Ana R.
Yelp
We were really looking forward to dinner here during our weekend in Fredericksburg for Oktoberfest, especially after walking around in the sun. Unfortunately our experience was ruined before we even had a chance to eat.
Our group of 8 included family and friends, with 2 senior citizens & a child. We had spent the afternoon enjoying the festival and a few local bars, but no one in our party was loud, disruptive, or visibly intoxicated. We were seated promptly, given menus, and the waiter took our drink orders. One person asked for a child's menu & another asked for an allergy menu, which the waiter reviewed with him. The waiter even shared a few friendly jokes about a college football game one of us was watching on our phone.
About 10 minutes later when the waiter returned to take our food orders, he unexpectedly informed us that we would not be served any alcohol, only food, because, in his words, "some of you have been overindulging." When we asked for clarification, he refused to specify who he meant and added that if one person was refused, the entire table would be. This was completely unfounded -- 2 members of our group hadn't had a single drink all day -- and it felt insulting and discriminatory.
Rather than argue, we chose to leave. On our way out, we noticed a man who appeared to be the manager standing in the corner, watching us with a smirk, which only made the situation feel more disrespectful. My husband did make a comment to him about filling the tables because there were several empty ones.
We understand restaurants have the right -- and responsibility -- to refuse service when someone is clearly intoxicated. But that was not the case here. What happened to us was a blanket assumption made without cause or professionalism. It was an embarrassing and disappointing way to be treated, especially in a town known for its hospitality.