Barringers Tavern (re-established 2019) — Restaurant in Indianapolis

I really hate to share a negative review about a historic local business, but here we go.

I had a work lunch there today. There were 6 people in our party. We were not greeted or offered drinks until all 6 people were seated. 2-4 of us had already been sitting at the table for 15 minutes. The restaurant was not busy. There were only 5 other tables in the dining room and 2 people at the bar. There was a server and a bartender that was also waiting tables.

When the server finally approached our table she did not welcome us in any form. The server did not tell us her name. When the server returned with our drinks she did not use a tray. Instead, she was hugging all 6 drinks to her chest and had to have us grab our drinks so she wouldn't drop all of them. 2 of us ordered unsweetened iced tea, but when we received our drinks we were not offered any sweetener. We sat with our drinks for another 15 minutes before the bartender came to our table.

The bartender did not greet us or tell us his name. The bartender approached the table and asked, "Are you ready to order?" After we had all placed our orders I was able to request sweetener for my iced tea.

All 6 of us sat with empty drinks for 15-20 minutes before our food arrived.

The bartender brought our food to the table. Well, he brought 3 of us food and then had to go back to get the rest of our food. This place should really invest in serving trays.

Once our food was on the table, I asked for silverware since I had ordered coleslaw. The bartender's reply was, "Yeah, I couldn't carry it while I was carrying the food." Again, serving trays. Secondly, we had been sitting at this table for almost 45 minutes. That is plenty of time to have brought silverware, sweetener, and refill drinks so that we were all set when our food came out.

Now that we had our food and silverware to eat with the bartender asked if any of us cared for a refill. All 6 of our drinks were empty. Instead of the bartender bringing us fresh drinks or serving us with a pitcher, he took our drinks and disappeared. None of us were totally sure we received the correct cup back. Again, no serving tray. The bartender wrapped the 6 cups in his arms and hugged them against his chest. Not very sanitary.

Once the bartender returned with our drinks we did not see him or the server again for at least 20 minutes. All of us had finished our food. The bartender never checked in on us to make sure our food was good or if we needed anything. All of our drinks were empty again and we were never offered refills.

When the bartender finally returned it was only to ask how we wanted the check. The bartender made no attempt to remove our plates/baskets from the table and of course did not ask if anyone wanted a refill.

I would totally understand this type of service if the place was busy, it was not. Again, only 6 tables including ours. There were no tables outside. I think one person could easily handle waiting on 6 tables. If not, the management should bring in a third person for lunch shifts. Not once did I see the bartender or server move at a fast pace or appear to be in any kind of rush.

The food was okay and fairly priced. Nothing unique or fantastic about the food that would lead me to brag about it.

If you're looking for fast friendly service at lunch, this may not be the right place. I'm not going to give up on Barringer's, staff comes and goes.

My goal in writing this review is that hopefully someone in management will read this and address the...

Went for Sunday brunch, 1/17/2021. The staff was great, the food was good, prices good (takes awhile to get your food). Just make sure you don't park anywhere except right next to the building. If you park in the back next to the alley, they have 0 security camera footage, they have 2 cameras on the parking lot side of the building and neither point at the parking lot, just down the side of the building. My friend, another guy and I were in for brunch, no parking except for next to the alley. His door lock on his truck was punched out and his coat, cell phone and a firearm were missing when we got back to the truck. Yes, he has an Indiana license to carry, whoever stole that pistol probably doesn't, so the next time it may be an armed robbery instead of a burglary. If you're alone and there is no parking other than the alley, I would skip this place altogether. Talked to staff and management, was told they would have no footage of that area. That means you could be dragged behind the garage that the cameras do face and nobody would see you disappear. Shady neighborhood, history aside. My advice to new management would be to re-establish some decent security cameras in 2021. I have 2 home security cameras that would cover that ENTIRE parking lot and the exterior of the building for...

I've came here so many times these past few 8 years living in the area and love this place. . However tonight was the 1st time I had a bad experience. The male mid age bar tender had a attitude and I'm pretty sure was drunk. He was never initially friendly more so we was bothering him and his bros at the end of the bar. I've been in the industry for 20 years myself and I am very polite customer and great tipper . He just didn't hit the bar when it came to trying to give good serive. He seemed drunk very much seemed bothered by our present. He did make us good drinks. Our initial order of fries came no problem they also never got removed. We then got our last round of drinks and to go food. We ask for 2 tenderloins deluxe with cheese came home no cheese. We specifically ask for American but we did get the other condiments. We usually are greeted very friendly manner with a great female staff today was not the same. Things happen and sometimes this job can be frustrating but judging your guest before even speaking a simple how are you doing is not. This male staff member made it very aware he was not in the mood to be doing a great job I think one two many drinks he had that day. He was also very rude about the fact he couldn't pay put on...