The Library Bar at the Ritz-Carlton

What can I say? It’s the Ritz! Nice atmosphere, great service, fabulous drinks. I will definitely spend time here on my next visit.

A great place to listen to the standards in a comfortable, non-​smoky environment.
Although this place is pretty spacious, it was also very popular on the night we went to listen to Jeremy Davenport and his über-​cool band. There was not one open seat to be found during his set as folks were milling about sipping cocktails, kicking up their heels and snapping their fingers to the classics. My group ended up sitting in the dining area which is right behind the lounge. We could still see the stage, sit comfortably at a table, sip a few cocktails and enjoy the music. The best part was that the music was not so loud that we could not hear one another.
Drinks and food are on the pricey side, but this is the Ritz Carlton and the price of those items provides you with some sanity, room to breathe, the ability to breathe (non-​smoky environment), room to move around, room to dance, room to sit down and some fantastic cocktails. In addition, there is no cover charge to hear the band.
The crowd was pretty diverse — folks that were staying in the hotel vs. those that walked in off the street, young and old, those dressed up and dressed very casually (running shorts???).
As for the band, Jeremy Davenport has a great voice, very much like Harry Connick, Jr. No cheesiness to be found here! The musicians were solid. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this group as they had a way of putting a new spin on pieces we have heard many times over and making it sound fresh.
Worth checking out while in New Orleans.

The Library Bar is an oasis of class in the midst of some, well, less than classy establishments. I had the most delicious Sazeracs here, enjoyed some live jazz music, and was treated exceptionally well by the bar staff. While the bar tab certainly exceeded what it would have been on Bourbon Street, it did not induce any heart attacks either. Consider the Library Bar if you’re doing New Orleans grown-​up-​style.

Very cool place to hang out and listen to classics. If you were to compare Jeremy to someone famous it would be Harry Conic Jr. Very tight band.

Cool, spacious bar inside the Ritz features high ceilings, an indoor garden, and of course the bar and food.
There are some private booths and plenty of tables in the open space. This location is famous for whipping up a New Orleans staple, the Ramos Gin Fizz, and while I recommend it for its fresh, light flavor profile, I apologize to any bartender that may have to make the drink because of this review. The drink is a workhorse, but worth it.

We went on an off night and had a great Bloody Mary. The room was dark but the couches were very comfortable. The service was prompt and courteous. A great place to spend an evening or end an evening. Note: Jeremy was not playing this night but we still enjoyed everything!

The Davenport Lounge and the Library Bar are two distinctly different bars. The Library Bar closed a couple of years ago.

I just love going here for Jeremy Davenport. Great vibe, the place looks like a fancy living room complete with fab smelling candles, comfy couches, and mixed nuts served with you cocktails. The music is old jazz standards, and the dance floor is small but romantic. But truth be told, one of those couches is the exact spot where I first fell in love with my now fiancé, so this place is kinda special to me. The prices on the drinks are a bit steep but the show is free so, sip one slowly, dance and enjoy.

came here before Davenport and during.
obviously packed for Joey D but honestly, it’s another amazing reason to stay at the Ritz.
grab a Manhattan, Julep, or Old Fashioned and either kick back on a couch or head out to the patio.

Feels like you are walking into a 1950s movie set. Great live jazz, great cocktails, pleaseant service. Catch the Davenport show!

We stopped in late at night on Friday. The Davenport show was going. They were fun to watch, and they interact with the crowd (but not annoyingly so). It was my birthday, so I was serenaded, which ordinarily would not be my cup of tea. But honestly, this Davenport is kind of cute with a velvety voice, so cheers.
Service was great. Décor is lovely. There is dancing.
There was a drunk, barefoot twenty-​something woman who felt quite full of herself, and I frankly will never forget her. She was dancing sexually and very poorly with a number of fellows, and staggering a bit as well. It was great sport to watch them and enjoy Davenport making fun of her while he sang as well. It made me feel great to get a little older, frankly.
Men should wear jackets here.

Davenport’s show is Thurs 5:30−9 and Fri/​Sat 9 – 1. It should top your list of things to experience while in the Crescent City. Make sure you dress the part for the Ritz and come prepared to drop $ 12 – 20 per cocktail. It’s well worth it, especially considering there is no cover. There are many seating options (couches, tables, bar) which all fill quickly, and there is a small dance floor right in front of the band.

This is a great bar!
Definitely check them out sometime. ;)

I love this place. It’s up on the 3^rd floor, so it’s a world away fromt he Bourbon Street rowdy crowd. A good place to meet with your group and plan your dinnier strategy. The service was attentive and the couches relaxing. A nice place to catch a nap, but I’m sure they frown on that.

Upon stepping into the Davenport Lounge @ the Ritz, I was happy to find that there was well dressed people of all ages, no cover, lovely set up, and great music. Jeremy Davenport’s show is a definite must see when in town. He has a Harry Connick Jr vibe to him, so I am not surprised to read that he toured with him for a bit. Make sure to dress up a little if you plan on stopping by, as this is not a jeans and t-​shirt kind of place. It’s definitely a lively place where people get up and dance if the mood strikes, but can be equally as romantic if you want it to be. Loved everything about this place and wish I had caught more of his show while in New Orleans.

We didn’t make it out here for the band but this is a great little lounge with a beautifully French decorated motif. We came here in the afternoon to relax our legs and to have some cappuccinos. This place was really festive and it wasn’t even 5pm yet! Definitely a nicer lounge to hang out and to have drinks if that’s more your scene.

Best place… ever. Best bartender in the city on Friday nights

I love this place! We came in here during December right before I moved away and its adorable! It was the first bar we came back to at nighttime upon my return to visit New Orleans. Per the name, its decorated as an old library… its a members only cigar bar, with plenty of tables and cozy chairs, with an extremely cozy feeling. There’s a piano which occasionally they play, and the bartender is one of the best i’ve encountered in NOLA! The muddled berry vodka drink (not sure the name, he just whipped it up for us per saying i liked strong drinks and vodka) was amazing! They also had free champagne for a champagne tasting (always a good sign in my book as i loveee champagne!)
The clientele is obviously slightly older than your typical nola bar, and its a much dressier place to go than 99.99 999% of the NOLA drinking scene. Its on canal, so easy to walk to the quarter from, and the courtyard outside the Library Bar is really pretty too (and had an amazing christmas tree in december!)
A great place to go if you want a classier, more low key establishment to avoid the crazy mardi gras/​bourbon crowds drunkenly spilling beer all over your cocktail dress/​sexually harassing you!