StoryVille — Restaurant in Melbourne

I had my 21st there last year, I didn't say anything till now because I felt it wasn't worth it but talking to some friends today about it they made me realise it really wasnt ok. Here is what happened:

I paid lots of money to have an area and food hired, when i got there i was made to wait outside in the rain till my area was ready and the security were rude even when i said it was my 21st they treated it like a normal booking despite all the money I had paid for it to be an actual hire of space.

When I was inside my friends were meant to be able to skip the line because again it was an event and I paid lots of money and was told by management they could and the security made all my friends wait in the normal line getting rained on waiting 20+ minutes when I only had a certain amount of time missing my party.

Staff were rude and drinks took a very long time to come out like 10mins-30mins long. Not just me but friends said as well the staff were rude to them even though we were all polite and didn't cause issues.

Staff did not stop people coming into my area when it was booked. Random people as it got later started coming into my area, eating my food, and even hitting on my friends which made them very uncomfortable when we were just trying to enjoy a birthday celebration. I wouldnt care about people in the area when my time is up of course but why even pay if everyone can just come in and eat my food which I also paid for?

food was late and my cake I paid around 500 dollars for was not brought out, food came quite late I understand things happen but I was very upset about the cake I got it specially made and I messaged asking for it to be brought out at a certain time which after I realise was not read but when I did go and ask for my cake I was told bringing a knife or candles ect out was "too much of a hazard" and had to pick it up the next day and eat a peice alone.

When I messaged management to complain I was just given excuses about not having much staff after covid, different security, and told me I didnt ask for my cake when I did. I didn't care much about the late food as it happens and they didnt see I wanted it earlier so iy was only 15mins late technically. I cared more about random people being able to come into my area and touch and eat it.

I was only offered a cocktail with a friend when I next went back as a sorry after i paid 1000s of dollars for my 21st to end in me crying. I never replied because I just had no words at that point but my friends today made me realise both the company and people need to know what it is like to have an...

Atmosphere, drinks and the bartender 5/5

Service from the waiter 0/5 Legitimately the worst service ever experienced and other people there raised the same concerns!

-We were waiting at the “wait here” sign when some people who were inside let the staff know we were waiting bc we’d been there a little. As they left we stood inside and just said hello to the staff to let them know we were there because we weren’t sure if they could see us. The waiter a tall, large and messy looking guy walked past us to the sign, did an exaggerated lean to read the sign and spoke condescendingly. Mate if we’re waiting on a Tuesday, the tables aren’t all full and we’re not rushing you just saying hi what makes you think you can be rude like that?

-We were seated in the middle and I asked if we could have a booth, he said the table was broken. I then said can we have one of the tables on the side because we’d like to sit next to each other, he said they were all booked out. I moved the chair next to the person I was with and he said I was blocking his path in front of the bar, fair enough. I then moved to the opposite side and he said I was blocking the path again even though there was somebody already sitting there and it wasn’t overly busy being a Tuesday.

-Another group of people came in and we overheard him telling them to sit wherever they want to. Worth noting the other tables we wanted to sit one which were allegedly booked did not get used in the time we were there

-When leaving we had a chat with an older couple near the fire who had similar complaints, attitude about the seating and condescending

-They also mentioned they heard him telling me I was blocking the path and thought what he was saying was ridiculous

It was very much the attitude of someone who didn’t want to be there in my opinion. If people are coming and spending there hard earned don’t be a rude, arrogant and disrespectful person. Don’t be like that in general. This guy was about my height so roughly 6’4ft tall, quite large / heavy in appearance and had a foul attitude. If you se while serving turn around and save your money.

As a side note he has served me before and was fine, I get people have good and bad days but there’s a difference between being a little flat, reserved etc and being an outright rude...

Lovely decor ( does need some TLC aka repairs.) Service was great, no problem there. The drinks have great names and are for certain intriguing to try them all.

The presentation of the drinks is magnificent. However, i think the cocktails were quite unbalanced with the amount of alcohol versus mixers. Could use improvements there.

It was disappointing that the Belles Rose drink for example arrived and left within seconds which made it feel like you got an over priced cocktail without the opportunity to take some pics. ( sounds silly, but you go for the experience right?) it came and went within 15 seconds.

I think it would be super awesome if the drinks came with a story told by the wait staff. I think in a place like that staff engagement is vital and it would give a lasting memory and create an opportunity of many.

There wasn’t options for food? We were not told about it by staff if there was. There needs to be some option here.

The pics on Instagram a little misleading with the size of the drinks eg: down the rabbit hole which is served in a teapot. On Instagram it is a large teapot. However, in person it is small. See image enclosed.

I think the presentation of the wait staff could improve- to match the fabulous decor. It’s Storyville right? Dress the part and act the part? Would really provide that extra uniqueness that is missing for me.

Personally, wouldn’t come back for an experience. However, it is certainly a lovely ambiance for a first date on a Thursday night, cocktails with...