Showdown Social — Restaurant in Alpharetta

We came to Showdown Social on a Saturday night with a group of six and left pretty disappointed. The place wasn’t busy at all, so there was really no excuse for the lack of service and attention. Our server was also the bartender, but even with a light crowd, she was inattentive the entire time. We went over an hour without our waters being refilled, and when we finally asked for more and a glass for a new member of our party, she just dropped a carafe in front of me without saying a word. Cool—so now we’re also refilling our own water on top of flagging her down for new drink orders, reminding her we ordered food, etc.

The drinks were small, overly sweet, and expensive—even after asking for adjustments, they still weren’t enjoyable. The food was incredibly underwhelming and bland, and to top it off, our entree order never even made it to the kitchen. When we followed up, they said the ticket was missed and they’d box it up to go.

To pay, they bring a handheld device to the table. We had to tell her what was on each tab, which was fine, but then we had to check out and tip while she stood there staring us down, which was super uncomfortable. The lowest tip default was 20%, which felt a little bold given the service we received.

All in all, the experience felt careless and awkward from start to finish. If you’re looking for good food, drinks, or...

I’ve had multiple unpleasant interactions with the bartender, Janessa the most recent one being enough to share publicly.

I stopped in before heading back to work, ordered a sparkling water, and specifically said “no ice.” Instead of a glass, I was given the entire bottle. While I found this odd, I didn’t make a big deal until the tone shifted. Another staff member, Boni, kindly checked in and apologized when I mentioned it. I even briefly considered ordering a cocktail before deciding to leave.

When I handed over payment, Janessa stood by the register watching, then stormed over, returned my money, and said, “You can go, don’t worry about paying. I asked you and you said no glass.” I calmly clarified I had said “no ice,” but she raised her voice, used hand gestures, and insisted, “I don’t have to serve you, you have an attitude, and you can go.”

This is the second time I’ve experienced this kind of interaction with the same staff member. As a local with an office nearby, I want to support this establishment. But for patrons and especially visitors to our neighborhood, this kind of hostility is disappointing and unprofessional. Hospitality should feel welcoming, not degrading.

I hope management takes note Showdown Social has potential, but experiences like this make it hard...

From the moment we sat down, Denise made us feel like the most important table in the room. Her energy is infectious, her smile is genuine, and her attention to detail is nothing short of extraordinary. She struck that perfect balance of being friendly, professional, and incredibly efficient—anticipating our needs before we even had to ask.

Denise didn’t just take our order; she elevated our entire dining experience. Whether it was her spot-on recommendations, lightning-fast service, or her ability to make us laugh and feel at home, she exceeded every expectation.

You can tell Denise truly loves what she does—and it shows. If there’s a contest she’s in, she deserves to win it. No question. Give this woman a crown, a cape, and a raise—because she’s a superstar. 🌟

Thank you, Denise, for making our visit unforgettable. We'll be asking for your section every time...