First of all I LOVE supporting local live musicians, but be prepared to be robbed blind when you go to this place. I have frequented many live music venues in the area for over 15 years, but never left feeling as I did here, even the former Brown Street Club, which few places will ever compare to, which always had a cool fun vibe, but still classy, which this place seems to be aiming for, but IS NOT, with all their rules, and spending requirements.
We were charged a $10 each cover, then there was a 2 drink minimum for drinks that we discovered were not cheap or even reasonably priced…..THEN after I saw the 20% gratuity added to the check I was just DONE.
The sad part is many truly want to support local bands, as I’m sure the struggle for many of them is real, but then this place makes a killing off of that. You leave having enjoyed the band, even though you look at the check and wonder “WHAT JUST HAPPENED”, and I am far from being a person that minds paying for justified services.
I’m glad I got to hear Earl V and his Crew, but if I ever hear them again, it definitely won’t be here!!
Service: 2
Beth S.
This review is for the Jazz bar, can I just say OMG OMG OMG. This is the BEST find in my year of Greenville— nothing better than a night at Rainers for Jazz and soul!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Caan
Turned away at the front door. There were 3 tables open but we were made to stand at the front door for 10 minutes. It felt like they were hoping we would leave. There were 2 groups that walked in behind us and left because of how absurdly bad the service wa
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Marcel Coffman
Very unwelcoming and rude.
Atmosphere: 1
Andrea Rhyder
I give this a two because it smelled great and was clean … my daughter and I had been shopping and wanted a late lunch. We walked in wanting to sit outside and was rudely greeted by a heavy set lady. My daughter needed to use the restroom and I was gonna take the menu and meet her outside and the lady said my child could not use the restroom until we purchased. We came up the street to Foxcroft where we have been before and service and food is amazing. I wouldn’t recommend Rainer. It’s sad as soon as I came to leave a review another person said they were turned away as well. Being a business owner I would never want customers turned away.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Brandon Moore
A New Favorite!
It was our first time attending last night, and let me just say—you’re in for a treat. My wife and I enjoyed every bit of the experience. From the gentleman who warmly greeted us at the door to the incredible music and delicious food, everything was top-notch. The customer service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.
Rainers Cafe has definitely earned a spot as our new go-to. Thank you for such a wonderful evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michele Ford
Great atmosphere from the guard at the door to the staff in this establishment also loved the music and the food was good too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dorian Jordan
My wife and I had an amazing time tonight! The food was great and the music was even better. We will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
leigha lenore
How does an owner use our people's culture to gain from us, but I am told a smart casual linen short set will not do and was kicked out after my wife and I were seated and had drinks to take our money?? It's summertime in Greenville, and I was told a smart casual short set with Oxfords is not acceptable! Crazy, but you're a white-owned establishment using my culture's music and representation to make money off us. We will never return, and if aboriginals knew better, we would not/should not give any more money to this establishment!!!
Janiah Sanford
Just moved to Greenville 3 weeks ago. My wife and I randomly came here after dinner. She was wearing linen shorts (over knees and halfway to crotch) and I was wearing a romper. We got through the bands 1st set (they were great) when the server told us we would have to leave because my wife's short linen shorts were not allowed. Mind you, we had already sat and ordered 2 drinks and were charged the $10 seating fee. The server talked to the owner who reiterated this to my wife (while I was in the bathroom). We decided to just leave because. Even the bouncer at the door was confused, he's the one who let us in as he didn't see an issue with my wife's outfit either. One we saw who the owner was (NOT us), we decided to leave anyway, as we could see the grift of capitalizing off of Black American culture with an RnB/Jazz atmosphere. After all, you don't see any Black Americans owning Asian, Italian or Jewish-themed establishments. Foundational Black Americans, I HIGHLY suggest we get serious about gate-keeping our culture. After all, everyone else gate-keeps theirs!!!!
After days of planning to eat at Rainer’s, my friend and I stopped in after walking Falls Park with our babies in strollers. We arrived at 10:45, not realizing they didn’t open until 11:00 — the front door was unlocked, so we assumed they were open.
A woman from the kitchen came out looking a bit surprised, but kindly said it was fine for us to sit inside and wait in the AC until they officially opened. However, a younger server soon came out, looked at us with clear annoyance, and when I explained the situation, he rolled his eyes and said, “Umm, okay… I guess that’s fine.”
It was uncomfortable and honestly felt unwelcoming. We ended up leaving.
It’s not difficult to understand an honest mistake — two moms with babies, asking to sit in the AC for ten minutes, especially when the door was left unlocked by the business itself.
Unfortunately, I won’t be returning.
Service: 1
Ashlyn Jones
Amazing food & people!! Super friendly. My go-to lunch spot in Downtown Greenville!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeanne Clark
The cutest unique sandwich cafe! Awesome sandwiches. Great service.
Eric Cole
Stopped in for lunch at Rainers and their food was soo good. Had their Turkey Brie Croissant and a slice of the cherry social pie. My wife and I will definitely come back the next time we drive through South Carolina!
Brian Such
Tried to eat here, but was turned away. I had already purchased my vegan sandwich elsewhere and was going to eat at Falls Park. When my wife arrived she mentioned my meal and we were told I could not eat my food there per SC DHEC rules. Well the next place we went was fine with me eating there. Plus the table seating is ridiculous. At 2:00 with 3-4 tables empty that said reserved for 4 we had to move to a table next to the door labeled reserved for 2 or more. My wife who eats here often and knows the owner said she is not returning.
First of all I LOVE supporting local live musicians, but be prepared to be robbed blind when you go to this place. I have frequented many live music venues in the area for over 15 years, but never left feeling as I did here, even the former Brown Street Club, which few places will ever compare to, which always had a cool fun vibe, but still classy, which this place seems to be aiming for, but IS NOT, with all their rules, and spending requirements.
We were charged a $10 each cover, then there was a 2 drink minimum for drinks that we discovered were not cheap or even reasonably priced…..THEN after I saw the 20% gratuity added to the check I was just DONE.
The sad part is many truly want to support local bands, as I’m sure the struggle for many of them is real, but then this place makes a killing off of that. You leave having enjoyed the band, even though you look at the check and wonder “WHAT JUST HAPPENED”, and I am far from being a person that minds paying for justified services.
I’m glad I got to hear Earl V and his Crew, but if I ever hear them again, it definitely won’t be here!!
Service: 2
This review is for the Jazz bar, can I just say OMG OMG OMG. This is the BEST find in my year of Greenville— nothing better than a night at Rainers for Jazz and soul!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Turned away at the front door. There were 3 tables open but we were made to stand at the front door for 10 minutes. It felt like they were hoping we would leave. There were 2 groups that walked in behind us and left because of how absurdly bad the service wa
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Very unwelcoming and rude.
Atmosphere: 1
I give this a two because it smelled great and was clean … my daughter and I had been shopping and wanted a late lunch. We walked in wanting to sit outside and was rudely greeted by a heavy set lady. My daughter needed to use the restroom and I was gonna take the menu and meet her outside and the lady said my child could not use the restroom until we purchased. We came up the street to Foxcroft where we have been before and service and food is amazing. I wouldn’t recommend Rainer. It’s sad as soon as I came to leave a review another person said they were turned away as well. Being a business owner I would never want customers turned away.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
A New Favorite!
It was our first time attending last night, and let me just say—you’re in for a treat. My wife and I enjoyed every bit of the experience. From the gentleman who warmly greeted us at the door to the incredible music and delicious food, everything was top-notch. The customer service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.
Rainers Cafe has definitely earned a spot as our new go-to. Thank you for such a wonderful evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere from the guard at the door to the staff in this establishment also loved the music and the food was good too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I had an amazing time tonight! The food was great and the music was even better. We will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How does an owner use our people's culture to gain from us, but I am told a smart casual linen short set will not do and was kicked out after my wife and I were seated and had drinks to take our money?? It's summertime in Greenville, and I was told a smart casual short set with Oxfords is not acceptable! Crazy, but you're a white-owned establishment using my culture's music and representation to make money off us. We will never return, and if aboriginals knew better, we would not/should not give any more money to this establishment!!!
Just moved to Greenville 3 weeks ago. My wife and I randomly came here after dinner. She was wearing linen shorts (over knees and halfway to crotch) and I was wearing a romper. We got through the bands 1st set (they were great) when the server told us we would have to leave because my wife's short linen shorts were not allowed. Mind you, we had already sat and ordered 2 drinks and were charged the $10 seating fee. The server talked to the owner who reiterated this to my wife (while I was in the bathroom). We decided to just leave because. Even the bouncer at the door was confused, he's the one who let us in as he didn't see an issue with my wife's outfit either. One we saw who the owner was (NOT us), we decided to leave anyway, as we could see the grift of capitalizing off of Black American culture with an RnB/Jazz atmosphere. After all, you don't see any Black Americans owning Asian, Italian or Jewish-themed establishments. Foundational Black Americans, I HIGHLY suggest we get serious about gate-keeping our culture. After all, everyone else gate-keeps theirs!!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Disappointed by my first experience.
After days of planning to eat at Rainer’s, my friend and I stopped in after walking Falls Park with our babies in strollers. We arrived at 10:45, not realizing they didn’t open until 11:00 — the front door was unlocked, so we assumed they were open.
A woman from the kitchen came out looking a bit surprised, but kindly said it was fine for us to sit inside and wait in the AC until they officially opened. However, a younger server soon came out, looked at us with clear annoyance, and when I explained the situation, he rolled his eyes and said, “Umm, okay… I guess that’s fine.”
It was uncomfortable and honestly felt unwelcoming. We ended up leaving.
It’s not difficult to understand an honest mistake — two moms with babies, asking to sit in the AC for ten minutes, especially when the door was left unlocked by the business itself.
Unfortunately, I won’t be returning.
Service: 1
Amazing food & people!! Super friendly. My go-to lunch spot in Downtown Greenville!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The cutest unique sandwich cafe! Awesome sandwiches. Great service.
Stopped in for lunch at Rainers and their food was soo good. Had their Turkey Brie Croissant and a slice of the cherry social pie. My wife and I will definitely come back the next time we drive through South Carolina!
Tried to eat here, but was turned away. I had already purchased my vegan sandwich elsewhere and was going to eat at Falls Park. When my wife arrived she mentioned my meal and we were told I could not eat my food there per SC DHEC rules. Well the next place we went was fine with me eating there. Plus the table seating is ridiculous. At 2:00 with 3-4 tables empty that said reserved for 4 we had to move to a table next to the door labeled reserved for 2 or more. My wife who eats here often and knows the owner said she is not returning.
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