On The Rocks Bar And Lounge — Restaurant in Houston

Three words: WATCH YOUR TAB!

The owner's poor attitude and her antiquated billing system are a recipe for disaster. How is this place even functioning?

I love dive bars or "hole in the walls" or any place with an unpretentious environment. My only requirement is that the drinks are good (as in well poured since I drink my liquor straight) and the service is decent (as in don't catch an attitude when an error is brought to your attention). My last visit to On the Rocks failed MISERABLY with the latter.

I first came to OTR with friends when it first opened (see picture posted) and we had a great time. I don't recall seeing the owner, Jessica, there at the time. (I thought the owner was a man and perhaps ownership changed). Since I moved back to this side of town, I decided to drop in. I came in on a Sunday when Kendra, one of the bartenders, was working solo. There were about eight patrons scattered throughout the place and most were regulars who sat chatting with Kendra at the bar. After joining the conversation, Kendra invited me to come back the following Thursday to celebrate her birthday. Thursday is also steak night so I obliged.

On Sunday, I came during happy hour. OTR doesn't serve Russian Standard or Chopín, my preferred vodka brands, so I opted for a simple Tito's on the rocks with two limes. The drinks were $5 each. When I returned on Thursday, it was happy hour again until 9 p.m. I ordered the same drink plus a Don Julio birthday shot for Kendra. I had two drinks (see photo).

The problem is, the owner uses a tally system to mark the number of drinks on each patron's tab. Being that she and her bartenders are drinking WITH patrons throughout the night, I'm not sure how accurate their bookkeeping is, but I digress. I specifically asked Jessica if I could close my tab and let her know I wanted to pay with cash since I was sure I hadn't ordered more than $20 worth of drinks. My drinks were $5/each. I assumed Kendra's was also $5, but my tab ended up being $17 with only three drink tallies so that means her shot was $7. Fine by me.

Jessica repeated back to me, "You're paying with cash?" I nodded. She proceeded to do 50/11 other things and 15 minutes later, she brought me two credit card receipts. I reminded her I wanted to pay with cash. This must've irritated her because she got defensive, telling me she never heard me (although she looked me in the eye and repeated what I said) and how it's nothing to reverse the charge (okay, then do so -- quietly! All that extra rah rah is unnecessary, especially when I'm the one who should have an attitude). She brought me the refund receipt for $17. I paid cash and STILL tipped.

I was halfway home when something told me to look at my receipts again. I couldn't figure out why I had two. That's when I saw a receipt for $21 that had a time stamp prior to the receipt for $17. So my card was actually charged TWICE but refunded once. I returned to OTR and showed Jessica. She looked it over and said, "Okay, so I owe you another $4." That really should've been the end of it. Instead of apologizing for overcharging me and charging me twice, she told me she was the owner and "not concerned with this little bit of money" (it's always petty to the person who owes, ain't it?), and how my tab was really $21 but she let me pay $17. First off, that's a lie because I ordered all my drinks before 9 p.m. Second, I never asked for a discount and she never mentioned this $4 discount before. She knew she ran my card twice by mistake but refused to own it.

And the problem is, without electronically keeping track of drink orders (so that orders are time stamped), she and her employees have to rely on their faulty, alcohol-induced memories to generate proper tabs. I'm not one of these old men who sit and drink for hours and then hand over my credit card when I can barely stand -- giving license to charge me whatever they feel I owe.

I won't be returning. And unless you come with cash and enjoy nasty attitudes, I don't...

I am going to address Mrs. Jessica in reference to my besties review ( I’ll add it in the comment if possible )Your customer etiquette is extremely incompetent!!! When we were approached, my best friend verbally spoke her choice of drink … she got my attention and I verbally spoke mine myself! At that time is where you should have asked if we were paying separate or together! You didn’t see me pull anything out yet as I was unable to approach the bar due to space! My best friend then did alert you of your assumption that she was paying for both … she asked how much she was charged bc she was under the impression that she was paying for only hers! So yes hearing, $14 for a well drink was shocking and would cause a “DAMN” response. For you to return attitude at a patrons surprise to being overcharged for a drink is unacceptable. Perhaps had you handled it better by not being ugly and saying “ Sorry I assumed it was together” You did offer to correct it but we knew we would order more so I would get her next drink do we declined. We were good, But I could barely get my first one down bc it was strong AF! I set my purse on the bar, grabbed cash and asked for a large cup with ice pineapple juice, you had an attitude with me for no reason at all! I didn’t say not 1 word to you during the initial disagreement . You brought a small cup with a splash of pineapple and no ice, at that time I asked if I could get a larger cup with ice so that I could combine it to the drink I already had to cut the strength of the liquor. Again I was greeted with an attitude, however, I got what an asked for all poured everything into the larger cup. As I was trying to see what the charge would be you walked off disgruntled… I wanted to pay for what I asked for! AGAIN I DID YOU NOTHING! I still put money in the tip jar Check your camera! You’re welcome 💋 !!! You being upset at your interaction with my best friend should not have been reflected to me. We were at the bar the entire time just looking around resetting trying to catch better vibes from your establishment bc we truly wanted to support you Jessica! But that’s when I saw the gnat! For you to tell me there wasn’t a gnat in it when you gave it to me IS DIABOLICAL! Ma’am I wouldn’t put a gnat in my own drink … I actually was shocked for you to even question that! I didn’t ask for a refund … I didn’t even raise my southern voice, i told you don’t worry about it … you chose to fix another drink. I knew I didn’t want another anything bc at that point you had lost my business!!! By this point my bestie was feeling better & tried to order another drink when you let your feelings get the best of you again and told her that you weren’t serving her. You shouldn’t wear your heart on your sleeve Sweetheart! She asked for a manager and instead of just stating you were the owner you ignored her & another bartender approached and very rudely asked what she needed. She stated another drink and a manager! A lot of back and forth happened where she asked the nice guy (whom I’ll assume helps as like a runner) for a manager… still you chose not to disclose the fact that you were the owner… as though you were enjoying seeing a patron unsatisfied and wanted the situation to escalate!!! You approached that man and told him I don’t know why you are over there .. you don’t understand English you don’t know what she is saying! That was uncalled for! My best friend then asked the patron to the right if he knew who the manager was … in which he pointed to you and said that’s the owner… you approached him and told him not to talk to us as if he were a child 😳you had the look of satisfaction on your face, you find pleasure in pissing patrons off knowing you own the place and that ma’am is very tacky. I don’t even like leaving negative reviews… but I hope when you experience this same treatment (bc you will … KARMA IS REAL) that you remember us… and walk away with class as we did! May...

I recently had an awful experience at this establishment. The owner, Tommy, was incredibly rude and disrespectful to my wife. She was simply trying to give feedback about the staff, and instead of handling the situation professionally, he responded in a completely inappropriate and offensive manner. He even made a racist comment, telling my wife to “get her Black ass out,” which was beyond shocking.

When we asked for a corporate number, he claimed to be both the manager and the owner, dismissing any accountability. I would strongly advise anyone, especially people of color, to avoid this place. It’s clear that respect and professionalism are not...