At Uptown’s boutique Chloe hotel, the Lobby Bar serves up classic cocktails within a 19th century mansion that mixes modern touches with traditional beauty.
Located at the entrance of The Chloe, a 14-room boutique hotel situated inside a 19th-century Uptown mansion, the Lobby Bar offers everything from coffee to classic New Orleans cocktails. Modern mixes with traditional as wood paneling from the original house, built in 1891, can be found alongside photographs of modern artists who have impacted the city.
The best time to visit is between lunch time and happy hour, when the light pours through the windows that frame the back bar. Go ahead and order the shrimp and pork dumplings or namesake burger, both of which pair well with any of the riffs on classic cocktails being mixed up by the talented staff.
Robert LeBlanc, founder + creative director of LeBLANC+SMITH, tells us…
Please describe The Lobby Bar at The Chloe as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
The Lobby bar is both the heart and the soul of The Chloe, as we believe the gesture of offering someone a drink, be that a cocktail, a cup of coffee, or even a glass of tea or water, immediately upon their arrival at one’s home is the quintessential way to welcome someone in the Southern hospitality tradition. The feeling a guest gets upon approaching our bar is an absolute expression of our welcoming them into our home.
How would you describe The Lobby Bar in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
Engaging and fun.
Other than The Lobby Bar, what else is happening in the neighborhood that you’re in?
Our neighborhood has the best collection of restaurants, bars, antiques stores, art galleries, music venues, and retail shops in New Orleans. Iconic restaurants like La Petite Grocery, Lilette, and Le Crepe Nanou are all within a few blocks of our front door. Cocktail bars like Cure, Val’s and Barrel Proof are nearby, as well. Internationally renowned artists Alex Beard’s and Ashley Longshore’s galleries are also a short walk away, as are legendary music spots Tipitina’s and Peaches Records.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
The best time to enjoy our bar is that time in between lunch time and happy hour, when the light pours through the windows that frame the back bar beautifully and it’s just slow enough to be able to enjoy engaging conversations with our bar team. Another great time is during the peak dinner time, as the people coming and going to and from dinner makes for incredible people watching.
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
The people who enjoy our bar most frequently are those that are adventure out drinkers that also appreciate being a part of our community. Our guests enjoy warm and engaging conversations with the locals who frequent the bar and our bar team while also exploring the vast collection of cocktails and spirits on offer at Chloe.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
As New Orleans has such incredible cocktail heritage, our menu is rooted in classic New Orleans cocktails. We add our own riffs on the classics, but we also make our own proprietary cocktails that incorporate fresh juices and house-made syrups and tinctures that reflect the best seasonally available ingredients.
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
Our signature cocktail is the Chloe Dancer, a light and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for the daytime cocktailing that our guests love.
How much do drinks cost?
$12-$16
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favorite dish on the menu?
Yes. Our favorite dishes for the bar are slightly different than our favorite dishes in the dining room. We love the shrimp and pork dumplings, the pork belly lettuce cups, and our signature Chloe burger. All are delicious but also easily eaten in a bar setting.
What are the distinguishing features of The Lobby Bar?
The hallmarks of the bar are the original wood paneling found along both our walls and our ceiling and the mantle surrounding the fireplace, all of which are original to the house, which was built in 1891. Photographs of brilliant present-day artists who have had an impact on New Orleans’ cultural legacy give the bar a modern touch.
What’s that music we hear playing on the The Lobby Bar stereo?
The music is not genre-specific but is always upbeat and inspiring, always contains lyrics, and references many of the musicians and genres that were based on New Orleans’ rich musical heritage. The foundation might be Alan Toussant, Fats Domino and Cossimo Matassa, but our playlists primarily include the classic and present-day R&B, Hip-Hop, and Rock musicians that those New Orleans icons influenced.
Hours:
Open Daily for Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Happy Hour
Monday – Friday: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Reservations:
Walk-ins only.
Website:
https://thechloenola.com/restaurant
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thechloenola
Address:
4125 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
