bernadette d.
Yelp
What a disappointment to discover that one or of our all-time favorite bars is owned by a clueless, aging frat boy with a big pot belly.
My boyfriend and I, and our sweet little dog (who also happens to be my certified emotional support animal.) stopped into the gorgeous Burp Castle last evening. The place was empty but for the bartender and a single patron. We asked if we could sit in the outdoor section with our little dog (Check the health code. This is permitted now). We were told it was fine and ordered our first round. Chilling out on the front porch, we read our books and enjoyed a couple of rounds.
As we started to drink our third round , served by a chill, venue-appropriate bartender, in walks a chubby guy, dressed to change a tire or attend a keg party. He unceremoniously interrupts us, without greeting us or making eye contact. He tells us that due to the Health Department, dogs are not allowed in the porch area. He tells us we have to leave but we can first finish our round. He doesn't try to come up with a solution or even give us a chance to respond; just turns on his (ratty-sneakered) heel and walks back into the bar.
Couple of things to note things about this man and his pub:
1. DudeBro also owns the sports bar next door, called Standings, which is the polar opposite of Burp Castle and all it stands for. Here's a tip: try hiring a manager who excels at catering to the Burp Castle Crowd. As is shown by the empty space, you aren't cutting it. Sports Bar is bustling. Maybe stick to that and give BC back to someone who will treat it like the venerable institution it once was.
2. Read the NYC Health Code!! Rather than focus on a sweet little dog, sleeping under my stool in the OUTDOOR area of a pub that DOESN'T SERVE FOOD.
Burp Castle is rated a "C" by the Health Department. That is pretty tough to do when you don't serve food. But our man managed it. In fact, the most current grade is Pending publication and has not been released yet.
Here are the citations listed by Health Department, quoted below:
The 2019 health grade hasn't been announced yet; but I wouldn't be shocked if the place were shut down shortly. Why not worry about curing these revolting violations and leaving the little dog alone?
Violations: October 9, 2018
FOLLOW UP VISIT
"Critical Violations
Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facilitys food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh"
Violations: August 7, 2018
"Critical Violations
Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facilitys food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh
Non-critical Violations
Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to
3. The health code has been updated to expand the discretion of restaurant owners to permit dogs in their outside areas. You have an empty bar. The one customer reading his book on the porch beside us had no problem with the dog.
4. Let's get back to those health code violations. Do you want to pay for drinks from a place cited for having these unsanitary and unsavory conditions? Notably the health code ratings for this place dropped dramatically in 2018. Hmmmm. I wonder what changed around that time.
Signed,
Two formerly enthusiastic patrons, who frequently recommended this place to friends, family and colleagues.
Thanks for nothing.