Melody N.
Yelp
I have to start off by saying that writing this review is honestly a bummer, considering what a staple Furley's used to be for my friends and I. I debated writing this review for months, but thought other people should be aware of what they are getting themselves into.
I decided to have my birthday celebration at Furley's back in April and booked the lower VIP room. Booking the room was fairly easy and streamlined, though I will say they have some ridiculous rules and fees (e.g. $200 charge if you decide to book outside of their default reservation times which are 5-9 and 9:30-1:30 - kind of odd time blocks??). Anyway, come day of the party, there were a couple staff members setting up who were very helpful (Sean i think his name was? and this really sweet girl with a mask and space buns) because our bartender apparently was going to be late to the shift. No biggie, I thought, things happen.
My first red flag was when I noticed how many strangers were trying to sneak into the room, and I had to personally go and tell them that it was a private party. What kind of establishment lets just anybody into a private room? Part of the fee you pay is for the agreement that it is a VIP PRIVATE area. Why do I have to confront these people myself?
I try to ignore that and enjoy myself regardless. Most of the night was pretty fun, my guests were having a good time. An hour or so into the reservation time, our bartender arrives (Miriam i think her name was?) and she gets started prepping drinks for my guests. It would've been totally fine and cool, but the rest of the night she was totally standoffish and rude to me for some reason. Even a couple guests made comments to me after the fact that they felt like they were bothering her by ordering a drink?? What's the point of being in a bar if I can't order a drink without feeling like a burden.
The end of the night is where things get really dicey - basically ruined the entire experience for me. Around 12 o'clock, a security guard abruptly shows up and starts yelling at everyone to get out, that the party's over. I'm sorry where did you come from all of a sudden?? Where were you when I had to get into multiple confrontations with strangers sneaking in to my party?? Mind you, in my mind I had booked the room for another half hour (e.g. 8:30-12:30) so I very politely inform the security guard that I have the room booked for 30 more mins. He directs me to our bartender and tells us to talk to her, which I do, and I again very politely tell her about the miscommunication. She almost snaps back that the room has been booked only until 12. I say ok, no problem maybe I'm wrong, I'd just like to check my emails really quick to clarify. When I check and see that it is in fact, until 12 o'clock, I tell her my mistake, and she smiles back with a snarky "I told you so" kind of look. What's with all the hostility?? It was a clear misunderstanding, I'm not trying to swindle you guys for another 30 mins wtf??
Me and my guests are all but herded out like sheep, to the point where I have to ask for PERMISSION to grab my decorations and belongings before they kick me out. Worst part of all, was the bartender got to clearing out the room so fast and with such attitude, that she tossed out my birthday cake I was saving for my mom to try (she was the one who had baked it and wanted to taste it to see how it had turned out). That part just made me so upset I was crying on the way home because I felt so powerless.
I just feel like the entire situation could've been handled so much better. The bartender could've had a nicer disposition, and could have approached me a half hour prior and warned me about the timing, instead of having the security basically come in, embarrass me, and kick out me and my guests as if we were intruders. I'm a very fair person, I understand that this is a business after all. I would've started clearing the space prior so to avoid this whole debacle, and even had some cake to take home to my poor mom who had slaved away on a cake she never got to try. I felt disrespected and treated like absolute garbage. If these are policies the owner puts forth, I hope they can reflect and reevaluate the way they treat their guests and people who pay for their services. Ruined my birthday and honestly have not had any desire to return to this place with all the trauma associated with it.