Latter Hospitality Opens Charles & Julia, Story-Driven Bar in New Orleans Hotel
The cocktail concept at Hotel Perle uses a fictional romance to anchor its beverage program and design across two distinct spaces.
Latter Hospitality Group, the New Orleans restaurant operator behind Tujague's, The Bower, and Birdy's, has opened Charles & Julia, a cocktail bar at Hotel Perle in downtown New Orleans. The venue, located at 757 St. Charles Avenue, occupies two levels designed around a fictional love story between its namesakes—a couple whose shared interest in travel and cocktails frames the experience.
Beverage Director Allison O'Keefe developed the cocktail program with both modern techniques and classic formats. The downstairs salon features drinks including the CBD Spritz with vodka, strawberry, basil, elderflower, lime, and sparkling wine; Sage Advice with gin, sugar snap pea, sage, lime, Boomsma Cloosterbitter, and velvet falernum; and Peachy Keen, Jelly Bean with bourbon, peach, pistachio, lemon, and thyme. Spirit-forward options include The Jabberwocky with bourbon, walnut, cinnamon, cacao, and Luxardo Maraschino, and Chicory Bang with rye, coffee-infused amaro, chicory, and pecan. Two classics anchor the program: the Vesper as a reference to Charles from 1953, and the Daiquiri representing Julia from 1898.
The rooftop menu emphasizes lighter, refreshing drinks suited to open-air service. Offerings include Summer Crush with tequila, watermelon, fig-balsamic, Acqua di Cedro, and lime; Génépy From the Block with blanco tequila, Génépy le Chamois, lemongrass, coconut, lemon, and soda; Sombre Verde with tobalá, tarragon, fino sherry, and Dolin Blanc; and a Frozen Paloma. Anna Nicole Interiors designed the two spaces as distinct environments—the downstairs draws on warm woods and soft lighting to evoke a living room, while the rooftop terrace, inspired by Sicily, functions as a garden escape overlooking the city.
Chef Marcus Woodham and Chef de Cuisine Ubolratana "Aum" Wipop developed a food menu of shareable plates. Selections include Hamachi Crudo with lemongrass and shrimp paste vinaigrette, a Key West-style Lobster Roll, Scallops with creamed corn and smoked trout roe, Carbonara Crab Gnocchi, and Baked Lobster "Escargot," alongside cheese boards, charcuterie, and house-made bread. Mark Latter, founder and CEO of Latter Hospitality, described the concept as built on storytelling and hospitality. "We wanted to create two distinct experiences within one space, something that could shift depending on the time of day or how you want to spend your evening."
Charles & Julia opened within Hotel Perle, a boutique property known for all-suite accommodations in the Central Business District. The cocktail bar operates Sunday through Thursday from 4PM to 10PM, and Friday and Saturday from 4PM to 11PM, with daily happy hour from 4PM to 6PM. The terrace bar operates Monday through Friday from 4PM to 10PM (or 11PM Friday), Saturday from Noon to 11PM, and Sunday from Noon to 10PM, with happy hour Monday through Friday from 4PM to 6PM.
Latter Hospitality, established in 2015, operates a portfolio of concept-driven restaurants across New Orleans. The group's expansion into Hotel Perle signals a shift toward hospitality partnerships beyond standalone venues.