04/16/07

Great for sitting outside for a drink over looking Saint Charles

by foodwinefood

Great place for having a mixed drink outside. Weekends should be avoided because they often have weddings. They also very much need to revamp their wine list, it's horrible! Drink prices are also a bit steep. Would be great if they could add some bar snacks. It's definitely a fun place to stop by for an after work drink.

• Pros: Nice view
• Cons: bad wine

12/08/06

The Columns - Local favorite

by bmac545

One of the best bars in town. A local favorite. The porch is perfect for sipping Mint Juleps and Mojitos in the warmer months (April ? October sometimes including Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, or March), while the bar is excellent for cuddling up to a nice, warm glass of your favorite brown liquor. This bar is not known for being a beer or wine bar but tries to accommodate all customers. Terrific atmosphere and plenty of dimly lit corners for more intimate settings. The Columns is usually complemented with excellent bar staff (ask for ?Big Mike?). The hotel also serves a mean Sunday brunch. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Great place to meet friends after work or before a night out on the town. Good brunch.
• Cons: The drink service can be limited on the porch durring the busier hours.

10/19/06

Great front porch

by bamboo2

I love to sit on the front porch BUT I have to say the bar is very limited. The wine is horrible & expensive and the wine glasses are all those cheap small glasses with a thick lip. How can you charge $10 for a glass of bad wine & then server it in a tiny cheap glass.

BUT the porch is great, sitting out overlooking Saint Charles can't be beat if you want to sit outside.

For good wine go down the street to the Delachaise!

• Pros: The front porch
• Cons: the bar doesn't have a selection & has bad overpriced wines

08/12/06

Charming, relaxing happy hour.

by justgorgeous

Happy Hour on Fridays from 5-7pm. Slower in the summer, packed during the school year. It's nicer than your average bar, but you don't have to get decked out. Waitresses can be slow but it's nice to not have to go back and forth to the bar if you don't want to. Be forewarned though, sometimes your favorite drink will suddenly not be in the "happy" category of happy hour if the "computer" says so, so your $2.50 Amaretto Sour will suddenly be $6.50...which can add up if you're not expecting it. Then again, $2.50 mimosas on a New Orleans porch after a long work week is definitely a treat.

• Pros: happy hour, ambience, popcorn!
• Cons: service

04/26/06

classic new orleans charm

by nola_girl76

They have a happy hour special on Fridays: champagne for $2 a glass. Lovely garden around the side, with a fountain. At the bar, the 'regulars' line up nightly. The balcony upstairs is supposed to be for hotel guests only, but on slow nights they don't stop you from wandering up there. The decor is fantastic, the rooms are dark and inviting, with an indescribable old fashioned feel. The crowd can get annoying, a lot of well-heeled preppy college kids/networking young working professionals... depeends on the night. You won't be getting anything cheap here... the martinis are made with care, though. Sip a mint julep after work on the porch, on a summer evening. You'll see why several movies were filmed here - this place is all about atmosphere.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, good sunday brunch, outside seating
• Cons: expensive, gets crowded, yuppie crowd

This historic hotel in an elegant former mansion is a favorite nightlife spot for young Uptowners.

by Contributor

In Short
The Columns' grand structure--it's on the National Register of Historic Places--is divided by hallways and ballrooms and punctuated by shadowy anterooms stuffed with comfy antique furniture. The spacious front porch is an ideal spot for viewing the goings-on of stately St. Charles Avenue while sipping a signature bloody mary. Albertine's Tea Room serves New Orleans-style brunch is available for private parties. The Columns also has 20 affordable rooms for those who don't want to leave the tranquil setting.

09/01/05

Loved This Place

by sicksm

My friends and I got free drinks from the waitress (who dress southern belle style, pearl necklaces and all) when we were there so I have to say the service was good on that account. I had a great time there. The porch was a cool place to hang out and people watch on St. Charles. Beautiful house. Agree what somebody said about it being a good starter bar for the evening.

People who don't like to hang around "twnety somethings" should realize this bar is practically next door to Tulane University. I am in my 30's by the way. It's not like the place has house music pumping loud. It's a tame place and a great way to spend an afternoon.

08/26/03

great outdoor patio

by elk

This bar/restaurant is great for sitting outside with a group of friends. It has a nice mellow atmosphere and provides a way to enjoy St. Charles Avenue. However the servcie is slow and the food does not compare to most new orleans cuisines. The bar attracts a lot of college and mid twenties crowds. Try it out for a starter bar for the night.

• Pros: patio, good drinks, friendly staff
• Cons: service, food

07/25/02

Twenty-Something's Paradise

by Governer

Great old building, charming, antique-filled rooms. Well priced, courteous front desk and maid service...But that bar just gets packed with kids out learning how to cocktail! When the kids take over a spot, service unfortunately suffers. What reason does staff have to hustle? Young clientelle don't know the difference between good service and bad, or care. Waitresses are slow, and not very bright, sad to say. I had a couple of conversations that seemed like a car wreck with the help they were so painful. Bartenders are gruff, abrupt and take their sweet time, whether you're a guest that tips or not! If you're 30 or over, spend your money elsewhere. Remember folks, you get what you pay for. If it's priced affordably, you're going without something.

• Pros: Charming decor, Affordable
• Cons: Lousy bar service, Full of kids