Cha Cha's Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

Attended on a chilly Saturday night, and was instantly turned off by the apathetic "security guard" who greeted us. There was no ID checking or scanning, no checking for prior intoxication, nothing. Walking in the door was like walking into a wall of smoke from the smoke machine, not such a great move for those of our group with breathing difficulties like asthma. When the staff were asked to turn it off, or even down so it produced less smoke, we were told "no, it's the policies from the owner that he wants the disco lights and the smoke machine on". The staff did offer to turn it "down", but not sure if this ever actually happened. Drinks menu was limited, over priced and confusing, there is a seperate window for cocktails, with a paging system? Seems cool, but doesn't work and feels like the magical cocktail window should have been a cloakroom. We purchased our drinks and went for a wander outside, with the majority of us tripping on the exit door as it changed from indoor to outdoor. We were then greeted with one outdoor heater, mounted on the wall. One. For the whole outdoor area. Now, for someone like me who doesn't mind the cold as much, I wasn't super concerned (more like mild annoyance), but for the majority of our group they were definitely not impressed. Back inside it was, to one of the three booths. 'Great!' we thought, kinda comfy, we can chill and chat and people watch while we drink. But alas, our comfort was short lived as we were advised by staff, and I quote "we need you to move out of the booths as the owner has booked them." When questioned what for, the staff had no idea and shrugged as an answer. We vacated the booths, only to watch them sit empty for the rest of the night. Was it all a ploy to make the rest of the cheaply built venue look fuller? We think so. On the upside, some cute decor and a good theme all round (though could be executed better), DJ wasn't bad but not good enough to save Cha Chas and have us coming back again. A note on bar prices and bar staff; whilst the majority of the staff were nice, it felt as if only the night manager had any idea what they were doing. We were charged 3 different prices for the same drinks, served by 3 different staff. They looked frazzled and confused, asking customers to repeat their orders Multiple times, getting them wrong, and then having to ask again (was the music too loud for them too??). There was limited options for premixed and spirits on offer, and they ended up running out of cider. Jager bombs were served as a shot of Jager in a glass (poured in) and a couple of spurts of energy drink from the postmix tap (say what?!?). I'm sure with more time and experience the staff quality will...

Paid hundreds for a booth during an event held there inclusive of drinks which I was told the choice of Scotch will be Black label by event organisers. When my group and I arrived it took a while for the drinks to arrive. Then I am told by bar staff each time I want a refill I need to request it from the bar and that there will be also a dedicated waitress attending to my booth to give as refills. Normally the bottle of alcohol is kept on your table at your booth from what I've seen occurs at other Bars/Nightclubs. The waitress did not come to our booth one time all night to offer a top up, each time I would have to go to the bar and ask multiple times for someone to bring us a drink. Then to top it off the whiskey was Red label which I do not drink as it makes me sick. Over all not happy from...

Staff were great but under the pump. No shelter outside the door so got wet waiting to get in. It's an industrial building with no heating. The music/DJ was great but there are not enough speakers and if there is an event which pushes u behind speakers it's hard to hear the music. Went on a ticketed event night. The...