Nestled-in at the heartbeat of New Orleans’ French Quarter, we ducked into the Carousel Lounge one afternoon this week for a quick respite. Located within the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street, the lounge, just off the main lobby, lures vistors with it’s glowing lights, old-world feel and yes, a rotating carousel bar. The carousel, completing a full rotation every 15 mintues looks out onto Royal Street as well as a sprawling lounge for those not lucky enough to sit on an elephant, zebra, tiger or lion-backed chair.

When you’re sitting in one of the 25 carousel chairs, with a bartender who like the sun, we all rotate around,  it’s hard to imagine things getting much more Southern than this. The room feels easy and light – and with famous past patrons like Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, a stately, staunch pride that only the South can claim, lingers in the air. Whether it’s a sweet tea, a Diet Coke or something a little more Hemingway-esque, the Carousel Lounge is a perfect place to take a break from the craze of NOLA.

214 Rue Royale, Hotel Monteleone
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-523-3341