All month long, merry patrons are spinning ‘round the brand new Carousel Bar as festive cocktails fill their glasses and holiday cheer fills the air. On December 25, as the excitement of Christmas morning starts to simmer, we invite the whole family to dine at its table for a feast fit for a king.
Carousel Bar Activities
Adults in the mood for some festive libations can take a spin around the famous Carousel Bar with the Joyous Noel or Papa’s Nightcap cocktail during the month of December. The Joyous Noel combines the citrus flavors of Absolut Mandarin, orange juice and Grand Marnier in a chilled glass. Garnish the fruity beverage with a candy cane for a minty twist. Papa’s Nightcap will give patrons a rich flavor with a burst of energy as it combines our Dark Roast Coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Frangelico. Whipped cream and a cherry on top add a sweet finish!
“The Carousel Bar reopened on December 1, just in time for the holiday cocktail season,” said Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone. “We invite everyone to come in and see the progress we’re making on our renovations while sipping one of the delicious drinks our bartenders created.
Here comes Santa Claus! On December 10, the Very Bad Santa Crawl will stop by the Carousel Bar from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. with more than 200 people dressed up as jolly ‘Ole Saint Nick! All guests with the Very Bad Santa Crawl wristbands can purchase the Yuletide Cheer cocktail for $4 – a specialty drink made with Pisco Brandy and cranberry. For more information on the Very Bad Santa Crawl and to join in the merriment, please visit the Facebook event page.
On December 30, we will debut the newly renovated lounge area. Additional long windows lining Royal Street will lighten up the bar area and will offer patrons a perfect view of the hustle and bustle outside. A new crescent-shaped bar in the lounge will allow our mixologists to serve more customers as they carry on conversations with friends and unwind with regular evening entertainment Tuesday through Saturday starting in January. On December 31, we will ring in the New Year with renowned New Orleans performer, Luther Kent. The performance starts at 10 p.m. and is free to attend.
Christmas Dinner
On Christmas day, our chefs are preparing a fine feast for the whole family. Two dinner seatings are available at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. featuring a savory creole Andouille and Sweet Potato Bisque for a rich, slightly sweet flavor with a little kick. Additionally, a selection of salads – such as English Cucumber with Gorgonzola and Candied Walnuts and Tabbouleh Lamb with Sweet Baby Peas – will satisfy any palate. A carving station of Roast Prime Rib of Beef and Maple Glazed Ham will be set up along with an omelet station. A few of the entrees on the menu include Grilled Shrimp on a Smoked Cheddar Grit Cake with Tabasco Hollandaise; Seafood Stuffed Flounder with a Lemon Beurre Blanc sauce; and Coq au Vin with Pecan Smoked Bacon and Roasted Pearl Onions. Finally, the Hotel Monteleone’s award-winning chef is preparing a wide array of festive holiday treats for dessert.
The cost for Christmas brunch is $55 for adults and $24 for children. People can make reservations for either seating by calling (504) 523-3341 ext. 4467.
Caroling students, children’s teas and special room rates mean the holidays are finally here!
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year here at the Hotel Monteleone as school choirs sing familiar holiday carols and Monte the Lion entertains children at his festive holiday teas. We are thrilled to invite our guests and local New Orleanians to join in the merriment of the season as we continue celebrating 125 years.
As a special Yuletide treat, we are running Papa Noel rates from November 20 through December 29 with rooms starting as low as $99 on weekdays and $119 on weekends based on availability. Blackout dates apply.
“The holiday season is always an exciting time of the year for the Hotel Monteleone employees and guests,” said Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone. “We’ve had an eventful year celebrating the Hotel’s 125th Anniversary. This Christmas season, we’re particularly looking forward to having locals and guests participate in all of our festivities as we have 125 great reasons to celebrate.”
This holiday season, the Hotel Monteleone is offering the following events:
Deck the Halls of the Hotel Monteleone
On November18, the Hotel Monteleone will light up the 200 block of Royal Street as it officially turns on the holiday decorations to mark the start of its holiday season. As we complete the expansion of the Carousel Bar, we will outline the new additional windows along Royal Street with beautiful white lights, while also transforming the interior into a winter wonderland on November 30 as it brightens up the lobby with its majestic Christmas tree.
Monte the Lion’s Children’s Holiday Tea
Monte the Lion, the official mascot for The Hotel Monteleone, is hosting his annual Children’s Holiday Tea on December 10 and December 17 at 10 am and 2 pm. Some of the season’s favorite Christmas characters will join Monte including Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s elves. Mrs. Claus will be read classic Christmas tales and a trumpeter will lead special guests in a musical parade. Savory treats, games and caroling will fill the air with joy. Monte the Lion will close the day by presenting each of his new friends with a Monte stuffed animal. The cost is $50 for adults and $36 for children. To make reservations for Monte the Lion’s Children’s Holiday Tea, please call (504) 681-4452 or visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/monte/.
Hotel Monteleone Welcomes Local School Choirs to Celebrate the Holiday Season
Monday through Friday, New Orleans area school choirs will once again greet guests and locals in the Hotel Monteleone lobby with the sounds of the season from November 28 through December 16. School performances are free and open to the public. Performances occur between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and last one half hour. For a complete list of dates, times and schools, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/calendar-events/.
Christmas Brunch
If you’re celebrating the holidays in New Orleans and looking for a feast fit for Santa himself, join us as we celebrate with a bounty of delights this year for our annual Christmas Brunch! We will be having 2 seatings, one at 11:30am and one at 2:00pm. Prices are $55 for Adults, $24 for Children.
Click here to review the menu. To make reservations for the brunch, please call 504-523-3341 ext.
For more information on the Hotel Monteleone and its events for the upcoming holiday season, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/calendar-events/. To make reservations, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/ or call 1-866-338-4684. Become a fan on Facebook and help us reach our 125th Anniversary goal of 12,500 fans by 2012. Follow us on Twitter.
Cook-off party will benefit Louisiana service members and wounded warriors for holidays
As the New Orleans Saints play the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, we are throwing a tailgating block party on the 200 block of Royal Street Sunday, November 13 from 9 a.m. ‘til to benefit Louisiana service members and wounded warriors from Operation Homefront Louisiana during the holiday season.
“The Falcons are always one of the biggest rivals for the New Orleans Saints,” said Andrea Thornton, our director of sales and marketing. “As the Hotel Monteleone celebrates its 125th anniversary, we are taking time to reflect on all the things that make New Orleans wonderful. No one can deny that the Saints are an integral part of New Orleans history and a great excuse for all New Orleanians to come together and celebrate. Atlanta might be hosting the game, but we’re hosting the party.”
The pre-game commentary will be broadcast live in front of the Hotel Monteleone to show viewers the true spirit and devotion of New Orleans Saints fans. The block party will include a 9 foot by 12 foot screen to ensure everyone has a view of the game. Additionally, “Chef and the Fat Man,” the popular talk radio program hosted by Executive Chef Fred Genovese, Kevin Jenkins and Andy Stangenberg, will record live during the event.
The party will feature a tailgating food cook-off from famous New Orleans chefs including Chris Barbato from Café Adelaide, Tory McPhail from Commander’s Palace, Chef Alon Shaya from Domenica, The Besh Group, Cook Me Somethin’ Mister, Hotel Monteleone, Mr. B’s and Pier 424. The chefs will prepare classics off of the Ultimate Cooking Experience – the Big Green Egg. Additionally, the Hotel will serve barbecue alligator and crawfish sausage over hot creole potato salad with Cajun brown butter and gooey artichoke bread.
Proceeds from food and beverage sales will go towards purchasing Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas trees for current and inactive Louisiana service members and their families through Operation Homefront Louisiana (OH). OH provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.
“We hope to make this Saints and holiday season a little happier by supporting the families of our military veterans,” said Genovese.
Event sponsors include Baumer Foods, Inc. and Crystal Hot Sauce, Big Green Egg, Budweiser, Demo Diva, F.H. Myers Construction, FSC Interactive, WVUE Fox 8, Kristen Preau of Cook Me Somethin’ Mister, Operation Homefront Louisiana, Republic National Distributing Company, Royal Productions and Zatarain’s (as of October 27, 2011).
We look forward to seeing you and cannot wait to root for our Saints in our black and gold! Who Dat!
The Hotel Monteleone, considered one of the top 10 haunted hotels in the country, is honoring our friendly “guests who never leave” throughout the month of October by serving “spirited” spirits in the famous Carousel Bar.
The four spirits* – Red’s Rum, Maurice’s Madness, Solemn John and Headless Helen – reflect names of some of the Hotel’s most popular, friendly ghosts including Maurice, a young boy from the 19th century; Red, a former engineer employed by the Hotel; Solemn John, a distraught businessman from Tennessee in the 1920s; and Poor Helen who thinks she’s still alive. *The cocktail recipes are below.
“The Hotel’s friendly ghosts add character to and help to tell the story of the Hotel Monteleone,” said Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone. “As we continue the year-long celebration of our 125th Anniversary this year, we thought it was only appropriate to pay tribute to our resident spirits by honoring them with themed cocktails throughout the month of October. We hope that our visiting guests enjoy sipping on the spirits while spinning around the Carousel.”
In 2003, the International Society of Paranormal Research (ISPR) spent several days investigating the hotel and identified more than 12 earthbound entities that have made the hotel their permanent resting place. Generations of hotel guests and staff have experienced haunted events such as the unexplained opening and closing of a locked restaurant door and the ghostly images of children playing. We even have our own ghost story!
Recipes for Hotel Monteleone “Spirited” Spirits
Red’s Rum
1 1/4 oz Old New Orleans 3-year-old Rum
4 oz Fresh Orange Juice
1/2 oz Pomegranate Liquor
Place rum and orange juice in an ice filled cocktail glass. Roll in a Boston Shaker to blend. Float the pomegranate liquor on top so that it creates tendrils of red floating through drink.
Maurice’s Madness
1 1/4 oz Citadelle Gin
1/4 oz Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe
4 oz Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
Place all in an ice filled cocktail glass. Roll into a Boston Shaker to mix, Garnish with a lime wedge and a green olive.
Solemn John
1 ¼ oz Crown Royal
1 oz Mathilde Pear Liquor
¼ oz Simple Syrup
3-4 oz Half and Half
Dash of Cinnamon
Place all ingredients in a Boston Shaker and shake until well chilled and blended. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a dusting of cinnamon.
Headless Helen
1 oz Ketel One Vodka
1 oz Pomegranate Liquor
5 oz Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Place Ketel One and pomegranate liquor in a Boston shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into a champagne flute and garnish with an orange slice.
For more information on the Hotel Monteleone, its 125th Anniversary and to make a reservation, visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/ or call 504.523.3341. Become a fan on Facebook and help the Hotel reach its 125th Anniversary goal of 12,500 fans! Follow the Hotel Monteleone on Twitter @hotelmonteleone and @carouselbar.
We’re excited to announce that we will be the host hotel for 4 exciting events coming up in New Orleans from August through November and one event next March. From cocktail enthusiasts and antique aficionados to best-selling authors and a girlfriend getaway Hotel Monteleone has a room for everyone in the heart of the activity.
The following events will take place in and around the Hotel Monteleone this fall:
Satchmo SummerFest – August 4 – 7 – The 11th Annual Satchmo SummerFest is the premier American jazz festival dedicated to the life, music and legacy of New Orleans’ native son, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong. The event is free and open to the public.
The Historic New Orleans Collection’s 4th Annual Antiques Forum –- August 4 -7 – The New Orleans Antiques Forum encourages and showcases the scholarship of regional decorative arts history. This year, the Forum will explore the pervasive influence of French style and French design on decorate arts in the southern U.S. with the theme, “French at Heart: Continental Influence in the Gulf South.”
Heather Graham New Orleans Writers Workshop - September 2 – 4 – The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Heather Graham, presents her 6th annual writers workshop in New Orleans featuring seminars, panel discussions, writing workshops, parties and social events. The event is open to the public. Registration is required.
FestiGals - October 7 – 9 – FestiGals is a weekend festival in New Orleans dedicated to celebrating women with fashion, food, friendship, entertainment and fun!
Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society Words and Music – November 9 – 14 – Featuring five days of enlightenment and entertainment for writers and readers, Words and Music is a literary feast in New Orleans.
Due to our literary heritage and strong ties with Tennessee Williams, the Hotel Monteleone signed up again as the host hotel for the 2012 Tennessee Williams Festival. As the most ambitious annual project of the Louisiana Faulkner Society, the festival offers five days of enlightenment and entertainment for writers and readers. The 2012 festival will take place March 21 – 25.
In addition to serving as the hub of New Orleans’ most exciting events, we are continuing to welcome business and leisure travelers to the Big Easy throughout the year. To make reservations, please call 1-800-535-9595 or email reservations@hotelmonteleone.com. For more information on the Hotel Monteleone, please visit www.hotelmonteleone.com. Become a fan of Hotel Monteleone on Facebook and help the Hotel reach its 125th anniversary goal of 12,500 fans in 2011!
Now Part of the Largest Point-Based Program for Independent Hotels in the U.S.
Hotel Monteleone is excited to announce our partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards®, an innovative hotel rewards program that enables travelers to quickly earn free nights at distinctive, independent hotels without blackout dates or inflexible category restrictions. Stash members can now earn points toward free nights each time they stay at the Hotel Monteleone in addition to the 156 distinctive hotels in more than 100 cities that participate in Stash.
Often called the Grande Dame of the French Quarter, the historic Hotel Monteleone is a sparkling jewel in the heart of the Vieux Carré. It offers Stash reward members 600 luxurious rooms and suites, and exciting amenities such as the famous, revolving Carousel Bar, a rooftop pool, a relaxing spa, a state-of-the-art exercise facility, a business center, valet parking and a newly-renovated high-speed Wi-Fi system. Additionally, the Hotel boasts a dynamic history influenced by great literati, entertainment icons, cocktail favorites and political giants.
“One very important thing we’ve learned in our 125-year history is how important our loyal customers are to the longevity of our business,” said Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for Hotel Monteleone. “Stash offers a great, new program to reward these customers for their allegiance. We are looking forward to this partnership as another way to show our heartfelt appreciation.”
Guests can easily sign up for a free account at the Stash website, www.stashrewards.com, and start earning points immediately, which never expire. Redemption is simple and free from rigid reward categories, and black-out dates do not exist. Additionally, Stash partner hotels provide members with exclusive travel deals.
…upon the 125th Anniversary of the Monteleone Hotel, the heart of New Orleans
I’m American, European and African… all by chance
I’m Satchmo, Jumbo, Fountain, Fats, ‘Fess and Vince Vance
I’m the roux in your gumbo; I’m the rice in your beans
I’m a levee that will never break; I am New Orleans.
My blood is the River, my heart is the Quarter
I’m a corrupt politician; a slave that was martyred
A girl who lost her way and a Bourbon Street Queen
A Streetcar Named Desire; I am New Orleans.
I’m praying in the Cathedral; I’m living in sin
I never sleep from the bustle or the fear I live in
I smell like French Bread; my snowball’s nectar cream
In a city that care forgot; I am New Orleans.
I’m stronger from lies; I’m bigger than The Dome
I’m the Saints; I’m the sinners; I am a place called Home
I’m sweating in December; I’m purple, gold and green
I’m Catholic and I’m voodoo; I am New Orleans.
I’m Dixieland Jazz; I’m Redfish Court-Bouillon
I’m the Carousel Lounge, the Knights of Babylon
“Throw me something. Mister!” Yeah, I hear y’all scream
But this parade never ends; I am New Orleans.
I’m coffee and beignets, a ferry to Old Algiers
I’m the Best Bank, Metry, St. Bernard, I drink Abita Beer
I’m a Jambalaya of People seasoned with moonbeams
I’m Mardi Gras on Canal Street; I am New Orleans.
I was sold by the French and saved by Ole Hickory
There’s water all around me, but I can never come clean
I’m eight feet below sea level and I’m slipping out to sea
Katrina changed me forever, but I am still New Orleans.
They tried to call me Chocolate City; it’s okay we’re white and black
You can drench me with oil but I’m always coming back
I’m the healer Dr. Mary and all of Blaine Kern’s dreams
I’m an old hotel called Monteleone; I am New Orleans.
Katrina changed me forever, but I am still New Orleans.
Katrina changed me forever, but I am still New Orleans.
© Vince Vance
With the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) turning 20 this year and the Hotel Monteleone turning 125, we will “Rock The Block” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with the Bag of Donuts to celebrate during the Royal Street Stroll on Thursday, May 26.
“The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind as it brings together some of the finest chefs and winemakers from around the world,” said Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for Hotel Monteleone. “We have a great line-up of performers to kick-off the festival and are looking forward to being in the middle of the excitement again this year.”
While the Bag of Donuts perform on the 200 block of Royal Street, the celebration continues inside the Hotel Monteleone at the historic Carousel Bar with an enticing selection of wines and musical performances from The Tim Laughlin Jazz Trio from 6 – 8 p.m. and The George French Quartet from 8 – 10 p.m.
Come on down and Rock the Block in style with us!
Tomorrow is the kick off to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, drawing over 400,000 people to the Crescent City. Music lovers from around the world will jam out at the Fair Grounds for amazing performances by their favorite artists. Come rain or come shine, festers are true fans ready to rock. As music enthusiasts ourselves, we have decided to keep the jam sessions going long after the Fair Grounds gates close. “Jazzy Jams” in the Carousel Bar post Jazz Fest is the place for local musicians to jam on.
April had been an exciting month for the Carousel Bar, which has just dedicated booths to musical legends Pete Fountain, Allan Toussaint, Dr. John, Louis Prima, Etta James and more. We are proud to be a hot spot for some of the world’s best musicians and during Jazz Fest have a wonderful line up.
“Jazzy Jams” will starts tonight, April 28th and continue every night until the Jazz Fest finale on May 8th. The sessions will feature locally-based, nationally recognized musicians who will give both hotel guests and locals alike, an intimate and fascinating taste of the musical New Orleans’ long after Jazz Fest is closed each day. Every night, John Austin, one of New Orleans musical treasures, will begin the jam session at 9:00PM and will be followed by the featured performer at 10:30PM.
- Thurs. April 28th 10.30pm Ruby Moon
- Fri. April 29th 10.30pm Mitch Woods
- Sat. April 30th 10.30pm Lindsay Mendez
- Sun. May 1st 10.30pm Cherie Mannino
- Mon. May 2nd 10.30pm Tom McDermott
- Tues. May 3rd 7.00pm Rabasah Records 30th Anniversary Party Featuring Big Daddy ‘O’
- Wed. May 4th 10.30pm Jon Cleary
- Thurs May 5th 10.30pm Mac Potts
- Fri. May 6th 10.30pm Cindy Scott
- Sat. May 7th 10.30pm Marcelle Gauvin
- Sun. May 8th 10.30pm John “Papa” Gros
At the end of the day remember that just because the Jazz Fest gates close doesn’t mean the music stops. Make sure to choose Hotel Monteleone’s “Jazzy Jams” as your post Jazz Fest place to keep the good times rollin’ long into the wee hours of the night.
Come celebrate Earth Day with us as we kick off a day of green initiatives.
In the past few years, we have been working to improve our operations in an effort to “go green” and reduce our footprint on the environment. In support of other green initiatives throughout the state o
f Louisiana, we will be hosting Ecologist Penny Meaux Edwards on April 22nd as she unveils her Ecological Quilt entitled, “Beyond the Horizon.” Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be here to present the quilt and partake in the press conference. The day will also include presentations and exhibits of various environmental organizations making efforts to care for and preserve the environment. Through these exhibits, guests will learn how they can make a difference in protecting and preserving the environment. The exhibitions are free and open to the public starting at 11:00am.
This collaborative Earth Day event kicks off our continued environmental initiatives and Earth Day Network’s A Billion Acts of Green campaign.
For more information on the Earth Day Celebration, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/earth-day/. For more information on how the Hotel Monteleone is going green, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/meetings/going-green/.
Carousel Bar Activities
