Art Bar

run, don't walk. the place has a nice look but this was completely overshadowed by my experience with the wait staff, which was horrible. don't waste your time here. more

I live a couple blocks from this place..and its a laidback kinda emo bar with "cool" ie: tattooed, pierced bartenders. If you go on a friday night expect a wait to get your drink. Also, I dont recommend going for live music because the acoustics are terrible and the room is TINY. Your ears will be ringing for like 3 days afterwards.. On friday nights they do have a good dance party with good party music. I've had a lot of fun dancing here in the past with girlfriends. If your looking to pick up people here though be wary because its rumored to be kind of a gay bar even though people deny this on a regular basis. The decor is ok-they have these crazy robots in different rooms and the walls are covered in graffiti-not an upscale bar-but fun... Pros: good music, cheap drinks Cons: acoustics bad when bands play more

I travel all over the southeast and I must say; this is NOT a place to go for a casual drink on Friday night. The music is awful and loud-the sound throughout the place is terrible, and if you DO happen to be drunk enough to stumble in there please make sure you go get a tetanus shot the next day. Pros: Well, they DO have alcohol... Cons: everything else. more

The Art Bar is a great bar in the Vista section of Columbia. It features live music on one of two small stages that are in rooms off the main bar area. If you are there to meet and chat with friends you can do so without the live music in the same room. The bands are usually quite good and the cover is low so don't complain about the $5 when you get to the door. They check ID and the crowd is usually 25-40 so there isn't a huge college scene here. The decor is funky artsy and the dress code is casual. The main bar is small and can get busy late at night but there is another bar toward the back of the club. When bands aren't playing live you can hear a wild assortment of rock/alternative/indie music playing. You'll see everyone from gay to straight, beatnick to attorney but everyone gets along and rubs elbows and has a great time. Parking can be tricky since the bar shares a parking lot with neighboring bars and restaurants. There is parking across the street in a large lot that is free and non-reserved after 6pm. The streets are well lighted and traveled at night. The bar is a block off Gervais Street. Pros: Uncomplicated, great crowd and great music! Cons: Front bar gets crowded at night. Small restrooms steps from main bar. more