If you have ever experienced New Orleans during the summer you are familiar with our 20 minute rain showers and sweltering heat. It quickly has you wanting to find a pool to cool off in, catch some rays, and enjoy a drink or two with friends.
You have the usual spots; the Omni, the Roosevelt, the Country Club, most of which are usually over run with tourists. However, if you go just two miles north of the quarter you will stumble upon a little kept secret that quickly became my go to summer place, The Drifter Hotel.
Drive too fast up Tulane Avenue and you’ll miss it, but just look for the “HOTEL” sign with vintage marquee complete with old style, hand placed lettering that’s got some of the best one-liners you’ll see in the city. Entering The Drifter Hotel is a lot like its marquee sign out front, vintage but funky, unassuming but there’s character and charm. An 80’s Miami style lobby welcomes you with a large wrap around bar which serves both the interior lobby and the exterior pool. An immediate feeling of acceptance, no pretense, and fun comes over you.
Step up to the bar and you have just found the crown jewel of this hippy hotel – its staff. They seem to actually be having a good time whether it’s with each other or guests. Each with their own unique style, decked out in retro circle sunglasses, which they will gladly tell you where to find them, mostly likely at one of the many food and fashion “Pop Ups” they have almost daily.
Here you will not find stuffy uniforms or matching polos, each staff members brings their own personality to what they are wearing – a hippy chic shear cover up for one; a ‘Clinton/Gore’ backwards hat for another. You get the feeling that these people are a family, a family you want to be a part of, and they haven’t even made you the first drink.
Around the corner, past the changing room/bathrooms and you’re at the pool, disco ball included, surrounded by high fences and greenery for privacy. Survey the crowd and you will find the most eclectic group in town; the preppy muscle boys, the chicks with tattoos you admire, the girls looking to not get their hair wet just wanting a tan, people of all races, ages, sizes, and backgrounds.
Keep looking and you will notice women walking around topless, yes topless, as The Drifter is a 21 and older only, top optional pool; perfect for those that want to have a good time without the worry of screaming children.
Find a chair or jump in the pool and you’re are ready to get some sun without all of the hassles that many tourist spots have, no children with floats, no large bridal parties of screaming bride’s maids, no overly crowd pool you can’t move in.
Enjoy the music playing in the background, which depending on who’s there will tell you what’s playing, or simply make a request to the bartender for your favorite song. Grab a bite at the daily food pop up, usually a great Caribbean fanfare or a taco truck, all cooked to order right in front of you.
Looking for a bit of a sweat before you swim, check out their poolside yoga on its pink turf, or if night life is your fancy; check out one of their numerous nighttime events from DJs, bands, and aquatic shows that will keep you mesmerized.
Personally, it’s the vintage, everyone-is-welcome-here vibe that keeps me coming back, where I seem to make a new friend every time I go. I can almost see Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra in the corner, sipping a martini, and enjoying one of the best kept secrets in New Orleans.
