Maxine's Tap Room — Restaurant in Fayetteville

This joint is going for that speakeasy/social room feel but it ends up feeling more like a prison mess hall mixed with a college kids idea of an excuse to wear a cheap monocle.. They have craft cocktails and lots of little booths to sit in pairs or small parties. I've been here 3 times twice for drinks and once for music. The sound quality of this place when there's music is pretty bad, the acoustics make it sound like you're holding a laptop speaker up to a microphone. I also had to navigate across wires on my way to the bathroom which was awkward. (Move the sound board maybe?)

As for the drinks, they're alright, the bartenders had an air about them like they were about to serve me the blood of God in a golden chalice but then handed me a cup of syrupy overly aromatic ice water. The bill was a bit high for the fact that it basically serves as a training center for beginner mixologists. The seating is kind of uncomfortable in that, "don't get too comfy, we want some turn over in here" kind of way. There's also a weird mural on the wall with some poorly drawn cartoon people on it that made me feel like I was in a 8 year...

If you like fancy drinks in a crowded place, you might like it here. Personally, the fancy drinks are freaking expensive and they serve them in these fancy copper cups. And those look awful cool. But, it's copper, which is very conductive. So they are insanely cold; so much so they're hard to hold. And it's always packed. Unless you're good friends with the bartender, you're going to be waiting forever for your overpriced drink, usually packed between a group of squealing drunk sorority girls in clothes that cost more than my last car, and a bunch of annoying bros in almost identical outfits spending money like only rich kids can. All the while, overlooking the place is a large photograph of Maxine herself. Like many of you have, I have talked to Maxine, and I would be willing to bet that she would not approve of the bar that now...

Was told by many locals, this was a great place to get a great mixed drink. Wife and I were on vacation, figured we would try it out. Wow,was it busy! I stood at the bar, chatted with the bar tender knowing he was busy. People came in behind me and were served at the south end of the bar. Bartender tells me he sent his other guy home due to lack of business, what a poor decision on a Saturday. My mother passed of MS a few years back, her name was Maxine, I was so looking forward to a positive experience, that didn't happen. After waiting 15 minutes for a drink we left Thirsty, I am sure there...