The Carousel Bar & Lounge

The famous Carousel Bar & Lounge in the Hotel Monteleone is a long-time favorite New Orleans hotspot.  The classic New Orleans hotel bar is the city’s only revolving bar.  For decades, it has lured guests in to take a spin on the 25-seat, bright circus-clad Merry-Go-Round. The Carousel Bar overlooks famed Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter.   Guests can enjoy the view through large fan windows.  This New Orleans hotel bar has long been a favorite of both locals and tourists. Installed in 1949, the Carousel Bar’s 25-seat bar turns on 2,000 large steel rollers, pulled by a chain powered by a one-quarter horsepower motor. Patrons circumnavigate at one revolution every 15 minutes, but the ride doesn’t end there. Since 1949, some of its riders’ most creative ideas, inspirations and business deals have been shaken and stirred to fruition here, not to mention some of the best spirits. The Goody and The Vieux Carre Cocktail were first concocted at the Carousel Bar. This Carousel is the only one in New Orleans that you have to be 21 to ride! Explore the gallery below to see how the Carousel Bar & Lounge has changed throughout the years.  You can also see some cocktails inspired by the Carousel Bar’s heritage! Furthermore, The Carousel is designated an official Literary Landmark. It boats an impressive literary roster of famous literary guests. Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, and Tennessee Williams have all tossed back a cocktail in this famous bar.