the columns hotel

a great place to lounge on the high-columned front veranda watching the trolleys zip by. thefoodwas ok, but the service was incredibly slow.

great drinks. i went here to meet a friend for drinks. great atmosphere and good mixed drink. good for happy hour with friends didn't try thefoodbut it looked good.

visit the historic bar inside. this place has is a lovely converted mansion and it has a beautiful porch which is a very pleasant spot to sit talk and sip a cocktail. have eaten there twice the first time had holiday dinner here in a front room and was served fantastic coquilles st. jacques, that was pre katremia. returned recently for another holiday dinner in 2011 andfoodfelt like served out of a frozenfoodsection and reheated in microwave not at all the same. likely different staff and cooks. did not enjoy the wine pairings offered with the courses of the holiday meals as very acidic selection. but the place is beautiful and well kept so recommend a stop in after a ride down on the trolley as it stops out front. recommend stop in and go inside to take a look around and visit the bar.

amazing bar..... without question...this is one of the best bars that i have ever been to. this is coming from a guy who has worked at bars and patronized bars all across the country for years. sitting out on the patio for happy hour is a time-honored tradition. when the weather is nice, and you can see people and streetcars moving along st. charles, it's tough to beat.

thefoodis just ok. they recently moved to a "higher level" of cooking and i haven't eaten there since. the chicken tenders that they used to serve from the bar menu were great and not that much $$. sadly, they don't have them anymore.....

come for the drinks/atmosphere. i have never had thefood(other than the free red beans and rice at happy hour); but it is probably my favorite bar in new orleans. the porch is very relaxing with a nice view of st. charles and the inside is very historical with old school furniture decor, etc. the staff has always been great when i have been.

nice business card, patrick bateman (not afoodreview). lots of rich white dudes talking about richie rich things (golf, deck shoes, sailboats, huey lewis).
not one of the best ramos gin fizzes in the city, just one of the most expensive. in fact not even good.
had to go to brothers 3 lounge afterward and wash the cracker-dust off me with some old crow and get all merle hagger'd with a few gentlemen that weren't exactly mayflower material.

expensive and not great. the atmosphere is great. thefoodis okay. the prices are ridiculous.

relaxing. this place is slow as christmas, but that's just how i like it. relax in comfort and enjoy your $2.50 cocktail every weekday from 5-7. it's the only 'classy' place that comes to mind that doesn't have an obnoxious/pretentious crowd (yeah you, delachaise, monkey hill). go early to get a table, go to the bar for service (the cocktail waitresses are very slow), and don't be afraid to order the barfood(it's pretty good). and the location is perfect.

best for drinks, not eats.. perfect drinks. abita amber the only beer on tap.foodis okay. nice places to lounge whether you're a group or a couple. sometimes overwhelmed by students, but on a good night, an older crowd gives the place all the class it's meant to have.