Hudson Hill — Restaurant in Denver

I'd like to share a disheartening experience at Hudson Hill this past Friday (Feb 18, 2022) evening. I met up with 8 others...one person didn't even order anything to eat or drink because there just wasn't enough time. I wasn't there even an hour. It took a long time to get my coffee and then how many times do I need to ask the 2 different waiters for sugar, a spoon, and a napkin?...turns out 4 times (once when I ordered and then three more times after my coffee was served). Of course it took 15 mins to get my coffee, 10 minutes to get a napkin and sugar, and another 10 minutes to get a metal straw looking thing to stir the sugar into my coffee. Then I had to chug the cold coffee because we all had to leave since there was going to be a private event in the tent where we were sitting. After all that, the pièce de résistance was receiving the bill where there was an additional $250 private event fee because there were 9 of us present...remember I stated earlier that one person didn't even get a chance to order. We all were taken aback and appalled. Not only did I get a small cold cup of coffee, but we were in a cold and loud tent where I couldn't even hear the others in my group because we were surrounded by other patrons and loud music, we had to share two non-joined tables that were across the walkway from each other, and we had to clear out early due to the tent being reserved for another party. We weren't even allowed to speak to the owner...that in itself throws up red flags. We wanted to mention to the owner that there was nothing on the website about a fee for parties of more than 8. Common sense dictates that if we had, then we either would not have decided to meet at that restaurant considering how many non private event fee charging restaurants there are in the Denver area (where at the most we would have been charged an additional 15 to 20% customary fee for parties of 8 or more). Or a couple of us late arrivers wouldn't have even bothered showing up. Sure wish there was someone with customer service skills working there in order to resolve this issue in an equitable manner. There was also too much time wasted trying to reason with the unreasonable waiter and on how best to split the bill amongst the 8 of us who ordered (that was the only thing the waiter was willing to work with us on). What a mess! Left a bad taste in our mouths and I can say without a doubt that I will not be visiting this establishment again. I hope other groups will be careful and not fall into the same situation. In a time when small businesses are struggling it shows a level of arrogance when a restaurant cannot compromise considering the situation. In my opinion, this is the perfect example of being penny wise and...

I'm not gonna lie, they have great cocktails. But you have to weigh that against the rude service that is more focused on attending to the particular needs of large groups and building up a waitlist than the simple needs of someone who's going in solo and knows what they want.

I've been coming in here for over 5 years, mostly by myself to read a book with a drink. I've found time and time again that Hudson Hill does not want my kind there. The typical experience involves waiting by the door for about 3 minutes to get even a nod of recognition from anyone who works there and being told they'll get to me soon. About 3 minutes later, I get seated. About 10-15 minute later, they'll take my order.

After that, prepare to be ignored for at least an hour, unless you desperately flag someone down. About 10-15 minutes of that time will be spent with an empty glass in front of you, and even though you're bundled up and ready to go, you'll see them tell a lot of people waiting at the door there's a wait because all the seats are taken. They don't seem to consider closing out the tabs of people who desperately want to leave and free up seats. I've more than once considered just leaving without paying, because I'm sure that wouldn't notice and don't seem to be interested in collecting tabs.

Also, if you want to try it out and bypass this negative experience, I recommend bypassing the Please Wait to be Seated sign and walking right up to the staff and demanding whatever you want. The people who do this get accommodated...

I've been to Hudson Hill one time in the evening for a first date, and it was lovely: warm, welcoming, not too quiet, not loud at all. Good cocktails, great service, etc.

What really sold me on this place, though, is that I was over at Thump six blocks down from here that has only two outlets in one corner of their shop. Otherwise, they have long communal tables that seat so many people, but have no outlets--despite the amount of remote workers and students that go there. After being there for three hours and needing battery life, I decided to trek down to HH to see if I could have any luck there.

As luck would have it, HH not only does cocktails, but coffee and food...and outlets. There is like, NO ONE here right now, which makes me sad if only because this place is a hidden gem. The coffee is great, the atmosphere is lovely, and there is very comfortable seating and plenty of electrical outlets. The wifi is good and the service is (still) fantastic.

All that to say, if I'm in the Cap Hill area and need to get some work done, this is going to be my new go-to, and I'm definitely going to tell my friends in the...