We stopped in here before a show at the Crest Theatre. Since our last visit, the restaurant has changed its menu — it’s now much more limited, focusing mainly on appetizers. If you’re looking for a full dinner, this probably isn’t the right spot. That said, the atmosphere is very nice and makes for a pleasant place to grab a drink or a light bite before an event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Stephen Menebroker
Horrible service waited an hour for diners and left empty handed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Chris Maschal
Enjoyed our visit tonight. When we arrived early, as they were opening, we were greeted with enthusiasm. As the evening got busy, it became harder and harder to get a round of drinks. Orders for food and drinks are placed at the bar. Im not a fan. If this doesn't bother you, it's a pretty cool place. The quality of the food is good as far as bar food goes. The drinks are great! I will return. I do prefer full table service, but I understand the need to adapt to survive in the restaurant business.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Peter Gough
I have gone to the Empress Tavern about a half dozen times over the last several years. I have always had fine food and service. And I really enjoy the ambiance. 🙂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Dip, Beef Stroganoff, Hamburger
Brian Tankersley
Chicharrones were good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Alison M C
Beautiful space. $8 beers that you can take into the theater. Okay selection. The bar (restaurant?) is set up in a way that makes it feel empty, rather than spacious. No table service. Dude sleeping in the doorway. Menu didn't speak to me.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Rommel
Fun spot !
Layna C
Cute place for a drink and meal before our show - come for happy hour, it's great! The staff was super friendly too. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Shultz
It’s not the same since the covid and they sold the name to the theater upstairs. The menu is really limited and the cocktail menu isn’t the same. The atmosphere is really cool still except the tv plays basic cable for some reason??? We went there once and don’t see a reason to go back. If you’re looking for a cool bar/tavern with an elevated cocktail menu go elsewhere.
First time there, first into the entrance notice the ambiance, the layered brick in the ceiling, the stories that they can tell. My first question how old is this place? 1908 they said. I asked have there been any incidents here? They told me a couple stories..... I'm definitely going back. I'm not so sure about the food I did have their brussel sprouts and I'm definitely having those again they were perfect! I would say the drinks were remarkable, they have an open bar! In the list of appetizers is all I was needing. Enjoy your time there as I did, I'm definitely going back. And I was not there to watch a movie, I was only there for the Empress Tavern.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Allison Adams
Overall great atmosphere and friendly staff. Good beer. Its a bar so dont expect it to be quiet depending on when you go. We arrived and it was laid back snd quiet, but quickly picked up. There was also a show at rhe Crest Theater (which is why we were there) so im assuming on show nights it gets louder/mote busy. Only real complaints is that we received a dirty spoon in our silverware that had leftover dried sauce all over it, and although the burger and fries were tasty, they were definitely a bit oversalted.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
E Nut
Our order was taken pretty quickly despite the busy night. Food was delivered to the table in a good amount of time. Ordered Chicken skewer, salad and empanadas. The chicken was a little dry and the salad was very basic, but the flavors were good. The empanadas were delicious. The floor was sticky and the restaurant a bit dark, but the experience was great overall. The bar tender was very appreciative of her tip. The service was friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Katie Coolidge
One of the coolest atmospheres in Sacramento. Being under the historic Crest Theatre, Empress is really cool bunker of brick arches and gentle lighting. The cocktails are food are solid. I admittedly do miss the old menu from before the pandemic, but the new menu is very tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eric Martinez
So I’ve wanting to check out this place,I’ve heard good things about it! Well let me save you the time. I walked and seated myself at a high table and I waited for 15-20 minutes, no greeting, no menu absolutely no one helped me at all!. It was a Friday night around 7:00pm they weren’t that busy at all! If you’re into being ignored then this is the place for you! Go anywhere else but here! I will absolutely Never come here again! I can’t even say worst customer service since I didn’t actually get to interact with anyone from the staff! Enter at your own risk!
Extremely cool atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
We stopped in here before a show at the Crest Theatre. Since our last visit, the restaurant has changed its menu — it’s now much more limited, focusing mainly on appetizers. If you’re looking for a full dinner, this probably isn’t the right spot. That said, the atmosphere is very nice and makes for a pleasant place to grab a drink or a light bite before an event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Horrible service waited an hour for diners and left empty handed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Enjoyed our visit tonight. When we arrived early, as they were opening, we were greeted with enthusiasm. As the evening got busy, it became harder and harder to get a round of drinks. Orders for food and drinks are placed at the bar. Im not a fan. If this doesn't bother you, it's a pretty cool place. The quality of the food is good as far as bar food goes. The drinks are great! I will return. I do prefer full table service, but I understand the need to adapt to survive in the restaurant business.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I have gone to the Empress Tavern about a half dozen times over the last several years. I have always had fine food and service. And I really enjoy the ambiance. 🙂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Dip, Beef Stroganoff, Hamburger
Chicharrones were good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Beautiful space. $8 beers that you can take into the theater. Okay selection. The bar (restaurant?) is set up in a way that makes it feel empty, rather than spacious. No table service. Dude sleeping in the doorway. Menu didn't speak to me.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Fun spot !
Cute place for a drink and meal before our show - come for happy hour, it's great! The staff was super friendly too. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s not the same since the covid and they sold the name to the theater upstairs. The menu is really limited and the cocktail menu isn’t the same. The atmosphere is really cool still except the tv plays basic cable for some reason??? We went there once and don’t see a reason to go back. If you’re looking for a cool bar/tavern with an elevated cocktail menu go elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
First time there, first into the entrance notice the ambiance, the layered brick in the ceiling, the stories that they can tell. My first question how old is this place? 1908 they said. I asked have there been any incidents here? They told me a couple stories..... I'm definitely going back. I'm not so sure about the food I did have their brussel sprouts and I'm definitely having those again they were perfect! I would say the drinks were remarkable, they have an open bar! In the list of appetizers is all I was needing. Enjoy your time there as I did, I'm definitely going back. And I was not there to watch a movie, I was only there for the Empress Tavern.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Overall great atmosphere and friendly staff. Good beer. Its a bar so dont expect it to be quiet depending on when you go. We arrived and it was laid back snd quiet, but quickly picked up. There was also a show at rhe Crest Theater (which is why we were there) so im assuming on show nights it gets louder/mote busy. Only real complaints is that we received a dirty spoon in our silverware that had leftover dried sauce all over it, and although the burger and fries were tasty, they were definitely a bit oversalted.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Our order was taken pretty quickly despite the busy night. Food was delivered to the table in a good amount of time. Ordered Chicken skewer, salad and empanadas. The chicken was a little dry and the salad was very basic, but the flavors were good. The empanadas were delicious. The floor was sticky and the restaurant a bit dark, but the experience was great overall. The bar tender was very appreciative of her tip. The service was friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
One of the coolest atmospheres in Sacramento. Being under the historic Crest Theatre, Empress is really cool bunker of brick arches and gentle lighting. The cocktails are food are solid. I admittedly do miss the old menu from before the pandemic, but the new menu is very tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
So I’ve wanting to check out this place,I’ve heard good things about it! Well let me save you the time. I walked and seated myself at a high table and I waited for 15-20 minutes, no greeting, no menu absolutely no one helped me at all!. It was a Friday night around 7:00pm they weren’t that busy at all! If you’re into being ignored then this is the place for you! Go anywhere else but here! I will absolutely Never come here again! I can’t even say worst customer service since I didn’t actually get to interact with anyone from the staff! Enter at your own risk!
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