Carolina Ale House

Carolina Ale House is fine if you like noise and a really crowded venue. I didn’t enjoy it because it was too loud to talk and my food came out burned (presumably because they were overly crowded).

Well, I guess I have only a few things to say… what can I say. I had a great experience up until the manager came out. Bartenders Ricky and savannah were awesome. Some of the best service I’ve ever had. Even the server Blaque was good. The manager, Michele, was awful. She was rude, against her bartender’s wishes and fortunately I understood that she was having a bad night or something and didn’t reflect that on the tab of savannah or Ricky, but I will think twice about revisiting this establishment and if I walk in while she is working, I most likely will leave. Bottom line… Manager Michelle = terrible service

Enjoyed the grilled wings very much. They came recommended from the server Joti. She was an excellent server. If you’re looking for something different these wings were terrific.

To whom it may concern,
I look forward to being contacted by your company if you require additional details about this matter.
I recently visited your Columbiana Drive establishment on 7÷3÷15. I asked that my party (girlfriend and 20 month old child) be seated on the enclosed patio in the non-​smoking section of the patio. We were promptly seated in that section and served almost immediately by Jennifer and a trainee. Our experience with them was fine. While we were eating our food a couple sat in the table next to us, which was part of the non-​smoking area as well. We asked the server to do something about this issue. She informed us she would ask the manager (Robert Stolberg) to address the issue. Several minutes passed and Mr. Stolberg had not come out to address the patrons who were smoking (two cigarettes completed by this time). I got up from my table and asked the server where he was and she told me he would eventually come to our service. I instead went to the back of the restaurant and requested that Mr. Stolberg do something or clear our check if he would honor the non-​smoking section of the restaurant due to health concerns. He refused and explained he was powerless to do anything since he was not issues a summons for a non-​smoking offense. I was very frustrated and asked one last time if he would do anything for me and my family. He dismissively said he would not. I was upset that Mr. Stolberg did nothing, he didn’t even bother to offer different seating to help relieve the smoke bothering me and my party, which included a small child. In addition the table across from us also complained about the issue and he did not come out to address them either. I was very upset about this and his lack of concern with loyal patrons and his dismissive demeanor towards those of us who complain about things that affect our health. I have mentioned this issue to a friend of mine who works at DHEC and city code enforcement since Mr. Stolberg feels he cannot control the issue himself. I told both contacts I would let them know the results of my inquiry via this letter.
I am saddened by the response I received from management on this issue. I have been a loyal customer for a number of years!
In summary,
* Two customers complained about the smoking and the manager did not come out to address the issue, ever and we were there for close to an hour and a half.
* I directly brought the matter to the manager’s attention and he refused to address the customers who were smoking. I seems to me, If I performed ANY activity deemed inappropriate by management (disorderly conduct, fight, swearing, theft, etc.) management has the right to remove me from the property. By extension, management’s lack of action appears to condone the act of smoking in an area in which smoking is not permitted. Please note the area was enclosed since it was raining. Does this mean those who smoke indoors would not be asked to leave. His position does not make sense to me. He never tried!
* The manager refuse to accommodate my family or the table across from us who also complained. I thought if he was going to condone the idea at least accommodate me and my family since the smokers are more important. At the time I really wanted one of several things from the manager ask that he address the offending table who was smoking, a comped check for lack of action, move my party to a different area, etc. none of this occurred!
The food is great but the manager I dealt with that day it was not a good experience.

Okay full disclosure the sandwiches and salads are good but the wings are a total fail I had forgotten how bad they were I’m going to make myself a mental note to never eat them again. Buffalo Wild Wings wings are ten times better and cheaper

This midget manager has put women’s soccer on the audio feed. Guess what else is on? That’s right… NBA finals. He said someone requested soccer. Seriously what is wrong with this guy?

I gave two stars JUST bc of the food, not the service. The manager on duty was horrible, and couldn’t even deal with the problem at hand, and instead brushed it under the rug so to speak. The outdoor non smoking section is a great concept, but obviously people can unlearn how to read? The staff didn’t think anything of it, and no one had the courage to point out the signs clearly posted, and ask them to move. I guess if you want a good time sitting outside, you must take up smoking. Disappointed in our first time going there. Way to welcome the newly moved to town New Yorkers…

Very much enjoy the fish tacos. Great beer selection. Service seems hit or miss. I wasn’t happy when they stopped serving salad with entrees and my kids were sad they stopped serving corn dogs.

Low rating due to the smoking area. Geez, it’s the 21^st century and still this restaurant has a smoking section. It maybe separated by doors but the constant in and out makes the whole place stink. Great service. Food much better than the other Carolina ale place I went to in Texas. But, the atmosphere here stinks. Literally.

The only reason that I give CAH a 4 star is not because of them… IT’S THE DANG CIGARETTE SMOKERS! I love the outside bar but when its cold outside and the plastic things are shut and the heater is on… OMG! Not good. I did smell like an ashtray. I know it’s outside but it’s no longer «outside» when plastic is down!
Hey, no problems in the summer time… burn it to the cotton if you like. The windows and fans are on.
Love the food and staff… my go to place!

I feel like all of their food has a similar taste too it, but if you are looking for bar food it’s about par for the course. The upstairs bar is an awesome place to hang out in the summer time, especially when they open up the porch and have a band playing! Nice hang out!

Their grilled wings are huge and by far the best wings I’ve ever had! They also have an amazing beer selection! Pair their wings with a banana bread beer and that makes for a perfect night! Their southwest salad is also amazing! Best I’ve ever had! Definitely miss this place!

Get the blackened chicken sandwich. It is no longer on the menu but it is one of the best sandwiches in Columbia!

Got the pub burger last week and hubs had the wings. His was awful and mine was great. Good beer selection and our waiter was very personable and responsive. I feel the food is hit or miss here. But overall a good chain rest.

Great choice! Loved every sip of my wide variety of brews. We had burgers like no other today. The triple B is a classic. It is my favorite. The beer battered fries are the way to go with that classic treat. Save room for the mud pie. You will thank me later.

This is the best bar/​restaurant combo around. Yes it’s a chain but it’s an extremely well-​run chain. I absolutely love hanging out at the bar on the patio. Frank is the best bartender in Columbia. The food is always fresh and delicious and the beers are the coldest you can find. As they say at the Ale House, ALE YEAH!

I would say I’m a bit of a regular here. You can’t beat an outdoor patio like this. If it’s cold the can close it off and they have smoke circulators so you dint leave smelling like an ashtray.
Gotta try the fries, some of the best in the Soda City. I would recommend hitting up the outside bar and go see Frank one of the best bartenders I’ve seen in SC. Great service great food great beer selection.
Also one of the only places that is always open and serving their full menu until 2am.

We were here recently for a late dinner. It was packed as usual. The service was slow I think because they were so busy — hire more waiters!
It took us a while to get our drinks. The mint in the first mojito I had, well some of it was brown and mushy, I removed it, I was desperate, I drank it anyway. The other two seemed ok, but the first seemed as if I got the last of the mint in the bag or something, kinda gross.
The food was so-​so. For a place this busy? It should be better you would think. My husband got a burger he only ate half said it just wasn’t that great. The cheese fries — those were good! The zingers (boneless wings) were OK. Not the best by any means, the sauce was just ok, (hot and sour) which it seemed neither hot not sour and I wondered if I got the right sauce.
The noise — dear god the noise. We could barely talk to each other and we were sitting side by side as close as you can get (what can I say — after years of marriage we are still in love) I mean I know it’s a sports bar but it is so loud (sat outside) that I felt like I had just been to a concert when we left my ears were ringing! There are so many tvs, and they all go what seems to be full blast. I can understand being loud but this was ridiculous.
The plus, you can sit outside and have a drink and smoke, but that is about it really.
Sorry!

Went for happy hour and dinner. Great draft beer prices! And i had blackened salmon for dinner which was cooked well and I enjoyed it. A little bit over buttered but that’s expected.
I had wonderful bartender with overall prompt and friendly service.

I have to give them a three because of the excellent service we received. if I had to go off food alone it would be 1 and a half. As soon as we walked in we were greeted at the door! It seemed like a very lively place because the bar and dining area were pretty packed. The hostess talked to us while we waited for our table, but our wait wasn’t long.
The beer prices were also very decent coming from up north. Our waitress was also very pleasant and nice. I order mozzarella sticks and quesadillas — which I was not impressed by. Seems as if they were microwaved and the mozzarella sticks had no taste. My daughter also ordered the kids burgers but the were not fully cooked. We sent them back and had them taken off. I really appreciated the manager coming by asking for our feedback and he even sent us home with the kids burgers free of charge.
Like I said –this seems like a great place to come watch football, throw back some drinks and have great service. But I wouldn’t recommend the food.