In 1994, Bill Clinton was president, gas cost around $1.11 per gallon, a cold beer was about $2.50 a glass and Bar None opened in Five Points. Thirty years later, only one of those facts remains true.

On Dec. 12, Bar None celebrated 30 years of serving cold beer, great food and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

"It's a place where everybody knows each other, or they will in a couple of days," said Ryan Bessinger, a longtime Bar None regular. "It's a neighborhood bar, and it hasn't changed in my 20 years of coming here."

Neighborhood Bar

When you walk into Bar None, it's hard not to think of the lyrics from the theme song of the 1980s-early 90s sitcom "Cheers" -- "A place where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

When Marty Dreesen and his business partner Dan Bliek opened Bar None in 1994, they aimed to create just that.

"Dan and I wanted to open a bar -- a no-frills place with good beer or drinks in a glass, not plastic, great employees," Dreesen said. He added with a small laugh, "clean restrooms."

Although Dreesen was not initially planning to open a bar when he came to the University of South Carolina for graduate school, the bar business was in his blood.

"My parents owned a bar in Nebraska called The Lazy B Saloon for 32 years, right on the border with South Dakota," he said. "It was the first place you'd stop in Nebraska or the last. It was a great neighborhood bar, and that's what I want Bar None to be."

Family

The word "family" frequently came up in conversations about Bar None and its celebration of 30 years in Five Points.

Dreesen's wife, Barbara Dreesen -- affectionately known as Babs -- was busy decorating for the celebration last week. She's been supporting her husband since Bar None opened.

"It's always been a place where people can come and discuss sports, politics or local happenings. They might disagree, but it's okay because you're in Bar None, and everyone is welcome," she said.

Another member of the Bar None family, Josh Brannon, said, "I've been working at the bar and in the kitchen for 24 years. Some things have changed over the years, but what hasn't changed is the feeling that we (the employees) are a family here, and our customers are, too."

Bartender William Steel echoed this sentiment, "Marty and Babs (Dreesen) treat us like family. I had been coming here for about 10 years and liked it, so I started working here a year-and-a-half ago. Sure, there are some late nights, but that's all part of the fun."

30 Years Later

Over the past 30 years, Five Points has seen many bars and restaurants come and go, but Bar None remains.

"We haven't changed much as a bar over the past 30 years, but it hasn't come without challenges," Dreesen said.

They have faced new insurance laws, extra hours fees and the difficulties of navigating the COVID pandemic.

"I hope Bar None stays the same even when we're not running it," Dreesen said, "but for now, I just want to have a bar -- one where you can get a beer or a drink, enjoy some good food, have good conversations or play shuffleboard with friends."

Bar None is open every day from 3 p.m. until late at 620 Harden St., Columbia.