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.
Review Source: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!!! Â I was in town from Boston for a concert and wanted a simple order of nachos. Â I was floored when it was delivered to me. Â They were round corn chips with a small scoop of chili, layer of cheese on top, a few tomatoes and a bunch of scallions. Â I was even more disappointed when I ate the top layer and that was it! Â More than 3/4 of the plate was plain round corn chips which were stale. Â I was still starving. Â I asked to see the menu again but then it set in, if they can't get nachos right why give them another shot. Â I wanted to say something about it but the bartender never came back to check on how I was doing. Â By the time he came back I just wanted to get out of there.
Review Source:Not a big fan of this place in terms of food and service. I came here for lunch on a Tuesday with a couple of coworkers. The place was relatively empty - only around 7 to 8 other groups the time we were there. We ordered our food promptly - 2 Salads and 1 Sandwich wrap - but spent 20 min waiting for it. There are other restaurants in the downtown Hartford area that get slammed during lunch hour and I've waited less time at those for my food. Especially for salad and wraps where nothing needs to be actually cooked.
My salad was a joke. I paid $13 for a Buffalo Chix Salad. It had 3 chicken tenders topped with a sprinkle of cheese, romaine lettuce, 3 slices of cucumber, 3 penny sized pieces of red onion and a small cup of blue cheese dressing. I was pretty underwhelmed and disappointed. You can get better food for better prices at all the other restaurants in the area. No surprise this place was practically empty during lunch hour.
Also, sandwiches/wraps here come with store bought chips. But if you want coleslaw or french fries it's a $1.75 upcharge. I've never seen any other restaurant charge extra for french fries when you order a sandwich.
I've also come during happy hour which is a more enjoyable experience. They've got a wide selection of beers. That's about it.
Bottom Line: Come here for drinks only. Â Hartford has a lot of good restaurants, this isn't one of them.
Safety  - ZERO stars (but I have to give at least one! stinks!)  - had my car broken into back in Sep 2012 at the Tavern's parking lot
Got back to the place today (second chance) and got Horrible Service - ZERO stars. More than an hour and did not get either my food or the 2nd round of drinks but was charged for it even after complaining and being treated rudely by the manager. Â
Waitress never apologized about the food! Â Bar was understaffed even though a major event was happening at the Wadsworth and it was sold out! Â It is the closest business to the museum; shouldn't it be prepared and staffed for the events surrounding its location?
I'm a complete stranger when it comes to Hartford but on my trip to see Louis C.K here , I thought I'd hold off on the fast food and try something original.
I will say, the Reuben sandwich here is pretty amazing. The corned beef is cut thick and it is perfectly moist. They definitely know how to make good bar food here. They have a large selection of beers and I found myself trying and enjoying a couple of long trail IPAs.
Definitely come here on a weekday because this place to me seems to function better with smaller crowds. After 830 pm It was nearly impossible to get a hold of the bartender. This isn't something that I'm used to as a typical impatient New Yorker.
Other than the rate of service, if you ever find yourself in Hartford, definitely head to the Arch Street Tavern.
Three solid stars (3.5 if I could) go to Arch Street  for a decent tap list, wonderful layout (spacious interior with high ceiling, full outdoor patio) and oh yeah - some GREAT live music. I haven't eaten at Arch Street yet, so I can't comment on food/service, but it remains one of my top spots in the city to see live bands. From local favorites (last weekend it was String Theorie, Little Ugly and 1974), to bigger indie names (saw the Hold Steady back in July), the venue makes for a fantastic concert experience all around. Parking can be tricky, but that goes for most Hartford bars.
Review Source:Been going to Arch Street for many many years...
Stopped in before the Springsteen show last week.
Great atmosphere, Â beer was cold...when i finally got one.
Bartenders ignored us, ignored others, waited on regulars...finally a regular guy flat out called the bartender over...put my order in for me and he pulled the beers...upsetting all the others waiting.
Big staff sort of congragating near the service end of the bar...I asked one for some help and she shrugger her shoulders and walked away.
It was not overly busy...not super crowded...either understaffed..or under managed...
Made a decision not to go back after the show ended.
Dissapointing at best....why does there never seem to be someone in charge who looks for this stuff?
Extremely underwhelming and unimpressive food. I've eaten here twice and both times I've left thinking that I spent way too much money for what I got. Veggie burger doesn't come with fries or a salad or anything except for some chips (and costs about $10). However, they have a good selection of beers on tap and live music. I think this is more of a place to grab a few beers than sit down for a nice dinner, in my opinion.
Review Source:Full disclosure: I've only been there once & it was for the Hold Steady's concert promoted by Manic Productions in July.
Based on the fact that they booked one of my favorite bands I'd give them 5 stars alone. Â Plus the ambiance is really unique & genuine making me want to come back even if it's just for lunch. Â The place has been around since 1895!
My main gripe with Arch Street is that I had 4 beers & they were all nasty. Â Maybe it was my taste buds but there was something funky with every beer I drank & I couldn't finish one.
On the plus side they do have a pretty solid beer selection. Â I had a Hooker Blonde Ale, Otter Creek Black IPA, Anchor Steam & a Ten Penny Ale. Â They ran out of most beers by the end of the night which was a bit lame but the bartenders were pretty friendly & accessible. No complaints.
I'd recommend checking out any concert they have in the future. Â It's still just a bar but it's a good sized venue & unique. Â For Hartford it's pretty hip.
Bottom line: I want to go back whether it's for lunch or another Manic show. Â The place is super cool for a concert & if the beer is better next time I might bump my review up to 5 stars.
I first heard about Arch Street Tavern when Beach Fossils came around and I really wanted to go but couldn't make it. Fast forward nearly two years, and while Arch Street brought in more live music I wanted to see, I never made it out until last week for The Hold Steady and Fang Island. I was fully impressed. Located right off the highway on its own little corner of Arch Street, this place is much bigger - and way cooler - than I expected. Open layout with high ceilings, stage area in the back with lots of space in front, tables behind the open space, bar to the left, and an outdoor area to the right when you walk in. The whole place is very conducive to a great concert experience. There were lots of beers on tap, including the more interesting, and there were some good $4 specials (Brooklyn Summer and Anchor Steam!), which we stuck to. While there was a crowd, we got our beers pretty quickly. The ladies' room was clean, and while I didn't have to wait too long, there was a pretty nice waiting area inside, which I can appreciate. Parking was a little tough since Arch Street's own lot was full by the time we got there, but we were able to park on the street around the corner for free after 6. I'm sure we'll be back for another show or just to hang out at the bar if we're in the Hartford area.
Review Source:Been here a couple times, only when my husband's band has played here...luckily they're not doing bar shows anymore so we won't have to go back. The service is pretty terrible and the people there are so rude. We had a table on the patio outside receiving table service for drinks. We got there after everyone else so my husband went inside to order food. He went to the bar and when he asked for a food menu, the bartender rolled his eyes. Nice. Then my husband orders and explained we were sitting at a table on he patio and was wondering if someone was going to bring it out when it was ready. The bartender rudely replied, "well I'M not bringing it out..." Rather than put up a stink my husband just politely asked when he should come back in to get it himself... What a you-know-what. Then the "music manager" saw us eating and said we didn't have to pay for the food since my husband was performing that night. Hmm... he seemed nice enough, but there was a serious disconnect between the "music manager" and the snotty servers. Another turnoff, which I realize doesn't pertain to non-performers, was that the music dude said we were supposed to arrive at 7pm...ummm my husband didn't go on until 11:30pm, so to ask us to arrive at 7pm is beyond ridiculous. We have other things going on in our life and it's unreasonable to expect us to sit around your crummy bar for almost 5 hours. No thanks. We arrived at 9 which is more than enough time to unload and chill out for a bit. (Even when they play at big music festivals such as Utica they are only expected to be there 2 hours before performance time, so I don't know why Arch Street thinks they're so special!) Glad he's not playing there again! Also, the food was blah at best. Nothing special at all there. The bathroom was pretty gross and dirty. The crowd was weird to say the least. The only thing this place has going for it is that it's not pigs eye.
Review Source:Came here for lunch with my clinical group to celebrate the last day of school EVER! I've never been here before but it was relatively easy to find with on and off street free parking (in Hartford? awesome!). Walking in, one of my classmates commented that it smelled like church--I wouldn't know, but it definitely has a worn and broken in feel to it--according to the website, the building was originally the Hartford Brick Carriage Factory, built in 1895, so yeah, it has some years on it. We sat at a big long wooden table in the middle of the restaurant and drinks all around were ordered--the Cabana for me--as we toasted to our final semester coming to an end.
The menu is a limited, no fuss, bar menu with the usual suspects--burgers, salads, sandwiches and wings. I went with the chicken caesar wrap--the waitress mentioned that it came with potato chips but for an additional $1.75, I could swap to french fries. For me, this was kinda off-putting, but I went with the fries so I could share with a classmate (they were nothing exciting, save your money and stick with the chips!). The wrap itself was good, especially because I asked to have mine with the cajun chicken to give it a little extra kick. Karolina had the buffalo chicken salad--at first glance, she was disappointed that the chicken just had a bit of buffalo sauce poured on it instead of the chicken being coated in it, but after a few bites, she said it was enjoyable. A cup of house chili, an apple gorgonzola salad and a burger were among some of the dishes ordered at the rest of our table, with no major complaints noted.
Overall, it was a nice lunch with the girls, but considering the other choices that Hartford has to offer, and the fact that the food here just isn't that exciting, I'd go somewhere else first. This is more of a place to hang out at the bar after work and drink or to go hear some live music on the weekends, and there's nothing wrong with that.
After attending CT's Anime Convention with my little sister we stopped by for lunch at the Arch Street Tavern. Â It was a nice day so we sat outside. It was a quick walk from the Convention Center and the prices sure beat what was offered. Â
The menu was nice and simple which meant it made the selection process very quick. We ordered nachos, the heart beat and a regular cheese burger. Everything was priced at approximately $10 which was a deal for a lunch downtown. I remember it being a very pleasant experience. Even though we were the ONLY table outside besides another group of women having a book club meeting the waitress was still attentive. She checked up on us a few times.
Hands down the best smelling bathroom ever. Might not be great for those with allergies but for me it was like a dream come true. Cheap edible food with clean bathrooms!!
Older crowd (40's+) with a handful of late 20's in the mix. There was a convention going on apparently, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Cheap draft beer; good decent selection of drafts; food sounded promising. I say that it sounded promising because they had a very shortened menu due to the convention... so we missed out on the wings. The bartenders were nice and kept making sure we were okay though.
Review Source:I dig this place because it has that old school Hartford feel. Â You know what's great about this place? Â It has FREE PARKING in Downtown Hartford. Â That's a plus in and of itself. Â The food is pretty good and the beer is cold.
The ambiance is amazing though. Â You can find all the politicos and other hangers on there, along with all the insurance people (what I call, my friends).
If you have not been here, go. Â They have survived the worst types of obstacles and thrived.
Service is fine, but I'd go here for the drinks and the atmosphere. Going here for the food is for the people who think Chili's is fine dining and red lobster is where you take a date. I gave the place three stars becuase I have nothing bad to say about this place besides the food. Â It's a happy hour, after work sort of place in an interesting space. Done with work and you want to tie one on? Go here.
Review Source:Ok where do I start. Last night 11/4/11 the tavern was packed(happy hour). Happy hour food was a joke, NO app specials, Bacardi and coke $7.50+tax. Blue Moon drafts $5.50+tax. Once the cheese and crackers were gone(happy hour food) that was it no more at 4:30. Plus the host(male) was picking cheese off the happy hour tray with his fingers every tine he passed. Are they kidding, Hartford wonders why no one makes a special trip into the city. How do you host a happy hour with NO drink specials and advertise happy hour food when it a sleeve of Ritz and some cheddar cheese.
Review Source:Slow service. Decent eats. Great beer. So-so desserts. Great atmosphere. High ceilings. Mon nights features Harford Jazz Orchestra, some of the best big-band live music you find from Hartford to NYC. Must see. Stop in Fri/Sat if you like your music live and loud. Outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy a drink on a hot summer day. Ample parking. 2 min walk from Convention Center / riverfront.
Review Source:Awesome happy hour food. Â Service is great, and food is surprisingly good for pub food. Â Â Parking can be tough, but if you get there early enough there's free offstreet parking in their lot. Â Otherwise you're on the street or, if you feel like spending $$ I guess you could park at convention center.
Review Source:I have been here 4 or 5 times for lunch (never dinner or happy hour). The menu is somewhat small and very heavy on wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. It is consistently good pub grub. The reuben is real carved off slices of corned beef, not warmed up deli meat. I like their buffalo chicken as well. I wish they didn't upcharge you for fries, as everything comes with potato chips. Beer selection is very good and I give extra points for anyone who has Ten Penny on tap (local beer).
Review Source:Wow, where to start? Â Horrible service, decent food. Â Went to Arch street on a Friday night and it was dead! Â Most of Hartford is dead at those times as well. Â Walked in, sign said wait to be seated.....waited....waited....waited.....just went to the bar. Â Bartender came over, barely said two words to us. Â Asked what we wanted to drink, we said menus first....she left, came back without menus and asked what we wanted to drink. Â We told her, she had to come back because she forgot, STILL no menus. Â Bartenders lacked personality and lacked attention to guests (there might have been 10 people at the bar all together). Â
Food came, was okay, nothing that would make up for the bad service. Â I remember all the talk about this place, and thought it was going to be good, was horribly disappointed.
A return is not in the cards on this one :(
As a CT native, I am surprised that this was my first experience at Arch Street Tavern. My boyfriend and I stumbled across it as we were driving through Hartford on a Monday night and saw the sign out for Live Jazz Mondays. Perfect. We pulled in, and we able to get the last booth that wasn't saved for reservations. We were promptly brought our beers and given plenty of time to browse the small menu. The wings were SO good, crunchy, saucy and hot. Sergio ordered the reuben, and I ordered cheese steak sandwich. We wanted to start with a bowl of chowder, but the kitchen forgot and put through our entrees. However at the end of the meal, when Sergio still had a little room left, out server brought a bowl of chowder for us on the house. Very considerate wait staff, plus the food was great! Great prices for bar food, with a very cool, retro atmosphere.
Review Source:I have been to Arch Street about 6 pr 7 times, under a bunch of different circumstances, and never had a bad experience.
I have been there a few times late night for drinks, and bar staff is always friendly and attentive.
I have been there twice when we knew there were going to be a big group of us showing up around 11:30 for drinks after the kitchen closed. Â We went in early in the day, and they made us up a tray of sandwiches so it could be ready for us when we get there later. Â Additionally they blocked off the entire outside seating section just for us!!
Twice I attended a retirement party for co-workers there. Â Even with us completely filling up the place they were very attentive to our drink orders. Â All the food was also fresh and tasty.
Only once or twice have I actually been there for a normal word day lunch. Â The food way great, and we were in and out very quickly, which was very important during a busy work day.
I've only been here once, when it was rented out for a private function, but I loved it. Â Friendly bar staff, cool atmosphere, fun times. Â Didn't feel trashy like most of the other bars I've been frequenting, and I heard the food was stellar. Â I definitely hope to end up back here.
Review Source:I was shocked. I've been passing through Hartford all my life and never had a good thing to say about it. Then one day I needed a break from the road and stumbled across this place -- high ceilings in a historic brick building, with an open yet cozy feel. Brass-rail bar with friendly people on one side, tables on the other, and on Monday nights, the excellent Hartford Jazz Orchestra. Reminds me of someplace you'd find in Providence. Hartford may be far from the level of cool The New York Times real estate section recently tried to make it out to be, but this is at least a good start.
Review Source:
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