Rooftop at The Envoy — Restaurant in Boston

I will try to keep this review short and sweet. We had a reservation for the Rooftop at the Envoy, our email said to arrive thirty minutes early, so we did so. Came to the host stand, as the two hosts rudely told us to come back at seven. I was confused, however I did not argue, as I waited around for thirty minutes since there was no where else to go. Then we came back to the host stand at seven and the hostess said our table was not ready in a rude manner. I then asked when it would be ready, her response was a shrug.

We proceeded to wait around for twenty minutes, at this point nearly waiting around for an hour. We were ready to walk out, when the host finally comes over and seats us.

Now, with the fact that there was a 25 dollar reservation fee, as well as a 100 dollar minimum spend amount, not only did I expect better service but a better quality environment. We were sat in two lawn chairs, you know, the type of chairs you sit in to enjoy a good family barbeque. And to top it off, the drinks were served in plastic cups. I could have paid for the same drink at a college bar, except instead of having to spend an all around 125 dollars, I could have spent 10.

Through this, we watched as two guys walked near our seats and took pictures of the Boston skyline. Clearly unaware that they were not allowed in that area. Well as we were sitting there, clearly upset at the awful service, we watched as the bouncer got into these two guys faces, yelling at them to leave the area. (If you scroll down further you will see more comments about this "bouncer"). As the guys walked past us we heard their discontent with the service. Being in a reserved area without knowledge is one thing, merely peacefully escort them out. But getting in their face, raising your hands, and yelling. Geez it was disgusting behavior. What were you going to do? Fight them?

I normally do not leave ratings, especially bad ones. However, the service was so impeccably bad, especially for what we had to pay. I would Never, and I mean Never, recommend this place to anyone. If it was not for the money we would have left earlier. Shameful service... And if you do decide to still reserve for whatever reason, don't listen to the email they send out and come thirty minutes early. They clearly do not care about your time, so why care...

TL:DR - Was short-changed and then insulted for pointing it out.

A great view of Boston is totally wasted by the poor attitudes and business practices of the bar staff. I purchased a $7 beer from the menu with a $10 bill - I was then handed $2 in change by a female bar tender who went on to serve another customer. After leaving a $1 tip on the bar, I realized I had accidentally been short-changed. I stopped a different, short male bar tender to show him my drink and the price of it on the menu. I told him that I had paid with a $10 bill and I casually asked for the full amount of my change - but his response was truly shocking... The first thing he said was “that’s the correct change”, to which I argued that it was not, I was owed $3. He then went on to justify that with MA tax (6.25%), the cost was “$7.50”, and I said “...OK - so you owe me $.50 cents”. The bar tender then said that the bar “doesn’t carry change”. At this point, I’m getting pretty miffed because this guy is clearly in the wrong, but is trying to dismiss me, and so I said “...so with every cash customer you serve, the bar steals $.50 cents?” At that point, he takes the dollar tip that’s still sitting on the bar, picks it up and drops it near me saying “...you know what kid, just take your tip and go.”, and he went on to serve another customer where he loudly said (to that customer) “Can you believe these people?” I did leave after that, because I was clearly not going to win, and the bar tender began using another guest a buffer because of this. Not only did this experience perfectly capture everything that is wrong with Seaport culture, it also shows how little emphasis bars like Lookout put on serving customers vs. serving the bottom line. Never in my life have I been purposefully short-changed by a tandem of errant bar tenders, and never in my life have I had to argue with an establishment about this, only to be brushed off, insulted and by definition... stolen from Most people will say “it’s just $.50”, and they’d be totally right, but this is ALL about the principal. If these people did this to me without a care, they are definitely doing this to other people - patrons beware, $.50 cents can easily turn into $50 dollars - read your...

TL;DR If you wish to spend hundreds of dollars at this place and then treated like trash at the end of the night, Lookout Rooftop is your spot.

Pros: Servers & bartenders provide good service consider how overstretched they are with covers Boston harbor skyline view Choice of lounge seating & tables Great watermelon frose

Cons: $50/person to get a reservation Totally overcrowded Told there are no tables available when there are tables available Totally overworked service staff The most rude security guys possible for a premium bar -- I get the need to vacate the venue at the end of the night (i.e. 11pm,) but I don't need bouncers yelling "go home!" like some ratchet club. Also, what's the harm in helping your customers get a group photo with the skyline at the end of the night before sending them off with well-wishes and a bid to come visit again, rather than treating them like trash and tripping over a superiority complex that you get to shut the place down and tell everyone no? Do you realize that these CUSTOMERS are the ones paying for the whole show?

I've been to a LOT of fancy, beautiful rooftop bars around the world, including many others at Bonvoy properties. As a Bonvoy Elite member, I have never encountered this utter and complete lack of customer service from staff and security.

Other than the hardware and location, there's not much else worth writing home about. Save yourself the time to wait in sweaty lines, your wad of $$$, and avoid this place like the plague.

P.S. As we were herded into a crowded elevatory lobby to leave while the security guy yelled at everyone to get off the rooftop, there were a few patrons that were inebriated and not feeling well. They were quietly sitting on the bench as one of the friends tried to feel better. Instead of caring for them and helping them get home, the manager and security staff here CALLED THE POLICE. What kind of intimidation tactic is this? Give them 20 mins to chill out next to the elevator and they'll make it home. This was completely jaw-dropping and unprofessional treatment of guests. An absolute disappointment for a Marriott property and a disgraceful interaction...