Awesome spot. Impeccably decorated with a thoughful and creative menu. I had a corn-based (not a typo!) cocktail that was a delight to the senses. A welcome addition to Bow Market's monopoly on good vibes.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Great atmosphere, lovely staff and delicious drinks.
I really enjoy the fact it’s there is no tv so it feels comfortable and personable. Really cool crowd of people that flow through and the employees are all super nice.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Went for the first time this weekend--will never return again.
I used to be a server at the cocktail bar that was at this location previously (Variety), and I take enormous issue with the predatory and dishonest way they price their drinks. Each cocktail is listed with prices around $16-18 in giant font. In super tiny font at the bottom of the menu in a low contrast color is a note that there is a 20% fee added to every tab. It is listed as "gratuity" but isn't--because by definition gratuity/tips are optional add-ons for above average service. This is a fee because it cannot be taken off your bill. Meaning each drink is actually $20-23. Rather than just pricing them accurately without the fine print scam, they play a game of "who can read the terms and conditions in a dark bar". Shocker, when the bill is printed and given to you, there is still a line for gratuity! And no, it is not clearly itemized in such a way as to avoid people double "tipping".
On top of this: My entire house (a few apartments from around the corner on Vinal) went there this Saturday and received abysmal service. The staff seemed more interested in talking to each other than taking care of the patrons. We were told we couldn't sit at seats at the bar because they needed to wipe it down. Then took a solid 4-5 minutes to remove 3 glasses and never came back to wipe the table itself off, so it was covered in spilled drink when we sat there. You would seriously think this staff was on a parody show like Portlandia. Completely over their job, too good to smile or be remotely kind to you. An off duty staff member was sitting next to us and had some of them come around and knock into us at least 6 times over the course of an hour there squealing and gossiping about the place/people. Just super unprofessional. As far as cocktails go, mine was good (not great) and the other drinks ordered ranged from ok - just tastes like pure alcohol.
It's such a shame because we live so close by, and I was hoping a better run/owned company would step in after Variety Bar closed down. NO SUCH LUCK. Just some rude people who use predatory pricing and receipt strategies to try and take your money.
If you're pro fair wages and price transparency check out tip the scales, they're a movement that is taking on this kind of tip inflation and scammers.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
