Decades Lancaster — Restaurant in Lancaster

I was cold and lonely, walking the streets of downtown Lanc. Up ahead on the road a boisterous group of people were gleefully walking toward a building that I had last seen years before (hosting other operations). The positivity of the group piqued my curiosity; I excitedly followed the vibe. Inside, I found an immensely spaced, brick exposed, restaurant that appeared to be a local version of a Dave and Busters. I wasn't over-stimulated, as one tends to expect from that referenced chain. I was immediately greeted by a smiling attentive wait-person. " Is there seating available at the bar?" I asked. "Of course,", she said. " Just have a seat wherever youd like." After a quick stroll through the center of the coin-op game section( about a 'quarter' of the space 😉 ), I posted myself at the front end of the bar, with a welcoming seat to my right. Just to the right, was a cute couple seemingly celebrating a great future together. ❤️ To my left were the intoxicating bells, rings and joyful exaltation of the gaming patrons, a familiar and palpably genuine comfort. In front of my barstool stood a young bartender eager to fulfill my every alcoholic and tasteful desire. I quickly asked if my favorite seasonal beer was available, knowing it had finished its run for the year. He quickly responded in a defeated tone, " We actually had it on tap until just last week." I smiled and immediately began inquiring about my only true alcoholic passion, a single malt, speyside scotch... He dedicatedly began his search. In moments, he returned with four bottles of good scotch, none speyside, but an unfamiliar west end highland looked worthy of a taste. The couple next to me seemed Equally excited in that moment without correlation and I knew it was fated for me to go smokey this particular evening. The dude abides. I ordered a double "on the rocks" to acknowledge my internal inspiration and was presented with a highball glass filled just below the rim of the glass, with an enormous spherical craft cube. I sat, looked around, lifted the glass to my face, inhaled deeply through my nose and took a generous first sip. It was mild, my hope achieved! I then settled into my typical scan of the surroundings. Behind the bar, just in front of my seat was an enormous television with Star Wars: A New Hope, just coming to its heartwarming conclusion, serendipitouslously defining my association of the deathstar as an allegorical craft cube being drowned by my Jedi X-wing highland blaster smoked scotch. I then turned my attention to the nearest group of game patrons, eagerly selecting between a multitude of pinball options on a machine new to me, a pinball multi-cade, with what seemed to have an AR case lid. They were, of course, flexing their supple wrists. At this point, I decided that my levity needed to be reigned in. I said as much to the nearest bartender. A knowing smile appeared on his face, and he said, " just one more drink then?" I nodded, and feeling a bit too exposed proclaimed that I needed a purple cocktail. My quirky request had the desired effect. He quickly transitioned from knowing to reflectivity and concentration. He walked down the bar and began a disciplined alchemical rite.Behind me, to my right, was a small dining area with a few tabes, one of which was occupied by a smiling family, looking satisfied, with an amazing smelling spread of recently delivered Americana fare. I conveniently needed to find the restroom, and passed by the family just close enough to see what the excitement looked like. Simply put, it was well presented. I made my way back to the kitchen area, speaking briefly with an employee, and getting redirected back to the front of the building, where my destiny awaited. I returned to the bar to find a markedly blue-green beverage and a defeated looking alchemist. He apologized for the undesired shade, but I was happily surprised and excited to not see alcohol wasted. We spoke a little longer about matching colors on something so focused on flavor and I addmitted to being...

The only reason im even giving it 2 stars is for the set up and atmosphere. That being said, it seems like it would be a great place but even though my fiance and I went there we got to enjoy nothing. We came to eat and were seated at 6:45ish. So the waitress comes and takes our drink orders. After bringing them back by 7:00 we then order our food. The one appetizer we ordered to share was brought by 7:30. Fast forward 2 cocktails and 5 beers later our food still hasn't arrived. It about 8:30 at this point. We ask the waitress how long yet for the food and she says she doesn't know and apologizes. By 8:45 We are beyond mad that we still haven't gotten our food for 2 hours! So we flag her down again and ask her to actually go ask how much longer. She does and when she comes back by 9:00 she says my fiances burger should be done in 15 min and then proceeds to tell me they are out of the fried chicken I ordered! And asks me if I'd like to order something else. Really?! So my fiance would have to eat without me and we'd have to wait another 1-2 hours for my food! I understand it's the first Friday they are in business but 2 hours with no food besides our appetizer ever brought out is just ridiculous! No manager ever came over, nothing!! So after we say no to ordering anything else and that we are just leaving the waitress said I'm sorry and I'm not sure what to do but you don't have to pay for the drinks and appetizer. Well yea I should hope not! So after being extremely hungry at this point we had to walk to the diner up the street. They should have been more prepared. So given it's new we will be fair and try again in a month and hopefully get to enjoy some food, drinks, and games. But we were very disappointed to...

On a recent Saturday evening at Decades, I was approached by staff management and asked to button up my shirt. Another patron allegedly complained to the staff, saying I was dressed inappropriately, and that there “were children” present.

In fairness, I was wearing a loose-fitting button up, that due to the heat and humidity outside, I had opened up a bit. Of the 7 buttons on the shirt, three were undone. My chest was a little out there, but I, and my dining companions, did not consider it “inappropriate” for the space.

We also found it ironic that someone would complain about my appearance around children where they serve alcohol and parents can be observed visibly intoxicated around their kids.

The management could have handled the situation better. We were seated long enough to put in a food and drink order when (I’m assuming) the GM approached our table and asked me to button up. I was initially confused, and he clumsily explained the situation. My partner and the other couple we were with were outraged. I was genuinely shocked. The GM brought over two small cups of game tokens to smooth it over, but by then none of us were in the mood.

I bring this up because I’m a straight white male, arguably the most privileged class in America and I was essentially body shamed for simply existing in an adult space. If I can be shamed, how will they react to members of the LGBQT+ community? Is this how Decades will react when anyone is being made to feel uncomfortable?

We ate our burgers and finished our drinks and left. The food was fine. The drinks were fine. The atmosphere, fine. Do I think we’ll be back?...