Every neighborhood deserves a bar like Pal's. We just happen to be lucky enough that ours is Pal's. No pretension. No gimmicks. Just ice-cold drinks, the best staff in the city, and the kind of dive bar atmosphere that can't be manufactured by some corporate designer trying to make a place look "authentic." I swear every time I walk in there's either a vintage movie on one TV, a ball game on another, or both. Somehow it always feels like exactly where you're supposed to be, cause folks feel like family. I'm talking to you Ashley! The bartenders know how to pour a drink, remember your face, your name, and your favorite baseball team. They make everyone from regulars to first-timers feel like they've been coming in for years. Hit the bell to get in, but don't hold it too long. And always come hungry because the Pop Up Food Culture is great. read more

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One of the only bars in the city with GLUTEN FREE BEER! Kind workers. Affordable. Five stars.

Weird. Rude. Not into it. An employee told me to move out the way with some long dissertation when they could've simply said excuse me. And it was not in a nice way. read more

Awesome neighborhood bar in Bayou St. John. I believe it's the only bar in the area, so you can tell it's full of people who live nearby and walk over. There was a wide age range present, and it felt like a very inclusive place, which was cool. The bartenders and patron were all friendly. I was visiting and just stopped in for a quick night cap as it was near my Airbnb. I ended up talking to another visitor and a local for a long time, which is always nice. Later in the evening there was a security guard there to check I.D.s and a pop up food vendor showed up. I forget what kind of food it was, but it smelled good, I got one of their cocktails, a rose honey lavender sangria. It was pre batched and kind of sweet but not terrible. Great place to come for a quick drink or to make a new friend, read more

Pal's Lounge - Cocktail menu - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Such a friendly , good vibe . Drinks were amazing and service is top notch . Our bartender Edward was a top notch mixologist with the best demeanor . Will come back when in town for sure . read more

Pal's Lounge - Smoke & mirror drink - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Love a great neighborhood bar. Came here with friends before dinner for a couple of drinks. It's a pretty small bar but it's obvious many of the customers are regulars. Good selection of beer. They have video poker and limited seating since the bar is so narrow. The women's restroom has 2 toilets out in the open..seems like a waste of space bc one person uses it at time while the other toilet just sits there. Just put a stall around them. I waited for 20 min bc a girl was in there Forever so I finally had to use the men's. This was the highlight of the bar for me. There are a bunch of great centerfold pics! Lol. I will give u guys the 5th star if u put a stall in that damn womens bathroom. Lol read more

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My brother and his dog loved this place... god rest their souls...!!! He liked the people, the ambiance or vibe was always soo chill... just like he was...!!! read more

Great spot, great mix of people, great service, generous pours. Centrally located. What's not to like? read more

Omfg !!! Charlie is the STAR of this Bar in this Saturday! Charlie greeted me upon walking into the bar. I just admit I was nervous because it is not my usual hangout but Charlie definitely broke the ice with that incredible awesomeness and wittiness. Charlie Asked me my preferred liquor and went right into many suggestions I can try from Charlie managed to make me feel welcomed and not to mention the shirt had a hilarious quote on it. As for the bar itself it is giving me neighborhood vibes. It is very intimate and cozy at the same time. I feel cool by being here. I live for a good bar with good people working. There are board games to play here as well in case it gets too quiet. There are poker machines towards the back for those that enjoy the machines/gambling. Very cool.overall. very laid back. Not crowded. Just what I was looking for on this gloomy rainy muggy Saturday! read more

Pal's Lounge - Omfg " Ghost Margarita" - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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What a cute spot! The local feel was obvious. Bartender was friendly, ambience was fun. We were out-of- towners but no one minded. Bartender talked us into trying a few new drinks and thumbs up. Found a place to sit and chill easily, so while crowded, not over crowded. Vibe felt alive. read more

Truly a one of a kind neighborhood bar. A friend recommended this place; specifically to go meet Jules. Happy I added it onto my list and will definitely be back to visit when I go back to Nola. read more

Can't ask for a better quintessential neighborhood Dive bar. Make sure you bring your ID!

Middle aged lady with short blonde hair treats people like trash. My fiance was simply trying to join a party she was invited to and she refused to let her in and mocked her with crying motions and laughs with the bartender. Absolutely childish and pathetic display by someone that only appears to be an adult. So rude when it would've been so easy to be polite read more

Pal's is one of my favorite bars in New Orleans! The cocktails are always impressive and pours are strong. Unlike other popular cocktail bars where you are paying $13+ for a good cocktail, Pal's charges around $9 (a steal if you ask me). The environment is casual which I appreciate and nothing beats a Pal's sidewalk hang. The proximity to the Bayou is nice also - take your drink to go! I'm also a big fan of the random films that are played within. My favorite cocktail is no longer on their menu, but it's called the La Strada and is an amaro, rosemary, grapefruit bundle of joy. Perhaps if you're nice enough to the bartenders they can still make it happen, but if not the drink specials are always solid. Pal's is a wonderful establishment, zero complaints from me. 4.9/5 stars. read more

Love this bar. They always have great cocktails on menu, but cheap beer as well. If there's a food popup here, you KNOW it's going to be amazing. Bartenders are friendly! At point a chicken lived here, and I sure do miss her. read more

Lots of pluses for Pals! I could go on about the drinks (seasonal cocktail menu in a diveish bar that you need to be ringed into? Yes, Please!) and the fact that there's just something so cool about ordering champagne in this kind of setting. But let's get down to the nitty gritty. +That men's room. Oh you better believe I pranced myself right on in to see the nude chick hall o'fame. Seems like Pal's has a thing for well-endowed girls of the 60s and 70s judging by what's up there. -and who do the ladies get? Burt Reynolds?! I think it's a Playgirl shot. Whatever it is, it's just unappealing. Again with the 70s. Or maybe that's the 80s. Either way, I must be the wrong demographic b/c I definitely have no interest in seeing Burt Reyond's wang. Come to think of it, I may be blocking it out, but his wang might not even be visible. That thick carpet of chest hair, OTOH... Mondo trauma. +I love the curved staircase leading up to the ladies. I just don't like who's waiting for m in there. +bar snacks. Pretzels and champagne? Helllls yeah. Dinner of champions. read more

Pal's Lounge - Cold weather cocktails - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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So I may be the only person to not have tried the bacon bloody Mary, but thats ok. I still love Pals :-) I came here recently because of a Christmas party nearby (uber boring and hot) and when we walked passed this bar to the house, I immediately had a goal for the night. Whine about how bored I am and leave the party early and come here. I did and it worked. Its a buzzer bar so I am always concerned if they will let the "brown guy" inside.... but fortunately I travel with a hot white girl so she is my ticket :-) Fun cozy place, the drinks were flowing and the vibe was positive. Cant wait to go back again! read more

This is the closest, coolest bar to my home. It often becomes my 'just one more' stop after an evening out at other places, or it is the place that I like to bring my visitors as another example of why my neighborhood is so wonderful. There is always someone there that I know (cue the Cheer's theme.) They make a great cocktail and have a nice selection of beer. The jukebox is full of great options. There is air hockey; some nights there are food options, and to top it all off, the men's room is wallpapered with centerfolds from the 70s (pre-silicon tatas) and the ladies room has two toilets next to each other in case you bring a friend. The only thing that keeps it from being 5 stars is the fact that i can't leave this place without REEKING of cigarette smoke. Otherwise, I love it here!! read more

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Forget the bar for a moment...this place has the best food pop-up in the city. What if I told you the best Thai food in the city is served out of small two-woman curbside kitchen (4th )? Well, you'd hopefully do like everyone else and join the line for @budsisauthenticthai at @palsloungenola every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday nights. I first heard about @budsisauthenticthai because I teach with the chef's, husband, and I noticed how AMAZING his packed lunch looked everyday. While I choked down dry turkey and tortilla chips, he nonchalantly feasted on authentic Thai food (not jealous at all). I found out through my co worker that his wife, Budsi, was a chef in Thailand, and when they moved out here, she quickly got hired on at one of the main Thai restaurants in the city. However, it wasn't long before she started serving her own recipes and popping up all around the city at different bars, amassing a loyal following (peep the photo with the long line). Her menu and the specials change from time to time, but the Thai food is amazing - best in the city in my opinion. Check out her page to see all of the beautiful photos that always make me hungry. : 1 - Grilled pork shoulder: tender and juicy strips of pork shoulder served with a special northeaster chili sauce. 2 - Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles): Fried noodles served with delicious fresh veggies. It doesn't look all that special, but the flavor is. : Side Note: I really came for the mango stick rice, but it wasn't on the menu this time. I'll be back. Follow @bukulocal on Instagram read more

Pal's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I've passed this bar several times just being in the area & unfortunately NEVER stopped in. I had the opportunity to do so during a YELP event where we had tacos & booze, not a bad combo. You've gotta get buzzed in & space is limited, but hey it's a bar. Although in the rear of the bar there's a little more space where you can find video poker, video games and a sweet, sweet, sweet air hockey table. The walls are "adorned" with booby pics, naked ladies and ONLY like 2 naked men (no fair), but oh well. Ladies bathroom is nice, there are peppermints in there ya know. Signs about toilet flushing techniques. And it's only fair to mention the mens bathroom is nice as well in it's own right. The food is cash only & the bar has a $10 drink minimum to use your debit card. There's an ATM machine located in the rear of the bar, near the kitchen door, FYI. And there are some food and drink specials as well like tacos & beergaritas (tastyyyyyyy ummmm ummmm good) to boot. Servers & bar tenders are the bomb.com, but there was one lady, that well, didn't really kill the experience for me, but made me think twice about customer service. As a result, one of the servers apologized for her "biting my head off"... but in light of the masses, I just disregarded the ill-served words & kept it moving. I had a great time, I enjoyed several of the drinks created by the bar tender & then I went home. read more

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Dark space, impatient bartenders, but most importantly poor quality drinks. I ordered a watermelon mojito and I believe there is no reason to use the nastiest/cheapest liquor and pair it with drink concentrate. read more

What a great little spot. Good prices, great ambiance, wonderful people! Grab a seat and enjoy a treat.

Pals is a great neighborhood bar. For those tourists wanting to get out of the FQ for a bit, I'd definitely recommend renting a blue bike and heading over. Probably a ten minute bike ride. They have some of the nicest bartenders, and the weirdest bathroom! read more

Super chill neighborhood bar where they have a full bar. They also have a gambling section towards the back you can utilize. Everyone here is super chill and friendly. Keep in mind there's a $10 minimum on tabs. read more

Dropped into pals for an evening drink and was blown away at how rude an employee treated us. Nicholas Lutz is the specific employee I am referring to and we were told to "leave and go to wrong iron if we don't like it here". He was a creep and eves-dropped on our conversations all night. Definitely not worth the visit and would not recommend. read more

This is a NEAT place. Ring the doorbell to get in, love the atmosphere. So fun watching Jeopardy and seeing everyone get competitive! Definitely a keeper in my book! Be sure to take your souvenir cup! read more

Been visiting everything this city has to offer, no expectations, no hype, everything on their own terms. Politely requested to make change for pinball and was treated like I was asking for the moon. Again tried to pay with golden dollars, tipping 80% and was refused with the explanation of "what do I do with those"? The clientele was trash beyond the wait at staff. Honestly this was worse than the Boot, and I figured that would be hard to beat. Love this city tho. Happy Mardi Gras. read more

If you're only in town for one night and you LOVE it when dogs are bartending then this is NOT the place for you. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Very clean and safe though. read more

Pal's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I love me some Pal's! One of the regulars introduced me to this little "hole in the wall" tavern back in 2009 and it's got everything a neighborhood bar should have; regular customers, savvy YET sassy bartenders, great drinks, fun/funky bathrooms and occasional events that you never want to miss. To keep her customers safe Ms. Suzanne had a buzzer installed so always have your ID handy. ALWAYS. Even if they know you, their security guard stationed outside the door at night won't let you in. Be prepared. Once inside, settle into one of the vinyl covered bar stools and peruse the drink list or just order a domestic. They serve a wicked Gingerita, and if I'm not mistaken, won the MidCity Margarita drink competition a couple years ago. Next, plug the jukebox with some tunes, I always go for James Brown, I really can't help myself. Need to take a leak? Believe it or not even the bathrooms get a mention here because 1. The Men's room is covered in vintage Playboy spreads and has some really cool swinging Old Western style doors. 2. The ladies room? Thelma and Louise are in heaven with the dual seating toilets, not to mention the dreamy pics lining the walls of Paul Newman and Burt Reynolds wearing nothing but a smile. Events you say? Every year Pal's hosts their annual Christmas Party which can get pretty rowdy from the pictures I've seen. I think the theme hovers around "Naughty Santa" if you get my drift. Lastly, their annual Mardi Gras parade to the Quarter was one of the best ways I've ever celebrated Fat Tuesday (4 years for me), but word has it that this last year, 2016 was the last official parade. Maybe they'll reconsider for next year. All in all, great bar, great drinks, great people. Time to go? Keep it down outside, you're in a residential neighborhood. :) read more

I like to show off this place to friends who typically are not found in Mid City because it is truly a hidden gem that I feel only elites, and not just yelpers, know about. After parading around with some friends of mine for the LSU game at Mid City Bulldog, i decided to 'show off' the best part of town to them a bit more in a long-term planned event to have them consider moving to M.C. The bar is kinda easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for, but it does sit on a corner so if you've found the intersection of Rendon and St. Phillip, you're there. Have your i.d. ready because the guard sitting outside will not let you pass without one, plus ya gotta ring the little bell aside the door to get in. The place is divey, but it doesn't much feel that way. Bartenders are always super nice and on point, there's also free peanuts at the bar so help yourself. Pal's makes one of the best bloody mary's around, fact. About two...two and a half years ago when seemingly every human on Earth was in sync with executing a viral bacon-craze, was my first time in Pal's and ever seeing bacon used in a bloody mary, i was whoa in love. I love bars where there are a couple good games to choose from. The pinball and air hockey are definitely a plus to this place. Although, let me tell you, the foundation is far from leveled so you're certain to notice the funny way the pinball moves in the game, and how the air hockey table is so off you'll need to adjust your game to the angle. The men's bathroom is one of the coolest I've been in. Nothing fancy at all, in fact it's the exact opposite of fancy, but the chosen decor makes it a therapeutic facility to utilize. I'm not going to give it away, you gotta visit to see what I'm talking about. Great neighborhood bar, good prices, chill ambiance, free peanuts and often free food offered. Pal's is definitely one of my favorite, hidden gem, mid city bars, check em out. read more

One of the things I love most about New Orleans is the city's strong neighborhood bar culture. Popping into corner bars like Pal's is one of my favorite things to do when I'm in town. As much as I love these down-home staples of the community, I never really plan my days around barhopping -- I'm more likely to stumble upon them by happenstance when I'm thirsty, have to go to the bathroom, or when I just need a break from walking. That's exactly how we discovered Pal's. After woofing down po' boys at Parkway, we were walking towards Esplanade when my boyfriend had to go to the bathroom. Pal's had just opened and we took advantage of their awesome happy hour that Thursday afternoon. The bartender was very friendly and took care of us while he got the bar ready for the day. He made a mean "gingerita," which I believe was one of their happy hour specials. If I recall correctly, it was an awesome mix of ginger, vodka, and lime that most people in our group of seven ordered. It was a hit and we each got a few more. Even at 3:00, lots of regulars were already pouring in. We didn't stay long enough to chat with the other patrons but it seemed like a fun crowd. read more

Pal's Lounge - Our group after a few gingeritas. - Lounges Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

It's been 7 years since I last reviewed Pal's and the bar has certainly changed a lot. David and I stopped in here on NYE for a cocktail before a party. You have to get buzzed in, which always makes me nervous, but I just deal with that. Inside is so much better than it used to be: it's no longer dark, there's no smoking (of course) and the place just has an overall cleaner feel. The bartender was extremely nice, there was good music playing the night we were here and they have a pretty good beer selection. I no longer feel "unsafe" when I hang out here, so that's a huge plus. This is a quintessential neighborhood bar and the patrons are kind and welcoming. read more

I love Pal's. I truly madly deeply do. It's a hybrid of sorts. Some may say it's a dive bar by the looks of the interior, a long narrow bar that gives way, but only a little, to a few poker machines and an air hockey table. Framed pinups coyly look down from the walls at the crowd of seasoned regulars and newbies who knew someone who knew someone to find this little neighborhood spot. Go there to watch a Saints game on a lazy Sunday or to catch up with an old friend, maybe make new ones. Riffraff are kept out by a door buzzer, and the bar makes sure to respect their neighbors by keeping things low-key. The staff is wonderful. No judgement passed when you walk in the door whether in activewear or a ball gown, and no excuses need to be made for surly overworked 'tenders. A handful of their bartenders have been there since I started going, and make the most amazing drinks. This is where the "dive" part really comes into question. Their cocktails are the tits. When I think dive bar, I know I'm going to have to order a two-ingredient drink, ie whiskey and Diet. No sir, not here. Last night, Charley, the sweetest bartender ever, made me probably the best Bloody Mary I've had all year, at 9:30pm. I call that Dinner. And it was done with a sure thing, and a coming right up. I've literally been told flat out "no" by other bars when I try to order a Bloody after 5pm. I always ask though and have a backup order. I needed that Bloody and Charley knew it while working an entire bar of 20+ folks with style and grace. My mind is literally boggled at this wizardry of bartending. Also, every time I close out, I can't believe how affordable drinks are ( back to dive bar prices ). I feel like I'm robbing the place and always try to make sure to tip really really well. What's also nice is if you run up a cheap bar tab and need to soak up all those tasty drinks in your belly, they nearly always have a food pop-up that's damn delicious. AND, you can't smoke inside anymore ( update from 2013, I know it took me way too long ). So thank you so much, Pal's, for being everything you are and everything you're not! read more

Cute place would've loved to have had a drink but the bartender was so drunk we couldn't get one.

Totally great, very real neighborhood bar. Sit down on a Friday after work and hear the best jokes these locals have to offer, plus their Katrina stories of you want to hear them. Drinks are both creative and cheap ($5 gingerita was so good we had 2). Craft beer + quality shot = $9. Might also be the best Thai soul food in town. Budsi's pop up was there, and the drunken noodle with tofu was the richest and most complex I've ever tasted. We'd go back just for the Thai. Inside the bar is super vintage. (Don't go if 60s-70s nude paintings bother you.). Bar is full of 90% locals sharing stories after work on the way home in the neighborhood. Bayou St. John people really live here. They have embraced the Whole Foods for convenience, but they're still proud of their street. To show you're not a tourist, ring the buzzer for entry first (don't shake back and forth on the door like I did). This seemed like a weird and off-putting security measure at first, but it's really a nice touch ; the bartender just buzzed you in. Big deal. Come to Pal's. Next time they'll know you. read more

Great cocktails. Try the peach vodka one! Love the service, they're my fave neighborhood bar. Their food pop ups are consistently amazing especially the Thai food! read more

Few cities do neighborhood bars the way New Orleans does. Coming back to the city as a tourist (after living here) gives me a new appreciation of all the nooks and crannies that make the Crescent City so fascinating. Stumbling across gems like Pal's just adds to the magic. Set in a nondescript house that blends - like camouflage - into the block, you have to get buzzed in. And, you should wait for the bartender to actually unlock the door. This is important for two reasons. 1.) There's a security guard at the front door who will make sure you wait and 2.) The story behind the need for the buzzer is pretty traumatic (and very New Orleans) so you should respect the process. Once you wait your turn to enter, you're treated to a bar with all the energy of a locals' haunt and the vibe of a friends' meet up. There's no scene here. There's just people looking to have a drink while reading a book, catching up with friends, biding some time, dealing with demons, and/or looking for saints. There's an understated, effortless romance (in the definitive sense; not the movie kissy kissy sense) of this bar. If I lived here (again), I'd be a regular. Be aware of your surroundings and look for the deals. There are drink specials and menus everywhere: at the bar, on table tops, on the board... Keep looking and you'll find a new one. I wasn't much in the mood to rage so, despite the time of year, I ordered a mulled wine. It was fantastic: hot, spicy, a bit silky, and way too drinkable. (Again) If I lived here, I can imagine making this drink a regular friend of mine as I read and wrote and attempted to channel to the spirits of the bayou. If you're drinking here for any amount of time and are a gentleman, you'll have cause to use the restroom. It's a treat. I won't go into details (you should see it for yourself) but I was surprised at my reaction. It's quite enjoyable, given what it is, where it is and how it should be taken. I've heard that the ladies don't have quite as much excitement in their restroom but, from what I hear, it fits. It's the details, people. They matter. My night at Pal's changed my life. Well, leaving Pal's changed my life. I didn't know it at the time and it's a process... but a good one. I was at just the right place for such a change and, in retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised that it happened here. Ghosts. Whispers. Mulled wine. Vintage cheesecake. Energy. It's all good, friend. It's better than good... pal. read more

Amazing local spot, but not local to New Orleans, felt more like it was local to Chicago. Yeah it definitely had a distinct Chicago smell, also they were serving Chicago styled pizza and hot dogs. Additionally the bar was at least 40 degrees colder than the rest of New Orleans. read more

Through word of mouth, I heard there is a Thai food pop up that serves delicious food outside of the bar every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday night. Through the use of FB, I was able to figure out what was served on the Sunday I went. Look up Budsi's Authentic Thai on FB if you're interested. I could smell the amazing aroma of papaya salad and pork shoulder on the grill a few blocks away. We ended up ordering papaya salad (northern style), grilled pork shoulder, waterfall pork, drunken noodles with chicken, and some sticky rice to eat with our entrees. The meaning of northern style papaya salad is that it is made with crab and is made sour. The drunken noodles are made with Mama noodles instead of the typical rice noodles. The dishes all come medium in spice so be sure to let them know if you prefer mild or spicier. Everything that we ordered was delicious. Portions were great. Prices were also very reasonable. Give this place a try! If you are looking for some delicious Thai food that serves food late night, this is the place to come to. read more

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We happened to stay in a place that was walking distance to Pal's and after a Sunday late morning/early afternoon hanging out there, drinking Bacon Bloody Marys and champagne tinted cocktails and eating some damn delicious chicken and waffles from a pop-up food vendor outside I felt like I had won some sort of award for picking the best neighborhood bar around. Seriously, the people working here were superbly friendly. The drinks were fantastic. Even the patrons were other kindred souls that would have most likely been my friends if I lived in New Orleans. It's got kind of a dive bar feel, and the clientele matches that in all the best ways. But, the drink menu definitely diverts from the dive bar usual and I can get down with that. I'd be more than happy to head back here next time I find myself in NoLa. read more