NEW ORLEANS – For most looking to have a quintessential New Orleans experience, the Carousel Bar inside the historic Hotel Monteleone usually (or should) top the list.
The stunning bar has been circling – literally – part of the hotel since the 1940’s. It was first constructed inside the former Swan Room following World War II upgrades to the hotel. While the cocktails are equally as noteworthy, the show-stopping moment is the bar itself, and its continuous turning, making a full rotation every 15 minutes – the amount of time it takes to finish a drink.
The 25-seat merry-go-round recently received another accolade as part of Food & Wine’s 2026 list of the 10 Best US Hotel Bars.
What Food & Wine said about the No. 3 bar in the country:
Is it a landmark destination for cocktails, or a 25-seat merry-go-round? Yes. Since 1949, the The Carousel Bar inside the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone has been delivering on the promise of its name. Every 15 minutes it completes a 360-degree revolution, meant to align with the amount of time it takes you to finish a single drink. Expect much more than a circus gimmick, too. The cocktails are top-notch — and often hold history. This is where the Vieux Carré was invented, a six-ingredient preparation that is made to order here with unparalleled aplomb. The layout is a hassle for staff who actually have to hop over the bar to get in and out, but it’s a singular joy for anyone lucky enough to nab a seat. And there is a degree of fortune involved, since the bar doesn’t take reservations — pro tip, though: Hotel guests can purchase a ticket to a tour of The Carousel Bar that starts an hour before opening, securing them a seat.
Click here to see who else made the top 10.
