My first experience at the Machine Shop. I was initially impressed. I was with an organization that was invited to be recognized by the band for the night. That was why I and 3 others from my organization was there.
The four of us who was representing our Veteran organization had VIP "back stage passes" to meet and greet the band, who respected our organization and was looking forward to meeting us.
We arrived early, a good 45 minutes before the opening band began, and I wanted to buy a T-shirt to support THE BAR, not THE BAND, since I was a local in the area and already purchased band merchandise. But, I was hesitant because I did not want to have to hold onto a shirt and/or other merchandise a good 3 to 4 hours in the bar. The person behind the counter said "Well just take it to your car." I agreed and so I purchased the shirt and other band and bar merchandise to support both of them.
I then went to the entrance/exit of the venue where I had previously entered and there was a 20-something ditsy girl employee wearing way too much make-up and probably was not sober and would not pass a drug test by the looks of her, at a kiosk that told me if I left, I would not be able to return, and pointed to a neon sign above the exit that said the same thing... "no re-entry." I told her that I just purchased some of their bar merchandise, the event is not starting yet and was told if I purchased it I could put it in my car, and so I wanted to put it in my car almost a good 45 minutes before the event started and that I would immediately return. She said if I left, I would not be able to return. So I didn't leave.
I returned to my table where my friends were and told them what happened. Then I went to the bar and asked to speak to the manager. Who, just happened to be the one I asked. He asked me what the problem was, I told him and he escorted me to the door and told the girl at the kiosk to let me out to put my purchased merchandise in my car and to then let me back in.
Good call.
I dropped my merchandise supporting the bar in my car and returned to the bar, where the girl and the manager were still there and the manager smiled and let me in. I had been gone maybe 60 seconds. I thanked both of them for letting me drop my purchases at my car.
4 hours later. At the end of the concert, two of our party were leaving and we all went toward the front to say goodbye to them.
The same girl from before the event was still there, and now there was a "bouncer" with her. She said "that's the guy I told you about" to the bouncer, and he immediately told me "you have to leave". I asked him why. He said "You have already been disruptive once and you are drunK". i had purchased 2 drinks in almost 5 hours. The 4 of us are veterans over 50. All of us had sat at a table the entire night and none of us had "disrupted" anything. The only other person we talked to was a bar tender to took our drink orders a couple of times. I was no way where near drunk. Nor was anyone in my party. I told the bouncer that we were invited VIP guests and were supposed to meet the band backstage. He said he "saw me stumbling all over" and I was leaving. At that time, 3 more bouncers showed up, and it was obvious that they were removing me, and the girl at the kiosk had a smirk on her face. I was there 5 hours, consumed 2 drinks, but I was "drunk and disorderly" and forced to leave as a VIP guest, all because I asked a manager to allow me to take a shirt supporting their bar, to my car. When I got home that shirt went directly into my trash can.
I will never be back. I have never been so disrespected. Not to mention, the Veteran organization I represent, which is what the band wanted to honor, was also dishonored and disserviced by a couple of 20-something selfish employees who made it their mission to ruin our moment for our organization over a petty policy that a manager had allowed me...
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