Sometimes, the best nights out are spent indoors, and the coolest hangout is closer than you might think. Luckily, New Orleans is filled with a number of hotels that double as hot spots for craft cocktails, live music, and dancing all night long. Check out some of our favorite hotel bars and book an accommodation that offers the best of both worlds.  

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Photo provided by Maison de la Luz

For a vibrant and spirited craft cocktail lounge experience, head to Bar Marilou at the boutique hotel Maison de la Luz. The deep burgundy walls, bold antique furniture, and wall-to-wall cheetah print carpets create a unique atmosphere. Gather your friends for small plates and specialty drinks or enjoy a cozy evening in the lounge's library with a glass of wine and a good book. The innovative cocktail list is sure to please every palate, and there's even a 12-person speakeasy exclusively for hotel guests.

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Rebecca Todd

Experience the unique charm of the Davenport Lounge, a swinging jazz club and cocktail bar inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Named after its headliner, Jeremy Davenport, this exclusive New Orleans gem offers modern spins on classic cocktails while enjoying the smooth sounds of jazz.

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Paul Broussard

The Ace Lobby Bar is a hip-hotel hangout open to guests of the Ace and visitors alike. Their eye-catching cocktails and savory bar snacks are the perfect way to start or end any night in New Orleans. When the weather is nice, you can also always check out Alto, their rooftop pool bar, which offers sweeping views of the city.

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Justen Williams

Polo Lounge

The Windsor Court’s Polo Club Lounge was made for a sophisticated crowd. Soft furnishings, dark wood, and live music set a tone comparable to private English pubs. The bar offers a selection of over 600 wines, classic cocktails, and fine bar bites such as caviar, short rib on a French Baguette, and charcuterie and cheese plates.

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Justen Williams

Housed inside Hotel Peter & Paul, the Elysian Bar is best known for its daily afternoon cocktail service, which features a selection of vibrant and fruity European cocktails. Join them at the bar or outdoors in their stunning courtyard for pre-dinner cocktails and spirits.

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Rebecca Todd, NOTMC

You can always find something new and refreshing and the International House’s Loa Bar. Loa Bar’s cocktail menu is specially curated with seasonal touches, fresh ingredients, and New Orleans inspiration in mind. Its convenient CBD location places you in the heart of New Orleans nightlife.

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Rebecca Todd

Bayou Bar and Hot Tin

The perfect parade route hangout is inside the Pontchartrain Hotel at Bayou Bar. Nestled on historic St. Charles Avenue, the Bayou Bar is ideal for grabbing a drink directly on the parade route during Mardi Gras season. Their menu features an extensive whiskey list, house cocktails, and tempting bar bites. If you’re looking to linger for a little while longer, head upstairs to the Hot Tin Rooftop Bar for sips with stunning skyline views of the city.

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Jeff Johnson, Courtesy of Higgins Hotel

As the official hotel of the National World War II Museum, you can expect a number of historical touches and 1940s flair in every aspect of the decor at the Higgins Hotel. The rooftop bar, which is inspired by Rosie the Riveter, is particularly inviting, with sweeping views of the city, stellar cocktail offerings, and top-notch menu full of elevated bar bites. 

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Rebecca Todd

When it comes to French Quarter hotels, it doesn’t get much more classically New Orleans than the Monteleone. And one of the most beloved corners of the hotel belongs to the impressive Carousel Bar–an intricate circular work of art that rotates slowly while you sip. Getting a seat at the bar can take patience, but luckily there are ample tables perfect for perching at while you wait to take a spin. 

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Photo credit: Paul Costello

Run by Autumn Weimer, this bar features a wide array of classic and signature cocktails inside The Chloe. Pull up a barstool, grab a space in the lounge, or relax on the patio and take in the St. Charles Avenue views. The Pool Bar offers small bites, tropical cocktails, and lively happy hours daily from 3-5:30 p.m. 

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Photo credit: Arnaud Montagard

The Columns Bar has long been a favorite meeting place for locals, but everyone can enjoy the ambiance of the space. Drink in the privacy of the garden, on the sweeping porch, or in any other public spaces within the hotel’s main floor.  

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Image courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

Located on the main floor of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, Chandelier Bar is a breathtaking place to enjoy a cocktail. Beverage Manager Hadi Ktiri presents stellar versions of the city’s classic cocktails, along with exquisite champagnes by the glass. Enjoy dinner after at the hotel’s restaurants, Miss River or Chemin à la Mer

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Photo credit: Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Commons Club speaks to the eccentric nature of the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, where rooms are not simple rooms, they’re “chambers.” Fun décor and lounge-style seating offers a warm ambiance for a clever cocktail menu. Live music is often a fixture of the restaurant/bar, so be sure to check their event calendar before making a reservation.  

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Photo credit: Cris Molina for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Located inside Hotel Fontenot, Peacock Room is equal parts French salon and of-the-moment nightlife. Opulent, sultry, and ornately fashioned, signature cocktails fall into different categories, like “old birds” and “pride of the flock.” 

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Photo credit: Casey Dunn

Paradise Lounge at Hotel Saint Vincent is an airy and sun-drenched space (with an outdoor porch patio) open to both guests and non-guests looking for coffee, cocktails, and food. House cocktails include Italian Margarita and Birds of Paradise. The hotel also offers a more private experiences in both The Chapel Club and the pool bar, which are open to hotel guests only.