Miller's Downtown — Restaurant in Charlottesville

Went out and celebrated all of my friends birthday month this past Sunday, we decided to go Dowtown for a beer and the only place open at 10:30pm was Millers. We went to the upstairs bar by the time I arrived bartender has served my friend glasses of water. When I asked them what they wanted to drink I stood by the bartender, she wasn’t busy at all however, she was walking up and down her bar and I felt ignored, I patiently kept waiting I even had time to go say hi to a different friend that was sitting at the bar when I saw an opportunity where bartender could clearly see me, I moved in front of her and she still didn’t look at me, when she finally did she asked what did I want I asked her for 2 ciders and a whiskey sour, she asked what king of whiskey and ID’s. I asked my friends for their ID and handed them to the bartender, all 3 of them. She immediately noticed 2 of the IDs were for tourist, the other one VA ID. She declared ABC did not allowed out of country ID, I proceeded and pulled out my work permit ID and insisted she could not accept that either bc it wasn’t an USA ID; keep in my work permits say USA all across the top in bold big letters word for word. I removed both foreign IDs and just asked for my friends whiskey sour, this is where it got extremely UGLY!! She said the issue was that if neither my friend and I had a USA valid ID I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE IN THE TOP BAR AREA, that I had to leave. I was shock, in disbelief and extremely hurt to the point that she belittle me and made me feel inhuman. I wanted to hurt this lady, however I calm myself down and picked up a glass of beer that was on the counter and spilled it on her counter as I walked myself out without any force. She got upset that I made that move, which I could of just pour it on her, however, I did not. I picked the counter to take my anger out on her. As I was going down the stairs she screamed to the top of her long that I was BANNED FOR LIFE FROM MILLER AND SHE WAS GOING TO CALL THE COPS, I told her go ahead called them and she yelled out when I’m almost at the door to her customers to look out after her bar and walked downstairs, proceeded to call the cops right outside downtown mall, nowhere in millers property and lied to the cops that she had a customer and her husband inside miller that that did not want to leave the premises. I was already out of millers and not only that the man was not my husband and she never explained as too why this all had escalated. I was highly upset and did not wait for the cops to arrive which I regret because she is nobody to make someone feel little only bc she’s not educated enough to know what a work permit is in the USA and where it comes from. I had never witness any type of disgusting behavior as to separating me and my other friends from my group of American friends.

I was told to leave before my actions escalated; and thank you for reporting the videos, I did not want to miss out on video footage before it was too late and the truth...

Tonight was my first time at this location. I have been working in restaurants as a waitress and floor manager for 10 years and tonight I was so saddened by what I witnessed. The table next to use was a older couple who clearly just wanted to have a nice night together. They were sitting before we ever sat or entered the restaurant they had ordered beers and their meals. Us and the table next to us got our drinks and meals before they (older couple) did and when brought to attention they were approached by the “manager” and the manner they were treated as if there was no mistake or was wasting the time of the manager was ridiculous. The wAitor never came back to check on them and another waitress checked them out. They still had to pay for their drinks before leaving. I know legally they have to pay for alcohol but after waiting 45 minutes for their meals you would think a busy place could spare 12.00. I refused to allow them to pay and it makes me so sad that a well known place couldn’t figure out a way to say we messed up it’s on us. On top of that, upon us entering we were welcomed with a “well we don’t have room so find a place” luckily the ONLY positive is the first, yes first, waiter we had helped us get a table and was very prompt with our ordered for drinks, wish we could have had him the whole time but then that changed before the new waiter clearly made it obvious that was his table. We ordered our meals, the nachos came out wrong and when pointed out that half the chips were burnt i got a comment that it’s broiled so that’s how it will be (sorry but it’s also called put more cheese then a sneeze worth). We waited 10 minutes for them to just throw lettuce and tomatoes on top of the already heated chips. Dive bar for sure not expecting a lot but also not expected to made to feel as if I was a burden on anyone for doing their job. Turn the music down and maybe smile a little maybe just maybe the 13.00 burger will be worth it. Two stars for the first waiter and for having my white...

I went here on Halloween to enjoy a night out with friends, only to be greeted by rude staff who went out of their way to make unnecessary and disrespectful comments. Instead of embracing the fun, inclusive spirit of Halloween, they chose to be judgmental and unprofessional. I was expecting a night of fun, but the staff’s immature and nasty attitude completely ruined the experience. If you’re looking for a place that actually respects its customers and values a good vibe, save your time and money and go anywhere but here. This was hands-down the worst bar experience I’ve ever had. Never again.

Response -

Thank you for your response, but I need to make it clear how unacceptable my experience was. My outfit—pant overalls with one strap off and a top underneath—did not violate any VA ABC regulations. The issue wasn’t about policy enforcement; it was about the outright rude, unprofessional, and judgmental behavior of your staff. One employee in particular went out of her way to make demeaning and inappropriate comments, which felt like a deliberate attempt to slut shame me.

This kind of treatment is completely unacceptable. Halloween is supposed to be a fun and inclusive occasion, yet I was made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in your establishment. Instead of fostering a positive atmosphere, your staff ruined my evening by making personal, unnecessary remarks that had nothing to do with any policy or regulation.

I appreciate that you’re addressing this internally, but this experience was beyond disappointing. I hope you take this feedback seriously and ensure your staff understands the importance of professionalism and respect when interacting with patrons. No one should have to endure the kind of treatment I experienced...