Joel Lane’s Public House

Sigh. My head hurts thinking about where to even begin with this review (obviously, it shan’t be a good one).
My trip to Joel Lane’s Public House last night was my first and oh most definitely my last.
We scheduled our first 2013 Girl’s Night Out outing here and when my friend and I arrived, I had high hopes. We saw no waitstaff, other than the trivia folks setting up, so we assumed we should seat ourselves, and we did.
We saw no waitresses, so I walked up to the bar and waited, and waited, and waited for a bar tender. Finally, a young woman walked by carrying a keg, and she stopped and asked me, in the weakest what-​the-​hell-​do-​you-​want-​voice she could muster, «Can I DO something for you?» I’m 100 percent serious. I was so taken aback by:
1. The rudeness of the question, and
2. The absurdity of the question. It is a bar, what did she THINK I wanted?
This of course brought my chipper mood down about 3 levels below hell, so I replied, in a not-​so-​pleasant tone myself, «Um, well, I would like a beer.» I’m the nicest, most laid back person when I’m out, so to elicit a response like this from moi, is quite the accomplishment.
That set the mood, and it only spiraled downhill from there if you can believe that. When I say the service at Joel Lane’s Public house was the absolute worst service I’ve ever experienced in Raleigh, I’m not exaggerating. At.All. It wasn’t just me. One person in our party actually left a big fat 0 tip.
Raleigh used to have a pitiful bar scene, but that is no longer the case, and hasn’t been for some time. There are entirely too many other good (and great) bars in the city for a mediocre bar with laughable service to stay in business, and they won’t have mine.
The food — we had appetizers and they were edible, just like any other bar’s food
The beer selection — decent, but nothing to jump and down about
The wine selection — I didn’t check the wine list, so I can’t comment on the selection, but I believe they had a special ½ price bottle before 7pm… I could be wrong, so no one quote me on that.
The atmosphere — typical
The service — atrocious — enough said.
The only saving grace? We happened to be there during trivia night, and I’m not a trivia person, but the folks doing the trivia were funny and I even enjoyed that. Too bad they picked this place as the venue for hosting the trivia.
In summation, I’m going to use the overused term, «epic fail» to describe this «waste of my time» watering hole. Hopefully your experience will be considerably less bothersome than my experience.

I came in for a NYE dinner after calling ahead. The place was nearly empty. No one was able to actually wait on us. Saw at least 15 people walk in and right back out because this place had no service. Don’t bother!

Really, really average place. Went for lunch on a nice day a little after noon and the place was empty. Even so, our service was pretty slow and not very responsive at all. Didn’t enjoy the food much either. Really didn’t like Isaac Hunter’s Oak City Tavern, so I guess these folks just ain’t for me.

Food was average at best. Beers were served too warm. Server was friendly but seemed like they were understaffed for sure.

When we walked in it was quite empty perhaps only because this was the first time they opened ahead of normal hours for Football Sundays.
I like the scene, it is a little dim and woodworks all around. They had a big projector for the game which was cool. The bartender greeted us and was inviting.
Didn’t spend much time here, but will be back soon to check it out more detailed.

The only reason for the three stars is because the Trivia is AWESOME! That and the decent beer selections are the only saving grace of this place.
When I go somewhere to eat, I typically expect decent service and good food. You’ll get neither here. I go frequently (note: Trivia) and both the service and food have worsened. Be prepared to wait 15 – 20 minutes for a menu or your beverage. I have had to go to the bar because the waitress had forgotten my drink. In fact, this week someone at my table had to go to the bar because they had forgotten her food order. And the food… well, it used to be good. The menu has changed. If you’re on a diet, eat before or after (there is nothing even remotely healthy). If you care about taste… the tots are good, and that’s about it.

We have been going to trivia at Joel Lane’s for a couple of months or so. Collin is awesome! I agree he puts on the best trivia in Raleigh.
The sad thing about the restaurant, though, is that their food is okay at best and to be avoided at other times. Their salads and tots are okay, but I have had one too many things there that was just not good. I am not usually picky about bar food but this place is definitely sub-​par. Also beware that portions are very small.
That being said, I think it is a great place to hang out and drink. I like their NC beers on tap. I like the atmosphere. I wish the service was better.

This place is awesome!
I spoke with owner Zack in advance about having my birthday party here around the holidays. He very quickly gave me a breakdown of the vegan options for the dinner & dessert menus (he had told me via Twitter that they were able to accommodate vegans). We also had some custom drink specials – $ 3 LoneRider brews, $ 4 shots.
When we got there, the menus were all on the reserved tables and looked really nice! There were 4 – 5 options and they were all very good. Many of my friends who attended the party were vegetarian and vegan as well, so they appreciated this. The only mix-​up was with the dessert – I had requested vegan cupcakes, but apparently the order hadn’t been placed or hadn’t come in on time. At first we were disappointed, but our server quickly resolved this by bringing out a custom vegan chocolate cake they’d made! This was a total surprise and made us very happy! :) Plus the drinks were awesome. Zack you rock :)
So whether you are there to wind down after work for a few drinks, or to grab a meal, this place will take care of you!

I wandered into Joel Lane’s on a Friday evening last week because some friends told me they heard about a Mardi Gras party going on there. We got there around midnight, which is usually when Glenwood South is at its busiest on the weekend, and the bar was literally almost empty. Apparently it was the type of «party» that no one came to. Maybe it was the DJ, he was terrible. He played decent songs, the kind that are popular on the radio and even tried to fit in some classics, but he had horrible transitions into the next song. He was constantly leaving his DJ booth to go drink, so it was hard to get requests in. He just didn’t know how to get the crowd going, which to be fair there wasn’t much of one to work with.
The draft beer selection here is very weak, but they do have a lot of can and bottled beers. There wasn’t really a wine selection, and I’m not too sure about the cocktails, it didn’t really seem like the kind of place where you’d want one.
Now I have not had the food here, so I cannot judge how this place is as a restaurant, all I can say is it’s not a place where I want to party on a Friday night, there are so many places that are so much more fun.

A-​OK for drinks, but proceed with caution when ordering food.
I don’t consider myself too picky when it comes to standard pub food, but Joel Lane’s just doesn’t do it for me. The jalepeno meatball sandwich is probably the best on the menu. Likewise, the spaghetti and meatballs is good. The reuben looks like it may be good too (a friend ordered it). Other than that, I am at a loss.
The tots are supposedly Joel Lane’s specialty. Unfortunately, the pepper jack cheese fonduta is very difficult for me to eat once it has dried. It doesn’t look appetizing at all once that has happened.
I’ve learned to never order french fries as a side… ALWAYS go with the tots. All of my friends know this too. The plain tots are great. There is something seriously wrong with the french fries; It’s probably the oil they use.
Joel Lane’s in a sad location behind The Diner. I hope Joel Lane’s has a better fate. I want Joel Lane’s to do well. The bar has a lot of promise. The interior is very nice, and they have a patio too.
The best part about Joel Lane’s, and the only reason I keep going back, is DJ Collin Y. As Kuanyu mentioned, he hosts a mean karaōke. Before karaōke, he fills the entire restaurant with hands-​down the best trivia in Raleigh. His trivia has a picture round and a music round (the finale)!
Service is usually slow on trivia night, but I’m sure it’s fine every other night.

A friend and I walked in one Wednesday, and just happened to walk in during Karaōke Hour at JL’s. It was quite entertaining to say the least. Never thought I could hear Vanilla Ice, «Gangsta’s Paradise,» and «YMCA» in the same place on the same night.
Although JL’s only has a few beers on taps, it is not their only selections; beers in cans and beers in bottles also served here too, along with a full bar and good selection of mixed drinks and wines. There is a famed shot JL is quite proud of having, called the Cherry Bomb (I think?) that’s made with burbon soaked cherries. So far I haven’t get the chance to experience it. Perhaps soon.
Seems like it was not that long ago we attended a soft-​opening event at JL’s, and my sentiment then and my sentiment now still comparatively resonant: Overall, it’s another pub choice on Glenwood if you are tired of all the posh dance club and «ultra-​lounge,» and there is TV in the Public House, so you can catch your sports with a glass of your choice if you’d like. So grab a seat with a few friends of yours, have some mixed drinks or local brews on tap, and have a relaxed weekend.
**Catch the deal (??) if that’s how you like your beer, but JL is doing you a solid by offering $ 8 All You Can Drink PBR ever Friday and Saturday night, also $ 10 AYCE hot wings plus $ 1 domestic bottle beers. You can’t beat that!

Because it is within walking distance of where I work, I decided to try Joel Lane’s for lunch one day. I was the only customer in the restaurant the entire time I was there. I can’t imagine how a restaurant can stay open with only one customer for lunch. I ordered a turkey sandwich and I was very disappointed. It was very plain and bland. They don’t even have fries! The sandwiches come with potato chips which just seems really cheap to me. I asked for pickles to go on my sandwich to liven it up a little. I was told by the server that they didn’t have pickles. I have never been to a restaurant that serves sandwiches that didn’t have pickles. Also, considering that I was the only customer in the restaurant, service was very slow.

Went here for a pre-​holiday dinner and beers with some family and had a great time! Loved this place!
The tots are awesome. Perfect topping selection (one pint of monterrey jack queso, port favor). Wings were great too.
Really great beer selection, and I am pretty sure all of its local, which I’m always looking for when I visit somewhere out of town.
Service was friendly and attentive. Which is particularly impressive considering our bartender, Matt, has a 3 week old baby at home (Congrats, Matt!).
Ill definitely come back on my next trip to Raleigh!

Decent variety of food offered on the menu and draft beer selection… looking for a light lunch, ordered the «vegetarian black bean nachos».
Note to cook: if a food item appears in the title (i.e. black beans), then this item should be heartily represented in the dish.
While the nachos were tasty, there were hardly any black beans (literally we laughed about it and started counting the beans there were so few), a tiny portion of guacamole, and a huge helping of sour cream which isn’t even mentioned on the menu!
Next time we’ll choose from the entrée side of the menu and hope for consistency.

I met a friend here for a late lunch. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside. My friend ordered a beer – sounded like mostly local beers on tap. I ordered the black bean nachos, which were delicious! Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but not in an annoying way. This could become a new favorite lunch spot or after work drink spot for sure!

Great atmosphere and décor. Great food.
We visited Joel Lanes for a Unilocal event a month or so previous and for the most part loved it. The cheesy loaded tots had us going back for seconds and thirds at the time. I can’t be sure, but something seems like it changed in the recipe between then and now, and imo, the tots were still good, but not as awesome as at the Unilocal event.
Aside from that small disappointment, everything else was great! We LOVE the atmosphere here. The open layout, with the deep earth tones and industrial steel and copper elements make for a really warm, lounge feel. The tables are just far enough apart that it’s easy to ignore everyone else in the room, or feel like you’re part of one large group when playing trivia on Wednesdays.
Like I said, the loaded tots were good, but not as good as the first time we tasted them.
The Tavern Spaghetti with the jalapeño meatballs was killer. Tons of flavor. Big tasty meatballs (no pun intended). The dish was excellent.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable way to pass some time, the trivia game on Wednesdays was lots of fun. On most other days, the atmosphere is probably pretty quiet.
You can bet we’ll be back.

Being a fan of Isaac Hunter’s downtown, when I heard that the same guys were opening up a restaurant I had to check it out. The food was delicious (definitely try the loaded tots), and they had a great selection of local beers.
That said, what struck me the most was the atmosphere. Even in the heart of Glenwood South this place definitely felt like a neighborhood pub. Looking forward to checking it out on Sunday for football!

I love the atmosphere! It feels like you stepped back in time to an older Raleigh! I love Isaac Hunter’s feel, and they didn’t let me down with Joel Lane’s Public House! I’m not always a fan of local craft beer, but LoneRider is an exception to that. They serve LoneRider and other great craft beers. Their food is also steps above typical pub food. It’s pub food with a twist… your favorites but done with more flare. I will continue to go to Joel Lane’s for years to come!