Moxies Pickering Restaurant — Restaurant in Pickering

What happened this past Saturday left me no choice but to write this review. My husband and I have been regular guests at Moxie’s Pickering for years, ever since we moved from Toronto. With limited options in Ajax/Pickering, it became a go-to spot. We’ve always tipped generously, treated staff kindly, and kept coming back through all the changes over the years. We’ve hosted small birthday dinners and gatherings here. Most staff have been respectful, but how we were treated Saturday left us hurt, embarrassed, and honestly discriminated against.

We came for dinner and drinks like many times before. We sat at the bar as usual. Our server was warm and welcoming. After witnessing a near fight there weeks ago, I felt uneasy about returning, but my husband wanted to support Moxie’s. He’s friendly and non-confrontational, enjoying light chats and jokes with staff. We had just received our food when my husband ordered his third small beer, his last before our Uber home. Suddenly, a longtime bartender who wasn’t even serving us stepped in and refused my husband service claiming my husband was intoxicated. My husband was not slurring, stumbling, or acting out. When we calmly asked why, the bartender repeated he had the right to refuse, pointing to my husband’s red eye, a sty he’s had for a week. His tone was condescending and mocking. He said, “It’s not personal,” but it felt exactly that. I’ve worked in compliance partnering with the AGCO, and I know that alcohol refusals must be based on clear, observable signs. This refusal was based on assumptions and ego, not safety. We no longer cared about drinks/food; we wanted a fair explanation. The bartender said management could make a second call but walked away and returned alone. Then an assistant manager appeared from elsewhere. He didn’t ask questions or observe; he immediately backed the bartender, saying he couldn’t overrule him. The contradiction between their claims showed no real policy was followed, just bias and deflection. Our original server looked confused and said she didn’t understand what happened. She seemed to disagree but didn’t feel safe speaking up. The bartender who denied us service clearly had authority at the bar because of his seniority. What upset us more was the double standard. That same bartender regularly takes shots with guests and serves loud, visibly intoxicated patrons. Another bartender pours round after round for rowdy groups clearly beyond intoxicated. A few weeks ago, four men nearly fought at the bar, and no one cut them off. But we, a calm, married visible minority couple, were treated like a problem. It felt racial and personal. The bartender even acknowledged we’re regulars. I reminded him of two years ago when we were there with friends and my husband was cut off after having too much to drink and we supported that decision. If we could respect it then, we absolutely would have again had it been justified. This time was different. My husband was fine, calm, and coherent, This refusal felt driven by ego and we were targeted. My husband expressed anger and yes, used some profanity. I don’t excuse it but understand it. We were wrongly accused and dismissed. We left without touching our food. The bill was waived, but this was never about money. We wanted basic decency. Instead, we were silenced and blamed. Still hungry, we went to Mansion across the street. I asked their bartender if he was comfortable serving my husband. Without hesitation, he said yes and confirmed my husband’s sty and sobriety. That made clear how wrong Moxie’s was.

If the bartender at Moxie’s can’t tell a mild eye condition from intoxication, he shouldn’t be in this role. If management only doubles down without asking questions, they are unfit to lead. I’ve worked in leadership and customer service management . I know the difference between enforcing policy and hiding behind it. We experienced judgment, contradiction, and zero accountability.

If Moxie’s values loyalty, fairness, and integrity, it’s time to assess whether certain staff truly...

Moxie’s Pickering runs a tight ship, and the credit goes to the team holding it down.

Maria leads with conviction. There’s no guessing when she’s on — she’s dialed in, direct, and doesn’t miss a beat. Whether it’s the floor, the vibe, or the execution, she’s ten steps ahead, every time. You feel the difference when she’s running the show.

Riley? Energy and precision. Not the loudest in the room, but definitely one of the most efficient. Keeps the flow moving, never flustered, and always locked in. There’s something reliable about Riley’s presence that gives the space structure.

Blen is a sleeper hit. Quiet strength, smooth delivery, and zero theatrics. But if you’re paying attention, you’ll catch the consistency. Doesn’t crack, doesn’t drag — just does the job, and does it right. Blen’s the type people overlook until they realize everything’s still running because of them.

Vanessa brings a different kind of polish. There’s an elegance in the way she holds herself, firm when needed, but never overbearing. She doesn’t just clock in, she adds weight to the room. Subtle leadership, real presence, and a sharpness that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

Karen brings balance. Calm demeanor, clear focus, but don’t mistake it for passivity. She handles pressure with composure and makes every interaction feel intentional. You don’t need to ask twice when she’s on the floor, she’s already ahead of it.

Alex is pure versatility. Can pivot, adapt, and slide into any gap without losing pace. There’s a natural charisma there that brings lift to the team — the kind of presence that doesn’t just blend in, it raises the bar. You want someone like Alex in your rotation.

Nia is cool under pressure. Sharp on timing, smooth on delivery, and carries herself with confidence that doesn’t need to be loud to land. She makes the space feel under control, even when it’s moving fast.

Ciara brings rhythm. Pacing, tone, attentiveness, all locked in. There’s an awareness to her service that keeps things fluid without feeling rushed. It’s not flashy, but it’s dialed. That’s value.

This isn’t a place coasting on aesthetics. It’s held up by people who give a damn. That’s...

The night of July 1st, Canada Day, marked our third consecutive night at Moxie's Pickering, but unfortunately, we were shocked and disappointed by the lack of service. It felt like a completely different place from our usual go-to spot. Since there was no opportunity to provide feedback at the time of paying the bill, here we are on Google.

Firstly, we were served pop with no ice and had to ask for waters ourselves. We received drinks with no straws and had to get up to the bar to get our own straws as no one checked on us. They ran out of chicken for our nachos, but to be fair, the kitchen manager explained this and doubled up on the beef at no extra charge. However, we waited about 20 minutes before being checked on again.

When we received our nachos, we did not get small plates as usual, so we had to get up and go to the bar to ask for them. They said they had run out of wet naps and luckily managed to find the "last two." When we ordered more drinks, one of the shot glasses had a massive crack/chip, making it unclear if chipped glass was in the drink. No one came to our aid, and it seemed our server was also the bartender for everyone. So much time passed before we could request another shot that we ended up going to the bar ourselves to let them know we didn't want a replacement and just wanted our bill.

Additionally, they didn’t even come to warn us of last call as they usually do, so we didn’t have a chance to order dessert or more drinks. Instead of our server bringing the bill, she sent someone else who didn't even ask how our time was. They just set the machine down and never returned, even after we paid. We had to rip off our receipt ourselves and waited to see if we could speak with someone, but clearly, they didn’t care about what we had to say or our loyalty to this place over the years.

It’s very disappointing and not the Moxie's experience we've been accustomed to. I usually default to Moxie's for both business and pleasure, but this experience has left us questioning...