Celebrate
the Carousel Bar’s
70th anniversary
with the #Cheersto70Years Giveaway!
Sign up for our e-mail newsletter for your chance to win a grand-prize packed with iconic New Orleans charm: a one-night stay in New Orleans at the historic Hotel Monteleone and a complimentary cocktail at the Carousel Bar.
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the HISTORic carousel bar
A New Orleans Bar With a Story
September 3, 1949
The Carousel Bar opens inside the historic Hotel Monteleone, becoming New Orleans’ first and only rotating bar.
Its carousel theme and unique design is a treat for the young-at-heart, offering guests a pleasant, subtle rotation around a world-class cocktail bar every 15 minutes.
Testimonials
“Best Pimm’s Cup I’ve ever had…was a work of art. You can imagine this being the place that Don Draper would have frequented had he lived in NOLA.”
@Nomad234378
“There’s something about sitting at a slowly spinning bar while sipping cocktails that is really, really fun. It helps that the cocktails are great and made with love by amazing bartenders.”
@656turners
A Star-Studded History
In the early days, the Carousel Bar operated alongside the Swan Room, a nightclub known for its famous entertainment.
The stage played host to legendary acts like Liberace and the jazz pioneer Louis Prima.
Decades of Inspiration
Some of the greatest literary minds have found their creative spark at the Carousel Bar. Authors like Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty, and William Faulkner wove the Carousel into their stories.
The playwright Tennessee Williams and author Richard Ford were regular guests, as was Truman Capote, who lovingly claimed he was born in Hotel Monteleone.
Cheers to 70 Years with the Carousel Bar’s 70th Anniversary Cocktail Selection
Curated with classic Carousel Bar recipes served throughout the decades
Open 7 Days A Week From 11:00 A.M. – Until
Vieux Carre
The Carousel Bar’s most famous cocktail. Created in 1938 by Hotel Monteleone’s head bartender, Walter Bergeron, it consists of Cognac, Benedictine, Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura, and Peychaud’s Bitters.
Sidecar
With a history that dates back to World War I France, this sugar-rimmed cocktail consisting of Cocnac, dry curacao, and fresh lemon juice was wildly popular at the Carousel in the 1950’s.
Manhattan
Known by many names, recipes and variations, the full history of this iconic cocktail has been lost to time. But it’s been a hit at the Carousel Bar since the 1960’s, and the classic mix of Old Forester Bourbon, Berto Red Vermouth, and a dash of Angostura Bitters is still served to this day.
Singapore Sling
An early 1900’s recipe that has stood the test of time, this gin-based classic was born at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and has graced the menu of the Carousel for years.
Sazerac
The legendary Sazerac was the first branded cocktail, first created in the mid-1850’s. Today it’s made with Rye Whiskey, Herbsaint, simple syrup, and Peychaud’s Bitters and is the official cocktail of New Orleans.
Old Fashioned
The definition of tradition. The Old Fashion has enjoyed decades of history at the Carousel Bar, and we’ve perfected the art of this first-rate whiskey cocktail.
Tequila Sunrise
The cocktail that defined the 1970’s. This simple mix of Tres Agave Blanco Tequila, fresh orange juice and Grenadine has long been a favorite at the Carousel Bar – its picturesque look is just our style.
Hand-Shaken Piña Colada
A nod to New Orleans’ Caribbean roots, this rum-based cocktail is a French Quarter classic. And the Carousel Bar’s hand-shaken technique adds a special touch.
Goodie
A Carousel Bar original, this cocktail has become a local favorite. This dark and light rum libation was created as a tribute to Howard Goodman, the general manager of the Hotel Monteleone in the 1980’s.
Cosmopolitan
Commonly called the Cosmo for short, this cocktail filled nearly every martini glass in the 1990’s. Its origins are debated, but the Carousel Bar stays true to the definitive, delicious recipe of Citrus Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and a fresh squeeze of lime.
Long Island Iced Tea
With origins that trace back to late-1970’s New York, this well-known cocktail rose to fame in the 80’s. And it’s been mixed, served, and sipped at the Carousel Bar ever since.
Caipirinha
Almost unknown outside of Brazil until recent years, the Caipirihania has now become popular worldwide. The name of this muddled-lime delight translates to “little countryside drink,” but it feels right at home in the Big Easy.
Cherry Manhattan
This modern twist on the classic Manhattan is one of the new cocktails on the block at the Carousel, adding a delicious mix of cherry liqueur and chocolate bitters.
French 007
Simplicity is the key to this modern classic. Pomegranate Liquor and Mathilde Poire, topped with champagne, and served with a smile.
Monteleone Cocktail
Created in 2009 for the 60th anniversary of the Carousel Bar, this tasteful blend of Sazerac rye, St. Germaine, and ginger liquor is a luxury worthy of the Hotel Monteleone namesake.
Fluer De Lis
A Carousel Bar original, this cucumber-infused gin concoction is one of the Carousel Bar’s most popular cocktails.
Chilcano
Hailing from Peru, this refreshing recipe is a unique cocktail delight – and a Carousel favorite that’s expertly prepared.
Live New Orleans Music
Lives at the Carousel Bar
Meet Marvin
Like the cocktails he expertly crafts, Marvin Allen has a mix of talents. He is the Carousel Bar’s head mixologist, resident historian, and a beloved member of the Hotel Monteleone family.
He started his tenure behind the Carousel Bar in 2002 and has since played an instrumental role in New Orleans’ cocktail culture. He helped revive the Vieux Carré cocktail, helped Tales of the Cocktail take shape, and authored “Magic in a Shaker: A Year of Spirited Libations.”
If you spot him serving up perfectly-mixed Sazeracs at the Carousel Bar, be sure to grab a seat. You’re in for a treat from the best in the business.
The Carousel Bar, a New Orleans Treasure Inside Hotel Monteleone
When you book your stay at Hotel Monteleone, you’re steps away from this iconic French Quarter landmark located right inside our front door. Plan your getaway today and enjoy the history, charm, and decades of incredible drinks at the Carousel Bar.