The Coffin Bar — Restaurant in Lancaster

I work in the service industry and understand the first few weeks (even months) can be tough working out the kinks and what not. I am also very supportive of local businesses and hardly ever give a poor review unless I am really dissapointed. That being said, I've been there 3 times now and have not yet had a great experience. I didn't love the vibe. It's cute and fun and I like the theme but it feels A little cold - maybe thats the point? Maybe some dark curtains or more red lights....I dunno...I'm not a decorator. My drinks were really weak every time....Although i've read other reviews saying the drinks were too strong so maybe it depends on the bartender? I guess some consistency would be nice. I LOVE the menu. I am tired of the same old classic menu every new restaurant/bar is offering. The Coffin actually went outside the box and is offering some unique bar foods and entrees. I've tried a few things and have been happy with what I got. The Service is my biggest issue. Being a Bartender/Server/Manager for well over a decade, I know bad service when I see it. It's not an issue of not enough staff....there were literally 5 people behind the bar and we waited 7 minutes before anyone asked for our drink order...and we actually had to say something to them as they were just looking at us twidling their thumbs, clearly not going to take our order. Multiple people behind the bar made eye contact with us as we sat there with nothing in front of us, one smiled and quickly turned around and walked away, one washed dishes as slowly as anyone possibly could...he actually watched us walk in and sit down. Some were just standing around with other employees. While I understand some of those people may have been barbacks or managers, even if there were only 2 or 1 bartenders back there, it should have been quicker. I just couldn't believe being that there were only 6 other people at the bar and 3 tables. I also watched the crew across from us at the bar wait forever to get their tab...sitting there with empty glasses and their card held up from the time we walked it. Who knows how long they had been waiting before that. It's a small bar, you can see what everyone needs in one quick scan... the bartenders just refuse to look up at anyone, they keep their heads down, it's bizzare. I just don't understand the lack of urgency with the staff (that I experienced at least.) The first time I was there was even worse. I mean it was really busy, I get that and I would have TOTALLY understood slow service if the staff was running around like chickens with their heads cut off but they weren't. They were just dillydallying around while there are people two rows deep. Everyone on the side of the bar that I was on was getting upset because they could see it too. I dunno, maybe they don't want to be crazy busy so they just don't care. My friends and I agreed that we prob wouldn't come back for a while...Maybe for the food to grab a bite before we go somehere else for the night. I'm optimisitc and will give it another try maybe come Spring. This review is only reflective of...

They dont ask you where you want to be seated so if youre short like me definitely advocate for yourself if they try to put you at a high top. Also dont come here if youre immunocompromised or dont want to get sick because they don’t care about hygiene. The waitress Octavia lied to me about the bathroom sink being broken, lied that it was working for other customers when it wasn’t, threw a fit and confronted me when my girlfriend spoke to another waitress about it when she didnt take us seriously, insinuated I didnt know how to use a sink by explaining motion sensors to me, and then did not apologize or even address the issue to me when we went to the sink together and it didnt work for her. The manager had to rub the motion sensor with his finger to get it to work. I wish I was joking. They need to take hygiene issues more seriously and not be so dismissive and rude to someone who’s trying to help them out. Where were the female employees washing their hands?!

A broken sink at a place that serves finger food is not okay but it happens. Lying about it to customers is terrible practice and also a really bizarre thing to do. I can understand if she was misinformed but the way she explained sinks to me instead of actually addressing the issue appropriately was really condescending, bizarre, and unprofessional. This was on top of the rushed and generally dismissive service we received.

The manager didnt do anything to manage the situation either. He didnt say anything during this entire situation, didnt address me or the issue of the broken sink, and basically avoided eye contact with everyone while I was speaking with the waitress Octavia about her service issues, even though he was standing right there. Very very strange experience.

Food and drink was ok. The ambiance/music was a good switch up from the usual but don’t expect a true alternative vibe. Music was at a good level to still hear and have conversations during lunchtime. Overall not worth being gaslit by the waitress. If you do come here check the...

After hearing about this place, I quickly pulled out that old high-school box with my emo/grunge memorabilia and decided to go check it out ASAP. I was fully prepared and excited to turn back the clock and hang out somewhere with an atmosphere similar to my youth. As soon as you enter, you are greeted by a friendly staff.  Our waiter was very quick to get us settled in. I quickly realized that The Coffin Bar was not what I was expecting. Looking back now, I'm ok with that because between you and me, I am NOT as young as I used to be. I probably could not handle this place if it was exactly what I was expecting. 😅

As I mentioned, the atmosphere of the bar was not what I was expecting. Considering that this place is near a college, it was actually super laid back. The type of crowd you will encounter here will resemble that of a coffee shop, but better because there is beer. Although I was disappointed they didn't decorate a little more, I am ok with it. I feel as though the minimalist approach they took with the decor makes it more inviting to people who may not be too comfortable with this kind of lifestyle. I DO wish that the music they had playing was a little "darker."

The food and drinks my table ordered were delicious. However, the best part about our order was actually the menu itself. Whoever came up with it had a great sense of humor, and it made me enjoy my food even more. I also enjoyed seeing so many things on the menu that catered to a wide variety of food sensitivities.

Since I was with people I had not seen in years, I was a bit concerned that this place would not give us enough time to catch up. The joke was on me because the staff at The Coffin Bar never made my table feel like we had to rush anything. We ordered when we were ready, and we left when we were ready. Our waiter did an excellent job at checking in on us without making us feel like he was telling us to leave, and for that, I am grateful.

Unique little spot that you should consider...