The Bearded Goat — Restaurant in Greensboro

I've been a dedicated patron of The Bearded Goat for a considerable amount of time. Its prime downtown location, inviting ambiance, and the warmth of the bartenders used to make it a standout choice for a night out. However, my recent experiences at the establishment have given me pause and left me with significant concerns.

There's one particular bouncer, an African-American male, who has become a recurring issue for many patrons. His behavior, especially during the peak hours on Friday and Saturday nights, is deeply troubling. Notably, he has a habit of making inappropriate comments to and about young white male patrons, often saying he likes to quote 'punk white boys' while simultaneously attempting to flirt with young women, often half his age. This behavior is not only inappropriate but also creates a hostile atmosphere for everyone present.

Allow me to delve into my personal experience that left me deeply disheartened. On a recent weekday evening, I decided to visit the bar with a close female friend. The night commenced typically, with us finding an open space at the bar to place our drink orders. The atmosphere was vibrant, as usual, but that's when the issue arose.

The bouncer, whom I later learned was off-duty but still indulging in alcohol, approached me and requested that I move to accommodate his group. Given the crowded bar, I agreed without hesitation, shifting over slightly to make room for them. A brief moment passed, and he once again got my attention, this time more assertively demanding, 'Dude, move.' It became apparent that he wanted me to vacate the bar area entirely because my friend had no more room to 'move.' I complied without argument, hoping to defuse the situation.

However, his persistence was unwavering. He aggressively got my attention once more, stating, 'I was here first ordering drinks, and you came over here and took my spot. Get out of my way.' I turned to face him and calmly explained that we had come to the bar to order drinks and intended to leave immediately afterward, as it was evident he wanted the space.

At this juncture, his demeanor turned menacing. He accused me of being the aggressor, threatening, 'Whatever you're trying to do right now, you need to calm it.' He moved closer, encroaching upon my personal space, insinuating that I was the troublemaker. It is essential to emphasize that I am an extremely passive individual, and my public figure status obliges me to avoid confrontations. I assured him, 'You seem to be the one with the problem. I'm just here to order a drink, and you're ordering me around.' In response, he warned me, 'Whatever you're trying to do right now better stop because I work here, and it's not going to work out well for you.'

At this juncture, I recognized that I was dealing with a drunken and aggressive individual on a power trip. Further interaction would only escalate the situation, so I decided to turn around and focus on procuring our drinks.

This unsettling incident highlights a recurring issue – a bouncer who seems to abuse his position of authority, mistreating patrons and creating a hostile environment. Furthermore, his penchant for targeting young white males with derogatory comments like 'punk white boys' adds a disturbing layer to his behavior.

Regrettably, my experience, coupled with other aggressive incidents I've observed involving this same bouncer, has significantly marred my view of The Bearded Goat. As someone who often brings a substantial group of friends to the establishment, I'm profoundly disappointed by how this individual's actions have marred the reputation of what was once a fantastic bar.

I genuinely hope that the management takes these concerns seriously and takes swift action to rectify this situation. It is evident that the bar's public perception is suffering due to the actions of one individual. Until this issue is properly addressed, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend The Bearded Goat, and I personally will not...

To the owners - you employee probably the RUDEST most AGGRESSIVE door people I have ever encountered, last Friday anyway. My twin daughters 21st birthday - we had a party bus of 30 people it was 9:30pm the majority were adults the young ones are home for college – thus they haven’t been to your bar or know your rules of only 1 person in the bathroom at a time or you WILL BE KICKED OUT!!! Yep that’s right after being there for ten minutes 3 of girls were kicked out – then 3 more. Your doorman started to cuss at me for questioning him as to why they got kicked out – I raised my voice and asked “Can I tell you something” (wanting to let him know they didn’t know the rules of this bar as they are college students not in g’boro) He then said VERY AGGRESSIVELY with lots of CUSS words, NO he didn’t want to hear a F*G thing I had to say! The girl at the door with him was just as rude. I’ve lived here my entire life – I know lots of bar owners & operators this would never be acceptable behavior by their staff. BE AWARE – LADIES DO NOT GO TO THE BATHROOM WITH YOUR FRIEND – you will be KICKED OUT!!! And maybe cussed out by the doorman. There is a sign on the bathroom door that says 1 at a time, I will give the BG that, but I think I’d be more concerned about the patrons you are attracting if you have to have that rule in the first place.

Jeannie...

I didn't order any food but this was my second time coming here. Both times I ran into an old friend whom I've known for 20 plus years and hadn't seen. (I no longer living Greensboro.) So that's always a plus. Yeah atmosphere is very nice there is an outside patio that's covered if I remember correctly and on the inside there's games that you can play and nice clean bathrooms. They have quite a selection of beers, which I don't drink. They also have a nice selection of liquor. I'm pretty sure they serve wine but I am not quite sure if it's a decent selection of it or not. I'm also not really sure if they serve food. The first time I went, which was on a Sunday, they had karaoke. They do tend to close early during the week as well. Only thing I really have a problem with is the keys. They are on the wall that would be to your left if you're sitting at the bar. They just have a certain look about them that I don't like...