The Midnight Underground — Restaurant in Gainesville

I have been coming to this establishment a long time. It’s open late it isn’t noisy. Nice chill environment. Everytime I have done a long drive and I need to unwind I will come to the midnight underground. Anytime I have friends come from out of town I tell them about this establishment or I will bring them there myself. The thing I love about this establishment is how relaxed and open everyone is… mostly. I have now had two experiences that have now been very poor with this establishment. One one occasion I was walking with my family who was visiting from out of town and we had dinner reservations near by. My sister desperately needed to use the restroom. Normally I don’t pop into an establishment just to use the bathroom but today was an exception my sister didn’t know the area but I assured per. ” I go to this place all of the time the people are really nice and honestly after dinner we should grab some beers here.” We stepped in the front door and there was a staff member standing there with her arms folded and shouted “here to BUY anything” I attempted to explain the situation and the woman huffed really loudly and said “fine go ahead” while my sister was using the restroom she preceded to get angry and complain that people always come in there to use the bathroom and never buy anything. I attempted to explain to her that I come there a lot and absolutely love the place but she scoffed at me. I then attempted to explain that people probably liked coming here to use the bathroom because they know it is a safe and relaxed environment and that is the sole reason I go there myself. Because they stand out as chill and welcoming whereas other businesses aren’t. She essentially said don’t come back ever again unless I’m going to buy something. My sister came back from the restroom and said she felt uncomfortable and that she didn’t want to return to that establishment and that she felt extremely embarrassed. I agreed and I did not bring her back there. This again happened with a friend of mine who we were going to grab a beer while we were walking in. I was parking the car and my friend had to use the restroom badly he ran inside (his first time there) and by the time I’m walking to the door he said he wanted to go some place else. Apparently while he was trying to explain that he was going to purchase something after he used the bathroom first apparently a woman fitting the description of the previous woman Rudely cut him off before he could explain fully and demanded he buy something first. Needless to say I’ve been going to boca down the street instead even tho it is loud and kind of unpleasant. Which is unfortunate I have had so many amazing times there watching movies. Playing games and just having a real nice time. I’m definitely going to return here eventually but I need to wait until the sting has kinda worn off. Anyway other than those two examples this place is my favorite place in all of Gainesville it would have an almost perfect...

I've been coming to The Midnight on and off for several years. It is a shell of the hidden gem it once was.

No menus. Or you ask for one and either get someone listing options of what isn't there or handing you a piece of paper, and then when you order you're told the only things you can get are chips or a bowl of chili.

Tankards. It used to be The Midnight is where you went for a Tankard. These days they've even taken that away, unless you want a Tankard of Michelob Ultra or Shocktop. I wouldn't even mind if they raised the prices of a tankard, I just want somewhere to go for a mug of beer. Also, for a beer and wine bar they have a pretty lame selection of beers and wine. At one point, they sold drafts that I had never heard of, and I think even seasonal beverages. Now all they seem to have on tap is a couple domestics. The fridge isn't much better, if I wanted to drink Coors light and Budweiser... I would just do it at home.

The Midnight allegedly serves cocktails. I wouldn't know. I've heard they have great Cinnamon flavoured drinks, and something like a Lemon Drop. Apparently they even have Sangrias. I'd love to try one one day. But they never have ice, and are always missing ingredients. I get it, they're beer and wine, but why tell me about it if you don't have it?

I don't know who they are - but the management. At various times I have seen an older, shorter gentleman screaming at a younger woman. From appearances alone, I assume they are related. I'm not sure if it would be better or worse to talk to your family or employee the way this man does. I have heard he is the owner of 352 Delivery as well as The Midnight, and because of this, 352 has lost my business. I'd like to support local, but not a local douche.

I've been coming on and off for several years whenever I'm in the area, but my last visit to The Midnight was severely disappointing. I will miss the hidden gem that The Midnight used to be, but the current owners have taken everything special about The Midnight - the nerdy, the eclectic, the weird - and...

The unofficial official nerd bar in Gainesville. A low-key but always fun, "regular" spot that will give you a lot of reasons to keep coming back. Midnight is one of the few bars downtown with dedicated parking, and even if it fills up --parking is free and easy at the courthouse right across the street. Excellent location for multi-tiered nights - the Hippodrome, some of the best restaurants, music venues (CMC and High Dive) are all within perfect walking distance. I started going here the first week it was open when I was still a little Gator baby, moved away for five years and always made a stop on my return visits. Now I live in Gainesville again and it's my after-work brew...