Dining at Virgin Hotels New Orleans: Commons Club, Pool Club and Funny Library
Commons Club is Virgin Hotels New Orleans’ full-service restaurant for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with Southern- and Mediterranean-influenced contemporary American dishes and live music. The Pool Club is the 13th-floor heated rooftop pool, bar and terrace for cocktails and light bites (public rooftop access begins afternoons for guests 21+). Funny Library is the ground-floor La Colombe coffee shop and pastry spot for quick breakfasts and grab-and-go items.
In this guide
Commons Club — what to expect
Commons Club is the hotel’s flagship restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, brunch (weekends) and dinner in a polished, lively setting with occasional live music. The menu leans Southern with Mediterranean influences and focuses on seasonal contemporary American dishes.
Service and atmosphere are suitable for casual meals, daytime meetings, or evening dining. OpenTable reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for dinner or weekend brunch.
- Hours (as listed): Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; Dinner daily 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Brunch Sat–Sun 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Bar hours vary by day; check the hotel site for current times.
- Private options: Commons Club Private Dining Room (up to 6 guests) and the Shag Room (standing capacity ~20).
- Dress code: Smart casual.
| Service | When |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (weekday) | 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. |
| Lunch (weekday) | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
| Dinner (daily) | 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
The Pool Club — rooftop pool, drinks and light bites
The Pool Club sits on the 13th floor and combines a heated outdoor pool, terrace seating and a rooftop bar serving cocktails, beer, wine and light plates. Swimming for hotel guests is available daily; the pool is heated to 84°F.
Public access to the rooftop bar begins in the afternoon and non-hotel guests must be 21 or older to enter the Pool Club. Swimming ends in the evening per the hotel's posted hours.
- Pool & rooftop bar hours (as listed): Bar open 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Sun–Thu, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. Fri–Sat; Kitchen typically 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; swimming 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Non-hotel guest rooftop access begins at 3:00 p.m. daily and public admission is age-restricted (21+).
- Pool temperature: 84°F (heated outdoor pool).
- Reservations/Pool Pass: Day passes and seating requests (loungers, VIP sofas) can be arranged when available.
| Access type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hotel guests | Pool open daily; rooftop lounge access included |
| Non-hotel guests | Public rooftop bar access begins in the afternoon; must be 21+ |
| Day pass info | Availability and fees vary; check hotel for latest pricing |
Funny Library — coffee, pastries and casual work spots
Funny Library is the ground-floor coffee shop serving La Colombe coffee, pastries and light breakfast items. It doubles as a casual coworking and meetup spot for quick catch-ups or a coffee break.
Hours for Funny Library have varied; the hotel lists morning-to-early-afternoon opening times. If you need morning coffee before an early departure, confirm current hours with the front desk.
- Typical hours listed on the site: mornings through early afternoon (varies seasonally).
- Menu highlights: La Colombe coffee, pastries, light bites and grab-and-go options.
- Good for: quick breakfasts, espresso drinks, or a short work session away from your Chamber or suite.
| Item | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Coffee | La Colombe espresso and brewed options |
| Pastries | Croissants, muffins and grab-and-go items |
| Seating | Casual tables and spots suitable for short work sessions |
Ordering, reservations and private dining
Reservations for Commons Club are accepted via OpenTable and are recommended for dinner and weekend brunch. The Pool Club accepts seating and pool-pass requests for loungers or VIP areas through the hotel’s event or 'Life of the Party' coordinator when available.
For private events, Commons Club offers a small private dining room and the Shag Room; larger wedding and event options include Dreamboat and The Manor with capacities and packages handled by the hotel’s events team.
- Commons Club Private Dining Room: seats up to 6.
- Shag Room: standing capacity ~20; reserve through the hotel.
- Larger event spaces (Dreamboat, The Manor) are booked via the hotel events/sales team and can include catering from Commons Club.
| Private option | Capacity / use |
|---|---|
| Commons Club Private Dining Room | Up to 6 guests |
| Shag Room | Standing capacity ~20 |
| Dreamboat (rooftop-adjacent) | Up to 150 guests (event configuration) |
Practical tips for dining and rooftop visits
Dress codes: Commons Club follows smart casual; The Pool Club is casual chic. The Pool Club enforces a 21+ policy for non-hotel guests in the afternoon and evening rooftop hours.
If you plan to use the rooftop pool or reserve seating, check availability before you arrive — the hotel manages pool passes and VIP seating and public access times can change seasonally.
- If you want to swim, confirm pool hours and whether day-pass or guest access rules apply on the day you visit.
- Commons Club menus rotate seasonally; ask your server about daily specials and locally influenced dishes.
- For early flights or tight schedules, confirm Funny Library’s opening hour with the front desk.
| Need-to-know | Action |
|---|---|
| Rooftop access for non-guests | Available afternoons only; 21+ |
| Pool temperature | Heated to 84°F |
| Reservations | Use OpenTable for Commons Club; contact hotel for Pool Club seating |
Location and contact
Virgin Hotels New Orleans is at 550 Baronne St in the Warehouse District / Central Business District — within walking distance of Lafayette Square, Canal Street, Bourbon Street and several museums and venues.
For assistance with dining reservations, pool seating, or private events, contact the hotel or BookResorts agents available 24/7.
- Hotel address: 550 Baronne St, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70113, US
- BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Front desk and concierge are staffed 24/7 for on-site dining and event questions
| Nearby points | Approx. walk |
|---|---|
| Lafayette Square | About 5 minutes |
| Canal Street / Bourbon Street | About 10 minutes |
| National WWII Museum / Smoothie King Center | Roughly 10 minutes |
