, the clubby cocktail haven in The Roosevelt New Orleans, is No. 1 on a national list of hotel bars.

For a sixth time, the wood-paneled watering hole in the lobby of the famed hotel has been selected by USA Today's Reader's Choice as the prime hotel bar to get a beverage.

The WPA-era muraled room, which has hosted luminaries of the present and past was nominated by a panel of experts. The list was narrowed down by editors for the awards.

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Anne Marino poses with her drink during the 73rd annual StorminÕ of the Sazerac at the Roosevelt in New Orleans, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. The luncheon and second line celebrates the group of women in 1949 who went to the Sazerac Bar in the hotel to demand to be served a drink. Women were only served on Mardi Gras Day at the bar. (Photo by Sophia Germer, , The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

Known for the signature cocktail that features rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, sugar and herbsaint, for many years the bar was a male-only enclave that allowed women one day a year: on Mardi Gras. That ended in 1949 The "Stormin' of the Sazerac" is celebrated annually Sept. 29.

Other sipping spots on the list are:

  • 2. Top of the Mark, InterContinental Mark Hopkins, San Francisco.
  • 3. Pied Piper, Palace Hotel, San Francisco.
  • 4. Library of Distilled Spirits, The National Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • 5. The Fed, The Langham, Boston.
  • 6. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston.
  • 7. The Bar, The Spectator Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • 8. Tiger & Peacock, The Memphian, Memphis, Tennessee.
  • 9. Earl's Bar, Halekulani Hotel, Honolulu.
  • 10. Camellias, Hotel Bennett, Charleston, South Carolina.

For more information on bar and the hotel, visit

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@theadvocate.com.

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