PickleBack 2 — Restaurant in Durham

I can’t really tell from other ppl’s reviews or my brief experience at this spot, if this is truly a bar on one night or a club on the next night. But at any rate, during our day visit to the Bull City, after getting patted down at this club, I mean bar, I mean a place with food, drinks, and music, we only made it inside to the pay counter area of this place, before we were turned around, because everyone in our party wasn’t old enough for entry.

We had our 23 yr old nephew tagging along with us after visiting Durham’s Bimbe Festival and the night was still young, so we sought out for good food, drinks, and a good atmosphere. Anyway, this bar, club, upscale “whole in the wall” (lol) or whatever anyone may want to call it, has age restriction rules for entry. Women must be 25+ and Men must be 30+ (I guess they’re a club in this sense).

My thought is, if an establishment has to make a men 30+ “house rule” then, you already know what kind of spot you may be getting yourself into… Hummmm… ??? Ratchet maybe, lol. No pun intended.

Anyway, we walked a few feet up the street to MotorCo. (located at 723 Rigsbee Ave), where age was just a number. We had great food, good drinks, and they had a, cool, chillax, diverse type atmosphere (nice big projector screens for sports too). The staff treated us with good respect and great hospitality. MOTORCO. is my kind of spot in these 21st century times. I don’t mind giving my money to places like it.

As for the Pickleback 2, maybe one day I’ll trickle back to… maybe not, lol. And by the way, this place was suggested to us by a family that had been there before and had planned to meet us there this time, but I guess it wasn’t worth the effort in the rain. I should have known better, when I mentioned this place to other family members that live in Durham, and they were like “Oh, okay, y’all going there? Yeah, I’ve heard of them.”, while giving me the side eye look. No disrespect to the Pickleback owner; just my experience, that’s all.

By the way, they charge an entry fee to enter (after 9 pm)… and where I’m from, clubs charge an entry fee/cover charge and restaurants/bars do not…. Hmmmm, the city might need to look into that so they can collect their fees/taxes etc requirements for a city club...

My wife and I decided to attend this establishment for a superbowl gathering. We figured it would be a good idea to get out and see some old friends. What a mistake we made. At first, everything was going ok. We arrived about 6:30 and the bartenders were very helpful for and friendly. We opened a tab and proceeded to our table. We never had a hostess come by, but I still went to the bar and ordered about 3 more rounds of drinks. Our table ordered a hookah also. Everything was going well, until we decided to order food. I went to place a simple order and felt totally disrespected. I ordered wings, egg rolls, a shrimp basket and a side of fries. The nice young lady that was helping me said I think the shrimp comes with fries. I don’t want you to pay twice, so let me make sure. The person on the other end of the walkie (which I later learned was one of the owners) said these mf’ers need to learn how to read. It’s doesn’t say fries does it? I was shocked as was the workers. They all began apologizing. I almost walked away, but I understand the difficulties of the hospitality business so I brushed it off. The night went on as normal. I went to the bar and closed out a $400 tab. One of the guests at our table wanted to place and order, so my wife tried to get the waitress attention. Immediately this other woman comes out of nowhere and starts yelling at her and causes a huge scene. As I tried to intervene she only got louder. Another employee came up and tried to calm everything down. I asked the last employee that approached us was she the owner. And she said no, she is. I was blown away. So one owner is cursing me out on the walkie, while the other is trying to fight us. My entire table was disgusted. I’m sure they will try to blame this on us somehow. The food is pretty good, but this is the most classless, unprofessional establishment that I have ever patronized. Definitely won’t be going back and would not recommend. Warning to others: if you go, stay away from ownership. Why would you be trying to fight customers if you...

Usually I have a great time.. but the staff.. especially security is so unprofessional. Around 1:30am I walked out front to cool off for a second.. i was not told that there was no re entry when i walked out. My date was at the bar buying me a drink. I had to use the restroom and it started getting cold after a while.. i went to go back in and I was told no reentry. My phone and purse was at my table so I couldn't call my date to explain. I see a guy go inside and security said nothing.. so i walked inside behind him because i was cold ..and had to use the restroom. The female security follows me and says get out.. I told her that she just let a guy in and she said he's VIP. She then has a male security guard pick me up and place me outside like trash and say to me I'm banned. I never felt so small and embarrassed. As I stood out there cold on the sidewalk as to not trespass .. they were looking out waving and laughing at me.. My date was looking all around.. but I wasn't in the club.. I was outside in the front freezing. I'm a sweetie pie and very respectful. They literally treat you like some Drunk Durham female unless your VIP!!! Shame on them!! Please hire professional staff. They are hood. Also a male should not touch a female at all! Which is why they have female staff.. when he picked me up his arms were under my breast. I will be making a formal complaint. Check your cameras. You'll see that other than me saying a few choice words after I was told no reentry.. I had done no wrong. This is unacceptable! I paid to get in.. post no reentry! Dont let male staff touch females. Have a waiver to sign. I am so upset and got reduced to some random hood chick... and even if i was beneath their taste. I still deserved at least a courtesy of saying sorry maam no reentry.. they were not at the door when i went out. So they were not on post anyway. Please address this issue. I will press charges especially since they thought...