Five13 Liquor Lounge — Restaurant in Franklin Lakes

Hosted an event mid June. HORRIBLE!! If I could give ZERO stars I would. Thought it would be a nice spot to host a work party but it was a huge mistake. What an embarrassment! Upon dropping off balloons for the party earlier in the day, I found out the AC wasn't working- messaged Natalia (the manager) about it and was LIED to telling me it was working!!!! - I have receipts! When we arrived about 15-20 min before the party start and it was ridiculously humid and hot inside I thought about leaving but could find another spot on a Saturday night at 7:45pm that could host the 30 + people- was trapped there and they knew it. I wish I were told the truth and would have dressed appropriately and messaged my guests to do the same- Was lied to over and over about it. I clearly expressed my disappointment to Natalia, but nobody cared- apps were mediocre, drinks were ok- luckily my employees, guests, lawyers, accountants, investment bankers, etc who were in attendance understood it was out of my control- one of my guests who is in the same business spoke to Natalia and told her they should discount the price for me since nothing hit the expectation she had previously promised- she approached me with disgust and told me that she would speak to me and not them- I apologized for them but was given an attitude about it- even though they were right. I was there a few weeks before to "check out the place with a DJ” for my party and was told the owners daughter and friends took over and that it would never be that crazy again!!! Natalia messaged me about how she wanted to quit her job- but the owner begged her not to- again, I have receipts.... I should have trusted my gut and moved my party to a more reputable establishment like my wife requested/ My bad. When I tried to settle my bill, I was harassed and bullied by a male worker (I believe the “cook” of the Costco style food) and told Natalia in-front of the other patrons- to have her boss call me to settle up cause I would not be disrespected in that way. I had many guests there that were heated (in more way then one) seeing the way I was mistreated and I wanted to just diffuse the situation and leave- I was then called by the Franklin Lakes PD to come back and pay my bill or the owner would press charges. I told them I had NO problem paying my bill but will not be disrespected like that- and to have the owner call me. Well, cowardly, the owner had me come back to settle up with his employees- and since I had been drinking, I had myself a POLICE ESCORT- but will NEVER return to this establishment again!!!! I should have seen the writing on the wall the weeks earlier- but was assured by Natalia she would do whatever it took to make my business engagement a success- which I would say was not- after having to ask my guest to please leave due to the aggression. Their loss though- I live in the area as well as many of my guests and most of them business owners themselves- ALL of whom will NEVER give business to 5-13..... especially when you can get better service at a 7-11..... Go ahead - try and come back with some witty excuse for behavior- I have all the messages, and will gladly post them. You need to do ALOT better in a neighborhood like this. ZERO STARS for the DIVE13 Liquor Lounge.

UPDATE* I just found out one of the bartenders told my guest they’ve had no AC for days- why not reach out and give me an heads up- give me some options?!?! Clearly didn’t want me to know and move my party- SHADY business to...

Absolutely disgusted with this place. After dining in at Pazza next door (which is awesome!!!) we decided to come here for a drink. Two of my friends were driving so they asked for a water while myself and other friend ordered a martini ($20 each). The manager - blonde curly hair came up to us and said everyone in the group must order an alcholic drink or they would have to leave because they need to pay the singer - if you can't afford to pay the singer why have entertainment??? However, my friends let the manager know that they were driving and they would take a soda - manager did not allow it and repeated it must be an alcholic beverage (knowing that they were the DD). I guess she supports drinking and driving ? The place was close to empty - if you need to pay the singer then maybe charge a cover instead of kicking out people who just didnt simply want to drink because they had to drive !! They used to have a relationship with Pazza but it is clear that they were the issue - will...

I tend to look down on bars and restaurants in strip malls, but recently I've started to realize that they can still be great and this is a perfect example. It is modern and sleek with small abstract graffiti paintings on the wall. It looks like it's owned by the restaurant next door because I think there was a connection between the spaces. We went for my sister's birthday and we wanted a place that could make good cocktails and we found it. They took drinks seriously and they were very attentive. Even with our group of eight our waiter was very on top of things and super pleasant. The prices were reasonable for the quality and I will definitely be going back...