Medbar Southampton — Restaurant in Southampton

Was at this spot from around 730pm** after shopping at the mall. order food n the music was good. It took over 45mins just to get our food and drinks. Actually we had to ask for it, seem like the waitress forgot. The music was good n we decided to stay. My shipmate brought back the shopping bags and i stayed and order more drinks. While at the club I was told to take my hat off later in the night. Nowhere on the website, in the restaurant or by the waitress I was told my hat needs to be removed if I'm staying after a certain time. No dress policy whatsoever is listed. And we did inform her we were gonna stay cause of the music. I explained to one security that I didn't dress for the club and my scalp has an issue so I can't wear my hair without a covering. He went to a manager and came back and said it was "ok to keep it [hat] on". A hour later, another security start yelling in my face to get my Hat off OR GET OUT!! No "hi or hello" I asked why are you yelling at me and I was told by the security that it was ok to keep my hat on because of my situation. The 2nd security escorted me outside in a arrogant manner to a tall security who thought I would be intimidated by his height and was straight animalistic and dogmatic towards me. He didn't want to hear what I have to say neither could he show me where it says "no hats allowed." He kept yelling at me and I had to tell him I'm not gonna be scared of his height or his voice. He wouldn't let me go get my phone but yet telling me message my friend to bring my stuff. HOW the FK can I message my friend when my phone is inside?? I was visiting the area. And didn't plan on clubbing. If I had known no hats were allowed i would've gone back to the ship and fix my hair to cover my issues, while the food took so darn long to come. The insensitivity of those security guards was at on all time high especially security 2 and 3 the tall one. What if someone was a cancer patient, or had sever alopecia, or scalp psoriasis? Do you know how embarrassing that is for someone to just take off their hat n show that scalp/hair issue? DAMN! That tall security and 2nd one have no customer service and was just rude. I was having a good time until they showed up. I get the rules BUT if I was told before hand or seen it on the website, I could've gone bk to the ship and fix my hair and came back or just left after we ate. Y'all need to do better!! Not everyone lives in your city and knows what the rules are. And a much friendlier way could've been approach. Fk up part is a white guy was in there in a red suit had 2 hats on not one BUT 2 hats on and he stayed. But you throw the black woman...

10/07/2024

Response to owner: I am surprised and disappointed by the unprofessional manner in which you responded to my complaint. As a customer, I expected a more professional explanation and an apology for any misunderstanding. Your response demonstrates a lack of regard for customer service and an inability to accept constructive criticism.

Your reaction, which I find both “embarrassing” and “pathetic,” highlights why potential customers might reconsider visiting your establishment. Your lack of experience and interest in customer care is evident.

Additionally, it's important to understand that a negative customer review cannot simply be reported or removed by Google based on your dissatisfaction with the feedback. As a professional reviewer, I can assure you of this.

Had your response been more apologetic or sympathetic, I might have considered removing my review. However, your unprofessional reply underscores the kind of establishment you are running, and I believe it is important for the public to be aware of this.

Have a good day.

Edit: the photographer on Friday 31.5.24 clearly has an issue with groups of people of colour. We were a group of dark skinned girls and noticed she was going around taking photos of everyone else at her own will, except when she came to us she repeatedly skipped past us over many hours spent in here. We felt very insulted and will not be back. Sort it out Medbar!!!!

Previous review 4.5.22: The best bar in Southampton with the tastiest cocktails I've ever had which were made by Ellie. Great service and we will definitely be back and recommending this place...

the food was okay, service was okay, but the manager (bald guy with glasses and a beard) tried to grab my phone and write his own review when i was at a friday brunch at this venue. When asked to stop he asked one of my friends to change their ratings because he didn’t like it. Kinda intimidating, kinda annoying, probably won’t go back for brunch.

• edit; I’ve been at this venue twice in my life, i know for a fact we did not do anything to warrant ‘being banned from every venue in southampton for 5 years’ because we did not get into trouble, were denied entry or were spoken to by ANY of the staff in ANY venue we visited. Additionally 3 of us looked after our friends or others who were too intoxicated. If you have spread false and inaccurate information about myself or my friends (half of who left your venue because of the situation your manager put us in) i’m happy to go about the legal route.

I’m a reasonable person, I wrote an honest review and the manager or owner of this account didn’t like it. Big whoop.

*second edit: No one was asked to give a bad review who was not there, if i’m completely honest there are better things i do in my spare time and my weekends than get people to write...