Swizzle Stick Bar

I have been coming here for the great cocktails and bar scene for many years, way before the "craft cocktail" scene got soooooo hip. I went again recently and was reminded why this is not a typical hotel bar. It's a place where locals who like a fun bar scene come. The clueless out of towners are a bonus sideshow. My drinking companion and I both had a Swizzle Stick cocktail (so refreshing in the mid summer heat) and then a $5.50 glass of Sauvignon Blanc. So good. We also split a small plate of fried oysters with citrus and fennel salad. It was awesome. Throw in free valet parking and this NOLA boy is coming back soon!

UPDATE: SERIOUSLY... Lu.... I never thought I could love another bartender on the same level as Chris Hannah (I'm mildly obsessed with him) but Lu...has done it... The reason I say this is because she has brought me to a point in my life that I actually like GIN!!! Yes... Me... Gin... Never thought it would happen, but she definitely brought this change on with one of the most refreshing cocktails I ever had.  All her cocktails leave you thinking that this is a wonderful world...Makes me want to dance around in the field as if I was a fairy on True Blood. You can't go wrong with her serious knowledge of perfecting cocktails. She alone is worth going visit ASAP.

Seriously, Lu makes the best old fashioned ever. It was perfectly balanced. The atmosphere is lovely; you can sit at the bar (the bar chairs are comfy) or lounge about on the sofas or at the tables adjacent.

We had great service and though I was last there with a large group. They were able to keep our tabs straight and amazingly all our bills came out correctly.