Evening Bar — Restaurant in Detroit

For a while, I have avoided writing a complaint as I had already opted not to patronize this establishment, but the experience still sits uneasy with me. I had an experience with that left me and my colleague feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome. We were walking downtown (my colleague is not from here). As we were walking, we came across this place, which neither of us knew anything about. In being unaware of what it was, I approached the front door to ask. A woman at the door kindly and excitedly informed us that it was a speakeasy and offered to show us around. We agreed, and instead of being shown around, we were promptly seated at a table by the woman from door. Naturally, we sat down and began casual conversation. After some time, a waitress approached us for our orders. We each ordered a water, as we had just finished dining at another restaurant and were not intending to stay long, we just stopped in out of curiosity. Shortly after placing our water orders, I noticed that the waitress was speaking with other staff members while glancing at our table after she had walked away. About 5–10 minutes later, a manager, who identified herself as such, approached us and informed us that guests are not permitted to sit at tables unless they are ordering (more than water). While I understand and respect that policies exist, I questioned why this was escalated to a manager instead of being communicated to us directly by the waitress, especially since we were invited to sit down and would have left on our own without essentially being ushered out. I specifically asked if there was a reason the waitress did not informs us of the policy and the manner simply reiterated that it was policy, but we could sit in another area. I declined and chose to exit, instead. The encounter felt unnecessarily escalated and left us both with the impression that we were being watched and scrutinized in a manner that felt disproportionate to our dispositions and conduct. Although it’s possible that this was not racially motivated, I cannot ignore how uncomfortable it felt as a Black woman, especially given that my colleague was also a Black man. We were treated as though we had done something wrong for simply accepting an invitation to enter, sit, and order water. Respectfully, I ask that you monitor the way in which such policies are enforced. We were open to leaving had someone simply explained the policy upfront. Instead, we were observed, then confronted in a way that felt discriminatory and easily avoidable. Clear, consistent, and respectful communication goes a long way and so does the ability to make all patrons feel welcome, regardless of how much they spend or the perception of the patrons....

This was the first girl’s night out in 3 years to celebrate my little sister's birthday! We went to dinner and made 9:00pm reservations to have after dinner cocktails here. We were running late and as a courtesy we called to advise and spoke with Tom; who was very courteous and accommodating. We arrived 13 minutes later than advised time and Tom made sure we were seated. We were seated and met by our server, who appeared very energized. He began to explain the popular cocktails and we all made a decision of what we wanted to proceed with and before we placed our order; we were provided with a shot. Our cocktails arrived and we were enjoying the ambiance and our cocktails. We were all taking selfies and photos of the birthday girl and really enjoying our time. I asked for a another drink for the birthday girl and was refused. Startled and confused; I asked why!? I was advised by the server that we were “inebriated” and they could not serve us anything else. INEBRIATED!!!!!???? We barely spoke to one another, so how did he come to this conclusion? He initially blamed the bartender, then finally admitted that he made the call because he’d followed the birthday girl from the restroom. The same birthday girl who was in 4.5 inch heels? I was livid and in an effort not to cause a scene; I paid our bill and left out. The other members of my party spoke with Tom and he was also very confused by the labeling and didn’t understand why the server didn’t speak to him before making this unfounded claim! I can only surmise this to being because of our race, as the entire bar was “other”. Unwilling to allow this incident to define our night; we went to the Bad Luck Bar and we are currently at the Shelby Detroit; where I am posting this review. INEBRIATED!????!!! In my 47 years of life, I have never been more insulted and demeaned. I will be filing a formal complaint on Monday with corporate!

UPDATE: It is 7am and I am still fuming from this experience. I wish I could give them a negative 0 review. Myself and the DD for the birthday girl all made it home around 1:30am, without incident. Pretty good for being labeled inebriated at 10PM at...

My friends and I attempted to attend the bar we had a larger party, but was told they could seat us. The host TOM told us to wait in the hallway as he prepared our table. Moments later security came. Security told us we can’t be in the hall way, so of course we said we were told to wait in the hallway as our table got prepared- we asked if we could go inside, security said he couldn’t let us in. My friends left and went to the lobby of the hotel as I continue to talk to security. I asked if he could check if the table was ready, he checked and said they aren’t getting a table for you, you need to leave. As the security was telling me this I noticed Tom talking to a fellow coworker pointing, laughing, looking at me. It was humiliating. While this was all taking place 4 people walked into the bar and got seated. We decided to go to standby instead (great bar, inclusiveness) highly recommend. As we are at standby Tom the host from evening shows up at stand by, He was talking to staff at standby looking and laughing at us again- its odd that he came to the same place we were at. I don’t understand why. We were dressed nicely, we are all women in our late 30s-40s nothing unusual about us. There was no reason to be profiled and gossiped about. If Tom would of just said we are unable to seat you I was mistaken- we would of just left. It’s was very bizarre why he called security. Bizarre he went to a bar we were at as well. It seemed as if he made judgment on us, then wanted to humiliate us for entertainment and attention. We would of been great business for evening bar as we tend to buy multiple bottles of wine. My husband and I are regulars at the Shinola hotel. I look forward to coming to evening bar during my future stays at the Shinola hotel- hopefully Tom is no longer...