The Grand — Local services in Austin

QUEER FAM, LONG TIME REGULAR DANGER

I am a trans femme person and this place shocked me. I will never spend a dime here again unless they try to make things right in some capacity.

I have been coming to The Grand for over 15 years. I have spent $$$ and brought friends/family from out of town and in to enjoy this place. I have known the people that work here for almost just as long. I only say this as to give depth to the atrocity that occurred here one night.

About two weeks ago, my partner and I got into a verbal argument on the patio. Really just a tiff but emotions were high. As I tried to leave my partner stopped me, placed a beer in front of my face, and I swatted the beer away. Extreme I know, but nothing else happened. No one was hurt physically in anyway and I (and they) left immediately. A crowd moved outside to listen to me wail for help asking for boundaries and space from my partner (all in the parking lot). I even asked that the police come. I moved to simply walk away by myself to end this embarrassing confrontation.

Once I left, the manager (Rachel?) came out to the parking lot to tell my partner that they have tape of me slapping them. My partner vehemently denied this act which the manager conceded to. (So much for facts of violence?! What terrible reckless slander). The manager then proceeded to really not listen to my partner further, offer that they can come back inside immediately for safety/fun/shelter/etc, but that I am banned for 3-5 months maybe longer.

Especially since coming out as trans femme, I have never felt so invalidated. So insulted. So horribly meaningless. I was wailing for the support and comfort, that my partner was then offered? Based on lies? and what, that I am in a male body? This feels... inhumane.

I am disgusted by the establishment and the staff. What was once a treasure for me (of OVER 15 YEARS of patronage) turned into... hell. It is regrettable that my partner and I got into it for a moment, but this is a bar and things happen. This was not some insane event. I wouldn't have even wailed in the parking lot if a crowd from there hadn't of formed. This is more than an issue about the Grand, this is a social justice issue that has rocked me to the core. And I thought the Grand was a safe place.

The Grand, I pray and challenge you to make this right in some capacity. Otherwise, shame on you. And shame on any proclaimed "queer champion" that was there that night and in some fashion participated (or in ways worst,...

Queer folks beware

My partner, a regular of The Grand for 15+ years, and I had a horrendous experience a couple of weeks ago. We got into a verbal argument outside on the patio and my partner got up to leave - as they reached the door I attempted to stop them and they slapped my beer out of my hand. While the drink slap was not the best decision at the time, it wasn’t a violent action and I should have just allowed them to walk out. They’re a pacifist and have on many occasions let people beat them up rather than participate in violent actions. We both left immediately and went to the parking lot.

As I tried to get us both in the car to leave, a crowd started forming outside of the entrance. It escalated my partner’s emotional response to my actions and they began pleading for help. No one came over to check on us or attempt to help - they just watched “the show.” Only when my partner walked away did two afab (assigned female at birth) customers and two afab employees (one of which was the manager, Rachel) come to check on me. Me. The person who was at fault. I very calmly explained nothing was wrong and we just had an argument. I was safe. Rachel told me they had video of my partner slap me in the face - an absolute lie. I adamantly explained that never happened. I was invited back to into the bar for “safety” but my partner has been banned for an indeterminate amount of time. My comments were completely dismissed and my agency was taken away.

I am afab and my partner is amab (assigned male at birth) but is trans femme. The assumption that because of the body they were forced into at birth makes them dangerous and not deserving of help from the staff (not to mention unrighteously getting banned) despite their pleads for help as the crowd built, is completely inexcusable.

I emailed Rachel the next day to try to set up a time to talk about what had happened but I never received a reply. My partner has been had any problems at The Grand. Zero. We understand that arguments shouldn’t happen in places of business, and we left quickly after it had begun, but we feel that my partner was completely unseen and unheard in this moment. We would like to rectify this in some way but until then, neither of us...

Robust selection of quality pool tables and great service. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a staff member who checks IDs and gives you the rundown on the different size pool tables, pricing and all that. There’s 3 different size tables basically easy medium and hard. We picked the standard regulation table.

All the pool tables, cues and balls are in good condition and didn’t have any issues with the equipment. There’s also darts, a foosball, even some pinball machines!

Drinks were fair but the tonic was flat. Didn’t mention anything because we were just having a good time. Cocktail servers checked up on us multiple times to make sure we were good and didn’t need anything.

Once we finished, the server came and brushed down the table to keep it nice for the next party- no wonder the tables are so nice!

Music is fun and lots of classic hits from the 80s- good vibes!

Overall service was great, atmosphere was cool and the vibe was on point. Definitely a great place to shoot some pool....