Emmanuel W.
Yelp
I spent the last 72 hours reflecting before writing this review.
I did not want to write this review from a place out of fresh emotion but from an unbiased, rational perspective with just the facts.
My sister and I purchased tickets through Afton to see a reggae concert at Bowstring this past Saturday (6/1). Naturally we were both excited to see the opening band whose from Raleigh, however, from the time we arrived at the venue things went downhill quickly.
The tickets purchased from Afton, specifically stated the show started at 7, doors open at 6. (attached) we arrived at 6. The two greeters in the grass turf stage area, ostentatiously asserted that doors were not open to the general public, only to 'VIP's', regular entry was at 7. Strange, but shrugged it off.
The show didn't start until 7:45, btw.
So naturally, we decided to go to the 'bar' area to place an order for pizza and drinks. From approximately 6:00pm until 6:19pm my sister stood at the bar unattended to and completely ignored for nearly 20 minutes. She was wearing a bright red sundress with various vibrant flowers printed all over the dress, so it's pretty obvious she was being ignored. A flat out refusal of service.
I STRONGLY urge you to check the cameras at approximately 6:18pm and I can assure you, you will see a commotion of kind patrons surrounding & consoling a customer directly at the bar with NONE of your staff around or caring enough to assist or even simply acknowledge someone waiting for service at the bar.
So upset from her treatment by the staff, she was crying at the bar from the experience. Other kind patrons & customers noticed and offered to get the bars staff attention so we could actually order but at that point the damage was done. I was ready to leave. My sister, nor I, have ever felt so publicly humiliated in our lives.
For her to take such offense - the treatment was especially egregious, she has background in regional managerial experience overseeing operations of multiple dining & bar establishments in the Raleigh area.
I promptly walked to the concert astro turf area, and politely asked how can I get a refund for this show, as the vibe of the place just seemed like something out of a modern dystopia. Not because of other patrons or customers, but solely the energy of the working staff.
Both my sister and I felt invisible, and whenever we were addressed it was crystal clear we were being spoken down to and in a condescending manner.
To no surprise, I was again answered rudely and was told "It wasn't the venues problem and to contact Afton" - whom by the way has an unreasonably strict no refund policy - under no circumstances whatsoever do they offer refunds.
Frustrated, starving, and slightly in disbelief in what transpired - we begrudgingly - took the orange wristbands to stay for the show so my sister could see the band she's so passionate to support. Thankfully the show itself was good but that's ONLY a reflection of the performers - not the establishment.
WE SPENT THE NIGHT STARVING AT A VENUE THAT SELLS FOOD! Let that sink in for a second...
Seeing the way this venue's staff selectively treats customers, I can only imagine how poorly & unfair they deal with business on the backend and the low level of professionalism they must treat artists/bands coming to their venue to perform.
Listen - I'm a touring artist about to go on tour in the US and overseas. I'll be performing downtown Raleigh, August 10th.
So, believe me, I have had my fair share of dealing with rudeness, unprofessionalism, lack of integrity and a lack of giving a damn but this 'venue' is by far one of the worst experiences I've EVER had.
Word of mouth will make or break a business and I will NEVER recommend this place to any touring artist/bands, friends or family members. I wouldn't even recommend this place to a stranger.
I will make sure to spread the truth of our experience at Bowstring around Raleigh to promoters, bands/artists. An absolute atrocity of a business.
Can't speak on the food, because again we were never served.
It's insane that a place that sells food would happily choose to have customers starve at their venue. WTF.
Karma (You Get Back, What You Give)