The Margaret — Restaurant in Birmingham

I have never experienced anything like this. Our party showed up, and we were asked to order “something easy” so we did - 4 Sauvignon blanc, and before we could finish our order I was told they were out of wine. We were refused anything else with no explanation - except I got to experience the fantastic gaslighting experience of hearing “you must of have too much to drink already so I can’t serve you”. Nice tactic, but not valid. I don’t know what kind of place this is, but if this kind of behavior is acceptable, it does not bode well for female patrons. If you don’t want to be open, say it. Don’t make your customers the problem when you are. As a side note, an existing customer actually apologized for the bartender’s behavior....

I sat at the bar. There was a large spill on the counter which I assumed the bartender would just wipe up before serving me. Instead he put a thin napkin over it and put my drink directly in the goop. Not next to it but directly in the spot. I’m from out of town and even at the divviest of dive bars I’ve never had poor service like that. It was gross and off putting. I had to ask the bartender to clean it up to which he seemed surprised and claimed it was because they were transitioning from a busy night. I get being consumed by a rush but when I came in it was quiet with only a handful of people. It seems like common curtesy to clean up for a new patron. Or at least don’t put my drink directly in someone else mess—...

This place is the snatch! Despite It's smooth and magnetic aesthetic appeal, It's the "tough guy" in (down)town. That is, it's where the BADASSES hang out in downtown Birmingham, and where the service industry folks go post quitting time (until they go to The Nick after 2am), as well as a ton of people from out-of-town who are staying at the hotels close by and visiting the downtown concerts, ball games, business conferences, and hospitals. The bartenders are lovely. If you go there whenever Linley tends bar, you're sure to have an always interesting story and hear some Kool tunes from her. It's a great combo of people and ideas and backgrounds and possibilities.... Probably the most diverse and welcoming bars...