Black Bull Pub — Restaurant in Calgary

I want to start by saying, being a server, I give everyone the benefit of the doubt…why ? Because I get the job! It can be tough and unbearable at times. And so I try not to be judgmental cause, I think we can all agree that everyone is entitled to a bad day. However, this is the second time I’ve visited the black bull and had less than adequate service by the same bartender. On the first visit, same vibe…sat down waited forever, finally ordered a bottle wine - and were given food menus. Got caught up chatting and when we went to order we’re shocked that the kitchen had closed 10 minutes before. We expected, maybe a heads up that kitchen is closing - industry standard. We let it go. Tonight’s visit- same bartender could literally have cared less that we were even sitting there. Once again, months later, we were met with the same careless apathy that as a industry professional I don’t agree with. We ordered 2 pounds of wings and a bottle of wine and were told by the apparent “brand new manger” that we could order more if we decided. We ordered from the manger because the bartender did not acknowledge us. 10 minutes later watched him put on his coat and leave. Cool. Got the wings. The dark haired bartender lady missed the quality check and frankly neglected us completely and went about her cleaning duties in an effort to get out of there. Hey we’ve all been there, I get it, but at least let us know the kitchen is closing, so we could order more wings …. as at 12:06 am when we attempted to order another pound she told us the kitchen had closed at 12:00, again met with a forlorn apathy I don’t care for among my industry peers. The fryer is still hot at least check with the kitchen as a gesture. The kicker was went to play the VLTs. My buddy and I both put in a $20 to two separate machines, my friend’s $20 got eaten by her machine and I tell her go grab the bartender on duty. Shortly thereafter we are met by the server, bartender, and a drunk lady who can barely stand who identified herself as the manager. We explained what happened and Lauren(I heard her called) stood there blankly looking unaware of what to do. My friend who has a valid reel facts explained the procedure and “manager lady” Lauren seemed upset. I suggested check the cameras or reconcile the machine to check for an overage. All three staff members left and where clearly upset. We returned to the bar to see that the “on duty bartender” was indeed calling AGLC and filed the proper paperwork, but when we returned to finish our drinks we were met with hostility by the clearly intoxicated off duty staff member posing as a manger apparently named Lauren. She asked us rudely to get out because they were closed and we should look around and get the point we stated that we had been served last call at 12:30 and had 6 minutes by Aglc law to finish our 9 oz glass of wine, which would have given us 1 hour….. Again this lady was not working. She was claiming she needed to stay and take care of her pregnant sister that was the bartender and I guess perceived us as a threat because we were just advocating for our rights and more importantly proper VLT protocol. Anyways the whole situation was bizarre and sooo unprofessional, mostly because the sober staff were silent to the off duty staff member. I’ve worked for the TMAC group and they should be doing better than this!!!! Im just absolutely shocked by this experience. My friend and I will follow up with our recording and our Aglc complaint with the VLTs. Hoping to hear from Adam or the manager personally though on this matter. I now understand why the place is empty when the wings our 39 cents… and on that note the wings were 5/10. The pub could be so popular but the staff our not...

Mike and his team went above and beyond tonight! I called early in the week to try to book a reservation which I was told not on Wednesdays it's wing night, but if I showed up at 4-4:30 they would find me something might not be together but we'll see what we can do. So fast forward to 4:30 today I show up with a friend in tow to start saving tables and advice we have about 20 more people on route to their location. Without missing a beat Mike got the wheels in motion and gave me a 20 min time frame to possibly start seating. 5 min later we were at a table and had 2 more that would be added in the next 15 min. We had an overflow table and when that started to burst it's seams because more people than what we expected showed. Suddenly I thought we were going to have to start turning people away but Mike came to the rescue once again and managed to find us a booth somewhere and people got snuggly real fast! Our waitress Daya was AMAZING and I thought with all the chaos of separate bills and multiple tables and people wandering and chatting bills were going to get messy but I never saw one bill go back because of a mistake or a glass empty for long. Cheers to Daya and the bar staff for keeping us happy and hydrated all night long. 1000% I will bring people here again for a great night out with coworkers. Thank you Black bull staff for all the memories to send out team member onto his next...

Stopped by for wing night and great first impression when we walked in. Lovely bar. Everyone was enjoying their wings. We were optimistic we ventured upon a local gem. Decided to sit at the bar to get more space than a high table too we were offered. Quickly regretted that decision. Wings were mediocre. Over small, cooked and dry. But for 31 cents a pop who can complain right? Well we were told must order a drink and it’s 20 wings max per drink order. Okay no problem. Wish they mentioned that on their website but no biggie. I ordered a beer. Wife ordered water. We ordered 20 wings for late night snack. Oddly lady working the bar came and said we must order another drink. Sure thing…give us an orange juice. What’s next? We must spend a minimum $ in your back room slots machine?

All in all you get what you pay for. Can’t really expect Cactus Club service at a local dive like this but at least make it seem like you enjoy what you do or at least try and pretend.

Would recommend you ask to be seated at a table for a higher chance of better service. The ladies running the table seemed wonderful and pleasant. Just oddly the lady working the bar on this Thursday night clearly didn’t want to be there and have learnt to hide the fact. What a shame. Settled the hill and tipped well regardless because at least the gentlemen that served us at the bar...