A cocktail pool is a small pool, usually under 400 square feet, built for sitting, cooling off and entertaining rather than for laps. Some owners call it a spool because it sits between a spa and a pool. Nolascapes Pool & Outdoors LLC designs and builds cocktail pools for compact backyards in and around New Orleans, LA. Our designers first talk with you about how you plan to use the pool and what style you want, and then customize every feature to match.

What a Cocktail Pool Includes

Most cocktail pools have a bench or ledge, jets and a heater, so the pool works as a spa as well. A water-current function adds options for exercise and rehabilitation, and lighting and seating can be added to suit how you use the pool. A bench set at the right depth lets you sit with the water at shoulder height, which is the main reason many people choose this type of pool. Some owners add a raised spa that spills into the pool, which brings the sound of moving water. Lighting set into the wall lets you use the pool after dark.

Where a Cocktail Pool Fits

A cocktail pool suits the narrow lots and small courtyards found in Uptown, Lakeview and Metairie, where a full-size pool would use up the whole yard. It can sit close to the house or the patio, so it is easy to step into from the back door, and it leaves room for a deck, plants and seating around it. Because the pool is small, it can also be placed to catch shade or to gain privacy from the neighbors.

Why Choose a Cocktail Pool?

A cocktail pool costs less to build and run than a full-size pool, and it takes up far less of the yard:

• Lower Cost - A small pool holds less water, uses fewer chemicals and costs less to heat, and the compact structure keeps its temperature well.
• Smaller Footprint - Fewer materials go into the build, and many owners heat the pool with solar panels instead of a gas heater.
• Simple Upkeep - There is less surface to clean, and routine care is wiping the sides and the tile line.
• Flexible Use - Most residential cocktail pools are about 12 by 14 feet, enough for relaxing, exercise with a current jet and a small group of people.

Materials and Construction

We recommend a fiberglass shell for most cocktail pools, because it arrives finished, installs quickly and is easy to keep clean, since algae holds less easily on the surface. When the space has an unusual shape, or the pool needs a raised spa or a custom edge, a gunite shell can be built to fit. Either way the pool is sized for the space, and we plan the equipment so that the pump and heater do not take up room the yard needs.

Heating and Year-Round Use

Because the water volume is small, a cocktail pool heats quickly and holds its temperature well, which suits the mild Louisiana winters. With a heater the pool can be used on cool evenings, and a cover keeps the heat in between uses. Solar panels can carry part of the load in the warmer months. A gas heater warms the water fastest, while a heat pump costs less to run, and either one is sized to the small water volume, so it stays compact and does not need much room on the equipment pad.

Cocktail Pool or Hot Tub?

A hot tub is a self-contained unit that sits above ground or is sunk into a deck, and it is made for sitting. A cocktail pool is built into the ground like a larger pool, so it can be given a bench, steps and a swimming current, and it blends into the landscaping and the deck around it. It also holds more water than a hot tub, which makes it more comfortable for several people and keeps the temperature steadier. If you want a place to sit and soak and nothing more, a hot tub may be enough, and if you want a small pool with some swimming room, a cocktail pool is the better fit.

Cocktail Pool Cost

The price depends on the size, the shell type and the equipment you add. A heater, jets, lighting and a built-in seat each add to it, but the excavation, the water volume and the surrounding area are all smaller than for a full-size pool. A fiberglass shell is generally the lower-cost route, and a gunite shell costs more because it is built by hand to fit the space. Send us the size and features you have in mind and we will price them.

Plan Your Cocktail Pool

To plan a cocktail pool for your yard, call Nolascapes Pool & Outdoors LLC on 504-330-8479 or send your questions, including those about cost, through our online form. Measure the space you have, note where the sun falls and tell us whether you want the pool mainly for lounging or for exercise, and we will suggest a size and the features that fit.