Republic Garden & Lounge — Restaurant in Charleston

I'm a local and I've frequented this place often for many years since it opened, but I doubt I'll return. I went with a group of 6 friends this past Saturday and I was the last in the group to attempt to get in the door before being told by the young white bouncer that I couldn't come in because I had on "high tops." He then opened the cordon rope, said "have a nice night" and let me out of the line. I sat outside in disbelief as they literally let the person right behind me in the door wearing worn out high top Chuck Taylors along with many other patrons. I was respectful, didn't argue with anyone and was dressed appropriately with a nice button down collared shirt and nice jeans (no holes) and the "high tops" I was wearing were $8k white Dior Air Jordans. I attempted to explain to him what my shoes were and he said it didn't matter. No high tops, have a nice night. My friends were inside with bottle service in VIP and noticed I wasn't there so a manager (I assume) came out and escorted me inside past the bouncer. Obviously once inside, I noticed how many others were wearing "high top" shoes, flip flops, baseball hats, t-shirts, shorts and other attire that I would expect to be prohibited based on why I wasn't allowed in. I hate to give a bad review because of one employee but the other bouncers didn't speak up so I assume this is their normal practice. I hope they will take notice and make improvements, establish a written dress code, or make necessary staffing changes. I have never been refused entry to ANY establishment so I was understandably shocked and embarrassed in front of the entire line of people waiting to get in. I'm very disappointed and had my friends not already bought bottle service, we would have went somewhere where we felt welcome. I have attached pictures of other footwear and dress that were permitted inside that night for reference.

I never write reviews but after seeing that my experience was not uncommon and that other people have had a similar experience, I decided to write this to hopefully prevent anyone else from experiencing the same embarrassment I...

Trying to show my friends who are not from here a nice place to grab a drink we walked in expecting a nice experience but was immediately met at the bar with unbearable attitude from the bartender- she seems as if she hates her job. My friends presented their ID to her while ordering and the bartender proceeded to pitch a fit about our IDS not being checked at the door and refused to check them (which no one was even at the door to check so we took the liberty of showing IDs even though we did not have to ). She then proceeded to speak to my friends as burdens when taking a drink order and caught an attitude and always had something unprofessional and negative to say - for that reason I did not order from her but sent my Husband to order from the other bartender, because she did not deserve a tip from anyone ,my friends , let alone me. I moved to a different area to avoid her prude atmosphere because it filled the room. As soon as I started to enjoy myself my husband met me after returning from the bathroom and told me that a security guard was sent to follow him to the restroom and question him about our sobriety. After not even having completing a single drink because this was one of the first bars we had been to- he then proceeds to accuse me (the only sober woman there who didn’t even order a drink) of being “too intoxicated”. I gave the place multiple chances to redeem itself but it seems your bartender found a way to ruin it every single time. It is strange that she then talks about me and my friends visibly, and sends security to question us- all because she isn’t good enough at her job to get a tip from us. Get rid of the tip pool situation- if I knew the bartender that attended us after got the tip ,I would have tipped $150+ just for actually treating us like humans but unfortunately I would not let a penny of my money go to someone who obviously has a sour business attitude AND personality. I never even SPOKE to the bartender after presenting my ID and she still managed to ruin my night...

We flew from different parts of the states to get together for our friends birthday! We were so excited to get the opportunity to experience bottle service at the famous “republic” which is majorly publicized on social media and television. When we got there we were surprised that we had to sit outside, but we had embraced the humidity haha and were like no big! We will still have so much fun as long as the outside vibe was the same as the inside. However, within minutes of being outside we (and I mean ALL sections outside not just our table) realized there was ZERO music! We paid for a club vibe, not a chill bar environment. Legitimately had asked a few other patrons if it was self serve as we saw our waitress maybe twice and that was after we had complained about not being served. The mixers were hot. The manager psych-o babbled me about how “he hears me but nothing he can do and he will follow up with me in a few min” we never saw him again for the entire night. Nothing was done about our situation. I explained how it was false advertisement and ultimately felt like they were stealing our money KNOWING they knew they couldn’t play music outside but STILL LET PEOPLE SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS with NO DISCLAIMER. We made the most of it and stayed until closing. Worst section/bottle experience I’ve ever had. I was validated when multiple other people in our area complained about the exact same thing. Ultimately, I think what is more upsetting is that even after all the complaints the business did NOTHING about it and brushed it off knowing that they would never see us...