The Toadstool Pub — Restaurant in Highwood

This establishment consistently features live music and great atmosphere that you will likely enjoy. However, I had a negative experience a couple of years ago, which made it challenging for me to appreciate the venue. The owner is a close by neighbor of mine, and seem like a good person with a wonderful family; I wish them all the best. Unfortunately, one of the owner's friends fabricated a story claiming that I was coming back with weapon and shoot out the place due to a hand gesture I made. I attended the event with my wife, intending to enjoy the music with our new neighbors. However, something felt off, as approximately lot attendees appeared to be on edge, keeping their distance and whispering among themselves. The atmosphere was indeed bizarre and scary after I found out. Interestingly, there were police officers present acting undercover, but no one had a conversation with me. No incidents occurred of course and interestingly enough nobody talked me about it and when I mention it now days people act like it was nothing, just bizarre. I would most likely give this place a 5 star if situation didn’t...

I can't totally pan this place because they gave me no chance to fully experience the joint. Here's the story... reached out to them via Messenger when I saw they were hosting a band I wanted to see. But for us we see and we dance, swing dance. This band, The Westerlees seemed to be very danceable. I asked about space for a couple to dance. They said "hopefully more than one couple", a direct quote. When we got there it was standing room only in the area where the band was playing. Absolutely no space to dance, especially swing dancing. We drove an hour for a really good band and only enough space to tap our feet. We found a place outside in 20 degree weather to dance. Could only handle 4 songs because our hands were freezing. They didn't need to miss lead us. They had plenty of people there. I own a small business and when I seriously doubt our ability to satisfy a client, we back away and tell the truth. The truth will...

We had a deeply upsetting experience at this pub. Two Asian members of our group were refused service and we were told the bar was “closing” — despite the fact that others were still being served around us. We didn’t argue, just started ordering Ubers to leave.

While we were quietly waiting, more white patrons arrived and were served without issue. To make things worse, the manager came up again and told us we had to wait for our ride outside. There was no cause for this treatment other than the way we look.

This kind of discriminatory behavior has no place in any establishment. Absolutely unacceptable, and we won’t be returning. If you’re a person of color or care about basic decency,...