I am sitting in the Water Street Tavern and they are definitely NOT closed. They are open and serving food, drinks and DORA drinks. I haven't eaten here but will update my review when I do. Great local place, give it a chance. read more

Water Street Tavern - the interior of the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Ohio

Sending in a review on yelp because I seems my friend's review was taken down on Google reviews. Such a shame this place has become, if you're lucky to get a good drink that's cool! 95% of the time it's undrinkable. That's whatever in my opinion. Their service is what's absolutely diabolical. Talked to a bartender who gave us the green light to go upstairs, there were chairs by a gate and we sat there. We were causing absolutely no trouble, just vibing with our birthday girl. This bartender comes up and begins screaming at us and I don't mean "hey get out of here." I mean exercising his vocal cords and screaming like we were 50 feet away. We calmly told him we can go, there must have been a miscommunication because HE TOLD US we can come upstairs and his power trip was definitely not over because he proceeds to stomp over to my friend and rip the drink out of his hand and puts his hands on him. Look. I don't want to bring race into this... but in this political environment it feels necessary. The only person this bartender targeted was our black friend. The only drink he threw was our black friend and the only person he was putting his hands on was my black friend. He was continuously putting his hands on him as well, while we were calmly exiting and walking down the stairs he was SHOVING him as if we weren't already moving. This man has STRONG anger issues and should not be working there if he can't handle the calmest customers. It got to a point our friend has to tell him, "if you put your hands on me one more time I will defend myself" there shouldn't have even been a first time!!! STOP DELETING OUR REVIEWS, I am copying this and plan to continue posting it if it gets deleted. read more

This is the best bar in Kent. It is not fancy so don't think you're walking into an upscale restaurant and don't go late because that's when all the students come out. However, if you want good bar food, a great selection of drinks, and a nice bar to sit at and chat with the bartenders or watch sports, this is the place. Live music on Friday night and game nights other days, what more could you want? It's also a great people watching spot. Hope you enjoy it like we do. read more

My band comes here regularly after our practices. This is my first time being in since the new food place went in (I'm an out of town player). It's always been a decent place. The 2.50 draft happy hour is nice (especially since it includes long islands), but the other drafts are a little pricey. That being said I did discover a new cider which I liked a lot (virtue cherry) Foodwise- I liked the last place better. I feel a few of my chicken tenders were a little pink, or not the usual tender meat. I also initially expected a little more coleslaw for the price of the added fries and coleslaw. The chicken was served very hot. The fries were a little cool, but still warm. The fresh doughnut is a nice touch, you don't get to have one of those too often. That being said, jt wasn't bad, but I feel like there is definitely room to be better. read more

All I can say is WOW how cool the ginger a** of a bouncer must think he is for being a complete d*** for no reason. The first experience I had with this bouncer was when I was sitting at a table and he asked for our ID's. I gave it to him with no problem and continued to talk to my friends/family since he so rudely interrupted. In a very aggressive rude manner told me to "look me in the eyes". Dude I'm sitting there with my parents enjoying my sisters graduation celebration.. no need to be rude. I get it's your job but seriously no need to be a prick about it. Not how you should be treating customers who are spending money to pay for your subpar hourly job. Then, he told me to leave for literally no reason! Standing by the door with my parents getting ready to leave when we ran into a friend. This prick of a bouncer overheard my PERSONAL conversation and then came over to me in my face and said "miss do we have a problem" as I proceeded to tell him "no we don't" he told me I had to leave. I called him an a** hat after that (he deserved it). After reading the reviews the morning after I am not even slightly surprised these are the types of people they have working here. Thank god my sister is graduated and I never have to come back and see that loser of a bouncer again. On a side note I was there the night before and had a GREAT experience with the couple bartenders working there. Very attentive and friendly. GINGER BOUNCER TAKE SOME NOTES YOU A** HAT!! Sincerely, The Twat read more

Just a quick one. Road trip to Kent to see what we could see. Just your average "I live in Youngstown, so need to travel" kind of things. Bar was dead on the afternoon we went, the wifey and I, and we was thirsty and hungry. After some reflection on the choices, went with Water Street Tavern. Was not disappointed at all. Bonus, it is attached to Mr. Zubs subs (see their reviews on Yelp) who serve really great sammys and assorted what not subs and such. AND... a rooftop patio. Was a perfect day for it, had a couple of 2 dollar Labatt 16 oz drafts, and a pretty good reuben (wife had a something-or-other that she said was good) from Zub's. Zubs is worth a trip, nice menu. And a few vegan options that did tempt me. I do like me some sprouts and cukes every now and then, and Zub's menu had those options as well as meat type stuff. Was good. Left happy. Am going to search out this place again when they have their bands on Wednesday and Friday. Looks like a good time. And Downtown Kent Ohio is definitely worth the drive. I would go out of my way to come here if I lived in Pitt or Cleveland. On a festival night, or whatever. So, not just the bar, and the sandwich, but a really nice park and walking environment. A lot better than I remember it being ten years ago... read more

If you are headed to this place after the game turn around, go somewhere else. The food is horrible, the service is non existent. The stunad at the door just stood there on his phone when people walked in, no hello, no seat yourself, no you have to order and pay for the food at the bar. An hour and forty five minutes later the most disgusting food was brought over to the table by the stunad standing at the door. We didn't get napkins, two little packets of ketchup for a big basket fries that were still partially frozen. We actually left most of the food sitting on the table. We asked for our money back and were told they only give gift cards. Bitch please! I will never be back. This was the recommended place to go after the game for the parent family weekend. So why didn't the owner or manager have more staff working to accommodate the influx of people coming in. I warned people that were walking in as I was walking out to go somewhere else that this place is absolutely horrible, they'll take your money, make you wait over an hour and then when you complain about the food to bad you don't get your money back. I even warned people that were down the street, "if you are headed to Water Strret Tavern turn around go somewhere else". McDonalds is way better! I gave it one star because the glass of water I had was cold and icy. read more

Asked for a beer on tap and a Manhattan. Beer was 100% dead flat and warm. I was told that they couldn't make a Manhattan because they didn't have the ingredients. You are a bar without vermouth & bitters, without cold, carbonated beer? I can't understand. Really. Warm beer and no mixed drinks. Sigh. The reasoning, "We're a college bar." Lesson learned. read more

We came here on a Wednesday to hear the live acoustic guitar players. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the music, and most of all the food! The staff are great. The chicken tenders and donuts are fantastic, and the prices are a bargain!!! read more

Always was my favorite bar in Kent!!! Can't wait to visit and take my boyfriend there!! Oh the Mongolian Mofos are the best drinks hahah!!!

I'm so torn about Water Street Tavern. They have some of the best happy hour specials in Kent. And Cajun Dave's is nestled inside and serves up some delicious food. But this place is like a magnet for DBs of both the male and female variety. For me, dealing with that type of crowd isn't worth the cheap drinks or good food. The earlier in the evening you go to Water Street, the safer you are. Go right around dinner time and you're golden. In fact, you'll probably want to start your Kent bar crawl here. They have a $2 happy hour until 9pm every single day. Most mixed drinks are only $2 as are most domestics. That's cheaper than every other bar in the area. The bartenders are definitely on the snobby side. They represent their traditional clientele well. This can be an issue when they ignore you to chat with their friends at the other end of the bar. That's fine, just don't expect me to tip you. The huge bonus at Water Street is Cajun Dave's. You can't get Cajun Dave's without going into Water Street, so you may not even know it exists. But it's good. Options range from jambalaya to pizza to po boys. I've never had something off their menu that I didn't like. Not culinary genius, of course, but good nonetheless. So go early, get tipsy, eat some delicious fries, and get the hell out before the place becomes DB central. Trust me, it's better that way. read more

My buddy was feeling a little sleepy and was doing the stereotypical "nod" that sleepy people do, then an employee came over and actually slapped him on the shoulder telling him to wake up or leave. I understand not wanting someone asleep in the bar but there was no need to slap him on the shoulder. We will never go back. read more

The bartender who works Saturday nights in the back bar is a complete miserable loser. He was very disrespectful, swearing and muttering words under his breath to me as I simply just asked for a drink. I think the dude had self esteem problems or something. He should be fired immediately because of how rude and unwelcoming he was. DESCRIPTION: average height, bulky build, white, short spiked blondish hair. Seriously if owner sees this you have a beautiful bar with a wonderful set up. But this bartender needs to go or at least a very stern talking to and monitoring. read more

Fun place with awesome drink specials. The owner is very involved in the community too. This place is the happening place in Kent for sure

This is a great place in Kent to catch a live band and enjoy a crowd older than the average college student. I have never tried the food here - or I guess it's actually Cajun Dave's. It does get crowded but you can create a makeshift dance floor anywhere in the bar! They really do book some good local bands and it's worth a stop in!! read more

I have frequently visited Water Street to watch Ohio State football games with my family and we noticed that on multiple occasions we've been overcharged. Dominique is the specific bartenders name who consistently charges I and my family for top shelf regardless of what we ordered. I mentioned this frequent wrong doing to a manager and he told me I needed to "specify the price" when it's clearly advertised on various posters the price for said drinks. She/ they have made me and my family feel uncomfortable and given me the perception that we were taken advantage of because of our financial status. It is unfortunate that I will not be motivated to returning because the staff is rude. read more

amazing photographer amanda! she was such a great gal and made us feel so comfy. she really slayed those pics. 10/10 will be coming back just to get photographed by her. read more

Rude staff. Horrible customer service We're here for the Octoberfest. Came in for a few beers. Absolutely shocked by the obnoxious bartender. Love Kent. Will never return to the Water street Tavern. Gave 1 star because the air conditioning worked read more

Literally have avoided this bar like the plague when possible. The service is terrible, the staff rude, the management doesn't care. At one point the bartender made my drink in front of me without alcohol. When I asked her to make a new one she said no, and when I told the manager he wouldn't even offer to make me a new one... it's not like I drank it half way through and asked for another shot. It was literally straight cranberry juice from the soda gun. I hate this bar. If it wasn't such a location for Kent students to meet up with their friends then it'd be dead. read more

The African American I entered with was welcomed at the entrance with an "are you with them" as a black man with a white group of individuals. I've been bamboozled with the customers service here and will not be returning. read more

Water Street Tavern is two faced....older crowd early on, mellow and there for Jazz Tuesday night. Wednesday is Blues, Friday usually Rock. Later in the evening usually a younger crowd and music to match. It's a bar with bar food not special, good happy hour deals and characters. Not so much a college bar as a multi- generation easy going bar. Never struck me as a meat market, try it out maybe you will enjoy ! read more

Only good things about this place are $1 drinks on Tuesdays and their upstairs patio. If it weren't for that, I'd never go there. I've been there many times and every time the bouncers take a long time "checking my ID" while carding me. It's almost like they want me to be underage. I've also seen a lot of bouncers pushing people out and being extremely rude towards their customers. They are inconsiderate people who only want your money. read more

Their tenders are good. They need to have wings though!?!?! Lightly Breaded or non breaded! If they had wings I would give more stars. The bartenders are kinda weird too. read more

Came here on a Saturday afternoon while waiting for a friends band to play a block over. Wanted some food and beers. The food ya order at the counter and is pretty good and filling. The hot dog was almost too much meat. Ron Jeremy would be jealous. The teeny boppers a table over got uncomfortable when I stared at them while I ate it...once they did that I focused on the bartender dude...I cant tell this wasnt his first rodeo and he cheered me on with his eyes and cold stare. Beers and shots were so cheap we thought it was a joke. Now mind you, this is a college town, on a Saturday afternoon so they would rather sell some liquor, discounted, than none at all I figure. I obliged them and took full advantage of the 2.00 shots and bottled domestics. I could see getting in trouble in this place for sure. Reading the other reviews, I think the people working were cool and laid back...almost too laid back though. And the only macho person in there was me, besides that brief time Danny Trejo was on the TV... VIVA LA WATER STREET TAVERN AND CARNE GRANDE!! read more

Water Street Tavern is my favorite bar in Kent! The music is always good and they have a lot of space on the main floor as well as an outdoor patio. Drink prices are moderate for the area. Highly recommend read more

Not like they need another 1 star review or anything, however they've earned yet another. My friend from North Carolina came up for a visit. I took him to kent because kent is a fun night out, and it was at every other establishment we were at. Then we came to this dump. Has so much potential only to be brought down by an absolutely atrocious staff. Waited 15 minutes for a drink, which would have been fine if I wasn't cut by every girl that came up after me. I eventually informed the bartender that I've been waiting for 15 minutes and that he's served others that were after me. His response was appalling. " What? What? Fuck off everybody has been waiting 15 minutes, I'll get you thrown out right fucking now" if my friends weren't having such a good time ( it was ladies night, on Tuesday ) would've left right then. I had to ask a girl to go up and get me drinks by offering to get whatever she wanted. What do you know she walked right up and got served while another guy next to her was there first. Sickening. Then on way out I asked the door guy ( who was shockingly a little guy, usually they have bigger guys that would be strong enough to break up fights and calm people down without much force) if that's how your co-workers treat their guests, he was a total a-hole, he said don't call my coworkers a-holes and proceeded to grab my throat as I looked away and threw me into actual water street. My friend went in to tell him that was uncalled for and he then gets grabbed by the throat and thrown into water street. That got me heated so I went back and was like wtf and he mocked me through the glass and said wait for me to get off btch. So I sat on the bench and waited to have cops show up. Who's side are the cops going to take? Of course the bars that bring the cops more business when they have nothing else to do. Absolute terrible establishment. Again potential is there if they had employees that don't curse at customers, and choke them out when they aren't expecting it. Way to attack 2 drunk civilians on their way out the door. What a dump. Please people don't go here. Should've read the reviews before I took my friend here. Great night turned into a nightmare when we came here. read more

Bartenders and bouncers are aggressive and pushy. Very rude, enjoy swearing at customers

By far the best happy hour in Kent and the nicest bartenders! They have a great rooftop patio with heaters which is key ;) This place has fun signature drinks and great music, it's nice that they play it at a volume where you can actually have a conversation with people. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a good time. read more

At the bar tonight, the bartender spilled an entire punch bowl on a customer and then after said customer tried multiple times to ask for another one politely, he was forcibly kicked out. I think it's messed up that a bartender, who spilled the drink, didn't replace said drink and instead of compensating for his mistake, he kicked the guy out by force. One of the bar backs grabbed him from behind and literally threw him out. Unprofessional and uncalled for. The customer was totally calm, I was standing right next to him. Probably won't be returning. read more

I liked this place for the drinks but not the wings. I have heard that the rest of the food there is really good. The staff is very friendly and you get a smile as you walk in the door. (They card everyone as you come in the door). read more

Great college bar with some of the best live music you'll ever see in downtown Kent. The staff is friendly and actually care about the safety of their customers. read more

Zero stars would be the most accurate rating. The bartender literally screamed at me because he couldn't hear me, interrupting me in the process. They took the order twice and then served drinks to everybody and their mother before we finally gave up and asked to close the tab. And then after about 15-20 minutes, they came back like "what do you want now?" Manager excuses him saying "he's been working here for 7 years" like I care? Basically, if there's a white, chubby, bearded guy there; turn around and leave. read more

Pack a bunch of bros on the prowl and add expensive shit drinks. You have to watch yo self girl! But can be fun with large groups. ..college bar atmosphere. read more

Good happy hour prices on a long list of beers and liquors. Lots of subs and sides at reasonable prices. Live music on some nights.

June 8th we get there at 3:55. I peaked in and asked the bartender what time they opened. She said 4:00. Ok I said is that bar time or real time and she said real time. Hello??!!! You won't let us in 5 minutes early? read more

Terrible service. Would not recommend. Go to 157 Bar across the street. Quicker service and better prices. Also better atmosphere.

Not much to look at, but if you are looking for an easy going bar with a $2 happy hour everyday from 2-9pm. Tavern is the place to go.

Solid college bar almost always people there the bouncer is good so no underage kids there to ruin the mood drinks are high priced but what do you expect all around it's worth a visit here and there but wouldn't make it my regular bar read more

Went to this bar with a group of friends who invited me. It's a bar that I am known to be at. But for god knows what reason the manager thinks that I am responsible for bringing some random underager that I don't know. So instead of listening to me try to explain myself he just immediately kicks me out.... Worst management I've ever seen. Not only that but I found out he let the under aged kid INTO the bar and buy a drink before he got kicked out. Talk about shady management. read more

Came here today for a drink after my brother's graduation and the bartender was one of the rudest people I've ever had "serve" me. They have relatively good prices and the cafe inside is cool, but obviously customer service is no priority. He gave one-word, rude answers to our couple of questions, didn't say anything when we told him to keep the tip (over 20%, zero which was deserved), and acted like doing his job was a huge nuisance with probably 12 people in the whole bar. Bartending is a SERVICE business. I'll be choosing other local bars in the future. read more