Upstairs at Rothschild's, A Classy Affair

Atlantic Avenue is known as a go-to spot for great shopping, but nightlife isn't always an obvious offering behind the stylish storefronts east of Smith.

Rothschild's, the impeccably designed, six-month old restaurant that serves New American cuisine with a taste of New Orleans, provides precisely what the block's been missing in the form of an elevated cocktail lounge, where patrons are encouraged to enjoy their drinks comfortably and in style. 

From the outside, Rothschild's looks like the high class restaurant it is, but what revelers may not realize at first glance is that this unpretentious eatery is also home to a gorgeous bar on the ground floor, a cocktail lounge that overlooks the elegant space, and nightly drink specials that aim to please thirsty and thrifty patrons. 

"Most people seem to think the upstairs lounge is a private room, but it's open to all our customers," explained Anthony, Rothschild's Monday/Tuesday, Friday/Saturday bartender. "It's perfect for groups of three or four who want to enjoy a bottle of wine or champagne," he said.

The loft-like bar extension is indeed perfect for groups of three or four, but could also serve as an ideal location for drinks while on a date. A classy celebration gathering of 6 - 8 people, where celebrants can sip champagne in style, is also not far offbase.

For lounge-goers who are hoping for a bite to eat, Rothschild's will accommodate you, and for night owls who stop by after 11 p.m., a late night bar menu featuring savory snacks is offered. 

Rothschild's is all about old-style elegance, with the interior designed by Cognoscenti et al. Smooth and sexy music plays in the background while patrons enjoy delectable dishes with "a quiet emphasis on the sustainable and organic," as the menu reads, such as blackened catfish with bbq sweet potatoes.

Rothschild's offers a selection of craft beers, wine, champagne and house-made red and white sangria, all at reasonable to moderate prices. For those looking for a drinks deal, happy hour here is a generous three-hour block, seven days a week from 5 - 8 p.m., with craft beers served at $4 to $5 each and special prices on a featured wine of the night. 

You'll also find a different drink special that's offered all evening, each day at Rothschild's. Monday nights, for example, patrons are offered $2 Abita beers if they order a po' boy or a burger. 

Customers at Rothschild's seem pleasantly surprised and excited by their offerings. Kory Westerhold of Boerum Hill stopped into Rothschild's on a whim as he walked by one night and had returned for round two after having enjoyed his experience there immensely.

"It's such a friendly place, and the food and beer offerings are great. Now I'm wanting to come back with a group of friends and sit upstairs in that lounge," he exclaimed, after hearing from the bartender that the elevated lounge was indeed open to everyone. 

That's a sentiment that's likely to be widely shared if more people know the lounge exists. And now we've gone and done it, so you'd better get to Rothschild's and head upstairs -- fast -- before the whole neighborhood catches on to its extremely charming appeal.