool experience. Arriving is honestly funny because it feels like you pulled into the wrong place. But just follow the signs and you'll find this cool little spot. Inside the vibes are incredible. The space has plenty of cozy spots to lounge and enjoy your wine. I have had an amazing time every single visit and would highly recommend a trip here.

Bar Tonique on a Wednesday pre Mardi Gras is a pressure cooker with a liquor license…read more Outside, Bourbon Street was already bourbon strewn and feral. Inside, Tonique was the eye of the storm, dim, tight, buzzing with locals, drunks, vagrants drifting through, and a gaggle of business bros with no concept of anything outside their tiny echo chamber. Desmond was holding it down like an air traffic controller with a lighter and a grudge. Speed, snark, and skill balanced like a pro. I watched him build five classics at a time, clean and fast, no mixology cosplay, no wasted motion. Trinidad Sours landing with that bitter, spicy swagger, and green chartreuse laden libations that tasted like monks invented joy and then hid it in a fucking bottle. That's the magic here. Dive bar soul, serious cocktail execution, and a bartender who can run triage without breaking the spell. Drink here, tip heavy, then step back out into the bacchanal. The streets can have the chaos. Tonique has the craft. We'll be back.

We first came here as part of a ghost n cocktail tour stop, but we were so impressed that we…read morereturned the very next day. Thank you, Jon, for introducing us to this gem. At first glance, the place may look like a dive, but it has a great neighborhood bar vibe, excellent cocktails, and very affordable prices. On both days we visited, the place was packed, yet the crowds never affected the service. The bartenders were incredibly efficient, turning out drink after drink without missing a beat. Everything we tried was spot on. They clearly know what they're doing, and the prices make it even better. it's truly a steal

Landed in New Orleans at 9am and needed to kill some time before check in. This bar has been on my…read morelist for some time but I know it gets busy and crowded. We got there just before 12pm, it opens at 11am and only waited about 15 minutes before spots opened up. It seems a lot of people come right at 11am. So by 12pm many people were grabbing their checks and heading out. The bar is really nice and even if you can't sit on the carousel, the bar area is nice too! The bartenders are super nice and friendly. Great customer service and everyone we sat next to was friendly and welcoming. The drinks aren't the best per say but you go for the atmosphere.

This is a fun spot, if you can grab a spot by the bar. It is first come, first served, so just grab…read morethe seats by the lounge and move to the bar when spots open up. It rotates slowly, so you won't get dizzy... The cocktail list looked interesting, but the two we had tasted pretty standard, inline with what you'd expect from a hotel bar (it is inside Hotel Monteleone). There is a small bar bites menu - the Cubano was tasty but a bit overpriced at $18. The service was okay. We ended up getting water from our server that brought us food as the bartenders were too busy making cocktails. There was a jazz band playing on Thursday night when we visited.

What a beautiful evening at the Fountain Lounge. Terriona attended to my table quickly and she…read moreefficiently shared about the daily specials. I ultimately ordered the Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with butternut squash risotto. The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were rich and creamy. Also, Eddie kept my water glass filled and made me feel special and welcomed. The ambiance at the Fountain Lounge is classic luxury. Plus, the staff is always on point. They even remembered my special occasion when I last dined there. Plus, the team was attentive and quite friendly. My only complaint is that the piano is no longer there. Apparently, the powers that be decided to remove the soul of the restaurant. In the days of old, a pianist played sets during dinner. Not only did it make guests truly appreciate the musical style of New Orleans, but the melodic music also drew others into the restaurant. What a shame to have lost the heart and soul of the restaurant. Yet, the staff does their best to create a warm and welcoming environment, while the chefs provide truly top notch cuisine. Whether staying at the Roosevelt or simply enjoying the French Quarter, the Fountain Lounge is a perfect place to enjoy delicious cuisine and top notch service.

We needed a break from the heat and decided to stop by the Roosevelt Hotel. We wanted to stay for a…read morewhile, so we went to the bar, which is right off the lobby, and got a drink. It is very dim lighting with bar seating, couch seating, and table seating with table lamps. It is a pretty big space with lots of walking room. We ordered at the bar because at 1:30, they didn't do table service. We got a glass of Prosecco and a Hugo spritz. It was so refreshing and just what we needed. Service was quick. I thought it was pricey, but we were in a nice hotel in NOLA.