Hartigans isn't a fancy place. The upstairs has wooden booths across the front wall and tables and chairs scattered elsewhere. There's no wait to be seated here. It's first come first seated which is rare these days. They have a couple of TV's around as well.
The downstairs is a nightclub and the music depends on the DJ and night. The space can also be rented out for private functions. There is often some sort of event going on either upstairs or downstairs...trivia night, karaoke, pudding wrestling, country dancing, fundraisers, etc.
Hartigans welcomes everyone. Yes, it has a big gay/lesbian clientele but during the day, the upstairs is open for lunch and has a business clientele and on Sundays in the fall, it's a favorite place for Panthers fans to tailgate.
The food is actually good here also. I love the nuclear wings, the loaded fries, the raspberry vinagrette for the salads.
Hartigans isn't fancy and that's one of the reasons many people, myself included, enjoy it.