The Libertine Bar — Restaurant in Dallas

I've been to The Libertine on many occasions. They have a nice craft beer selection and the environment is cozy; perfect for a night out with friends. Last night however, I encountered the nastiest bartender I've ever met in my many years of waiting tables! The engagement started out innocuous enough. My friend and I decided we should get food so looking across the street from our usual hangout, I thought it would be a good idea to try the food at The Libertine.

As we approached the bar, I noticed that it wasn't too busy so there was plenty of space on the bar top. Our bartender seemed busy as she flew from one end to the other while her bar backs swarmed around her to help. We finally got her attention and she proceeded to tell us the specials, pointing to several boards layed out on the walls. It was very noisy and I struggled to hear her at times which made it difficult to decide. She asked what we were in for and I said that we'd be having a bite and a couple drinks.

Her demeanor changed in front of me from slightly annoyed to deeply annoyed as she realized we weren't going to be the big spenders she was hoping for. A certain nasty tone overcame her voice that came with it; and seemed unbeknownst to her the change that was occurring before our very eyes. I preceded to order a cider, at which time and without hesitation she replied we're out. Okay, no problem. With a caIm, deep breath I asked, "What do you suggest?" That question must have put her in the worst way because what came next was a barrage of questions coupled with this evil, snide tone that would make Dick's Last Resort seem like a day care.

Let me parenthesis this by saying, I like to explore and find new things. When I ask a bartender what they suggest, I want to know what the bartender likes. It's not about what flavors I like or if I like sweet things or whatever. Most bartenders will be happy to answer this question and will share their favorites in hopes of attracting new fans to their favorite brews. Well, what transpires over the next few minutes would be anything short of jaw dropping to say the least. She proceeded to ask question after question in that same snide tone so I quickly turned to my friend to ask, "Do you really want to eat here?" I turned back to her and told her that I wanted to know what she liked to drink, at which time she said that she doesn't bartend that way. 😐 She wants to give me exactly what I want. Boring... I asked her how I would discover new things if all people brought me were other brews similar to what I like? Then she replied something that I couldn't quite make out but was paired with an even deeper animosity that I'd finally had enough.

I said, "I don't like your tone that your taking with us and for that, we're leaving. I've been a server for a veeery long time and I'm simply embarrassed to be in here being talked down to like this." She quickly leaned in with both her hands on the bar and said, "I've been bartending for fifteen years!" What she was really saying is that she needs a new career. We started for the door as she kept saying, "You misunderstand me! You misunderstand me!" I word of advice: It's usually never the message in itself but more the delivery; and this package had been dropped too many times.

As we're walking to our new destination, I thought about how sad it was to be her. I remember my days of waiting tables and being annoyed with certain guests. I remember having to put on a face so that I don't seem burned out or a bully to my tables. Seeing it happen to someone else made me pity her but even still, I felt hopeful that one day she would find joy behind her little bar or find something different and more rewarding to do. Maybe one day, she'll lose the nasty tone in her voice that she doesn't seem to notice she has. For now, I won't be going back there for a very long time. To others who happen to stumble in from the street, beware of the blonde with the RBF behind the bar. Better yet, get a table because the servers...

Myself and three of my friends showed up at Libertine Bar today, sat at the bar and attempted to order our drinks at precisely 6:57. We are positive of the time because we read on the menu that Libertine Bar serves Happy Hour until 7pm. First, our bartender Michelle asked the four of us if we'd like to sit at a table instead of the bar because "four of you at the bar together could get weird". We are also bartenders so we are used to strange humor and dubbed the comment as such. I ordered a dirty martini off the happy hour menu and was dismayed when Michelle told me that my drink would not be happy hour pricing considering we were ordering after 7pm. I pulled up my iPhone and showed Michelle that it was in fact 6:58 at that very moment. Michelle told me "by the time I make your drink and ring it in you would miss happy hour and I have no control of the computer system".... again we are in the industry off Knox/Henderson Ave. when our customers arrive inside of Happy Hour times, that guest is welcomed and right, especially considering that we showed Michelle that her wrist watch was incorrect. Michelle not greeting us when we arrived, Michelle trying to move us to a table, Michelle refusing to serve us Happy Hour, all reasons I will never support this local business in the future. I think despite Michelle wearing a pink cast on her arm, she could have rang in the items before making our drinks and honored the Happy Hour times that are advertised on the menu. I'm glad all four of us left when Michelle started arguing with us about the time and glad we decided to spend our money elsewhere. Myself and my friends would have tipped her enough to change her funky attitude, but Michelle and this establishment has obviously seen...

The Libertine Bar has quite prominent signage so it's easy to see from Greenville. A nice patio with a dozen or so picnic tables. It was so wonderful to flee here from the crowds and noise next door.

Inside it's as wide as you can imagine from the exterior but strangely not very deep. Dim lights, lots of brown on the walls, black ceiling. The bar is made of wood (maple?), fairly new and some 25’ long. The parts of the walls in brick use relatively new brick, not the weathered kind you find in other bars.

The bar back is obviously custom. Crown molding, eight chalk boards perfectly fitted in frames. The obligatory lineup of liquor bottles is displayed on glass shelves with mirrored backing. Pretty nice.

The restroom is at the back of the bar i.e. the North end. To get to it from the bar you go through the Romance Area - a half dozen isolated booths with real(!) candles.

There are three special pieces of artwork I found but I won't comment on them. That's up to you :-)

The only negatives are the tight labyrinth to the bathroom; the fact that the loo only accommodates one at a time; the menu. You may (probably) disagree with me about the menu but hey, I like...