Ridgeway Racebar — Restaurant in Gauteng

I have been to this place a few times to watch football ⚽. It gets full, which is great and makes the experience awesome. The service has historically been good. Waiters and bartenders are fantastic, truly!

Which is why my most recent experience was shocking. The place was packed, very very full - making it very difficult for the staff and also the customers. Understanding that the place is full and the waiters are on their feet trying their best, it is no excuse to be impolite and impatient. I got waved off by a waiter when I wanted to ask for some help (information - where can I find a manager?). He was visibly frustrated so I understand. I tried to approach a manager who was very rude to me. Dismissive - "talk fast or I can't help you". Wouldn't even pay enough attention to hear what I was looking for. He assumed what I needed, and when I corrected him, he went on to tell me he couldn't help - without hearing my request. Now that was absolutely pathetic from a person in that position. Leadership sets the tone and some of the staff clearly follow the pace he sets.

In all bad situations, there is some good. Amy, one of the waiters, gave absolutely brilliant service, in all that chaos. She listened and responded, even to tell us that she wasn't able to assist. She apologised for not being able to help. She came back half an hour later to check if we had received some service, and proceed to take our order and still apologised for the delay - which was totally understandable because it was extremely full. Attentive, respectful and a great example of how to handle a difficult situation. Well done Amy! Thank you for your kindness and dedication to customer service.

The manager who was at the entry - do better mate, the waiter that just walked past us, just remember we all need each other and service isn't only when things are good.

For a great day out watching sport, this is an awesome place to go and I will definitely keep going. Looking forward to a different experience with management and...

NOT COMING BACK AGAIN! Inconsistent rules about where children are allowed to sit due to smokers. Sometimes they're allowed at the pool tables and other times they aren't like please just set the rules properly and stop changing it!!!!!! Went there today and since we had a kid with us, we had to sit at a different area and when the liverpool game was on, the audio was Motor GP. We called for the manager (didn't see him its like he ran away or something). We asked others to fix it multiple times and got told that they "weren't allowed to change it" - whatever that means. So so horrible because I mean it is a liverpool bar after all... anyways, we left immediately because it was such a waste!!

My thing is, we have been coming to this place for yeaaaars, and even when I was a minor, we sat at the pool table area multiple times, so it's like only now the rules have changed all to accommodate smokers - what about the rest of us who want to bring our youngsters to experience the immense vibe of the liverpool game? If you want to keep your customers, set a designated smoking area ONLY and permit everyone else to sit at the pool tables. That area is the main area for the vibe of the liverpool games. The singing and all that - so now kids can't experience that just because you guys apparently want to accommodate smokers...

I didn't try any of the food or look at the menu so I have no idea. The place itself is really nice though and so clean. Really big- theres a few inside areas as well as a large outside area of tables etc. There are about 30 TVs inside the bar so def great for watching any sporting event. Super nice vibe inside, the wait staff is fast and always around.

The drinks are cheap compared to other bars I've been to and then they still have big specials as well, like the night we were there you could get either 2x double brandy or double vodkas and coke for only r70.

The only thing I would say is that once the rugby started they out it on the TVs which is great but then it was so unbelievably loud and distorting that not only could we not hear what the TV was saying but we couldn't hear each other either literally sitting right across the table from each other having to yell just to be heard above the din.

I'm sure that's not the norm though so I would for sure go back and give them another try. Also they have tons and tons of motox etc memorabilia literally all over the top of the bar and entire inside section and that is really awesome. All in all I'd say great bar to go visit, go for a sporting event which shouldn't be too hard now during the workd...