New bar at Four Seasons Hotel will have caviar, Champagne, cocktails from French 75 alum

When the Four Seasons Hotel opens, visitors will have much to explore inside the landmark building, the former World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street. That might start with classic cocktails, bubbly and caviar.

As the hotel nears completion, the Four Seasons has been unveiling more details about its amenities. The latest is called Chandelier Bar, the lobby bar that the hotel believes will be a hub for the interplay of public hospitality spaces and private lodgings in the luxury property.

The bar’s namesake is a glittering art glass installation reaching down from the ceiling high above, with some 15,000 crystal and glass pieces.

The cocktail menu is being created by Hadi Ktiri, a longtime New Orleans bartender who made his name at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar. He was on the staff there when Arnaud’s won the 2017 James Beard Foundation award for outstanding bar program.

Chandelier Bar will have its own food menu with caviar service, small plates and snacks from chef Alon Shaya, who is developing a restaurant in the Four Seasons as well.

In addition to cocktails, the bar will have a focus on Champagne and sparkling wines from around the world. That includes prestige bottles that will be made available for by-the-glass service here (think Dom Perignon and Ruinart).

The hotel, officially the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans, is transforming the former World Trade Center high rise. The building’s redevelopment as luxury hotel and condominiums has been touted as a key for reviving this part of New Orleans and the riverfront. It will have 341 guest rooms, 92 private residences and various event spaces, including in the distinctive cupola topping the tower.

The Four Seasons has previously announced two restaurants in the hotel. One is from chef Donald Link and will face the river on the property’s fifth floor. That restaurant has yet to be named. The other, from Shaya, is called Miss Riverand is being planned as a celebration of the traditional and modern influences in Louisiana cuisine.

Shaya’s team will prepare a separate menu for Chandelier Bar.

Chandelier Bar will have seating for 85 between its bar, lounge and a garden terrace.

The Four Seasons reports the hotel is slated to open in mid-2021.