Copper Vine is a wineforward public house and inn with a rich New Orleans history.
Our lively neighborhood restaurant provides a lush, greenery-filled escape from the bustling Central Business District, welcoming a steady mix of locals, tourists and business travelers. With eight distinct dining and event spaces—including a traditional “gallery” balcony—and 11 upstairs guest rooms, our versatile, vibrant property is suited to a wide range of gatherings and occasions.
Our History
Dating to the late 1800s, our threestory home on the corner of Poydras Street was once the famous Maylie’s Restaurant—one of New Orleans’ longest-running establishments.
Founded by two French immigrants, Bernard Maylié and Pascale Esparbé, this rowdy and refined outpost first operated as a bar to serve workers at the Poydras Market, and later evolved into one of the first table d’hôte (prix fixe) restaurants in the city. The blue-lettered tiles inlaid into the sidewalk on Poydras Street are a charming relic of this storied past.
For more than a century, the Maylié family continued to operate the restaurant, ultimately closing its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1986. Despite several iterations and renovations before and after Hurricane Katrina, the corner of Poydras and O’Keefe sat largely unfulfilled until 2016—when hospitality entrepreneur Kyle Brechtel was inspired to reimagine the space as an all-day watering hole for the Poydras Corridor. Reopening as Copper Vine in 2018, the restaurant’s success inspired an expansion in 2023-24, bridging the historic property with an adjoining modern building and adding 11 stylish guest rooms to the upper floors.
The tavern experience
Traditionally, taverns have served as both a neighborhood social hub and a haven for weary travelers—a place to enjoy a pint, a home-cooked meal or a good night’s sleep before continuing on their journeys. By design, they welcome a colorful mix of locals and fascinating strangers, catering to the diverse interests of their customers.
Copper Vine modernizes the tavern’s heritage, offering an elevated multicultural menu and reputable wine list in a decidedly unpretentious environment. Drawing inspiration from the creolization of Caribbean, European and Southern cultures, as well as the mix of fanfare and familiarity that fuels our city’s distinct charm, our hospitality represents today’s New Orleans, while nodding to its storied past.
Inspired bites
At Copper Vine, we challenge the notion of wine bars as exclusive or pretentious, offering a casual, but polished space to enjoy a drink among friends. Whether you choose our by-the-glass pours or prefer drafts from local breweries, we aim to spark conversation and curiosity— and to make newcomers feel as welcome as our neighborhood regulars.
Chef Amy Mehrtens also loves to share the legacy of New Orleans’ multicultural cooking, with menus inspired by iconic Southern ingredients and flavors that spring from Mediterranean, Caribbean and Cajun cuisines. These refined—yet familiar— dishes are also designed to be versatile, so you can swing by for a few shareable snacks or indulge in a multi-course feast.
A frame of mind
Throughout our property, we’re proud to feature the work of several local artists. From the expansive botanical mural in our Garden Room, to the quirky mixed-media alien portraits in our powder rooms, we’ve partnered with two independent gallerists—Claire Elizabeth and Martine Chaisson—to curate an eclectic collection of works that represent New Orleans’ contemporary art scene.
A little green
In its heyday, Maylie’s was already well-known for its “tropical charm”—largely thanks to Mrs. Maylie’s dedication to preserving the property’s century-old wisteria vine. In addition to helping replant and restore these historic vines, we’ve also partnered with Luna Botanicals to create both immersive garden spaces and distinct moss and succulent wall hangings that pay homage to the property’s storied landscaping.
Property Overview
From flowering vines to eye-catching balconies, discover the historic details and versatile spaces that inform our thoughtful approach to hospitality.
MAIN FLOOR
MAIN FLOOR
The Courtyard
The Garden Room
The Bar
The Dining Room
SECOND FLOOR
Maylie’s Living Room
The Wisteria Room
The Palmetto Room
The Jasmine Room
The Inn + Terrace Suite
SECOND FLOOR
Room and board
A charming boutique hotel with just eleven rooms onsite, our inn was designed to offer travelers a centrally located, impeccably designed retreat at the bustling heart of the CBD. Guests enjoy the same thoughtful hospitality as our restaurant patrons, including shared access to our second-floor Living Room and complimentary breakfast.
THE COURTYARD SEATS 40
This lush streetside oasis for after-work drinks or outdoor dining also serves as the eye-catching entrance to our property.
THE GARDEN ROOM SEATS 32
Defined by a large-scale botanical mural, this airy, atrium-like space is an indoor extension of our Courtyard.
THE BAR SEATS 50
Located immediately behind our building’s historic facade, this lively space features the 1876 mahogany bar from the original Maylie’s Restaurant.
THE DINING ROOM SEATS 26
Evoking a modern European bistro, this mirrored, banquette-lined space is a more intimate extension of our ground-floor bar.
Event Spaces
MAYLIE’S LIVING ROOM
UP TO 25 GUESTS, RECEPTION STYLE
Located in the historic Maylie family apartments, this lounge-like space is designed for cocktails and conversation.
THE WISTERIA & PALMETTO ROOMS
COMBINED SEATS 84 OR 100 RECEPTION STYLE
Bridged by two historic fireplaces, this pair of private dining spaces can be easily combined for larger gatherings.
THE JASMINE ROOM SEATS 18
Modern, yet timeless, this intimate space for seated gatherings features floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning treetop views.
THE BALCONY SEATS 24
This traditional New Orleans gallery wraps around our second-floor dining spaces, serving as an optional—and iconic— extension of our PDRs.
