The bartending staff is amazing here. So much love and good company! Been coming here for years and the staff is great! Josh and Echo are especially fantastic.
The drag shows are always so much fun as well. We love Colbi J, we love Colbi J!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Payne
Wonderful, historic, private LGBQT+ club in Columbia. Matthew, the bartender, was amazing, and made great drinks, including some new favorites!! He kept my drinks filled as well as kept customers engaged and entertained during the quieter times until the evening events started. Def go see him and enjoy this bar!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
William Brunson
Had the most amazing time last weekend. Matthew was a phenomenal bartender. He was attentive, welcoming, and made delicious drinks. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
benjamminsince86
Love the capital club but for the love of all things, gay and holy, please buy the spot next-door while it’s available and expand. I’m tired of the straight girls taking over the gay spot & thinking it’s a buffet of men!!!!!
Tanner Bittinger
I was denied service. I am 22, will be 23 in a month, never been to a bar, as I lived in a small redneck town in Maryland and did not feel safe exploring bars there, being queer and trans. A year ago, I moved to Columbia, SC for college, still a Maryland resident, with a Maryland ID. Now that I have been in the area for a while, and have made friends and peers, I was ready to finally explore local bars. Me and a few friends had planned to karaoke on Thursday, I arrived at 7ish while my friends were running late.
With only 2 patrons and a bartender present, I was uncomfortable at the new situation but was ready to learn by asking questions since my friends had yet to arrive. I had wanted to start with something light as I am a small person/light weight and we would have all be there till past 9 when karaoke starts, according to the website. I had started to ask the bartender what the options are, and was openly honest that this was my first time in a bar, in hopes for guidance as this was a brand new experience for me.
My mistake. Shouldn't have done that I guess.
After answering a few questions about their limited options, they requested my ID. Which I gave over immediately.
Now as I previously stated, I have an out-of-state ID, Maryland. My picture is me 5, five, years ago at the lovely age of seventeen, pre-transition. I look nothing like my ID, it's been a running joke at two different jobs. And I knew it would be an issue when going to a bar, which is a partial reason its taken me so long to find the confidence to get out and live and experience a bar or club. Along with my neurodivergence and social anxiety.
I was told after they looked at my ID for a very long time that they did not feel comfortable serving me. I understood, thanked them and left without disputing, knowing it wouldn't be worth it.
I figured a gay bar, being queer friendly and all would have understood that some patrons don't look anything like they did several years ago.
I suppose that was another mistake I made.
You ruined my first bar experience.
I am IN FACT OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE. So thanks.
0/10 service- I received none. Won't be coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Kory Davis
Enjoyed the drag shows here .. drinks are cheap and strong!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
KAREN NORRIS
Love this spot. Always fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sanita F
I ordered a drink during a bar crawl and noticed a slimy substance inside. When I asked the bartender about it, as he quickly disposed of the cup he claimed he’d never seen anything like it in his 15 years of service almost implying I had put it there myself. He insisted he used clean cups for mixing but didn’t offer an apology at all. Unsanitary/Unprofessional.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Mikey Nazario
To be fair this is specific to my Pride experience but based on pics I don't think it's going to be different any other time.... I made the mistake of going during Pride. One of my friends was performing and told me to come see her. I entered at the street entrance which was apparently the back entrance and paid to get in, even though I noticed that it was getting busier. The place was already crowded. I stood as close to the wall as possible to minimize having to move out of people's way, but this caused me to still be pressed up against.... The bar stayed so crowded that they had to announce that the drag performers need to be able to make it to the 'stage' and that people who are in the way will be moved out of the way. I left after someone started groping me knowing that I was against the wall. I did not even get to see my friend perform...
This is NOT a welcoming or inclusive space for minorities other than the performers. During karaoke night, I unfortunately witnessed a patron bully a group of ethnically diverse people into getting kicked out of the club; the same patron insinuated that they deserved to be there more than the ethnically diverse group because they were regulars and spent more money. The bartenders were complicit in allowing the aggressive patron to intimidate other patrons and essentially allowed the aggressive patron to call the shots and kick the group out. Karaoke is supposed to be inclusive, fun, and diverse, and the incident I saw made it the opposite.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
darius delafoisse
I recently had an unfortunate experience at this establishment during karaoke night. I witnessed a group of people being kicked out, not for any disruptive behavior, but seemingly because they weren't applauding a female singer who was repeatedly taking the stage.
It was disappointing to see that a group of locals, who appeared to frequent the venue and spend money, were able to influence the manager to eject others. Karaoke is meant to be a fun, inclusive activity where everyone should feel welcome, especially at an LGBT establishment that prides itself on acceptance and community.
Overall, this incident left a sour taste, as it felt like favoritism and cliquishness overshadowed the welcoming environment that should be the hallmark of any LGBT space. I hope the management reconsiders how they handle such situations in the future to ensure everyone can enjoy their time without fear of being excluded for not participating in a certain way.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
steven swygert
It is so sad when an establishment such as "The Capital Club" has been around for so many years, to have teenagers running a bar and not adults. The bartenders get into their feelings way too much and get angry when you don't tip! I've worked jobs where it was customary to tip and letting home life effect you at work is not the way to receive a tip. And the drama of a bar should never be seen on the customers eye. Clearly people should read up on customer service more instead of hiring, or letting whoever is not a bartender to interact with customers. Even if you do perform as a performer the two should never mix.Yet it's so sad that this bar has had people roofied and they don't know when to cuff off someone who has drank too much and then kick people out on false accusations. I hope that they get the help they need and turn this place back into the bar I once knew & loved.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Steven Swygert
It is so sad when an establishment such as "The Capital Club" has been around for so many years, to have teenagers running a bar and not adults. The bartenders get into their feelings way too much and get angry when you don't tip! I've worked jobs where it was customary to tip and letting home life effect you at work is not the way to receive a tip. And the drama of a bar should never be seen on the customers eye. Clearly people should read up on customer service more instead of hiring, or letting whoever is not a bartender to interact with customers. Even if you do perform as a performer the two should never mix.Yet it's so sad that this bar has had people roofied and they don't know when to cuff off someone who has drank too much and then kick people out on false accusations. I hope that they get the help they need and turn this place back into the bar I once knew & loved.
A very cute place
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The bartending staff is amazing here. So much love and good company! Been coming here for years and the staff is great! Josh and Echo are especially fantastic.
The drag shows are always so much fun as well. We love Colbi J, we love Colbi J!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful, historic, private LGBQT+ club in Columbia. Matthew, the bartender, was amazing, and made great drinks, including some new favorites!! He kept my drinks filled as well as kept customers engaged and entertained during the quieter times until the evening events started. Def go see him and enjoy this bar!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
Had the most amazing time last weekend. Matthew was a phenomenal bartender. He was attentive, welcoming, and made delicious drinks. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Love the capital club but for the love of all things, gay and holy, please buy the spot next-door while it’s available and expand. I’m tired of the straight girls taking over the gay spot & thinking it’s a buffet of men!!!!!
I was denied service. I am 22, will be 23 in a month, never been to a bar, as I lived in a small redneck town in Maryland and did not feel safe exploring bars there, being queer and trans. A year ago, I moved to Columbia, SC for college, still a Maryland resident, with a Maryland ID.
Now that I have been in the area for a while, and have made friends and peers, I was ready to finally explore local bars. Me and a few friends had planned to karaoke on Thursday, I arrived at 7ish while my friends were running late.
With only 2 patrons and a bartender present, I was uncomfortable at the new situation but was ready to learn by asking questions since my friends had yet to arrive.
I had wanted to start with something light as I am a small person/light weight and we would have all be there till past 9 when karaoke starts, according to the website. I had started to ask the bartender what the options are, and was openly honest that this was my first time in a bar, in hopes for guidance as this was a brand new experience for me.
My mistake. Shouldn't have done that I guess.
After answering a few questions about their limited options, they requested my ID. Which I gave over immediately.
Now as I previously stated, I have an out-of-state ID, Maryland. My picture is me 5, five, years ago at the lovely age of seventeen, pre-transition. I look nothing like my ID, it's been a running joke at two different jobs. And I knew it would be an issue when going to a bar, which is a partial reason its taken me so long to find the confidence to get out and live and experience a bar or club. Along with my neurodivergence and social anxiety.
I was told after they looked at my ID for a very long time that they did not feel comfortable serving me. I understood, thanked them and left without disputing, knowing it wouldn't be worth it.
I figured a gay bar, being queer friendly and all would have understood that some patrons don't look anything like they did several years ago.
I suppose that was another mistake I made.
You ruined my first bar experience.
I am IN FACT OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE. So thanks.
0/10 service- I received none. Won't be coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Enjoyed the drag shows here .. drinks are cheap and strong!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Love this spot. Always fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I ordered a drink during a bar crawl and noticed a slimy substance inside. When I asked the bartender about it, as he quickly disposed of the cup he claimed he’d never seen anything like it in his 15 years of service almost implying I had put it there myself. He insisted he used clean cups for mixing but didn’t offer an apology at all. Unsanitary/Unprofessional.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
To be fair this is specific to my Pride experience but based on pics I don't think it's going to be different any other time....
I made the mistake of going during Pride. One of my friends was performing and told me to come see her. I entered at the street entrance which was apparently the back entrance and paid to get in, even though I noticed that it was getting busier. The place was already crowded.
I stood as close to the wall as possible to minimize having to move out of people's way, but this caused me to still be pressed up against....
The bar stayed so crowded that they had to announce that the drag performers need to be able to make it to the 'stage' and that people who are in the way will be moved out of the way. I left after someone started groping me knowing that I was against the wall. I did not even get to see my friend perform...
Tldr: it's definitely too cramped to be in there
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
This is NOT a welcoming or inclusive space for minorities other than the performers. During karaoke night, I unfortunately witnessed a patron bully a group of ethnically diverse people into getting kicked out of the club; the same patron insinuated that they deserved to be there more than the ethnically diverse group because they were regulars and spent more money. The bartenders were complicit in allowing the aggressive patron to intimidate other patrons and essentially allowed the aggressive patron to call the shots and kick the group out. Karaoke is supposed to be inclusive, fun, and diverse, and the incident I saw made it the opposite.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I recently had an unfortunate experience at this establishment during karaoke night. I witnessed a group of people being kicked out, not for any disruptive behavior, but seemingly because they weren't applauding a female singer who was repeatedly taking the stage.
It was disappointing to see that a group of locals, who appeared to frequent the venue and spend money, were able to influence the manager to eject others. Karaoke is meant to be a fun, inclusive activity where everyone should feel welcome, especially at an LGBT establishment that prides itself on acceptance and community.
Overall, this incident left a sour taste, as it felt like favoritism and cliquishness overshadowed the welcoming environment that should be the hallmark of any LGBT space. I hope the management reconsiders how they handle such situations in the future to ensure everyone can enjoy their time without fear of being excluded for not participating in a certain way.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
It is so sad when an establishment such as "The Capital Club" has been around for so many years, to have teenagers running a bar and not adults. The bartenders get into their feelings way too much and get angry when you don't tip! I've worked jobs where it was customary to tip and letting home life effect you at work is not the way to receive a tip. And the drama of a bar should never be seen on the customers eye. Clearly people should read up on customer service more instead of hiring, or letting whoever is not a bartender to interact with customers. Even if you do perform as a performer the two should never mix.Yet it's so sad that this bar has had people roofied and they don't know when to cuff off someone who has drank too much and then kick people out on false accusations. I hope that they get the help they need and turn this place back into the bar I once knew & loved.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
It is so sad when an establishment such as "The Capital Club" has been around for so many years, to have teenagers running a bar and not adults. The bartenders get into their feelings way too much and get angry when you don't tip! I've worked jobs where it was customary to tip and letting home life effect you at work is not the way to receive a tip. And the drama of a bar should never be seen on the customers eye. Clearly people should read up on customer service more instead of hiring, or letting whoever is not a bartender to interact with customers. Even if you do perform as a performer the two should never mix.Yet it's so sad that this bar has had people roofied and they don't know when to cuff off someone who has drank too much and then kick people out on false accusations. I hope that they get the help they need and turn this place back into the bar I once knew & loved.
Creapy place,, never again,,,,,,
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
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