New Orleans has never wanted for hotels or bars. In the 19th century, opulent establishments like the Saint Charles and the Saint Louis Hotels catered to wealthy travelers and locals alike. But in modern times, having a great hotel bar has proven another matter. Too often such watering holes lacked for character and in recent decades the number of New Orleans hotel bars that passed muster with locals were all too few.
Fortunately the last few years have given rise to a spate of historic renovations and smaller, chic hotels whose square footage favors bar space in lieu of grand lobby statements. Savvy hoteliers have caught on that tourists aren’t the only draw and that creative happy hours and cocktail programs can pull in regulars.
Drinks historian Elizabeth Pearce, owner of Drink & Learn and author of the New Orleans bar guide Drink Dat New Orleans: A Guide to the Best Cocktail Bars, Neighborhood Pubs and All-Night Dives, weighs in on the city’s developing hotel bar scene. Here are seven of her current favorites, just in time for the start of the holiday drinking season:
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