Tessie V.
Yelp
Okay Bar, you're so humble. Ugh, I dream about this bar. I stumbled upon it after a shit time at St. Roch. Found it on google and fell in love with the windows.
About a ten minute walk from Franklin, we ended walking in behind a guy who immediately asked the bartender to close his tab from last night. (Happened 3 more times that night lol)
It was a Thursday. If that's not a green flag -- idk what is.
The place looks just as cool in real life, unfortunately they were doing construction so one side of the bar is covered in black tarp while the rest looks sexy af.
For a while, we sat in silence and then ended up chatting to the bartender. He was very chill. Chatted us up, answered questions. Kepy the drinks flowing. Try their OKAY Negroni. I'm never going back to the classic.
After about an hour of just us, a couple came in through the back and seemed to know the bartender. It seemed like a first date, they stayed for a while and then bounced.
OK does what a lot of NOLA bars do-- a rotating kitchen staff. We had the Burger Nerd's chicken burger/chop cheese. 10/10
We eventually ended up staying for almost 7 hours. Meeting casual regulars, checking out the fucking awesome backyard and backroom. Talking music, bar scenes, and lifestyles (not the condom). The guy that came in earlier on his date came back! And we ended up chatting with him.
The bartender eventually told us his name, Brian. (Absolute King) And told us it was a quiet night and we should come back on Friday.
And BOY we did.
We showed up for a DJ set with SincJack and Mr. LegWork (the guy who came in on a date lol) Brian remembered us and introduced us to a couple more regulars. We had Hottie's Tamales that night -- the tacos/quesadillas are a must.
Like almost every bar outside the French Quarter, it starts popping off at 10pm.
The vibe and the love of this bar is real. People are friendly and know each other and remember each other. At one point someone walked in and was like, "Oh crap. I recorded a sex scene with your ex girlfriend 2 years ago." and the other guys was like,"....OHH YEAHHH!! WHAT UP MAN!!!" They ended up talking the WHOLE NIGHT.
Everyone did actually. 90% of the in the bar was sitting outside, ordering drinks for each other, and TALKING. It was incredible.
My heart sings for it now. I wish this place was in NYC. We ended up heading to a different bar with some of the people we met there, and Brian and both DJs vouched for them saying we were in good hands. LIKE COMMUNITY. We did end up having a great night and trip just because our first night at Okay. Such a welcoming vibe and wholesome experience. I miss these guys and the energy here.
I think a lot of yelpers come here expecting to be spoon fed -- you bring good energy to a bar, and the bar will love you back.
Also, shout out to Michael Ball - I haven't met you but I heard you're a legend and I've experience the true power of fernet.
I love you Brian. I love you OK. I'm coming back just for ya'll.
PS: omg - other bartender dude, stop trying to make nutcrackers a thing. WHY R U APPROPRIATING MY NYC CULTUREEEE?? Pssst - Everyone knows daiquiris are superior to nutcrackers anyway.