Le Courtyard Lounge
Le Courtyard Lounge occupies the ground floor of the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, which connects to the Caudan complex at its western end. The lounge is Port Louis's most refined drinking venue, with polished hardwood floors, leather seating, mood lighting, and a cocktail menu that acknowledges the existence of techniques beyond pouring rum over ice. The space seats about 45 across a mix of armchairs, banquettes, and bar stools. Floor-to-ceiling windows face the harbor. The bar is staffed by trained bartenders who can make a proper old fashioned, a balanced Negroni, and several original cocktails using local spirits and tropical ingredients. Wine options include a selection of French and South African bottles, served by the glass or bottle. The clientele is the upper tier of Port Louis's social ladder: hotel guests, embassy staff, senior government officials, business executives entertaining clients, and couples celebrating occasions. The atmosphere is quiet enough for conversation, polished enough for business, and relaxed enough to not feel stiff. Service is attentive and professional. This is the one venue in Port Louis where the experience matches international four-star hotel bar standards.
What to Expect
A polished hotel lounge with professional bartenders, comfortable seating, and harbor views. The atmosphere is calm and sophisticated. Conversations happen at normal volume. Drinks are well-made. The experience is a significant step up from the other Caudan venues.
Sophisticated, calm, and assured. Port Louis's answer to the question 'where can I get a properly made drink?'
Jazz, bossa nova, and lounge music at low volume. Sometimes a pianist on Friday evenings.
Smart casual to business casual. Collared shirts, closed shoes. The crowd dresses well, and you'll feel out of place in shorts.
Business entertaining, date nights, cocktail appreciation, a refined evening drink, hotel guests and visitors who want quality over volume
Cards accepted (all major cards). Can be charged to hotel room for guests. Mauritian rupees for cash.
Price Range
Cocktails MUR 400-700, wine by glass MUR 300-600, beer MUR 200-350, spirits MUR 300-550, bar snacks MUR 200-400
Cocktails ~$8.80-15.40 / ~8-14 EUR, wine ~$6.60-13.20 / ~6-12 EUR, beer ~$4.40-7.70 / ~4-7 EUR
Hours
16:00-midnight Monday to Thursday, 16:00-01:00 Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday
Insider Tip
The window seats facing the harbor are the best position; request them when arriving. The bartender's recommendation is usually better than anything on the menu. Thursday evening is when the diplomatic crowd gathers. The hotel's lobby Wi-Fi reaches the lounge, making it a comfortable work-and-drink spot.
Full Review
Le Courtyard Lounge exists because the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel understands that Port Louis needs at least one bar where the cocktails are actually good. The lounge connects to the Caudan Waterfront complex through a passageway, meaning non-hotel guests can walk in from the promenade without entering through the hotel lobby.
The space is designed with intention. Leather armchairs in deep brown face small cocktail tables. Banquettes line the walls. The bar itself is marble-topped with a brass rail, backlit shelves displaying spirits that include premium labels you won't find at Keg and Marlin. The lighting is warm and low, provided by table lamps and recessed ceiling fixtures. The floor is polished hardwood. It feels like a hotel bar in a good way: comfortable, professional, and calm.
The cocktail menu runs 15-20 options, divided between classics and house originals. An old fashioned (MUR 500) uses proper technique: bourbon, sugar, bitters, expressed orange peel. A Mauritian twist might replace the sugar with local cane syrup. House creations incorporate tropical fruits, Takamaka rum, and occasionally vanilla from Mauritius's own production. The bartenders can discuss what they're making and adjust to preference. This level of bar craft is unique in Port Louis.
Wine service includes a respectable selection of French bottles (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire) and South African options, priced MUR 300-600 by the glass. Beer is available but clearly secondary to the spirits program.
The crowd is Port Louis's most cosmopolitan gathering. Embassy staff from the various diplomatic missions in the capital use it as neutral territory for after-hours meetings. Senior government officials appear on Thursday evenings. Business executives bring clients here when Keg and Marlin feels too casual. Couples on date nights appreciate the atmosphere. Hotel guests drift in from their rooms.
Friday evenings occasionally feature a pianist, adding a layer of live music that suits the room. The volume stays below conversation level. Service throughout is professional: attentive without hovering, knowledgeable when asked.
In the Caudan ecosystem, Le Courtyard occupies the premium tier. It costs more than the other options and delivers proportionally more in quality and atmosphere. It's not a party venue, and that's precisely its appeal.
The Neighborhood
In the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, connected to the Caudan Waterfront complex. Keg and Marlin and other Caudan venues are a 3-minute walk along the promenade. The hotel provides a higher-end anchor to the waterfront's western end.
Getting There
Enter through the Caudan Waterfront promenade (follow signs to Labourdonnais Hotel) or through the hotel's main entrance on the adjacent road. Taxi to Caudan or Labourdonnais Hotel, MUR 100-300 from within Port Louis.
Address
Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Caudan, Port Louis
Other Venues in Caudan Waterfront
Keg and Marlin
Waterfront pub with outdoor seating facing the harbor. Draught beer, pub food, and a casual atmosphere popular with office workers and tourists. Phoenix beer MUR 100-150, imported beers MUR 200-300. Busiest on Friday evenings.
Casino de Port Louis
The Caudan's casino operated by Casinos de Maurice. Table games including blackjack, roulette, and poker alongside slot machines. The bar serves cocktails and spirits. Smart casual dress code. Open daily from 10 AM until the early hours. ID required.
Namaste Restaurant and Bar
Indian restaurant with a bar overlooking the waterfront. Cocktails, wine, and Mauritian-Indian cuisine. The bar area is social on weekend evenings. Cocktails MUR 300-500, mains MUR 400-800. Live sega music on Saturday nights.
Craft Market Bar
Casual bar within the Caudan craft market area. Local beer, rum punches, and an unpretentious atmosphere. Good for a cheap drink between shopping and dinner. Phoenix beer MUR 80-120. Open until 10 PM most nights.