What an awesome spot!!!! Liz, the bartender we had, is phenomenal and provides the best experience!!!! I would return just to chat with her! My friend and I met here on a Wednesday for happy hour. We had a glass of Cabernet and shared the spinach artichoke dip. Such an awesome spot for a good drink and appetizer. Looking forward to returning to check out the jazz music on Friday night. read more

I have wanted to visit this place for the longest and finally got the chance to. Great hole in the wall spot for live music and drinks. I only deducted one star because I got the BLT and the bacon to toppings ratio was not good. Extremely thing slices or bacon that couldn't hardly taste because of the tomatoes and lettuce taking over. I think the chips were homemade and they were absolutely delish. I ended up ordering wings as well and they were very good and cooked to perfection: read more

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Great bartender and nice environment for a spot so close to the city. Not the typical college bar. Great selection of whiskey

We decided to pay the aristocrat a visit for a quick family outing. Brian and Dj were extremely welcoming and the atmosphere was great. The establishment was extremely clean and welcoming with nice Lowkey vibes! For the most part the food was pretty good! The fish and chips were immaculate, The chicken wings were some of the best I've ever had! The shrimp ceviche was a little bit of a letdown simply because they just placed cocktail shrimp on top of a tomato onion and lime juice mixture. The drinks were pretty tasty and very pretty however they were a little on the overly sweet side. We really enjoy places that makes our entire family feel welcome and Brian definitely made us feel comfortable with Bentley! He Spent a great deal of time playing with and loving on our little man so we can focus on dinner. He also brought him a treat! We will definitely be back again! read more

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Old fashioned southern comfort. Delicious cocktails with a modern bar menu. Spicy Thai wings are a hit. Come for the music stay for the welcoming staff. Great little spot in Columbia. read more

What a super, friendly spot! We were in town for a concert at the coliseum, and our hotel was close enough to walk to the venue. So, we hunted for a spot to hang, get a bite, and that was also close enough to walk to. Yelp, of course, helped us out! We started with the sweet potatoes and spicy meatballs - which definitely brought just the right amount of heat via habanero! So delicious that we ordered a second plate. Glad we were walking, after several very, very good cocktails, glass of wine and those spicy turkey meatballs, we happily walked on to our event. The staff was very friendly and we enjoyed our time at The Aristocrat!! I'll need to make an excuse to head up again! read more

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Me and my wife were in town to see our USC Son. Stopped by the Aristocrat for drinks before dinner. This is an eclectic place with a bar and entertainment area. We were very early and the only patrons. We got to hang out with Cleve the bartender. Cool MF'er!! Totally enjoyed our time with him. Five Star Service and All!! Keep up the great vibe Cleve and Prep on Bro. read more

The FOOD!!!!!! The chef, Hector, was beyond talented. Best pizza I have had here yet- and I'm from Brooklyn, NY. AMAZING. Idk how they aren't doing dinner here or maybe theme dinner nights or something. Was my first time- and I am picky. Didn't stay late enough for music but the whole place had a great vibe and the bartender made truly great drinks. Price was average. HIDDEN GEM this spot. Will def be back! Ty read more

My husband and I decided to try some place new for dinner. It was around 6:00pm on a Friday night. We had already looked on the website and knew what we wanted to order. When we got there, they said the chef hadn't shown up for work (the day before) and the only items to order were: Chicken Wings Buffalo cauliflower Flatbread pizzas We both ordered a flatbread pizza - He ordered the BBQ chicken and I ordered the Chicken Basil pesto. After an hour's wait, we finally got the pizzas. Mine had chicken and that was it. His was BBQ but it was spicy so he couldn't eat it. The bartender was friendly and we enjoyed talking to her but we tried to order a couple of different drinks off the menu but they didn't have the necessary liquor to make them. I had 2 drinks off the menu (they were able to make) and my husband had 1. Our total bill for the night (pre-tip) was $48. Needless to say, we will NOT be going back and honestly wouldn't recommend going either. It has the potential to be a really cool place but the owner needs to take accountability and hire a manager who will make sure all necessary items are ordered. Barb Giannelli read more

A unique establishment away from the vista and Main Street in a building well over a hundred years old downtown. The proprietors originate or have spent a lot of time in Austin, Texas a food town to be proud of for eating and drinking. Tried several menu items the fried avocado stood out amongst the crowd and I don't even like avocado on anything I eat but this was delicious. Sheltering from the storms after seeing Cirque Solei we stayed longer than expected the conversation was full of good cheer. Drank some Italian liquor to end my thirty's on a high note at the bar. Jazz music was played well into the evening by the band who had clearly earned their stripes meaning one member has played for over fifty years. If you want a slightly upscale experience to get away from it all come here and have a drink or two with your significant other on Friday night. read more

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I went here based on reviews... and I don't understand the high reviews. We ordered a couple appetizers, both were a definite miss. We ordered 3 differently cocktails from their menu... all three were a huge miss. One drink had menthol in it that didn't blend with any of the flavors in the drink. It was terrible. We spent $75 and left feeling like we were in the twilight zone with how bad all 5 items were. read more

I have worked in the business for years We arrived at the bar,bartender's were slammed manager was to busy on his phone to help them. Very unorganized sat for 15 mi. Just waiting on a drink. After placing our order they were out of dough to make calzones or pizzas. Bartenders work hard but need training manger needs firing and they need waiters. The entertainment was fantastic Elliot and the untouchables.. read more

Wonderful ambiance, chill and classy. I have been here several times for wine tastings they always choose a good local fundraiser as well. Super clean bathrooms and excellent staff. They are starting salsa Saturdays and I hope it takes well, It's so needed in Columbia. read more

This has to be one of the cooler bars in the Vista. We arrived around 9 after having a great dinner elsewhere. The Aristocrat is very cool and clean with a modern aesthetic and cool minimalist decor. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the bartender, Liz. We sat, scoured the menu, and made our drink choices. They have a very nice little wine list here, and they have a really robust handcrafted cocktail menu. I drank a few glasses of wine, and my significant other tried cocktails. He started with a martini which was superb, and ended with their signature drink, The Aristocrat. He loved every cocktail set before him, and it was a lot of fun engaging in lively bar banter and watching two talented mixologists at work. There are also a few TV's and we were able to watch some baseball, so that was good for my SO. There was also a jazz band that started around 9:30, and they were amazing. We did not eat dinner here, but every thing that came out of the kitchen looked dynamite. I would definitely try a charcuterie board and a gourmet pizza the next time I visit, which will be soon. The Aristocrat is exactly what Columbia needs: a friendly bar with an urban and modern ambiance and unpretentious yet fancy cocktails. The bar staff are extremely friendly and accommodating, and the customer base is also really fun. If you are wanting a date night, a night with the girls, or just something to make you feel fancy and not break the bank, go to The Aristocrat. If you haven't been, GO! read more

This is such a nice little spot just off the vista to have a nice drink and hear some music. It's very cute and classy. We stumbled here one night. There was the nice sound of jazz playing. Drinks were not super expensive and they had some nice appetizer options. There are a few tables outside, which is where we sat. Bartenders was super friendly and attentive. I removed one star because they were out of a couple of drinks on the menu, which happened to be the ones we wanted. read more

Súper cool spot for funky ambience without pretense. The food is good every time- this time got the cheese plate and artichoke spinach dip with some Sangiovese to drink. read more

The Aristocrat - Charcuterie plate - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Try the jalapeño drink whatever it's called, it's probably the best mixed beverage I have ever had.

The food, service and artists are amazing. This is my new favorite place!

Definitely a hidden gem. Great ambiance, amazing drinks and delicious food! Turkey meatballs had just the right amount of spice and the bacon wrapped sweet potatoes were delectable! Bread pudding rocked and I got a fresh amaretto sour, not premixed with a real cherry, not a dyed one. Will definitely return!!! read more

The Aristocrat - Homemade amazing bread pudding - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Couldn't recommend this place more. When staying in Columbia, we looked for local spots to visit, and consistently got recommend The Aristocrat by locals. Bartenders were amazing, even going the extra mile to make sour mix on the fly for a cocktail I wanted to try. The other patrons were kind, funny, and chatted us up all night. My only complaint is it didn't stay open late enough! If you're in Columbia, you have to visit. read more

The Aristocrat is one of the best, if not THE best, cocktail bar in the city. I was surprised to find this type of bar in Columbia. They have delicious and fresh handcrafted cocktails. The bartender was very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I loved the ambiance here. It has an Old World meets Gatsby vibe. I had "The Aristocrat" to drink which is Santa Margherita Prosecco and Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, rimmed with gold sugar and topped with a pink rock candy sucker. It is a beautiful drink, but it is more of a fancy girly drink, which is probably why I loved it so much. This drink was $12, so these cocktails aren't cheap but they are tasty! read more

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I dont know how pizzas made to order can be prepared in ten minutes. Placed an order for two pizzas and a couple of other items. Turns out, good food made to order can't be prepared in ten minutes. The appetizer was so salty it was inedible. The pizzas were Chuck E Cheese fare (which I have nothing against when I'm paying Chuck E Cheese $). Bartender was super nice. Shame he has to sale these wares. We threw the entire meal in the trash :( read more

What an incredible bar! The Aristocrat feels like an elegant, 1940s cocktail bar. Cool atmosphere, creative cocktails, and wonderful employees. Do yourself a favor and check it out. I had a Chile Mule - delicious. Cant wait to go back. read more

The Aristocrat - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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There are multiple bars, bistros, etc, in the Columbia Vista but none like this. The place is very spacious and the beverages are wonderful. I enjoy showing up to a establishment where they call you by your name and they're all just glad you came. (Cheers pun lol) The music "piped" in is very befitting and I also enjoy the "live" music. My favorite drinks are, of course, The Aristocrat and the Chilean Mule. The alternative is the Aristocrat . . . hands down! read more

We came here last night for the first time and well it's definitely a step up from what was here before! The bartenders were very helpful and nice and took good care of us. We ordered a pizza and a quesadilla to snack on and they were both good. The quesadilla had sweet potato in it which was unexpected...but I liked it. I tried the Achilles, achilles drink and a tuskers beer and both were good. Seems like a good place to take a date as there was live music when we got there. Would recommend. read more

The cocktail was solid, but the place had only about 5 people on a Saturday night. I think the vibe was weird. It could be a retro-cool, semi-divey Lounge, but it was WAY TOO BRIGHT; every ceiling light was glaring. Not conducive to relaxing with cocktails. read more

Imagine two California ladies lost in Columbia trying to find the Aristocrat. For some reason our GPS was screwing up and we could not for the life of us find the Aristocrat. To our relief Mason came to our rescue. He found us on the street corner and escorted us back to the Aristocrat. I have never had any establishment do this kind gesture. Cold and frazzled we ordered the signature Aristocrat cocktail which was to die for and the almond crusted Brie and the crab fingers which were fantastic. We highly recommend the Aristocrat. read more

The Aristocrat - Mason to our rescue. Thank you!! - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Went there tonight with my wife to celebrate our 14th anniversary. We met there when it was a bar called Kelly's. I will never go back. The cocktails were OK, the food was horrible...tasted like the cheapest offerings from Sysco and was way overpriced. Ordered the Chicken and Waffles and the Mac and Cheese bites. Both were overly breaded and were baked but were not fried...very dry and flavorless. Just because an establishment claims to have a kitchen run by a chef, don't believe it. Horrible. The staff was friendly but more concerned about making cocktails than closing my tab... and they take forever to make a cocktail. I had to ask twice to close my tab. With a tip I spent $77 for four drinks and two appetizers. If you want to hang out with a bunch of hipsters who don't mind wasting money and don't know what good tastes like, then this is the place for you. I will not be going back. Very dissapointing......I think the food was better when it was Kelly's serving true late night bar food. For once, my wife didn't tell me I was being a jerk for thinking a place was subpar. read more

Found this during our recent stay in Columbia--what a find. Exceptional cocktails and service! The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable and even made me a cocktail based on my preferred flavor profile. We didn't eat anything but the menu looked great. We will be back in Columbia in September and definitely plan to return! read more

I stopped by with a few friends on a Friday night as we heard it is jazz night, and had some food and dessert. We ordered shared plates for the table, artichoke dip, meatballs, along with a couple of other apps, as well as the bread pudding with ice cream at the end. The apps ranged from average to good, but nothing really blew any of us away. However, the bread pudding is definitely a must here! It is pretty great, and definitely worth the extra laps you will need to run to burn it off! The live jazz band was great as well, and definitely a highlight of the night. read more

Amazing cocktails, snacks, and appetizers. We sat outside and enjoyed some rotating cocktail specials and the giant pretzel, all of which were excellent. I highly recommend for a happy hour or late night drink. read more

My mother likes sweet cocktails and couldn't decide on one from the menu. The bartender said no problem and made something spectacular for her. Love the small plates. The environment is great for a small gathering or date night. Live music is always great. read more

The Aristocrat just changed owners, and they literally just reopened with a new food and drink menu! SO good! The service was awesome! Great vibe with the music and art work! The food is fun with an upscale twist on all the classics. Now for the drinks....NOM! Delicious AND Instagram worthy! The craft cocktails were all different and made with love, care, and attention to detail. Will be back for sure! read more

The Aristocrat - Their signature drink called The Aristocrat! - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

My friend and I happened upon this bar by accident, but boy oh boy I'm so glad we did!!! Our server, Liz, is absolutely phenomenal! She is so personable and very attentive! The wine is absolutely lovely, we had a Malbec and Torrontes from Argentina. 10/10 would recommend!!! read more

Love, love, love this place!!! The historic building is beautiful. The drinks were not just drinks - they were served with an artistic twist. Speaking of art - check out the art work - some from local artists and a local photographer. And the bread pudding was incredible!!! Delicious!!! Unfortunately i was only in town for only one night but this would be my place to hang out. I can only imagine the nights they have live music this place is jumping!!! Check it out!!! read more

Great to finally find a high quality cocktail lounge in Columbia. Live jazz occasionally, great tapas, and an extremely wonderful staff. A must for Columbia nightlife! read more

The Aristocrat - Classy vibe with an awesome jazz playlist in the background - Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Excellent made from scratch offerings ... fresh made pizza (including crust), avocado fries, bread pudding, ceviche. Diverse wine selection. Super attentive service. read more

We had a few drinks here before dinner and they make the BEST cocktails. I had a margarita, it was named the Onyx. One of the best margaritas in town. This is coming from a texas gal. The cocktails are a little pricey at $10 per drink, but worth it. Also, the guys that work there are fantastic! Super fun to chat with and It was a great experience! I look forward to going back and trying their $10 wine tasting. :) They do not have beer on draught but I do not really care about that. They have alot of wine options and fun spins on Prosecco. Also the enviornment was very inviting. I felt like I could feel comfortable there and chat the night away with friends. Before I went in I thought it might be to stiff of an atmosphere, but it was the complete opposite. They also have a stage where they have live music (jazz there). I gave 4 stars because they did not have prices next to the cocktails. Also, they should have a list of liquors they have - I think that could be handy. read more

Then best place in town. Awesome atmosphere. Wonderful staff, excellent variety of wine and beer. Scrumptious food. And then best part, DOG FRIENDLY! read more

Excellent service!!!! The service, food and the environment were wonderful. This is under new management and you can tell a huge difference! The food was very good fresh and delicious. A good variety of wine! We will be returning again and again. read more