Arch Street Tavern

I saw Dino Jr. there in June of this year and I had a good time. The place has a really cool atmosphere. The staff will even serve you food and drinks if you're in the pit trying to save a spot, which is a huge plus. My one negative is they had the first band go on an hour late so they could have a "cocktail" hour before the bands went on. I used to work as a bartender so I get that a lot of these places make most of their money on drinks, but starting the show an hour late was frustrating for those of us in the audience.

I've had totally mixed results in coming here. If I had not experienced the free Hartford Jazz Orchestra performance recently, they'd be getting only two stars from me. If you like Big Band jazz, go on a Monday night. The music is wonderful.

Everything else: annoying-to-meh.

One night we wanted to stop in for dinner. It was an hour before some band was starting and we know this place has a reputation for acts starting late so we figured we'd be in and out of there well before they'd be playing. The guy at the door seriously expected us to pay a cover when we said we were there for dinner. Then, he tried to bargain on the price. Um, no. Arch Street, you ain't the only game in town.

The two times I've been here to order food, I've just gotten a side dish. Underwhelming.

It's too bad because the decor is cool, the location is easy, and there's a load of free parking at night. I may return for jazz, but that'd be it.

VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!  I was in town from Boston for a concert and wanted a simple order of nachos.  I was floored when it was delivered to me.  They were round corn chips with a small scoop of chili, layer of cheese on top, a few tomatoes and a bunch of scallions.  I was even more disappointed when I ate the top layer and that was it!  More than 3/4 of the plate was plain round corn chips which were stale.  I was still starving.  I asked to see the menu again but then it set in, if they can't get nachos right why give them another shot.  I wanted to say something about it but the bartender never came back to check on how I was doing.  By the time he came back I just wanted to get out of there.