The Bar at 316

I love this bar! Drinks are GOOD! always have a good time

Fun, Friendly, Comfortable Bar

This is a great neighborhood bar with a diverse crowd. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest, but it's the type of bar where you will find locals any day of the week. The biggest crowds usually arrive after 11 PM, but the neighborhood locals stop by for a few relaxing drinks after work. The bartenders make it a point to know their customers. Converted from an old house, the interior is full of cozy charm. The upstairs bar is open every day, and the downstairs bar only on the weekends. So if you can't find everyone when you walk in the front door, just head upstairs! Out of the 14 gay bars in metro Charlotte, this is hands-down, the number 1.

How do you write a review?

How do you write a review of a place that is honest criticism? Let's see. The Bar at 316: Good place, intimate, good music, has the ability to have a fun crowd. Decent drinks that are a little pricey. The observation: a "Good Crowd" can overwhelm the inexperienced bartender. There is no service station at the upstairs bar. With that ever-so-busy crowd upstairs, the bartender's inexperience shows. He can pour a good drink, but that's only after you can get his attention. Remember, there's no actual designated station to order a drink, so you have to try to get the bartender's attention. I'm the customer, I shouldn't have to work to get my drink. WAIT to get my drink? Yes, but not *work* to get my drink. There becomes the problem. The inexperience is young, and maybe even pretty depending on your likes, and shows as he *never* scans the crowd for newly arrived customers. I stand 6'2", much taller than those I was standing "behind" at the bar in trying to get his attention. After waiting and watching him double-back over the customers already served that were sitting at the bar more than 4 times (approximately 10 minutes), he never looked up past that line of people sitting/standing right at the bar. I watched as 3 others that came in, then turned around and left. (summarized) I beg the owner 2 things: 1. the majority of your customers are standing on busy nights, anyway. Put in a dedicated station for service. So many other bar in the world have one, and it's proven to work well for hundreds of years. I promise it won't hurt your business, and may even keep a customer from walking out. [BTW, that also means that I may even come back because I actually got service] 2. Please train your bartenders to scan the crowd. After 10 minutes and to never be recognized by the one that is supposed to be serving me? I didn't say get my drink in 10 minutes, I said GET RECOGNIZED in 10 minutes. Was the bar that busy? No, the bar wasn't *that* busy, especially considering you were also behind the bar paying special attention to the 3 boys (1 of which is another -current or former- bartender of yours). Remember, these are observations of watching how the customer is treated... or how the customer is not treated, in this case.

Charming but sophisticated

Charm and gay culture coming together in this Victoria style home turned into a bar, but be warned, this is a southern gentlemen's liaison, meaning you have to bring it when you come here, and not look like a frat boy. It is a place for snobs to some extent so do not be offended if you do not feel like you fit in, just bring your own friends and you will have a good time people watching at least... they also have karaoke nights during the week.

Nice place.. if you're white..

My friend and I were not wanted there and it showed.. Drinks were overpriced and packed with ice and the guys that did approach you were high on coke.. Will not be back.. I know when I'm not wanted.. You would think in 2012 with a black president we would be over that crap, but I guess not ..Oh and just in case you're wondering .. I tip very well..