Went here on Saturday night. It was alright. Not sure I'd come here after 10:30 p.m. though. The bar gets packed so make sure you grab a couple drinks if you plan on staying here. The place got packed quickly. It feels more like a hallway/sports bar. We got here early so we were able to snag a couple tables and some chairs. Oh another thing, only one stall for the bathroom hence only 3 stars. I'm not OK with that on a busy Saturday night.
Review Source:1.) Intro:
I have only been here for the night life, so I couldn't tell you more than that.
2.) Aesthetics:
Top floor is kind of trendy and small on nights where there is a lot of people. Downstairs is like a basement, reminds me of an underground night club.
3.) Impressions:
I don't understand how this place is suppose to be their own business yet they share it with the Elbow Room restaurant. But i guess people between the ages of 21 and 31 like going there.
Once I turned 21 I started going to the side bar & using the basement dance area. The last time I was there, a black man (bouncer) came up to me (I'm now 24 yrs old) & told me that I needed to leave the bar immediately. I asked why because I had JUST arrived & hadn't even gotten a drink yet. He told me, "not that it matters but a girl that's dating one of the other bouncers says she doesn't want you here." UNREAL! He embarrassingly escorted me out. I asked to speak with a manager but was PUSHED out the doors & not allowed back in. I will never give this place my business again and I urge others to stay away from businesses that treat their customers with this amount of disrespect.
Review Source:I think this bar is over rated. Â It's probably a 4 star bar in the West Hartford / Hartford area. Â I wouldn't rate it better than 2/3 stars versus very good bars in other cities (Boston, Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, NY, LA, etc.). Â Â
The bar has a modern feel and decor. Â The room is long and narrow (like a bowling alley) with windows to Farmington Ave & LaSalle St. on one end and the bathroom on the other. Â The ceilings are very high giving the bar a larger feeling. Â TVs are on the walls so you can watch a game (but there are better bars for games). Â The bar itself runs almost the length of the building. Â It is conveniently located to all West Hartford has to offer (Bricco's, Grants, Elbow Room, Max, Blue Back Square, etc.). Â The bar is cramped and gets packed with people as the tables and the bar area tend to crowd each other. Â A large crowd can be a fun thing (i.e. meeting people, etc). Â Thus, you can experience a good happy hour. Â You may also notice the same patrons frequenting the bar given this is a smaller city. Â The cramping can get aggravating at times.
The service from the staff can be OK or GREAT depending on the server/bartender and night. Â Overall, it's a good group.
The food is OK as they share services with the Elbow Room. Â I think the food is average with some good plates to experience. Â Â The beer and booze are tough to mess up so they get solid scores in this area. Â Prices are good. Â Value is good.
Overall, it's a good bar for some fun, a drink, and night out.
This is part of the Elbow Room. Â The entrance to the street is separate from the Elbow Room, inside they are connected. Â In the late afternoon and early evening this is primarily a sports bar. Â The bartenders are awesome.. and the food is roughly on par with sports bar fare. Â I was surprised that the food offered is not a bit more interesting and better due to the Elbow Room connection. Â The food is really not worth reviewing, just underwhelming. Â The Elbow Room is a fixture here in West Hartford Center, and in the past the food and the venue have been top shelf. Â
As the evening wears on, the mix of clientele gets more clubby and on the weekends some people will hang out down in the lower level lounge and tables will fill up with groups having fun on the first floor. Â I have been there when they have a DJ and that definitely livens things up. Â I stick to the first floor and watch a game or socialize.
FOOD: Â is solid American fare with some exotic items like the bison burger. Â Drinks and desserts are also fine, especially the root beer float.
SERVICE: Â is very personable and attentive. Â You can also make requests for any game that may be broadcasting and they will try to put it on for you.
AMBIANCE: Â is hip, clean, new. Â Also, the staff are all pretty attractive.
VALUE: Â is just about right for the quality of food and surroundings.
Was there on a recent saturday night. Had an awesome cocktail called "One Night Stand". I usually go for wine or beer but this drink surely made it to my "try again" list. Felt a little comfortable after a couple of those drinks because most of the crowd is definitely younger. A bacholerette party seemed to be enjoying their pistachio shots. The place was really filling up by 11 pm. I bet the lucky people in their 20s are pleased that there's finally a place for the younger crowd in west hartford center.
Review Source:I've been quite a few times now on Fridays and Saturdays and I like this place alot. Never knew they had club nights at this place. DJ's are usually pretty good. Drinks are priced fairly well, and the atmosphere is good.
All the bouncers working there are pretty cool too.
My only complaint is that they need to find some way to vent the downstairs dance floor, cause when that area gets packed...it gets too hot!
Overall, I like this place and will be here alot!
Fun bar and atmosphere but it is often overcrowded and ridiculously hot upstairs with a somewhat bare dance floor downstairs. However, the location is amazing the drinks are good and the pleasant staff make this place a bar I have and will continue to come back to. I just wish they'd crank the AC more ;)
Review Source:So Side Bar is adjoining to Elbow Room with additional outdoor seating and a gorgeous designed bar with numerous TVs that only 1/2 of the patrons seated at the pub tables can view.
The bar area just seemed unfinished with one wall completely bare and all of the action on one side.
Side Bar had mostly the same menu as Elbow Room and a fun drink list. We took advantage of the empty bar on Friday night while waiting for our table at McLadden's. Since visiting both businesses on the same night I prefer Side Bar to McLadden's. Just swap the tables a quick 90 degrees.
The website is horribly designed and hard to read.
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