Sindhuja S.
Google
I had been looking forward to visiting this place since the day I arrived in Vietnam from India. I contacted the venue in advance, made a reservation, and clearly stated that I would be coming alone. I was asked to arrive at 8:30 pm sharp. I arrived at 8:20 pm.
Despite this, I was met with surprise that I was “just one person” and was directed to a small table in a corner near the entrance which they just set up as I arrived. I politely refused and explained that I had a reservation and would like a proper seat. I was told that others had booked earlier or arrived earlier - despite the fact that there was barely anyone there at the time and I had arrived before the requested time.
The manager (short blonde hair) then intervened in a patronising manner, said “okay fine, sit here,” and asked me to “smile.” I was seated in the third row, not the front, but acceptable and so I decided to let it go and enjoy the music.
Unfortunately, the experience continued to deteriorate. I was asked to pay every time I ordered a drink. The waiter did not speak English, and when I asked politely whether there was a different norm here (as most bars and restaurants allow you to settle the bill at the end), the same manager responded in an exasperated, dismissive way and said “fine, just pay whenever,” making me feel like I was being difficult for asking a reasonable question.
An hour into the set, a couple arrived late and, without any staff intervention, seated themselves at the one empty seat right at the front marked “RESERVED.” The woman sat there, and the man brought over a red plastic stool to sit beside her. Clearly, this table was intended for a single person.
I hesitated to say anything because of how hostile the manager had already been toward me. But the unfairness was hard to ignore- I arrived early, followed instructions exactly, had a reservation, and was initially almost relegated to a corner while people arriving much later were allowed to occupy the best seat in the house.
When I raised this concern calmly, the manager rolled her eyes, raised her voice, and dismissed me outright, behaving as though I was a nuisance rather than a paying customer. She did not listen, did not explain, and was openly rude.
I want to be clear- I am not calling this racism. But there was discrimination, whether based on being a solo diner, a non-Western customer, or simply being treated as less important. It is particularly ironic to experience this kind of attitude in a country with its own complex history with the West.
I could have let this go, but my New Year’s Eve was genuinely ruined by the way I was treated. Jazz spaces are usually warm, respectful, and welcoming—this was the opposite. I have been to the Blue Note and the Village Vanguard in NYC and Ronnie Scott in London, to name a few. I am not just a jazz novice, I am an enthusiast. At these renowned jazz venues around the world I have never been made to feel so unwelcome.
I’m sharing this so others know what to expect. Great music deserves better management and basic courtesy.
P.S They blocked me on Facebook from posting this review there :)
