Barnaby's - West Chester — Restaurant in West Chester

Held our son’s wedding rehearsal dinner on recommendation by someone who had attended a banquet here a couple years ago. Communication was prompt and friendly. Made it clear at the time of reservation that we needed an accessible space. Yes, main floor room was available with an elevator in the back somewhere. We’re from out of state so did not visit ahead of time. Thankfully the bride’s family did, and at that time the elevator from the deck was not functioning, so one family member who uses a wheelchair stayed home.

When we arrived for the evening, we found out the room was upstairs and there was an elevator somewhere “down the hall” (never saw it). So the elderly people in our party had quite a few stairs to climb. They were able to use it to leave afterwards.

I had to go back to the host area more than once to clarify where the room was? They just kept pointing down the hall.

We finally went upstairs and realized that was the space. Chafing dishes out… no direction whatsoever on when food would come, what drinks were available with the package we had arranged. Server was polite and answered all my questions, but eventually everyone was just sitting at the tables wondering when the food was coming? I went and asked, and they asked when we wanted it. Oh maybe now??

Food was good, thankfully.

Dishes weren’t refilled promptly. Tables weren’t cleared and there was no trash can so it was just kinda messy with all the plates piled in the middle of the table.

Employees were helpful in turning the music and AC down (was freezing and too loud to talk and hear each other). Eventually when we started having guests speak someone did close a set of doors that helped.

Dessert didn’t appear so I asked for that. First was told it hadn’t been delivered so they sent someone out and we should wait for it. Then they said no, it was there? someone finally came in with a tiny tray of mysterious bites as people were starting to leave. Definitely was NOT worth the additional dessert charge.

I’m sure it’s an ok place to have some functions, but it just didn’t work well for us. Communication the night of was lacking and made things...

I have visited this location occasionally and was always satisfied with the experience. But like any service, one bad experience will ruin my opinion of a place and unfortunately this is what happened on the night of 9/14/2018 when a member of our party, who was celebrating his birthday, was kicked out by a bigoted, foul-mouthed, second-floor bartender named 'Joe'.

Our group of five ordered two rounds from said bartender, ironically all paid by the person that was kicked out. We did not get a chance to finish our second round. When we ordered shots the first round Joe did not readily provide lemon slices next to each glass, per common sense, but there was a small container of lemons nearby which we assumed was for us. The person that would eventually be kicked out took it to hand out. Joe was not pleased, snatching the container and dumping it on a paper towel for us. We did not think much of it at the time as we were celebrating and did not want to ruin the mood. But in retrospect it seems Joe overheard us speaking another language and may have been disturbed by it. However, the official reason our party member was kicked out was because he was blocking the entrance to the bar, which is absurd because the bar was packed and there were always random people nearby blocking the bar's entrance at any given time. Everyone would move when the gentleman with replenishment would come by. When our party member happened to be blocking the entrance Joe became agitated and used foul-language to belittle him upon realizing that our party member could not understand him. We approached Joe to resolve any misunderstanding but he was completely unprofessional and could not be reasoned with, continuing to use foul-language despite security being present (he was stationed there throughout the night) and visibly embarrassed. As we were out to celebrate, we all chose to leave.

While we cannot stop people like Joe from being driven by their bigotry, it is well within reason to expect respectable service no matter what you look like or what language you speak or do not speak. We ended the night on a happy note...

Ahh, Barns. It is the staple sports bar in West Chester. When college is in, expect long lines for entry from about 10pm to 1am, these times can change for special events such as St. Patricks Day.

Food is quite good as is the service, and the first floor is an introduction to a mixed crowd of partying college kids and 30s and 40s professionals taking a dip at the local watering hole.

It is a maze of bars on each level, but I warn you the upper most dance floor gets as crowded as Congressman taking briefcase handshakes at a lobbying convention.

The outdoors area is just enough to enjoy a vape or a cigarette without straying too far from from either the bathroom or the bar.

Inevitably, there will be someone falling down the stairs or being escorted out in the wee small hours of the morning for public drunkeness or attempting to play strong man with one of the attentive and plentiful bouncers.

Nevertheless, you will enjoy the lively atmosphere. The party may start elsewhere, but it always...