Always a wonderful time at Arcana! Love the atmosphere with great friends and meeting new people! I'd give six stars if I could!
My friends and I wanted to celebrate my graduation defense at Arcana, but it was not to be in the rudest, most dehumanizing way possible. No sooner than we entered, a hostess asked us for proof of vaccination (understandable, and I always have it on me) and government-issued IDs. I am not an American, and I am here as an international student; the only government issued ID I have is my passport, which is not safe to take with me to bars. No other form of ID would do, and we were refused service despite my attempts to explain. I understand if I had tried to purchase alcohol and didn't have a proper ID. But to flat out refuse entrance? Especially at a bar that purports itself to be safe for LGBTQ folk, whose gender identity and name might not match their government issued ID? Or for people who may not have such an ID because of their immigration status? Yeah. I will find other places where I do not feel discriminated against to take my money.
Cute space. My cocktail was excellent. Loved the Tarot reading and all the local artwork.
This used to be my favorite bar but this is not the kind of business I will ever support again. I can't believe they are requiring a covid vaccine or a negative test to get into a bar.I've met and know over 8 people who've been vaccinated who had or have covid. I'm not going out of the way to get a tested negative just so I can get it from someone who is vaccinated, covid positive but was not required to test... at a BAR.
I had to help my disabled friend, who has two prosthetic legs, down the basement stairs and the staff incorrectly assumed we were intoxicated because she had trouble with their stairs. We ordered one drink from the bartender with a cold reception. I didn’t think this was too odd, since it was a Saturday night and they were busy. My disabled friend was wearing a dress and it was clear she had bilateral prosthetics. We sat down and had our one drink and I asked for another for us and the owner told us we were cut off for being too intoxicated. We had ONE drink. I promptly paid the tab and escorted my friend back up the stairs. I asked to speak with the owner who repeatedly insisted I was the problem without any reason instead of owning up to their mistake. We literally had done nothing but sit there for 20 minutes listening to the live music. We had one overpriced, watered down cocktail drink each. Drunk you say? Own up to your mistake. You saw my friend stumbling and didn’t see her prosthetic legs on your uneven stairs or floor.Ableist and disgusting. Do not ever patronize this establishment.
Following an annual Christmas/ birthday dinner, my wife and a couple friends visited here tonight for the first time. One friend had to be helped down the stairs due to being an above the knee, double amputee. This caught the attention of the bartender who assumed they were drunk. They ordered 1 drink and were told they were cut off. When her friend revealed that she was indeed disabled, they still insisted on making them leave. When a manager was requested, she realized the situation and changed tunes as to cover up the fact that they just discriminated against a disabled person. Back peddling, they tried to blame the whole situation on my wife, specifically trying to say that it wasn’t the friends fault, but hers. This is NOT the “inclusive” place that others have said. Legal action has been sought as one of them is an attorney. Steer clear of this dump.
Absolutely shameful service. Arcana is run by ableists who can’t tell the difference between someone needing help downstairs due to having two prosthetic legs and being drunk. The bartender cut off a group of people for being “too drunk” when in reality they had been helping a disabled friend get safely downstairs - and when this was pointed out the owner doubled down on their discrimination and brought a disabled person to tears. I am appalled and disgusted at Arcana’s blatant ableism and lack of compassion and will NEVER patronize this business again, which is really too bad, because Arcana was SUPPOSED to be a safe space. Never been so disappointed in a Durham business in my life.
Fantastic cocktails in a funky space. Tarot readings are always fun and they frequently have top notch musicians performing on the weekends.
I had to help my disabled friend, who has two prosthetic legs, down the basement stairs and the staff incorrectly assumed we were intoxicated because she had trouble with their stairs. We ordered one drink from the bartender with a cold reception. I didn’t think this was too odd, since it was a Saturday night and they were busy. My disabled friend was wearing a dress and it was clear she had bilateral prosthetics. We sat down and had our one drink and I asked for another for us and the owner told us we were cut off for being too intoxicated. We had ONE drink. I promptly paid the tab and escorted my friend back up the stairs. I asked to speak with the owner who repeatedly insisted I was the problem without any reason instead of owning up to their mistake. We literally had done nothing but sit there for 20 minutes listening to the live music. We had one overpriced, watered down cocktail drink each. Drunk you say? Own up to your mistake. You saw my friend stumbling and didn’t see her prosthetic legs on your uneven stairs or floor. Ableist and disgusting. Do not ever patronize this establishment.
Quaint little establishment great prices and friendly staff