Louisiana’s Best Hotel Bar is Really in a Church – Have You Been?

Travelers who visit Louisiana are treated to a myriad of different experiences. In the northwestern corner of the state, we have the casinos of Shreveport and Bossier City. I guess the same could be said for Lake Charles. Lafayette has got food and Cajun Culture to offer out-of-towners. New Orleans has the French Quarter and fabulous music and Baton Rouge has traffic, a lot of traffic.

But where is the one place all travelers seem to gravitate to once they're checked into their hotel? I know for me, it's the hotel bar. And while some watering holes at lodging establishments lend themselves to being cheesy and cringeworthy, there are actually several hotel bars that are quite nice. So nice in fact, that you'll probably find just as many locals wetting their whistle as you'll find road warriors doing the same thing.

Garden and Gun Magazine, is a lifestyle magazine. It features articles, stories, and anecdotes about life in the southern United States. The articles cover everything from food, fun, recreation, travel, art, music, literature, and in this case hotel bars.

Garden and Gun recently published a list of Seven Southern Hotel Bars Worth a Stay. Jennifer Kornegay was the author of that article and in her research, Jennifer discovered what she believes is the best hotel bar in Louisiana. The one she discovered has an atmosphere that is described as "buzzy and serene".

And you'll find that "buzzy and serene" atmosphere inside a bar that is housed in a former Catholic church and school. The bar in question is the Elysian Bar at Hotel Peter and Paul. From what we read the Elysian Bar seems to be a great place to get away from the noise and nonsense of New Orleans. It also appears to be a wonderful hideaway from the city's heat and humidity.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention one other hotel bar that is a personal favorite and a tradition for many families in South Louisiana. That is Bucky's Lounge at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear Alabama. I knew Bucky Miller who was the official "ray of sunshine" for the Grand Hotel. He was a kind man. There is a statue of him in the garden near the bar. It's a great place to sit, relax, have a conversation, and feel very southern.

For the entire list of Garden and Guns "Seven Hotel Bars Worth a Stay," you can find the article here.