Parlay on 8th: An Elevated Sports Bar Experience in Bentonville’s 8th Street Market

Bentonville, meet your new place to play!

Conveniently sandwiched between the Walmart Home Office and one of the city’s best venues (the Momentary), Parlay on 8th is literally where work meets play. The best part? Parlay is not your average sports bar, it’s an elevated sports bar and then some. As the name suggests, they take everything they do–the menu, the games, the programming–up a notch.

A little history for context: Parlay on 8th is centrally located in 8th Street Market, a bustling, food-centric community hub that was once an industrial food processing plant. Part of the revitalization effort included reimagining how the Market could support NWA’s local and regional food producers and businesses, which continues to this day. The realities of the pandemic ushered in some changes, including converting the space Parlay now occupies into private office space. Can you imagine the office parties they had with a shuffleboard court in the middle of the room?? Cole and Jenny Campbell of Eversted Hospitality—the team behind Hardwater, a beautifully intimate cocktail bar in the Market district–decided they needed to bring the space back, this time with their own spin. Needless to say, the opening of Parlay on 8th is a boon to the Bentonville food and entertainment scene (they source ingredients locally whenever possible), bringing a little something for everyone back to the heart of 8th Street Market.

You may have trouble imagining Parlay when I mention things like “elevated sports bar,” shuffleboard courts,” and “local food” all together. Let me paint a picture: when you enter the space, there are pool tables and a private party room tucked in on your right, a dining room and four-sided bar directly ahead and to the left, three sunken shuffleboard courts surrounded by banquette seating to your left, and a state-of-the-art sound system overhead. Did I mention a stage for live performances, lounges with big screen TVs for large parties, and another full bar? The dynamic room is thoughtfully and beautifully designed and appeals to solo diners, couples, and large groups alike.

Last but definitely not least, the menu! Chef D takes sports bar favorites up a few notches while still staying true to the vibe. I started my meal with the fried green tomatoes, topped with pimento cheese or bacon jam (or both), which were delicious and great for sharing. The burger patties are a blend of 50% ground chuck, 30% brisket, 20% short rib, which makes for an incredibly juicy and delicious burger. I love a blue cheese burger, and their Spicy Blue with candied pickled jalapenos delivers on flavor! Oh, and the fries are cooked in beef tallow (IYKYK). They’re raising the bar on chicken wings, which are served whole with your choice of house-made sauces. I also had to try the Rabbit & Sausage Gumbo for something a little different and was delighted–a perfect dish on a chilly day. I washed it all down with “The Heater,”  a spicy reposado tequila cocktail with notes of grapefruit, honey, and lime. Honestly, all the cocktails looked amazing. Beer drinkers, take note: selections range from $5 cans to local craft brew drafts and NA beers, so no matter your style, you can enjoy the game with a cold one.

All in all, Parlay on 8th offers a welcome spin on the traditional sports bar concept without abandoning what you love about sports bars. Keep an eye on their social media for event and menu announcements