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Underground club with live music & an artsy vibe has a dance floor, lounge & full bar plus karaoke.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1211 Park St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 929-0198
Website: http://artbarsc.com/
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Art Bar – Underground bar in Columbia, SC
Art Bar is an underground club with live music & an artsy vibe plus a dance floor, lounge & full bar and weekly events. Open since 1992.
Art Bar (@artbarsc) · Columbia, SC – Instagram
TONITE❗It’s cold as hell outside, but its warm inside for trivia and seats disappear fast. Show up early, grab food, settle in. 8pm is a good time to already …
Art Bar – Experience Columbia SC
Art Bar · 1211 Park Street Columbia, SC 29201 · (803) 929-0198. $ – 84 reviews. Unique late-night bar & dance art experience. All …
Reviews
Garrett2340
Only 4 star for the food because it’s very limited options, but the tenders were solid. Cool atmosphere, decor, and really a large place with three main areas for music/ comedy I’m guessing. I went at 5pm on a weekday so it was nice and quiet. They played tasteful music. 33% off happy hour when the food and drinks are already priced nicely makes this a go-to for me next time I’m in Columbia! Very nice bartender too.
… moreS White
So first and foremost, if this review was ONLY for the food, it would be a five stars. I was pleasantly surprised in the best way it was so good. I was there today for Yalloween (which was awesome). I had a pimento burger (subbed veggie) with the fry basket. I did order a fried egg but the girl taking my order didn’t add it. She is the main reason I took stars (I give her a 2/5) as her demeanor was very rude and dismissive. She made me feel out of place. This is NOT how she treats everyone because she was quite nice and accommodating to the people in front of me who appeared to be regulars.
Here’s a tip: if you want more regulars be nicer to the new people. I like the food and seating otherwise.
(After I got my food, I found I needed a fork and she did get me one after a short wait.)
She told me the total was $19.80 ($18 + $1.80) but it ended up being $20.49. I assumed perhaps there was an upcharge for using debit; however, she didn’t say, and it wasn’t posted. So my second assumption was she thought I wasn’t going to tip so gave herself one instead and thought I wouldn’t notice. I left a smaller tip than my norm due to her demeanor ($1.51) which I guess she can add to that $.69 she had to have. I attached the receipts for reference. If anyone wants to complain about the tip, keep in mind, she only took the order and payment, not make it, expo it, or serve it. Any tip would be generous in this case. I am a tipper most of the time having worked in the service industry before even to the not so great workers.
Here’s another tip: assuming someone isn’t going to tip well and treating them poorly is going to fulfill your expectations. Treating them well may surprise you.
The guy outside walking around in an art bar shirt passing out fries wasn’t a peach either when I inquired about where to get some; however, it was hectic, and I can understand that much better and doesn’t have a real bearing on this review other than making me wonder if this is the culture of the place.
Would I return? Only if invited out with friends, but not likely on my own.
ETA: So I read through the other reviews and wow…I am a person of color and seeing so many reviews regarding off treatment of POCs was interesting. I did not initially get that “ick” because the people in front of me that seemed to be regulars? It was an interracial couple and the girl was super cool and nice with the guy who was black. I did not initially think my race was a factor because of that, but I did not feel like I belonged all the same. A lot of my artist friends come here and I figured I would come with them if invited but now, I won’t come back at all. Food and overall atmosphere aside, why can’t everyone be welcome and not just the regulars?
… moreHere’s a tip: if you want more regulars be nicer to the new people. I like the food and seating otherwise.
(After I got my food, I found I needed a fork and she did get me one after a short wait.)
She told me the total was $19.80 ($18 + $1.80) but it ended up being $20.49. I assumed perhaps there was an upcharge for using debit; however, she didn’t say, and it wasn’t posted. So my second assumption was she thought I wasn’t going to tip so gave herself one instead and thought I wouldn’t notice. I left a smaller tip than my norm due to her demeanor ($1.51) which I guess she can add to that $.69 she had to have. I attached the receipts for reference. If anyone wants to complain about the tip, keep in mind, she only took the order and payment, not make it, expo it, or serve it. Any tip would be generous in this case. I am a tipper most of the time having worked in the service industry before even to the not so great workers.
Here’s another tip: assuming someone isn’t going to tip well and treating them poorly is going to fulfill your expectations. Treating them well may surprise you.
The guy outside walking around in an art bar shirt passing out fries wasn’t a peach either when I inquired about where to get some; however, it was hectic, and I can understand that much better and doesn’t have a real bearing on this review other than making me wonder if this is the culture of the place.
Would I return? Only if invited out with friends, but not likely on my own.
ETA: So I read through the other reviews and wow…I am a person of color and seeing so many reviews regarding off treatment of POCs was interesting. I did not initially get that “ick” because the people in front of me that seemed to be regulars? It was an interracial couple and the girl was super cool and nice with the guy who was black. I did not initially think my race was a factor because of that, but I did not feel like I belonged all the same. A lot of my artist friends come here and I figured I would come with them if invited but now, I won’t come back at all. Food and overall atmosphere aside, why can’t everyone be welcome and not just the regulars?
Ash Foster
The vibes were great, I was able to go by myself and feel fairly comfortable. Plenty of seating, different areas of the bar to go to. It’s bigger than it looks!
Bartender was not the kindest or personable. It seemed like he hated being there. It’s hard to hear over other people and music, and I’ve never ordered at a bar before. He asked what my tab was, I wasn’t sure what to tell him and then he snapped at me for my name. When I went to close my tab, I thought he didn’t hear me so I repeated myself, saying I wanted to close my tab, and he snapped at me again for my name. Didn’t speak to me outside of “what’s your tab” and “name”
Other bartenders seemed very friendly and personable.
I’m going to give it another chance in a couple of weeks with a friend, hopefully it will be a better experience at the bar
… moreBartender was not the kindest or personable. It seemed like he hated being there. It’s hard to hear over other people and music, and I’ve never ordered at a bar before. He asked what my tab was, I wasn’t sure what to tell him and then he snapped at me for my name. When I went to close my tab, I thought he didn’t hear me so I repeated myself, saying I wanted to close my tab, and he snapped at me again for my name. Didn’t speak to me outside of “what’s your tab” and “name”
Other bartenders seemed very friendly and personable.
I’m going to give it another chance in a couple of weeks with a friend, hopefully it will be a better experience at the bar
John Doe
Art Bar’s a really fun bar, even if it’s a little bit outside of my comfort zone! I loved going on karaoke night, it was so much fun watching everybody go all-out and having the crowd sing along. The ambiance was really unique as well, for the first time in Columba I felt like I was getting the real Discoteque experience. I loved how neon the lighting was, it really accentuated the aforementioned disco vibe.
The one negative thing I have to say about it was that most (but not all) of the bartenders were very arrogant, and made it seem like an inconvenience to be asked to make a drink. Two of the bartenders didn’t even speak when I asked for my drinks, and just made them in awkward silence, and still didn’t say anything when I thanked them for it. Another one made a cocktail, and didn’t even bother to mix it, which was kind of weird.
I debated between giving Art Bar three (3) or four (4) stars based on the service, but I ultimately went with four (4). However, had the service been better, Art Bar would’ve definitely been a 5-star experience!
… moreThe one negative thing I have to say about it was that most (but not all) of the bartenders were very arrogant, and made it seem like an inconvenience to be asked to make a drink. Two of the bartenders didn’t even speak when I asked for my drinks, and just made them in awkward silence, and still didn’t say anything when I thanked them for it. Another one made a cocktail, and didn’t even bother to mix it, which was kind of weird.
I debated between giving Art Bar three (3) or four (4) stars based on the service, but I ultimately went with four (4). However, had the service been better, Art Bar would’ve definitely been a 5-star experience!
Thomas Jacobs
They have the best wings I’ve ever had. Steve takes great pride in everything that comes out of the kitchen. Jessie and all the staff are always great. The Art Bar is a Columbia institution.
… moreKristen Butler
Really cute, fun bar with robots everywhere! My husband and I commented that if we lived in Columbia, we would probably come here all the time. There was an $8 cover on a Saturday night- not sure if that’s normal for the weekends, or just because there was a show, but the bands that played were great! Bartenders were polite, beer was cold and served quickly. What more could you ask for?
… moreApril Jackson
This is probably my last time here. The bartenders they do have aren’t friendly. It looks like a great atmosphere that has lots of potential but as someone who’s looking for a bartending job, the ones here have no personality. The dude outside was semi friendly. Oh and parking??? My first time here I didn’t even know I had to pay to park because the sign is literally IN THE ROAD. And to top it off, it was pouring rain so by the time I got outside the ticket was soggy and non readable so I never paid it cause I didn’t even know who to contact. I tried this place again, was only inside maybe 30 minutes (to talk about a bartending job) and got hit with another parking ticket. They said this is the best bar in town but this place is absolutely garbage just because of the people they have working, and then the parking situation. This place is not all that to where I get an uber and stay the whole night here. Everyone seems pretty stuck up. And plus, in Columbia parking is free after 7pm except 5 points. This is the vista, not 5 points.
… moreCindy Padilla
This place was a good find. There’s a cover charge on Fridays and Saturday but they have live music and good music with a DJ. The crowd is a mix of 20 something’s and is 55 plus friendly. Good drinks too.
… moreMelanie Bobelanie
Definitely the coolest place we visited in Columbia. Loved the vibe and open late. Lots of seating, indoor and outdoor, bartender was cool. I only had some basic beers when I went (they seemed to have a lot to offer though) but went on a night when they had a mystery science theater-esque showing with 3 people commenting on some J-Lo movie in the adjacent room and I rather enjoyed it. Excellent. Would definitely return.
… moreJennifer Wallace
Two words—PASTA. SALAD. Hands down THE best pasta salad I have ever had!! The chili is also delicious! We ate in the bar and then took chili and more pasta salad home. It’s THAT good. You’ll dream about this delicious goodness.
… more