Iesha Williams
Google
I hosted my fiancé’s 38th birthday at Heydey in Austin this past Saturday with a reservation for a private event for 15 guests. When we arrived, we were surprised to find that the space had been double-booked...with an engagement party of 50 people occupying the same area.
The venue was clearly unprepared to accommodate both groups. Our party was squeezed into a small corner with barely a table and a half. The manager was kind, but showed no concern, offered no apology, and took no responsibility for the mix-up. Despite “ropes” meant to separate the groups, they were ineffective, and the larger event quickly overtook the space.
I want to acknowledge that the bartenders, wait staff, and servers were absolutely phenomenal.
We had limited space to sit on the rooftop, no real space to celebrate, and no acknowledgment of the disruption. There was no compensation, no communication, and no accountability; just a disappointing experience that could’ve been avoided with better event management and customer service.
Heydey has potential as an Austin event venue, but guests deserve clear communication, basic hospitality, and a plan when things go wrong. Sharing this so others can plan accordingly.