New England Clam Chowder

Name: New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon (chopped); 2 tablespoon butter (unsalted); 2 large onions (chopped); 2 stalks celery (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups clam juice; 1 pound russet potatoes (peeled and cut into bite size pieces); 1 ½ cups half and half; 1 bay leaf; 19 ½ ounce clams (drained and juices reserved, chopped (3 cans 6.5 oz each)); salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoon parsley (chopped, for garnish); oyster crackers (for serving)