On the Rocks Restaurant Karaoke — Restaurant in Toronto

Honestly, I'm surprised by the positive reviews. The karaoke host was nice but the person in charge (owner?) didn't seem to want my business from the beginning--the semi-buff bald Asian guy, I mean. I will say, the karaoke wasn't crowded (we were there at around 9:40pm on a Saturday--last night).

I don't require a smile, or conversation from restaurant staff. I get it: it can be an unpleasant job. But this guy really didn't seem to like us from the second we walked in the door. He wasn't rude, per se, it's more that he seemed to do everything he could to discourage us from staying.

I'm perplexed, honestly. I arrived with my brother just to do some karaoke. I was looking through the song book at one table, and he told me right off that I couldn't look at it at the table the book was sitting on because that table had a reservation. I wasn't trying to sit at the table, and he hadn't seated me and my brother yet. This guy seemed angry, just a quiet fury on his face--not yelling or anything, but like he didn't want us there.

I was told right away that I had to go to the bar for service, that he wouldn't come to me (that's fine, though now it only now occurs to me that at least one table was getting table service), and if I wanted to run a tab, I would have to give him my credit card. To be fair, I might have misunderstood that part. He might have said credit card number, but again note the weirdly onerous declaration before I had tried to order anything, like he was trying to tell us from the start that we weren't welcome.

The bar wasn't even half full, but when I went to order a sparkling water (my brother and I don't drink), I was told that my "friend" couldn't sit for a long time without a drink because the place would soon be packed. Fine. I ordered a sparkling water for him as well. I told this guy that we would sing one song and leave. I was smiling and trying to be pleasant all through this--you know, something that minorities do when faced with rudeness. (I regret trying to be pleasant now). Again, this was the Asian guy I was talking to....

I'm not sure if he's unfriendly to non "regulars" or I looked like someone he once had a bad experience with in his bar, but it made me sad, honestly, and made me feel bad about myself. I honestly regret giving him any of my business.

My brother and I are pretty unassuming guys, with money we like to spend when we feel welcome, and this guy seemed to dislike us from the start.

I'm giving one star because the woman running the karaoke seemed nice and some of the customers were nice to us. (Again, it occurs to me that one (white) guy there was blindingly drunk, but I guess that was okay). I'm just looking for a low key, neighbourhood place to do some karaoke on occasion. I'm sad this...

I’ve visited this establishment three times, and while it has been a positive experience for others, as a minority, I did not receive the same level of respect or consideration. During one visit, my party was directed to a location behind the bar, near the washroom, isolated from others. It was disheartening to feel as though our presence was an inconvenience in what is supposed to be an inclusive space.

To the world, I may be labeled as #Black, but I refuse to confine my identity to a label that perpetuates hate or diminishes my worth as a human being. I am a person, and I will never submit to a narrative that devalues my presence or my contributions.

Adding to this disappointment, I became very ill after consuming the Thai chicken wings and fire sauce. This experience left me questioning the care and standards in place, as something was clearly wrong.

To my community: Spend your time and money in places where you are truly valued, where your presence is not merely tolerated but genuinely welcomed. It is unacceptable to feel hostility or exclusion simply for existing, especially when others are allowed to laugh, sing, and enjoy the space freely.

What troubles me most is that the individual responsible for this treatment wasn’t Black but from another minority group. It’s painful to realize that hatred and discrimination can come from unexpected places, reinforcing a sense of isolation for no justifiable reason. This experience was unprovoked and unnecessary.

I am disappointed, but I am also resolute. I will not return to this establishment. My hope is that no one else in our community endures the same treatment I faced. Let us continue to stand firm, seek spaces that uplift us, and reject environments that normalize hate.

#HumanFirst #EqualityMatters #SupportInclusiveSpaces

One day things must get better! Keep your head held high to all the ppl that operate in love and...

I used to order from here all the time. We had so much fun when we caught the Friday karaoke crowed - Friday before last. The karaoke vibe was great. I sang my heart out. The drinks with the food order were served at the table and after that, I had to go to the bar to order the rest and add to my tab. At least the drinks were decent priced (for post-Covid). We got the $42 combo for two. My 3 star rating is based on the menu and taste. It says to choose the same sauce for the 2 entre dishes, which is redundant and the reason why I haven't ordered via SKIP. At the restaurant itself, we were able to get an "exception" and get the Chili chicken and second dish, beef in black bean sauce - two different flavors as it should be. If this place does not change this option of being allowed to choose 2 different flavors for the 2 entres, it will lose business since I myself have chosen to order from somewhere else many times, based on this decision the restaurant has made. So my money went somewhere else and will continue to do so for delivery if they don't go back to their original way. The combo already has increased by $12 from $30 to $42 but to cheapen out on flavour by forcing us to choose the same sauce for 2 entres is where I draw the line. The beef in black bean sauce was barely touched due to the overwhelming presence of fish sauce. I had to throw it away once I tried to eat it again. Now imagine being forced to throw your money and food on 2 entres if both were black bean sauce. Total waste of money on that dish and an animal life. I rarely throw away a whole dish. Very disappointed and sad that I had to give a harsh but...