I was in town recently for a funeral and staying at a local hotel a short walking distance away (I did not drive either night). I stopped into Tippie's after spending on a drink or two at the establishment up the street and feeling the need for a different atmosphere (the other place was a dart bar). It was a Thursday night and while not packed, it had enough "local" business for a Thurs night small bar to keep things interesting while I was there.
The bartender was named Jason. He was attentive and polite to me, and it seemed as well to every other person, albeit it seemed he knew everyone there and they knew him. He made it feel warm and welcoming, and I appreciated it given the circumstances. At the end of my night, he and another local offered direction back to my hotel.
I came back the next evening prior to the funeral, mostly because of the welcoming treatment I had from the bartender and another local who had conversed with me late in that earlier evening. It was a Friday night and much busier with karaoke.
Two other female bartenders were working, and candidly it was not easy to get their attention amongst the locals. Jason was there entertaining but not working, and eventually made his way over to ask me if I had made it to the hotel ok, offer his condolences, and invite me back the next time I was in town. That made me feel very welcomed in ways it's hard to express in hindsight of the difficult feelings I was processing for the purpose of my being there.
Many years in my past I was an operator/owner of a bar and had many good and bad staff come and go over the years. I can confidently say Jason made me feel like I was at home and was at the top 10% of bartenders that I've ever encountered in my entire life in just those two short days I was there, only one of which he was actually working. That couldn't have come at a more appropriate time when I was grieving over burying a family member for which I shared an affinité spirituelle for my entire life.
I rate this establishment five stars overall for Jason; service also 5 stars for the same even though he was much more attentive than either of the two young ladies the subsequent night (no, harm, no foul; I understand local bar dynamics, but I taught my girls to handle strangers just like they should old friends).
I did not try the food, so I have no comment. As far as atmosphere, I give it 4 stars for the following reasons. My first night no one else spoke to me without me engaging them, but I did have some friendly conversation at the end of the evening with an older gentleman.
Friday night, however, I had some friendly conversation with a table of young women and men (and well, one older man who cracked me up several times) and they were candidly fun, outgoing and somewhat inviting. For me, it was a pleasure to have anyone to talk to at that time. So, between the late conversation the night prior and the friendly table the next night, I give the atmosphere 4 stars.
If I'm ever back in S. Charleston anytime in the near future, I wouldn't hesitate to drop into Tippie's and get a temperature on the locals, check in on Jason, and maybe watch and cheer on that table of friendly people sing some more karaoke.
Price per person
$50–100
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Tippie's is a neat little place with a nice atmosphere, good music, reasonably priced snack foods, drinks.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
I was wearing camouflage, but didn’t realize I was actually invisible.
I sat down at the bar, was greeted in a timely manner, ordered a beer and received said beer in a reasonable amount of time. Said thank you with no reciprocity.
That’s where the service ended… I sat for over 20minutes without my empty beer, that I had thrown away myself, hoping the bar tender might notice. Nope
She proceeded to wander around making change for other patrons, taking their orders, stocking the coolers and taking smoke breaks. Never looked back in my direction. I’m actually sitting at the bar writing this review. It’s been 30min now and still nothing. At this point I just want to pay and leave.
I could have drank 4 beers by now and be on my 5th. (I’m not driving)
Instead, Im waiting her out to see just how long it will take for her acknowledgment so I can pay for my single beer.
It’s been 40min now!
I finally had to ask to be cashed out.
Service: 1
