Casino Barrière La Rochelle Review

Casino Barrière La Rochelle, nestled by the picturesque waterside in La Rochelle, presents a multifaceted experience that extends beyond typical casino offerings. While it aims to be a hub for gaming, many visitors find its strengths lie more in its culinary delights, vibrant atmosphere, and excellent event spaces.

A Culinary Gem with a View 🍽️🥂

One of the most consistently praised aspects of Casino Barrière La Rochelle is its dining experience. Many visitors have lauded the restaurant for its:

• Wonderful Food: Particularly the seafood, which some have hailed as the best they've had in France.
• Excellent Value: The buffet menu is often highlighted for its quality and affordability, encouraging repeat visits.
• Professionally Made Cocktails: Patrons appreciate the generous alcohol content and expert preparation of drinks.

The establishment boasts both indoor and outdoor dining spaces, with the latter, a "super nice terrace," being especially popular. It's described as ideal for sunset drinks, offering a beautiful backdrop for an evening out. The terrace can get quite busy, particularly in the early afternoon, suggesting its popularity as a social spot.

Beyond daily dining, the venue also proves to be an excellent choice for events and celebrations. One reviewer celebrated an 80th birthday party with 50 guests on the terrace, praising the beautifully served sit-down meal and very reasonable cost, even on a very hot day.

The Casino Floor: A Mixed Bag 🃏🎰

While the atmosphere for dining and drinks receives high marks, the actual casino gaming experience garners more mixed feedback, particularly from those seeking a traditional table game experience. Key points raised include:

1. Gaming Options:
   • Digital Roulette: A significant point of contention for some is the lack of "real" roulette tables, with only digital versions available.
   • Blackjack Concerns: One reviewer noted a dealer's lack of proficiency in dealing blackjack, though they did acknowledge the dealer was polite.
   • Slot Machine Focus: It's suggested that slot machines are the primary attraction, which may disappoint those preferring classic table games like poker or traditional blackjack.
2. Customer Service & Operations:
   • Front Staff Issues: There have been reports of rude front staff making jokes with colleagues and causing unnecessary delays, such as making guests wait 10 minutes to cash out while multiple staff members appeared idle.
   • Payment Limitations: A notable inconvenience is the absence of credit card acceptance for cashing out winnings, forcing patrons to use an ATM and incur extra charges.

One candid review even suggested reconsidering this casino if it's a visitor's first time, calling the place "cheap" in its casino offerings compared to what might be expected from a "real casino."

Overall Verdict 🤔

Casino Barrière La Rochelle appears to excel as a vibrant social venue and dining destination, particularly for those looking to enjoy great food, well-crafted cocktails, and a beautiful waterside setting. Its terrace is a definite highlight for drinks and enjoying the sunset. It also seems well-equipped to host private events.

However, if your primary purpose for visiting is a traditional casino gaming experience with live, professional table games and seamless banking options, you might find the offerings at Casino Barrière La Rochelle somewhat limited or frustrating. It's a place where the bar and restaurant might outshine the gaming floor for some patrons.