Hartman's Distilling Co. — Restaurant in Buffalo

Please note that this review is specific to Mother's Day brunch. This was our first experience at Hartman's, and I know it's more of a bar than a restaurant, so I'm not sure if what happened was "normal":

We had a...rough time to say the least. To begin, our table of 6 was put at a 4 top. That was understandable given how busy it was, however, before we had even ordered our food, a 6 top cleared out right next to us and we proceeded to watch them relocate 2 people originally seated at the bar to the 6 top. The 4 top was significantly smaller and two people were placed at the ends of the table with the pole from the table in the middle. One end was essentially trapped against the wall. It would have been nice had they offered moving to us first.

To put it bluntly, it seemed like our waitress had absolutely no interest in our table from start to finish. My dad and I ordered coffee. When asked about cream and sugar, we asked for both only to never get creamer. The first time, we eventually flagged down the hostess and she brought some over. Once we got refills (which was a struggle in itself) we ran out and asked for more. We ended up having to go up to the bar to ask for it before the coffee got cold AND the waitress acted annoyed when we went to ask. My dad asked for a refill when I was finishing my last sip and with my mouth full. She didn't ask me and I couldn't ask fast enough before she ran away. Then we had to flag someone down to get my refill almost 10 minutes later.

When they took our order ON MOTHERS DAY, they took my mom's order LAST. We were cutoff when ordering and felt rushed. There was confusion over ordered drinks and food on multiple occasions. For example, they placed a meal in front of my dad that was not his. He pointed at his, and instead of listening, they took all the food away and we watched them try to sort it out at the bar? I think maybe the waitress didn't know what each was? It seemed like the staff was very confused all around. At one point we saw them trying to sort out 15 different drinks at the bar and they brought over something we didn't order. We were very patient given it was busy, and it is what it is, but still frustrating.

I was really looking forward to the food redeeming our experience....it did not. Portions were REALLY small and the meals were overpriced. My dad had asked for Rye bread with his meal. When it came out, he was served sourdough so he brought it up and asked for Rye only to be told they don't have it (why you wouldn't just say that when he placed the order is beyond me). My mom ordered the breakfast skillet that was supposed to have hashbrowns, bacon, scallion, egg, and aoili. It came out and was literally only eggs and aoili. Not a single bit of hashbrown, maybe a small piece or two of bacon, no scallion? The bill ended up saying veggie skillet, so I'm not sure if they put the order in wrong (but a veggie skillet isn't even on the menu)? The food was edible and overall decent, VERY salty, but nothing crazy. Of our 6 meals only one had an overly positive review (the smash burger). The poached eggs on the Benedict were completely undercooked, which is whatever, sometimes that's hard to control.

Honestly though we wrote it at all off at first being a weird experience on a busy day, but what bothered me the most was that after clearing the last plate, no one talked to us for over 20 minutes. We clearly had some issues throughout and instead of being more attentive, they completely disappeared. Not a single "can I get you the bill? Do you want any more drinks?" We had to flag down a different waitress to ask for our bill to leave and at that point we REALLY wanted to go.

Super disappointing first experience but maybe it was a holiday madness fluke? The space is nice but was a very disappointing...

Stepping into Hartman's Distilling Co. felt like walking into a piece of Buffalo's living history. Tucked away in the city's Old First Ward, the distillery occupies the historic Cooperage building—a site that's breathed new life into the neighborhood. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that Hartman's is more than a distillery; it's a celebration of community and craftsmanship.

Owned and operated by Justin and Jennifer Hartman, along with their family partners Bob and Lisa Hobba, Hartman's Distilling isn't just about the spirits; it's about the experience. The distillery tours, offered on the last Saturday of every month, are a must. They're not only informative, providing a deep dive into the art of whiskey making and the rich history of bourbon, America's native spirit, but also immersive, concluding with a tasting of four of Hartman's famous whiskeys. The sense of history is palpable, especially learning that the building once housed a company integral to the barrel-making industry, underlining the importance of barrels in spirit aging​ (Hartman's Distilling Co. )​​ (Buffalo Rising)​.

The story behind Hartman's is as compelling as the spirits they craft. Justin and Jennifer returned to Buffalo with a vision to slow down and enjoy life's finer moments, encapsulated in their fine spirits. Justin, the master distiller, has a passion that's not just about distilling but about creating moments and memories. This ethos is evident in every sip of their offerings, from their Straight Bourbon Whiskey to the unique Loganberry Flavored Vodka​ (Hartman's Distilling Co. )​​ (Hartman's Distilling Co. )​.

As someone who appreciates the craft behind a good drink, I was impressed by their selection. The American Dry Gin, Vodka, and Straight Rye Whiskey are standouts, each with a story and a smoothness that speaks to the meticulous process behind their creation. The Loganberry Vodka Seltzer was a refreshing surprise, a nod to local flavors that captures the essence of Buffalo in a bottle.

Hartman's is a testament to Buffalo's spirit of innovation and community. It's a place where the drinks are rich in history and the atmosphere invites you to make new memories. As I left, I couldn't help but feel part of something bigger—a story of passion, heritage, and the simple pleasure of sharing a good drink with friends. Hartman's Distilling Co. isn't just a distillery; it's a beacon of Buffalo's vibrant culture and an experience...

Our group was here for 2 hours, paid cover and were at the bar watching football. All of the sudden the TV we are watching goes haywire. We asked 3 different employees to put the TV back on the game. All had bad attitude. We waited 15 min and still it wasn’t fixed. So finally we left and went nextdoor to resurgence. Thanks a lot.

EDIT: Wow just seeing the response below from ownership. Incredible that you would falsely accuse me, a customer whose group spent $200+ in your establishment on this occasion alone, of any malfeasance, let alone in a public forum. I am now forced to clarify the record. First of all no it wasn't an internet issue, it was your DJ who hit something on the remote, and then it couldn't be fixed by anyone else in your employ. If your manager (who already made sure to inform me of his job title when I spoke with him that night) doesn't know how to work a TV remote - nor do any of his bartenders - within 15 minutes - then maybe managing a Tim Hortons would be more his speed than the fast-paced nightlife industry. No the other TVs were not visible from our seats across a very crowded bar, it was the 4th quarter of a game we had been watching in its entirety that your employee spontaneously turned off right in front of our faces. Saying I would have been booted out from your bar is revisionist history at best and frankly, defamatory. I have patronized and recommended your establishment numerous times in the past but based on both the bad service we experienced, and the demonstrated inability to take feedback without becoming defensive and accusatory, I will have to think twice before doing so...