Rating 5 stars bc this place deserves a higher overall. Went last week for the 80s theme night and the pavilion did not disappoint. The staff were friendly and the drinks they served were very tasty. They work hard to keep their space tidy and clean as well. read more

Food was not good, 15 min to order a simple margarita no alcohol $30, Smells like crap

Went here to see our friends band play and had a good time. They have an indoor and outdoor patio/ bar area. Drinks are moderately priced though it would be nice if they displayed their drink prices, as they do not anywhere. Lots of fun mixed drink options. Paid about $10 for margaritas and $6 for a 16 oz Mjc ultra , not too bad, $5 cover for shows. It does get pretty loud inside with the band playing . Service was pretty quick. We got some fries and a wrap which were average . They charge $10 for parking in the back, but there is street parking available near the other restaurants down the street. Would expect parking to fill up more near beach season. Overall would return for another show! read more

The Pavilion - Beach - Dance Clubs Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

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While here at sound view we got hungry and came to the pavilion at sound view beach for a snack. I recommend the buffalo chicken tenders and beer batter shrimp as it's delicious. The long dog is a great size for splitting. The service was right on and the girl there was very delightful. Great service. Just don't take apply pay only cards and cash read more

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Food is horrible. But most don't come here for that. I really wish this bar had tiki bar bites that were a little more upscale but simple. You have to walk to a separate area to order food and my pop corn chicken tasted like it was from a frozen bag not even fried. Just don't come here expecting to eat. The drinks are drinks. The servers are sweet. People come here to drink and not eat, I always like to do both. Mostly food. Pina colada good, beer selection good. Just wish it had real bar bites. Makes me miss my tiki bars down in Florida. Tuna rolls, cocktail shrimp, chicken wings please add to the menu! read more

The worst experience Ive ever had. This was my first time at this bar for a friends birthday and also to celebrate the Holiday. My friends handled drink the first couple of rounds and then it was my turn. I go to the bar and when the bartender approached me , I said hi and asked what kind of blanco tequila there was. She turned around to look at the bar and mentioned she only had Teremana. I said ahhhh okay and then she walked away less than 5 seconds after that. I looked at my friend confused and then I told her to order. The bartender comes back so fast and proceeded to tell my friend I was rude as F*** when I wasn't. My friend apologized to get our drink and then told me what she said. I was immediately frustrated because I've been a server/ host/ bartender and I am NEVER rude to workers. The big difference here is my friend looked similar to the bartender if you understand what I am saying. I was so bothered by this I went to the manager Stephanie, and my friend explained what happened and basically called her a liar. She said no she never said that, that never happened. She didn't care I was upset and instead of addressing her employees behavior she tried to give us free drinks. It wasn't about the drinks, its that this place (workers and customers) are predominantly caucasian and they do not make other ethnicities feel welcomed! Will never go back. read more

If you want to be surrounded by the dumpiest people of CT, this is the place to be. To put it lightly, everything here from the food to the environment is mediocre read more

Fries are great. Lemonade is great. Workers are great. Great experience. Amy and Bianca made my visit great. read more

The Pavilion - Fries. Lemonade. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

Food is great. Amy makes the best food at the restaurant. Overall a great vibe makes everyone's days. Best food at t sound view. Such a interesting experience. read more

The Pavilion - Chicken Caesar Wrap - Dance Clubs Near Me - Old Lyme, Connecticut

I see all of these reviews about terrible service. I've had nothing but good experiences at The Pavilion and even when I've simply gone to the beach near The Pavilion, the music has given me a soundtrack while I'm hanging out on the beach. The prices for drinks are decent. People have to remember that things are a little pricier near a beach. Restaurants, bars, etc. Honestly I was completely okay with the cost of the drinks I had when I've been there and the people that come to The Pavilion have always been relatively chill people. One time I've seen someone get kicked out but they were being absolutely ridiculous and in a drunken stupper. The bands that play here have always been good in my experience. I've seen several of them over the years and most of the bands keep the words cuss free for the other people on the beach too so its a relatively friendly sound enviroment outside of the restaurant/bar for families. The parking is rough if you are looking to only go to the Pavilion on a busy sunny summer day BUT there are plenty of lots nearby that are relatively cheap to park in. You got to pay for beach parking most places so it doesnt phase me much that I'm paying for it. read more

It is what it is - a beach bar. I didn't eat - just enjoyed a couple cold Coors Lights- that were $4 each. The price was fair. Place has a nice setup, was pretty clean with a great location on the water. Drove an hour especially to listen to live music featuring Marty Q. All in all was a great way to spend a few hours on a summer Thursday afternoon read more

When you're at Soundview Beach, this is the place to be. If you want a place to hang out, bikini clad there really is no better place in the area. They have lots of activities all summer: DECENT BANDS, liquor promotions, dance contests, beach volleyball... They also have outdoor seating with a gorgeous view of the Long Island Sound and raw bar which always scores points with me. Now why the three stars? Last time I was there I could not get service. No matter how hard I tried, the bartenders would not offer me a drink. When I finally asked for the manager, it turned out that she was one of the bartenders and claimed that she "hadn't seen me." I was wearing a green polka-dotted dress for goodness sake and practically climbing over the bar! She did give me a drink for free, but then when the bill came, somehow I was charged for two drinks that I had never had the opportunity to order! I've never left a day at the beach as angry as I was that day. And quite honestly after that experience I would probably rate it even lower, but it does have some redeeming qualities and the service isn't always bad (when my friends are working). Plus I do liquor promotions there, so I can't totally bash it. read more

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Excellent bar and views. Loved the staff and food was decent. Highly recommend. Great to watch a baseball game or enjoy a weekend.

Bartender Kay Kay made chicken salad wraps. Kitchen was closed but they were banging. Went out of her way to make them with love. Try it. I dare you. read more

I love the Pavilion!!! My friend and I feel so welcome!!! Great staff!! Great music!! Wonderful people!! So much to do and see here!! Everyone is so polite and respectful! Fun, party beach!! All staff is so friendly and helpful!! I give this place a double thumbs up!!! Definitely would recommend the Pavilion to all my friends. Will spend a lot of our summer here!!! Come here and have a great time!!!!! Love this place!!! read more

You're spending $20 just to park in the area, another $10 per-person cover, service is awful and they definitely water-down their over-priced liquor. I ordered a $12 Tiki drink from the side bar today. After she had already made it, bartender told me it was cash only and I couldn't add the drink to my already opened tab. So I had to go take out $20 + $3 fee to pay for my $12 drink. After that nightmare was over, I took a sip of this cocktail and I kid you not, it tasted like rum, chlorine and melted plastic. I could also taste the iron from the tap they water their rum down with. Couldn't finish my drink, I would've gotten sick. Would've asked to speak to a manager to get it off my tab but the bar is so busy and there's only ever 4 bartenders working. Save your money. read more

So my buddy and I are sailing around the East Coast going to the best places to party. In our research we heard of the infamous Pavillion. A crazy beach bar that puts the shit in shit show. We arrive at the mooring in Niantic, tie up the boat and go to Main Street Grille for dinner. Upon our 25 minute walk there, we stopped to ask some sprite young fellows about the Pavillion and they agreed, "It is THE place to be on a Saturday night." Bingo. Bango. Bongo. Getting amped would be an understatement. We arrive at the Main Street Grille broken men after being incorrectly directed to a bluff that was a +1 injury risk, but got a table immediately. We ordered some drinks and grub. Yummy. The food was delicious, but there simply weren't enough carbs in my coleslaw. However, I digress. The waitress proceeded to give the absolute worst advice I've ever received. She seemed like an astute Niantic traveler having been very familiar with all things "party" in the area. She used words like, "boogie" "groovy" and "complete and utter wildness" to describe the lored Pavillion. My friend and I became so excited we almost forgot to pay the tab. The lovely hostesses called us a cab and we are on our way to heaven on earth. The time has come. Only 15 minutes till we are surrounded with bikini clad women with makeup to the 9s. In just 15 minutes I'll be organizing bar wide body shots and drinking enough Kamikazes to end WW2. In just 15 minutes I'll be watching drunk idiots wrestling each other on the beach. However, most of all I'll just be having a damn good time! We should have known. We simply should have known we were approaching dire times when our taxi driver said, "You want to go all the way to the Pavillion? I haven't been there in a long time." But it simply didn't resonate at the time. We traveled through the back roads and the darkness began to settle in as a light fog drifted in from the Long Island Sound. The only lights around were the flashing red and blue of the occasional 5-0 protecting the public. After a solid 20 minutes, we arrived at our destination, an opaque blue building on the beach playing Shaggy's "Angel" over the loud speaker. "We've arrived, it's sketchy, but we've arrived" I said. It's 11pm now so I assume I'll need to grab a spot in line, as my buddy pays the cab I begin to pace towards the building. I throw on my swag face and approach what I believe to be the entrance. I walk up to a door with a clearly marked exit sign and there are two guys smoking a cigarette that look like Michael Cera and fat Jonah Hill combined with a mixing pot of all the Jersey Shore cast members. I ask where the entrance is and he opens the exit door without saying a word. I say, "Oh no I'll go in the front entrance. Where's the front door?" Without acknowledging me with his voice yet again, he points me through the exit. I step through the door slightly concerned, but I'm only bent, not yet broken and then it happened. like a mirror falling off the Empire State Building, my heart shattered into a million pieces. The bar is what I'd expect for a beach bar, but the clientele was not. There is one bar tender, 18 guys and approximately 2 chubby chicks. In the entire bar. Some of the downright most pathetic looking people I've ever seen just having a couple of drinks before going home and checking in on their neglected children. WHERE ARE THE BIKINI CLAD WOMEN?WHERE IS OUR WILD NIGHT WE TREKED SO FAR TO HAVE! Unfortunately, it was all a lie, a lie if epic proportions. We high tailed it back to Niantic and enjoyed a calm yet eventful evening at The Black Sheep before returning to the boat. If this is a Saturday Night at The Pavillion then I don't want to see a what it looks like the other 6 days a week. If I can plea to you one thing to you Yelp User, don't waste your time going to this establishment unless you get off on being completely underwhelmed and defeated. read more

I used to live in Old Lyme. i do not like this place. The music is loud, the people are less than appealing and it has a rep for serving underage kids - which is not something i condone. My friend used to be a doorman - him and his friend got stabbed - yes with a knife - yes in Old Lyme. A drunk guy came out and was unhappy, so he pulled a knife on innocent employees. This place brings trouble where it is not wanted and is just plain loud. Dude, Brah, i know you think its super cool, but seriously, there must be better places. read more

Lets face it. The place is a dump. Over priced drinks, Meatheads and bimbos everywhere. The food sucks, its all fried crap. You never know, you might be one of the lucky ones like I was that gets your credit card info ripped off, then you get hit with a $300 bill for Jimmy Cho shoes the next afternoon! What a place! read more

Great staff, great manager. Best bar backs east of the Mississippi. Bar is always stocked and wells are always filled with ice. Just a great place to be. read more

I love coming here ! Really good drinks before or after you go to the beach ,you can sit at the bar and order up a couple drinks

SHITTY SERVICE AND RUDE STAFF. Food was garbage.. The only reason this place is in business is because of its patio and that it's on the beach. I over heard a guy complaining about his beer prices too - over pricing beverages is probably how they stay open! Oh and this was when it was not busy, so no excuse for the bad service read more

I have been living in Washington DC for three years. Don't worry, this has a point. Any way, I live in DC which is not exactly known for being cheap. Just the same, I had to laugh, when, recently, reading a review where someone was complaing about 5 dollar Miller Lites at a nightclub in DC. Miller Lite is basically the lowest of the low beers, so I understand the reviewers frustration. Even by American Lager standards, this is bad, pee water really. But that review reminded me of an even worse trangression of overpriced swill. And here is the point: I remember coming here just once (thankfully) with a friend when I was 22 (7 years ago) and paying 7 dollars for a miller lite! Wow! Did the fancy looking blue bottle make it taste any better? All sarcasm aside, Nope, not all, still swill water - so why should you pay 5 or even crazier, 7 dollars for the worst lager you can get? Not sure, but this place, which I am ashamed to say, is a part of my hometown, is highway robbery. I guess enough frat boys on summer vacation with mommy and daddys money come here to keep it open. Honestly, the worst of the worst in the CT area seem to descend on this place, which I guess is not the bars fault, but still. There is no excuse to justify the crazy prices for drinks here because this is probably the worst portion of beach in Old Lyme and Soundview is always littered with trash and beer bottles from "city" (out of town) folk who seem to have no respect for any enviroment that is not there own. 7 dollars for a miller lite, even though it was 7 years ago, will always stick in my mind because it was just so high for a beer and I shudder to think of what the price might be these days. Somehow, this is a weird mix of high prices mixed with an overall trashy vibe but with the aforementioned frat boys with mom and dads money - odd place. would 100% pass on this rip off place! read more

I was told multiple times about how great of a place this was to hang out on the weekends but man that was not true. My girlfriend and I took the hour ride from my home town down to hangout by the beach and possible grab a drink or two before heading home. Well after parking half a mile from the venue we started our trek with all our things in hand. Turn out the beach doesn't allow coolers bigger than 5qts but the employees were more than ok with us bringing ours out on the sand because it had NO alcohol and only contained two sandwiches and waters. Once we had settled there was multiple people drinking from coolers the same size as ours and a lot of people showing way too much PDA and just over all being arrogant to everyone around them. Never before have I seen a collection of tools so diverse in my life and that's not even what made me angry. After being at the beach for around an hour a "gentleman" came to the beach with the same cooler as us and snuck it into the fenced in beach area, this caused the security guards to go over and search his cooler which in turn cause the man to get very upset about his cooler and they asked him to return it to his car. Understanding what was going on we were soon approached about our cooler once again and I was asked to return it to my car, I agreed with the guard and packed up the cooler and returned it to my car. Upon my return I noticed that almost the ENTIRE BEACH still had their own coolers on the beach including the "nice" guy I referred to earlier. So I approached the guard again and he apologized over and over again about the rules that only I had to follow for some reason. Needless to say we left about an hour after the incident. We will never be returning to this place after what happened today such a nice place turned into a party spot for inner city garbage. DISGUSTED. read more