Bar Cocktail Garden — Restaurant in Lagoa

Based on reviews, I decided to visit the Cocktail Garden as I was staying in a villa on the same street.

On arrival, there were two other tables present and when I took a seat, one waiter began to ask what I was doing when another one came with a menu and asked me to take a look. Another lady looked in my direction and very bluntly asked ‘how many people’ and when I answered she simply walked away.

While sitting at the table, the lady (who I now know is the co-owner) was serving a table behind me (she ignored me on arrival and when she walked by my table). She had a conversation with a young couple asking them if they had posted their reviews (they said yes) and she proceeded to ask them to ask others to review them or sign in as other people and leave 5-star reviews. When the couple agreed she informed them that that’s what she likes to hear.

Having heard this, I was viewing reviews on my phone when this lady walked past and she very noticeably looked at my phone and suddenly acknowledged me with a very forced politeness, even referring to me as ‘sir.’

As I was half way through my drink, multiple other tables had arrived and each table (7 to be precise) was given a bowl of popcorn…every table but me.

Due to the highly unprofessional service, actions and customer profiling that was evident, I knew that one drink would be enough and I asked for the bill. When I offered my card I was told bluntly ‘no cards.’ I suggested that this may be worth informing customers before ordering and he simply shrugged his shoulders .

Overall, I am highly disappointed by the service in the Cocktail Garden and the clear coercion that goes into getting 5-star reviews. My visit was based on the reviews but I would urge anyone to think carefully before being fooled by these.

I have spent two weeks visiting many locations from West to East on the Algarve and I can honestly say that this was the worst example of service and hospitality that I have experienced. Carvoeiro is a spectacular destination with a great atmosphere and the Cocktail Garden did not come close to matching my experiences everywhere else in the town or elsewhere in...

I wouldn’t recommend this place. We’d had a couple of cocktails that were ok - my pornstar martini was quite ‘juice like’ but my father in law said his old fashioned was very strong so different ends of the spectrum. However the reason why I wouldn’t recommend this place is their attitude towards children. Tonight we were dining at the restaurant next to this bar and my 2 year old daughter decided to wander over and was walking up and down the stairs- to much of the delight of the clientele with a lot of people waving and smiling at her. The barman told my husband there’s plenty of other places to play so clearly she wasn’t welcome. Given she wasn’t harming anyone and actually people were enjoying her company I can’t see the issue. The barman said it was private property but as anyone who has been to the square can see it’s quite a closed contained area so a 2 year old wouldn’t understand where she is and isn’t allowed to go and forcing her away would result in a tantrum - which when she is causing no issues seemed unnecessary. We’ve been paying customers there previously and it’s a shame the mannerism and attitude the barman had means we will not be returning now or on future...

We went here Saturday for the Ireland v England game, the day after our wedding we reserved for 50 people and I can’t thank the staff and owner enough. They accommodated everyone so well drinks constantly flowing with a few staff members absolutely ran off their feet. Also seated the bar so the English and Irish where slightly separated which only added to the atmosphere. And every cocktail I tried was delicious and strong, at least 8 I can say that about. Thanks again for a great day I would highly recommend visiting here if in carvoeiro or even passing through, just keep a designated driver because the...