The Maker Lounge — Attraction in City of Hudson

This is a review of the Maker Hotel Lounge, which is the cocktail bar separate from the Restaurant and Cafe. Our party of five arrived at 10pm last Saturday night and entered from the back, alley-designated entrance (as opposed to passing through the Hotel). We were immediately 'greeted' by the bartender and told that our group could not be accommodated before she even glanced around the room.

For context, aside from the Lounge's beautiful bar seating (which bore 2-3 empty seats) there are also several small lounge seating areas. Two of these areas could each comfortably accommodate 5-6 people. Instead each area was occupied by solitary couples. There were more intimate seating areas either of these couples could have been nicely asked by staff to consolidate to. In particular because one of the couples was entirely sprawled across the couch that made up half of one seating area, seemingly over-served and falling asleep amidst a spent champagne bottle and numerous glasses. [see attached pic] -- Not the look you want for your upscale cocktail lounge at 10pm.

Across the room there was also an empty table with four highback armchairs, and a 5th seat could have easily been added, but we were told that grouping was 'reserved.' A head scratcher for sure, but being industry folks we offered to split up into two groups. The bartender shot that idea down. I asked what she would suggest we do, to which she replied, "The Cafe should be able to accommodate you." As we walked toward the Cafe, but still very much in earshot, a patron asked the bartender where we were from. The bartender replied, "Russians?" (we're not, but still...huh?)

We entered the cafe at 10:04pm only to be told by the server there that the Cafe doesn't seat past 9:15pm, despite having just been sent there by her colleague. Unfortunate situation all around. And the Lounge would still be open for another two hours (12am).

If demographics are anything to weigh into this, we're four women and one man, all professionals in our 30s to mid-40s. Not that anything related to how were are outwardly presented should have elicited the bartender's unwelcoming and unaccommodating response. Unfortunately I'm bracing for the stock response to unfavorable feedback that seems to be management's fallback move at The Maker:

"Thank you for your honest feedback. Our team really appreciates hearing from our guests and will share your comments with our team. We hope to welcome you in our space again."

A more effective response would be an all-staff meeting to address the flow of customers and seating arrangements (especially when seated customers appear to be over-served and in full repose on the couches), how not to scare off business, and not to make disparaging remarks about potential customers in...

Service was non-existent-- we had to work for every step. We finally entered establishment at 3:10 for a "3:00"pm opening-- after standing in cold, we finally called hotel phone at 3:10 to see if they were even open. Someone then unlocked door, but nobody opened door. So we took it as a cue, and went in from the bright outside to the dark interior, which took eyes a few beats to adjust. Finally got bearings, and after standing in the entranceway for so much time: Bartender, sole figure, a little help please? "You can sit anywhere". We grab a seat in a corner table. FF to a round of drinks, and ready for food. Kitchen opens at 4. This would have be fine, but there is zero proactive communication. 4:10 rolls around, I go up to drink well and wrangle bartender. He will be right over for order. FF 15 minutes. Meanwhile, couple by fireplace has their food, and magically there is now a dedicated server working the new patrons. Somewhere in the mix we transition from bartender to this server. Food finally arrives, minus our salad. No follow-up with our table. I flag down server in their corner station. She has to pull up order back over at bartender's computer. Back-and-forth, up-and-down, yes-or-no the whole time. What a murky experience and never got a chance to relax. Staff did not make eye contact. Staff had zero proactivity. Even though they all congregated by our table at the bar drink well, they were very slippery for any request.

The good: above average/very good food, ambiance, clean restrooms

The bad: no hospitality; a top-3 worst service experience in my life. I felt unwanted; a burden. After back-to-back homeruns with nearby Hotel Kingsley and Silvia, this was a bases-loaded strikeout.

Would not recommend, would...

I've been a long time customer of The Maker. As a NYS UI I have gone to alot of places, I recently spent time researching gluten free restaurants in Manhattan and the surrounding 5 boroughs. I spend over $100 on each meal, usually out of pocket, to look into each individual restaurant. What I can say: The Maker has an atmosphere that contests the museum of natural history for architecture. The Maker has the best bartenders depending on the month in the world. (Please stop touching my mint julep V & L so I can stop tipping them so high!!!) The Maker has the best staff I have ever seen in my 33 years. The Maker does not have good food! (Sorry V & L) . The dinning facility of the Maker has godlike architecture. Throughout the facility all paintings are rotated in and out; they are all hand painted and while I cannot confirm the author the strokes are fantastic. When visiting The Maker appreciate the sublime architecture and Edgar Allen Poe to Van Gough aesthetic while understanding the food (not drink) menu attempts to replicate the current trends of the Hudson Valley area, which in turn farm to table prices might not represent all the chefs (I worked with them all and certify rotations for statical analysis) However, I put every bartender through an almost absurd level to replicate any cocktail i can imagine and if you instruct them according to my high professionalism they always...