Stephanie G.
Yelp
Let me start by saying I was so excited to try this place out! A new, upscale bar in the heart of downtown, and black owned....sign me up! I decided to have my going away festivities start here. When we arrived it was pretty full, all of the seating was taken. The hostess was very welcoming and helpful. The decor and ambiance is everything! Mood lighting, smart chic furniture, creative layout, vibey music...the whole nine!! I knew it was going to be a great night...(narrator: it was not).
The hostess let us know seating is first come, first served. We walked around and found a group leaving so we quickly scooped up their table. Nearby I noticed a woman in a floral print dress speaking with another woman who looked like a server. They were looking at our table and speaking to each other, but ultimately walked away once we sat down. So here we are sitting at the dirty table waiting for it to be bussed. I thought it odd that a manager and server would witness this and not choose to speak, greet, let us know someone was coming over to clear the table. So we sat for a couple minutes and when no one came over I got up and went to the host stand to ask for help. She directed me to chat with a server to get help. I saw the assumed manager standing at the bar well so I asked her if she can get someone to bus the table for us. No smile, no hospitality, just a simple, yes, and walk away. Okkkkk, weird. Someone comes and buses the table, then that same server we saw with her earlier comes over to greet us. Again, no smile, no hospitality. Her energy and demeanor was very negative, as if she didn't want us there. How I know this, another friend showed up late and witnessed the servers behavior and asked if something had happened earlier. I filled her in on the table situation.
We ordered various drinks from their curated menu. While the flavors were tasty, you couldn't taste the alcohol at all. I'm all about a well balanced cocktail, but these tasted zero proof. I ordered the white cosmo that came in a glass half full, but other cocktails offered in the same glass were completely full. The server said, that's just the pour. My thought is, why serve it in a glass that this portion size doesn't position it in the best way?! Especially since I can see other cocktails being made in that exact glass being filled to the brim. I left it alone. Based on her energy and the lack of gusto in the drinks, my friends were ready to go to the next spot. I tried to revive things by ordering a round of shots. Which was fine.
Server returns and asks if we'd like the check, to which we all responded yes. I turn back to the conversation I was having on my left, when the friends to my right noticed that THE SERVER ROLLED HER EYES AT US!!!! What was perceived micro aggression with her bad energy and lack of attentiveness, now we have the blatant disrespect in our faces! Never have I EVER had such poor service.
While Im quick to share a teachable moment with a server and a manager when I notice something that can be improved upon, as a former server myself, I knew it would fall on deaf ears given our initial interactions. We said nothing. Didn't even ask for multiple checks, just paid the tab and quietly left. I share this experience here because it needs to be addressed. Good attitudes and great customer service is the bare minimum. I won't make assumptions as to why those two women couldn't provide any of those, but I will say they need to do better. I've never not tipped anyone before, this day was that day and I don't feel bad about it.
All in all, amazing ambiance. I would still encourage anyone to try it out, but maybe just sit at the bar to be on the safe side.
Cocktail 6/10
Ambiance 100/10!!!
Customer service -523/10