I had an extremely disappointing experience at The Rooftop in Columbia, Missouri.
My group and I arrived around 11:45 PM and settled into one of the outdoor igloos after getting drinks. Around midnight, I stepped outside of the igloo to smoke a cigarette, deliberately positioning myself away from the igloos and other patrons. I was not aware of any posted signage prohibiting smoking on the patio.
A security guard named John (last name not provided) approached me in an excessively aggressive manner. He stood extremely close to me, yelled so forcefully that he spit on me, and attempted to snatch the cigarette out of my mouth. I instinctively stepped back, which was especially alarming given that I was near the edge of a multi-story rooftop patio. His behavior felt unsafe, hostile, and completely unnecessary.
Rather than calmly informing me of a no-smoking policy, he continued to yell at and humiliate me in front of other patrons, telling me to “get out” or put the cigarette out. Had this been communicated respectfully, I would have immediately extinguished it and returned to the igloo with my group of 15 friends. Instead, the situation escalated due solely to his conduct.
I am 34 years old, a licensed real estate agent in this city, and I conduct myself professionally at all times. I have no interest in causing disturbances or jeopardizing my professional reputation at local businesses. I came out simply to enjoy a relaxed evening in what I believed would be a low-key, respectful environment.
When I spoke with the manager on duty, Malik (who refused to provide a last name and stated that “Malik is all you need to know”), he appeared annoyed that I requested to speak with him. He did not meaningfully address the security guard’s behavior and instead told me I could wait for the general manager or call on Monday. The general manager’s name was provided as John Guinn, but no immediate attempt was made to resolve the situation or acknowledge the seriousness of what occurred.
This establishment operates within a hotel, and I fully intend to escalate this issue to ownership and hotel management if it is not addressed. Aggressive and confrontational security behavior—especially in a rooftop setting—is unacceptable and potentially dangerous.
I expected professionalism and basic respect. Unfortunately, that is not what I experienced.
Kristy Dye
This place was soooo loud. It was toward the end of the night though. I was happy to see igloo s outside on the rooftop since it was in the middle of winter but there were only a couple & they were already packed full. It would be helpful if there was a coordinator helping with that.
Atmosphere: 4
Damsan Nguyen
The guy that work at the rooftop is telling us it was $10 and then he changed his mind to $20 person I think it was too much. We go there every week only $10 but holiday Halloween. They try to charge us double don’t makes sense.they try rip us crazy
Service: 1
Allen Maxey
Wonderful rooftop bar offering spirits and atmosphere. Enjoy sitting out under the stars with a great view of downtown Columbia. Great bar keep.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Kensley Mellor
I ordered Taziki hummus dip while i was here with my girlfriends and they gave us 5 pita bread slices and 4 pieces of veggies while giving us a massive portion of hummus. So we asked if we could get more celery and carrots for the dip(or literally anything) and then she said “we can’t do extras of the sides” even though it was just veggies, we had a huge bowl of hummus still but she kept saying we couldn’t get any chips, bread, or veggies to finish this hummus dip. While spending $15 on this dip that we didn’t even finish because they wouldn’t give us anything else to dip it in. And no spoon!! I am very dissatisfied with my service and the kitchen, how much does celery and carrots honestly cost someone, we were even trying to pay but they wouldn’t even give it to us. This was a an awful experience with the hummus dip here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Slaten Webster
Abused all of my friends never going back. I’ve honestly never seen worse bouncers in my life
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
M R•Ward
Absolutely HORRIBLE service! Sat at the bar for a quick drink no one else sitting there (watched 4 bartenders look me dead in my face without acknowledging me)!
Move to the outside patio..actually put my timer on and watched every table around me get service..after 10 minutes I got up and left. I don’t spend my money where I’m not valued.
Service: 1
Jodie Keefe
Went here after dinner for music and drinks....could have closed the place down...the weather was perfect for this outside venue !!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Morales
The Roof has always been one of my favorite spots in Columbia. The city views from up there are absolutely beautiful, especially at night. It feels like a little escape right in the heart of downtown.I love their service. Every time I go, the staff is welcoming and attentive, and they help create such a relaxed and elevated atmosphere.
One of my favorite memories is when they used to host Latin nights. The energy was amazing, and I really miss those events. Their on-site DJ always keeps the mood alive, and the dance floor is the perfect size to let loose without feeling too packed or too empty.
The drinks are great, and I enjoy the small bites, but I do wish the food were a bit more consistent. Some visits it is spot on, and other times it feels like it misses the mark just a little. Still, I keep coming back for the vibe, the music, the views, and the people.
The Roof offers a little bit of everything, and I will always have a soft spot for this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane Nj.
⸻
We had a disappointing experience at this rooftop bar in Columbia. After looking forward to enjoying the ambiance and views, we were shocked by how poorly we were treated. The staff asked us to leave almost immediately after we received our drinks, giving us no time to relax or enjoy the setting.
What made the situation worse was the lack of courtesy. We were told to vacate our table to make room for another event, with no prior notice. It felt abrupt and disrespectful, especially considering we had just paid for our drinks and had barely taken a few sips.
We had to leave our drinks unfinished, which was incredibly frustrating. The entire experience felt rushed and inconsiderate. It’s unfortunate because the location has potential, but the service and treatment we received made it a place we wouldn’t recommend or return to.
Disappointing Customer Service at an Otherwise Great Venue
I visited The Roof in Columbia, MO on 5/23/25 with five of my girlfriends, looking forward to a relaxing evening. The ambiance was lovely, and the setting is undeniably great—but the customer service was absolutely terrible and left a sour taste in what should have been a fun night out.
Three of us wanted warm drinks, and our assigned waitress advised us to go downstairs to purchase them since she couldn’t bring them herself. She clearly told us that while the venues were technically separate, it was totally fine to bring the drinks back upstairs ourselves. Following her direction, two of our friends went downstairs and returned with tea and coffee.
Moments later, a male staff member approached us and abruptly told us we had to leave. He was abrasive, dismissive, and refused to listen when we explained that his own colleague had permitted us to bring the drinks. We asked to speak to a manager, and Alan Wells came over—without a greeting or any attempt at polite conversation. He curtly informed us that Nightlife was about to begin and we had to leave immediately. His tone was condescending and rude, and he showed zero interest in understanding the situation.
When we asked if we could have just five minutes to finish our drinks, he refused and appeared prepared to physically remove us. He later admitted the waitress was new and didn't know the policy, but offered no genuine apology for the public humiliation we experienced.
Inconsistencies in policy enforcement and a lack of basic courtesy ruined an otherwise pleasant evening. Alan Wells and some of the staff at The Roof would greatly benefit from customer service training. It's a shame, because the venue itself has so much potential—but we won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Maureen Kariuki
We were so humiliated by the bouncer and the manager, Alan Wells, when they rudely kicked us out. My girlfriends and I stopped to grab drinks at The Roof after a lovely dinner at another restaurant. Some of the ladies wanted coffee, which is not served at the bar. However, the waitress suggested that the ladies could buy coffee downstairs and bring it up to The Roof. After double checking with the waitress that it is okay to bring coffee from the hotel cafe, the ladies went ahead and did just that. As soon as they got back to The Roof, a bouncer showed up at our table and rudely asked us to leave. He wasn't listening to our explanation. We asked for the manager who explained the company policy. We expressed that we followed the waitress' advice but he was adamant that we should leave, and leave right away. We asked for some space from him so that we could leave graciously, but he literally stood there and waited for us to grab our bags and leave. We literally got kicked out when we had followed his staff's direction. While the waitress was incorrect, the bounce and manager were ungracious and seemed ready to escalate things. We left because we weren't going to let them ruin our beautiful evening together.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Through Bec Specs Travel Blogger
Looking to enjoy a drink with a great view in Columbia, MO? You have to check out The Roof, a rooftop bar located at the Broadway Hotel in downtown Columbia. You do not have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the rooftop and beverages! We went here for my 21st birthday when I was attending college because of its prime location and excellent vibes for a wonderful birthday party. You can find DJ's and good music on the weekends! The Roof has tables inside (perfect for a rainy day) as well as outside! Don't miss out on experiencing the downtown Columbia views...visit The Roof next time you are in Columbia, MO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jimtu Hogue
It's a nice bar with a great atmosphere. The staff are friendly and fun. I went there for a date, and even though I got stood up, I enjoyed the couple of hours I spent there sobering up. Music was good, plenty of seats and space to move around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alysa Fulkerson
Kara is the all time best bartender I've ever had. She made the best old fashion (very hard to find in the area) and was very attentive. She had a constant smile and made sure we had everything we needed. Had a 10/10 amazing experience with great food, great drinks, and an even better bartender!
I had an extremely disappointing experience at The Rooftop in Columbia, Missouri.
My group and I arrived around 11:45 PM and settled into one of the outdoor igloos after getting drinks. Around midnight, I stepped outside of the igloo to smoke a cigarette, deliberately positioning myself away from the igloos and other patrons. I was not aware of any posted signage prohibiting smoking on the patio.
A security guard named John (last name not provided) approached me in an excessively aggressive manner. He stood extremely close to me, yelled so forcefully that he spit on me, and attempted to snatch the cigarette out of my mouth. I instinctively stepped back, which was especially alarming given that I was near the edge of a multi-story rooftop patio. His behavior felt unsafe, hostile, and completely unnecessary.
Rather than calmly informing me of a no-smoking policy, he continued to yell at and humiliate me in front of other patrons, telling me to “get out” or put the cigarette out. Had this been communicated respectfully, I would have immediately extinguished it and returned to the igloo with my group of 15 friends. Instead, the situation escalated due solely to his conduct.
I am 34 years old, a licensed real estate agent in this city, and I conduct myself professionally at all times. I have no interest in causing disturbances or jeopardizing my professional reputation at local businesses. I came out simply to enjoy a relaxed evening in what I believed would be a low-key, respectful environment.
When I spoke with the manager on duty, Malik (who refused to provide a last name and stated that “Malik is all you need to know”), he appeared annoyed that I requested to speak with him. He did not meaningfully address the security guard’s behavior and instead told me I could wait for the general manager or call on Monday. The general manager’s name was provided as John Guinn, but no immediate attempt was made to resolve the situation or acknowledge the seriousness of what occurred.
This establishment operates within a hotel, and I fully intend to escalate this issue to ownership and hotel management if it is not addressed. Aggressive and confrontational security behavior—especially in a rooftop setting—is unacceptable and potentially dangerous.
I expected professionalism and basic respect. Unfortunately, that is not what I experienced.
This place was soooo loud. It was toward the end of the night though. I was happy to see igloo s outside on the rooftop since it was in the middle of winter but there were only a couple & they were already packed full. It would be helpful if there was a coordinator helping with that.
Atmosphere: 4
The guy that work at the rooftop is telling us it was $10 and then he changed his mind to $20 person
I think it was too much. We go there every week only $10 but holiday Halloween. They try to charge us double don’t makes sense.they try rip us crazy
Service: 1
Wonderful rooftop bar offering spirits and atmosphere. Enjoy sitting out under the stars with a great view of downtown Columbia. Great bar keep.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I ordered Taziki hummus dip while i was here with my girlfriends and they gave us 5 pita bread slices and 4 pieces of veggies while giving us a massive portion of hummus. So we asked if we could get more celery and carrots for the dip(or literally anything) and then she said “we can’t do extras of the sides” even though it was just veggies, we had a huge bowl of hummus still but she kept saying we couldn’t get any chips, bread, or veggies to finish this hummus dip. While spending $15 on this dip that we didn’t even finish because they wouldn’t give us anything else to dip it in. And no spoon!! I am very dissatisfied with my service and the kitchen, how much does celery and carrots honestly cost someone, we were even trying to pay but they wouldn’t even give it to us. This was a an awful experience with the hummus dip here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Abused all of my friends never going back. I’ve honestly never seen worse bouncers in my life
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely HORRIBLE service! Sat at the bar for a quick drink no one else sitting there (watched 4 bartenders look me dead in my face without acknowledging me)!
Move to the outside patio..actually put my timer on and watched every table around me get service..after 10 minutes I got up and left. I don’t spend my money where I’m not valued.
Service: 1
Went here after dinner for music and drinks....could have closed the place down...the weather was perfect for this outside venue !!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The Roof has always been one of my favorite spots in Columbia. The city views from up there are absolutely beautiful, especially at night. It feels like a little escape right in the heart of downtown.I love their service. Every time I go, the staff is welcoming and attentive, and they help create such a relaxed and elevated atmosphere.
One of my favorite memories is when they used to host Latin nights. The energy was amazing, and I really miss those events. Their on-site DJ always keeps the mood alive, and the dance floor is the perfect size to let loose without feeling too packed or too empty.
The drinks are great, and I enjoy the small bites, but I do wish the food were a bit more consistent. Some visits it is spot on, and other times it feels like it misses the mark just a little. Still, I keep coming back for the vibe, the music, the views, and the people.
The Roof offers a little bit of everything, and I will always have a soft spot for this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⸻
We had a disappointing experience at this rooftop bar in Columbia. After looking forward to enjoying the ambiance and views, we were shocked by how poorly we were treated. The staff asked us to leave almost immediately after we received our drinks, giving us no time to relax or enjoy the setting.
What made the situation worse was the lack of courtesy. We were told to vacate our table to make room for another event, with no prior notice. It felt abrupt and disrespectful, especially considering we had just paid for our drinks and had barely taken a few sips.
We had to leave our drinks unfinished, which was incredibly frustrating. The entire experience felt rushed and inconsiderate. It’s unfortunate because the location has potential, but the service and treatment we received made it a place we wouldn’t recommend or return to.
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Disappointing Customer Service at an Otherwise Great Venue
I visited The Roof in Columbia, MO on 5/23/25 with five of my girlfriends, looking forward to a relaxing evening. The ambiance was lovely, and the setting is undeniably great—but the customer service was absolutely terrible and left a sour taste in what should have been a fun night out.
Three of us wanted warm drinks, and our assigned waitress advised us to go downstairs to purchase them since she couldn’t bring them herself. She clearly told us that while the venues were technically separate, it was totally fine to bring the drinks back upstairs ourselves. Following her direction, two of our friends went downstairs and returned with tea and coffee.
Moments later, a male staff member approached us and abruptly told us we had to leave. He was abrasive, dismissive, and refused to listen when we explained that his own colleague had permitted us to bring the drinks. We asked to speak to a manager, and Alan Wells came over—without a greeting or any attempt at polite conversation. He curtly informed us that Nightlife was about to begin and we had to leave immediately. His tone was condescending and rude, and he showed zero interest in understanding the situation.
When we asked if we could have just five minutes to finish our drinks, he refused and appeared prepared to physically remove us. He later admitted the waitress was new and didn't know the policy, but offered no genuine apology for the public humiliation we experienced.
Inconsistencies in policy enforcement and a lack of basic courtesy ruined an otherwise pleasant evening. Alan Wells and some of the staff at The Roof would greatly benefit from customer service training. It's a shame, because the venue itself has so much potential—but we won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
We were so humiliated by the bouncer and the manager, Alan Wells, when they rudely kicked us out. My girlfriends and I stopped to grab drinks at The Roof after a lovely dinner at another restaurant. Some of the ladies wanted coffee, which is not served at the bar. However, the waitress suggested that the ladies could buy coffee downstairs and bring it up to The Roof. After double checking with the waitress that it is okay to bring coffee from the hotel cafe, the ladies went ahead and did just that. As soon as they got back to The Roof, a bouncer showed up at our table and rudely asked us to leave. He wasn't listening to our explanation. We asked for the manager who explained the company policy. We expressed that we followed the waitress' advice but he was adamant that we should leave, and leave right away. We asked for some space from him so that we could leave graciously, but he literally stood there and waited for us to grab our bags and leave. We literally got kicked out when we had followed his staff's direction. While the waitress was incorrect, the bounce and manager were ungracious and seemed ready to escalate things. We left because we weren't going to let them ruin our beautiful evening together.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Looking to enjoy a drink with a great view in Columbia, MO? You have to check out The Roof, a rooftop bar located at the Broadway Hotel in downtown Columbia. You do not have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the rooftop and beverages! We went here for my 21st birthday when I was attending college because of its prime location and excellent vibes for a wonderful birthday party. You can find DJ's and good music on the weekends! The Roof has tables inside (perfect for a rainy day) as well as outside! Don't miss out on experiencing the downtown Columbia views...visit The Roof next time you are in Columbia, MO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's a nice bar with a great atmosphere. The staff are friendly and fun. I went there for a date, and even though I got stood up, I enjoyed the couple of hours I spent there sobering up. Music was good, plenty of seats and space to move around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kara is the all time best bartender I've ever had. She made the best old fashion (very hard to find in the area) and was very attentive. She had a constant smile and made sure we had everything we needed. Had a 10/10 amazing experience with great food, great drinks, and an even better bartender!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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