Last to Close, First to Open
May 23, 2007
by Rachel Leigh Mays
Located in the heart of Lakeview, Parlay’s Dream Lounge has been a favorite neighborhood bar for over 20 years. In fact, local artist and photographer Kevin R. Roberts honored Lakeview’s watering hole on his poster, New Orleans Neighborhood Bars. The poster features a picture of Parlay’s Dream Lounge back in 1985 as Parlay’s Pub, along with 19 additional famed local kick-back-your-feet hangouts.
Even before Parlay’s Pub, the establishment was called Dream Lounge. Post-Katrina, owners Mike Keiffer and Claude Mauberret decided to marry the historical Dream Lounge with the later Parlay’s Pub for a revitalized Parlay’s Dream Lounge. Katrina’s aftermath left the owners with much more to revitalize than the name alone. Like the rest of Lakeview, Parlay’s flooded, receiving over 10 feet of water inside where today one would never believe the earlier state of disarray. Without flood insurance, Keiffer sold his Uptown Latin American Club and used the proceeds to restore Parlay’s.
Completely remodeled, Parlay’s now features two new pool tables, a foosball table, a long beautifully lacquered, wooden bar (often danced upon), lined with new tvs, a rocking jukebox with oldies and today’s chart busters, a pinball machine, and a Wild Bull electronic scoring steel tip dart board. Best of all- the bartenders make you feel like you’re at home.
Parlay’s General Manager Jimmy Chenevert has demonstrated his avowed love for Lakeview by hosting several successful charity events at the Lounge.
After the storm, Parlay’s collaborated with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company to raise money for rebuilding historical Lakeview properties, such as the local firehouse and the Canal Lighthouse. Since first built, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1856, again in 1890, and hopefully will be again in the near future.
A partnership between Parlay’s and the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association works to host events like the Celebrity Bartender Bash, held the first Friday of every month since November 2006, to raise proceeds for organizations like the Elderly Assistance Program. Past “celebrities” include a host of local artists, musicians, and municipal workers, such as Steve Scalise, Ed Moises, Judge Sean Early, and OTMAC Club. The $10.00 cover goes to the featured charitable event and assures entertainment such as a live DJ and free food, from 5:30-10:00pm. Afterwards, it’s the late night Lakeview hot spot.
Aside from a needed place for locals to converse, Chenevert has made Parlay’s the home of a brand-new electronic hard tip dart league, Monday night pool league, daily drink specials, and an interesting special feature every Friday that does not happen in any other neighborhood bar in New Orleans. For details, your best bet is simply to go and see for yourself…
Parlay’s Dream Lounge
870 Harrison Ave.
504.304.6338
Monday-Sunday: 11am-3am
Friday/Saturday: ‘til 4 am