Review: The Club MSY

My journey to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand started with a flight from New Orleans to Los Angeles. As such, I had the opportunity to check out a few lounges in the airport, beginning with The Club MSY, a lounge on the Priority Pass network. I've visited this lounge numerous times but never put pen to paper to document my experience there. Well, I've done it now. Let's jump into it!

The Club MSY - Location, Access Rules, and Getting In

The Club MSY is located in Concourse A of New Orleans's Louis A. Armstrong Airport. After clearing security, turn right and walk down the long hallway, passing by several restaurants and shops. After you pass by the Vino Volo, there's a small alcove with an elevator that will lead you up to the club.

Upon exiting the elevator, the entrance and check-in desk of the lounge stand before you.

Club MSY is a member of Priority Pass, and all Priority Pass holders can bring one guest with them. I've used this method to access the lounge on each of my visits. Alternatively, the entrance fee is $50, though if you visit The Club's website, you can subscribe for a 10% discount, saving you a few dollars.

Lounge Layout and Seating

The lounge has two main areas. The main seating area is right after the front desk, and behind that, you'll find a second section with the bar and food presentations. The bathrooms are in the back of the lounge, down a small hallway behind the bar and the food buffet.

The lounge gets some decent light as a large glass window looks out into the terminal below and the tarmac. Along this same wall, there's some computer chair-style seating, which makes for a decent setup if you need to get some work done.

The main seating area features cushiony chairs with cup holders along the walls, and in the center, there are a few faux-leather loungers around two coffee tables.

Off to the right of the main seating area, there is a small 'quiet room-business center'-type alcove.

Surrounding the bar, you'll find some high chairs, high-top tables, and a row of two-tops near the snack buffet.

Dining and Service

The lounge has a snack buffet in the back where you can grab items like fruit, trail mix, salad, soft drinks, coffee, and tea (prepared by a machine or poured by hand). These offerings seem fairly standard (they've been the same on each visit), and you can usually find a staff member or two working hard to replenish items that have been consumed.

For prepared foods, cocktails, wine, beer, and anything else elevated, you'll need to order through the lounge's app. You can scan QR codes on the tables to bring up the lounge's menu.

You can then select the number of patrons in your party and the items you'd like to order. Here's a snapshot of the menu.

This isn't the type of lounge where you'd 'eat a full meal.' I suppose you could, but the menu and portions are better thought of as 'in-transit snacks,' or as I like to say consumable in a 'five-ounce punchline' type setting—perfect for finishing a glass of wine and sharing a laugh with a fellow traveler or the bartender.

The drinks here are solid, and this shouldn't come as a surprise as it is New Orleans.

Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the snacks from my few visits, but I want to call out the service. All the staff I've interacted with at this lounge have been pleasant. Though I've never spent more than an hour on any visit, the delightful service is something I've noted and is a reason I'd return, even if it isn't the most lavish setting.

Facilities and Amenities

The Club MSY's bathrooms are pretty standard, though there is a shower if you need a refreshment.

Conclusion

The Club MSY is a simple lounge ideal for quick drop-ins and offers friendly service. If you have 30-45 minutes before boarding and are looking for a solid, quick drink while you perch, you could do a lot worse.