Inspiring Conversations with Camille Whitworth of Baroness on Baronne & NOLA Drink Lab

Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Whitworth.

Camille , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After 25 years as a tv journalist, i “dropped the mic” and decided to give back in a different way. It’s not to say i didn’t love my career as a news anchor, i just wanted to make a different impact. A lot of that time taught me how to communicate, connect with people, think quickly, and remain composed under pressure. Most importantly, it gave me the privilege of telling amazing stories.

Eventually, I began writing a new chapter of my own. I started a media company which specializes in coaching, training and basically taking my decades of experience and passing it on to the client.

If that wasn’t enough, I jumped feet first into hospitality and entrepreneurship, taking the skills I developed in television and applying them in a completely different industry. I opened Baroness on Baronne, a craft cocktail lounge and restaurant that has now been part of downtown New Orleans for 16 years. I later created the New Orleans Drink Lab, where we offer interactive cocktail classes for visitors, corporate groups, and special celebrations.

This gave us the idea to publish a book called, “Drink Like a Local” which a basically a field guide to some of the best watering holes and historic landmarks the city has. Being an author, published by Harper Collins is one of the greatest joys i could have.

Today, I am continuing that journey by opening a cultural & social hub called, Legacy Bayou, a new sports, social, and cultural gathering place on historic Bayou Road. The concept celebrates New Orleans history, Black culture, music, sports, and the people whose contributions have helped shape our city.

My career may have started in the newsroom and merged to hospitality, but the connecting piece remained the same. I have always been passionate about people, storytelling, creating memorable experiences, and representing New Orleans with pride.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not always been a crystal stair. Coming from a corporate environment, I was used to structure, clearly defined roles, and established systems. Entering the hospitality industry meant learning an entirely different business, usually in real time. I had many scary professional experiences along the way.

I had to understand everything from operations and staffing to customer service, inventory, marketing, and the financial realities of running a venue. Leading a hospitality team also brought new challenges because every employee has a different personality, communication style, and level of experience. I had to learn how to set expectations, hold people accountable, and still create an environment where the team feels valued.

Another ongoing challenge is staying relevant. Hospitality is constantly evolving, and what guests enjoyed a few years ago may not be what excites them today. Social trends, music, food, cocktails, and even the way people choose where to go are always changing. I have learned to listen, observe, adapt, and remain open to new ideas without losing the identity of the businesses.

The road has not been easy, but every challenge has made me a more Thursday’s leader, a better business owner, and a better student of the industry.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Baroness on Baronne is a craft cocktail lounge & restaurant in downtown New Orleans and the city’s longest-running Black female-owned bar in the downtown area. For 16 years, we have created an intimate space where guests can enjoy thoughtfully crafted cocktails, good food, music, and genuine New Orleans hospitality.

What sets Baroness apart is the experience. We want every guest to feel welcomed, whether they are a local stopping in after work, a visitor discovering the city, or a group celebrating a special occasion. We pay close attention to the vibe, the music, the menu, and the personal touches that turn an ordinary night out into a memory. I always say….
We are more than a neon sign.
We make memories & stir emotions that stay with you long after you leave.
It’s laughter and stories told around the tables and bar.
It’s great friends who become family.
It’s fun & frolic.
Mostly, it’s where we make history together.

That vision later expanded into the New Orleans Drink Lab, an interactive cocktail experience where guests learn to make classic New Orleans drinks while discovering the history and culture behind them. We host visitors, bachelorette parties, corporate groups, and team-building events.

I am proud that the businesses have continued to grow while remaining authentic to New Orleans. I am now developing Legacy Bayou, a sports, social, and cultural gathering place on historic Bayou Road. Each concept is different, but they are connected by the same purpose, bringing people together, celebrating our culture, and creating experiences that feel naturally New Orleans.

What matters most to you?
Without a doubt, what matters most to me now is creating opportunities for other people. I have had my time in the spotlight, and at this stage of my life, I want to use what I have learned and built to help others discover their own talents.

I want my venues to be more than places where people come to eat, drink, or socialize. I want them to be spaces where my team feel seen, trusted, and free to explore their creativity. Whether someone has a gift for developing cocktails, creating food, producing events, entertaining guests, or leading others, I want to give them a place where that talent can grow.

I believe strongly in pulling people up, exposing them to new experiences, and helping them recognize possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves. Sometimes people simply need someone to believe in them, challenge them, and give them a real opportunity.

At this point, success is not only about what I accomplish personally. It is about what I help build in other people. The Legacy.
The venues are part of my legacy, but the people who grow, create, and find their confidence within those spaces are the legacy that matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Baronessnola.com
• Instagram: @baronessnola