Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge, Revolving lounge bar in French Quarter, New Orleans, United States

Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge is a circular bar inside Hotel Monteleone, set beneath an ornate carousel top with a painted face, oval mirrors and rows of small round bulbs. The 25-seat counter turns on 2,000 steel rollers driven by a 1/4 hp motor, completing one revolution every 15 minutes. Chairs with painted back panels, including a zebra and a lion, face the dark curved counter.

The revolving bar was installed in 1949 inside the Hotel Monteleone, whose Swan Room nightclub hosted performers such as Liberace and Louis Prima, who sometimes joined friends for a nightcap after their shows. A 1992 renovation added the carousel top and fiber-optic ceiling. In 2011 the hotel began an expansion that brought Criollo Restaurant.

The bar draws visitors and locals who seek live jazz music and craft cocktails as part of their evening out. People gather here to experience the social energy of New Orleans nightlife while enjoying drinks like the signature Vieux Carré.

The venue is open throughout the day and evening, with entertainment available on select nights in the adjoining lounge space. It helps to arrive early if you want a seat at the rotating counter, as spots fill quickly.

The ceiling design above the rotating counter features special lighting that creates a night sky effect overhead. One programmed light is designed to move like a shooting star across the ceiling.