Parlay's — Restaurant in New Orleans

I've been coming here for well over a decade, usually for happy hour. I've seen a shift in attitude and clientele over the past few years so stopped going as a regular stop. Though I made the mistake by coming to watch the 2nd half of the LSU Arkansas game last Sat. I went with my wife and adult daughter. My wife wanted me to go in first to get a seat so she could use the restroom. I entered and it was about half full, I figured I'd get a beer first since the bar was not full so I started for the bar (mind you I'm now well into the bar nearly getting to the corner of the actual BAR. This is where I am rudely stopped, literally with an extended arm to stop my progress and the person angrily tells me I have to have an ID!!! this guy is MAD! "oh ok, my bad" I replied. My wife and daughters now catching up to me, I turn and tell them they need to have an ID because I was sure my wife didn't bring hers. I had forgotten that they started carding here at night, which I want to make clear is a GOOD thing! I'm not complaining that I got carded. I get my ID out to show him, but he shoves it away and said "sir...ladies first" (as to lecture me that I didn't let the girls go first?? I have no idea. Ok...I laugh... Eventually he cards us (my wife had hers ) and I get my wrist band but he continues to stare me down as he puts it on, I took it as an attempt to escalate....for what I have no idea! eventually I get my wrist band and I very nicely say "THANK YOU VERRY MUCH SIR" which appeared to make him more grumpy,. The whole interaction was bizarre

No problem finding a seat in the back. But took sometime to get my drinks. Bar tenders looked pretty grumpy as well and the people at the bar don't like you trying to walk up to order drinks , they're like the snobs at a Mardi Gras parade who think they own the turf they are sitting at (how are people who aren't at the bar supposed to get a drink. Maybe they should have a service station at the end of the bar to get a drink like how Parkview Tavern has it. For the most part the patrons had attitudes as well. "wow this place has changed" I think to myself. All in all a really rotten time in a place that used to be a friendly neighborhood bar.

Again I want to make clear I have no problem with them carding and having some form of security. But the person carding was all the way in the bar and appeared to be one of the costumers where people were sitting. Yet it was my fault I didn't know I should have had my card ready for him. And to be treated like this (I'm 53 and obviously not trying to avoid being carded) at Parleys is ridiculous. This place is losing a lot of their regulars. I suppose the newer college aged crowd makes more money. good for them. I won't be...

So, I was invited here to celebrate a birthday with a couple of coworkers. It was really just some coworkers hanging out to decompress and talk to each other, which we don't always get to do at work. The bar don't serve food, but there was a pop-up seafood boil truck that pulled up outside that you could buy from and eat in the bar. It was a to-go plate that consisted of 1 lobster, corn on the cob, potato, and a pound of boiled shrimp for $22. We all shared the plates so I only got to try the shrimp. The texture was good and the flavor was ok. I have had better boiled shrimp, but it was decent enough to eat. As far as the bar service, it was pretty busy. When I initially arrived and for the first hour, there was only one bartender, a hard working young lady that went from one end of the bar to the next. There was at least three or four other people who kept coming in and out of the back, but never assisting her with service. It took about 10 minutes before she noticed me to serve me a drink. Eventually, a second lady showed up and served the other end of the bar. I felt bad for the first young lady that I left her a bigger tip than I was going to originally give. For a bar that advertises being the longest bar in the parish you would think they would have enough bartenders to serve during the busiest time on a Friday! When it comes to the drinks, I originally ordered an amaretto and pineapple and she was going for the bottom shelf bottom, I told her I wanted Disarono. She informed me that it was $5 more, but that's what I wanted and she gave it to me. Lesson here, know what you want and pay attention to what you are being given or you may get something you don't like. I was willing to pay since I don't go out drinking like that. One time won't hurt, right? The last thing I want to mention was the atmosphere. The music was very loud in the place and my throat was hurting because I had to talk loud to even the person next to me. I think, they should have had it a little lower. I would feel different if people were dancing. I will probably not visit this place again. There were too many strikes against it that I could think of several other bars that do it better. I didn't even bother to take pictures...

What a great spot for after parties. Location was extremely clean given how many people were there. Prices were good. 2 vodka orange juice and 1 Pinot Noir (Decoy) cost @ $21-$22. I appreciate that the wine was not from the bottom of the barrel.

Parking was a new adventure for me in N.O. You park in a raised medium and walk. When it was packed, I still only had to walk, at most, a block. I liked the area and wouldn't mind coming back just to walk and look around.

The crowd ranged from late 20's to mids 40's (guessing). If you are an investor, Parlay's is a good place to talk shop.

Decent pool table - tables were not scuffed up / tight felt. I cannot attest to quality of sticks aside from people were making good shots.

Video poker was available.

Lastly, staff. Anthony is a gem. I am an "out-of-towner" that does not particularly like being in crowded situations but Anthony was a solid ground. He was pleasant, not annoyed with my questions, and helped me keep an eye on my belongings with a good tip (cough, cough, TIP WELL TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT!)

I WILL be visiting again if the stars align.... And it may be to steal Anthony for my own business...