Smokey Joe's Cafe — Restaurant in Charlotte

This business' standards are ridiculous. I came in just before closing and made sure to ask a bartender what time they close. She confirmed 1am before I ordered several drinks, was charged for about $32 and tipped $10. Went on to the porch to have the drinks. After 10 minutes, a man started to yell and harass everyone out the door. He approached me on the porch, albiet screaming at me for at least 3 minutes telling me I couldn't be there and needed to get out. Literally escalated an altercation. As if looking for a fight.

I didn't illicit this behavior, I just wanted to drink my nearly $45 worth of drinks. But no. He wouldn't allow us to finish our drinks without "taking them outside the gate." Seriously? I asked for a manager and she came out and, I kid you not, yanked a drink out of my friend's hand. Literally as he was taking a sip.

Now, let's not get confused, I am well aware of bar business times and individual company preferences, so I understand closing times. Where this business made a mistake is, for one, selling the drinks in the first place if they don't intend to honor the time allotted to drink them. A business can specify what time they want drinks done and establish a cut off. She was so cordial taking my card before all of this.

Now, most pointedly? They did specify we could "put them in a cup and take them outside." A highly illegal practice offered freely to us, mind you. Told us we could have our drinks "anywhere but there." Not only that, but when approached about all this, the "owner" "called the cops" and the "owner" wished we'd "stick around for 15min so we would get arrested." Are you serious? Is that really the business you want to run?

Know the people you are talking to. Realize not everyone is drunk and belligerent like you apparently assume. This "owner" said he didn't want my business. Seems the business is built on manhandling patrons out the door only minutes after they arrive, even when those patrons make it a point to confirm they are still welcome to be served. I cannot describe the malcontent these people had with me 10 minutes after my arrival.

If you, as a business, do not intend on allowing patrons to finish the drinks they paid for, don't serve ANYONE after the 30 minute mark. Make a last call. It is with so much disappointment that I relay that these people actually had the audacity to ask me "who do you think you are?" A patron! I'm a self-aware, money-spending patron! I spent money at your business AFTER I confirmed I was allowed to do so! I'm literally floored.

I've bartended, I've been a front of house/back of house manager, a GM, etc. I've even kicked people out! Your employees appear to have been trained to be crass, misleading, and, in short, pushing the line of acceptable. I will be saying something to the BBB. And they said they refunded my tip when I went back in to revoke it. Rest assured, I will be monitoring my bank account. I'll promise you this: the employees at Smokey Joe's offered me to "take our beverages outside the gate in a cup." I think they'll realize that mistake...

I am writing this on behalf of my mentee, Andrew. He has schizencephaly. This makes it difficult for him to talk and makes it a challenge to use one his arms. I have been working with him for over six months and he is an inspiration to anyone who knows him. Despite his challenges he is a great worker and a devoted friend. He gave himself a big gift and went to Charlotte NC to see the Vikings/Panthers game with his friend. The night before he went to Smokey Joe's Cafe. He speaks like he has Cerebral Palsy but it is a different affliction. The bouncer and a 2nd "gentleman" refused to let him in saying he was drunk. People around him and his friend were saying that he was not drunk, this was a disability. Andrew showed the two of them on his phone what he had. His friend also tried to explain why he spoke the way he did but he was refused entry. The last thing the "gentleman" said to his friend about Andrew was "he is not comfortable with him (Andrew) in the bar. Shame on him. God bless the bystanders who tried to stick up for a handicapped man. I would never step...

This place is really not my vibe so take this review with a grain of salt. It definitely lives up to its name of Smokey joes. There is a LOT of smoking outside to the extent that even the interior is a little Smokey. If you are sensitive to smoke, I would not come here. The bar itself is super eclectic and interesting. The walls are plastered with bumper stickers and posters. The bathrooms have pin ups of both men and women. The beers are pretty much dirt cheap. Even craft brews on tap are about $5. The live music is good but if you are inside you will not be able to hear anything else. A nice medium is to sit outside while the band plays. You can still hear them but aren’t yelling at each other to be heard. The clientele are all local and very chill, this is definitely a townie place. I personally would not go back because it’s just not the type of place I like but if you love the dive bar vibe, this place is for you. Parking is in a gravel lot with a...