Surfer [The Bar] — Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach

My self and my friends came to the surfer Saturday night for a night out and break from our businesses. We were put on vip list in two different groups for arrival. Upon arriving first Jack at the VIP line door could not even read list properly and began to say who could come and who couldn’t before realizing all heads were accounted for on the list that he was having such issue reading. Once my friends arrived we entered into establishment to begin our night a few drinks in on my end I decided to go to car to grab more appropriate foot ware to avoid any falls as I witness whole drinks were spilled on dance floor and no one had any interest in cleaning them. My friend escorted me to car upon arriving back to VIP line it was a cluster of people gathered in clustered groups blocking line entrance deciding how much the needed to pay under there I’d cards to the vip line to enter. We then walked around this cluster and went to enter line upon re entering Jack stayed my friend could not enter but I could as he saw her stumble around the group. We both looked at each other laughed and asked if he was joking as we thought it was a joke as she had only had one drink at that time and I was far more intoxicated than her as bank records and cameras would show he stated he was making a judgement call. I went on to speak to Rodney head of security who is amazing and takes his job very seriously which is highly appreciated knowing someone does take there job to the upmost standard and sees the service they are providing as well as takes seriously. Rodney was getting management for me as I stated I didn’t even want to renter at that time only speak to management. During this time our other friend paid $20 to Jack who then let my foreign friend enter no issue. As you can see this is cause for major red flags with this establishment. For someone to make a judgment call on a sober person but not the drunk person (me) to state they were to drunk to enter but yet I was not, then to state it was a judgment call. I didn’t know judgement was bought I thought it was something gained especially from experience. You can have good or bad judgement which reflects our free will with in which we can learn or not which also goes back to hindsight. For his judgment to be able to be compensated to change no issue is a major concern not only did his judgment and eyes for money cause our nights and experience to turn around in a negative way it also put this establishment at risk very high risk. Showing his only concern was money, not safety not the safety of others or practicing risk management for this establishment. This review is that of fact and personal feelings towards the situation at whole. I only hope Jack can learn from this and this establishment can Further learn to practice risk management in a better way.

Rodney is...

To be fair- this Review is based solely on the rude and disrespectful manager as we didn’t stay for more than a drink! Whoever the manager is on MLK day was a complete condescending and rude individual. I would not like someone like him representing my restaurant!!!

2pm: we saw the large screen on and checked in to see if they would be showing the Eagles vs Bucs playoff game with sound. Given they are usually closed Monday and Tuesday we wanted to make sure this would be the spot to watch the game. We were assured they would be showing the game with sound by the day time bartender.

8pm: Came back for the game. Maybe 20 people in the bar. Sweetest and nicest female bartender- looks like a Barbie doll- asks the manager twice to put the game and sound on. Manager tells her to tell us wait a bit until the place clears out.

We wait for the first quarter... mind you half the patrons in the bar are watching the game and the rest don't give AF what's happening. We ask the manager directly for sound on the game and explain we asked earlier and were told they would have the game and sound on. Manager tells us "oh you made the mistake thinking you were In charge" and "oh so you're gonna give me an ultimatum"? No- we just politely explained why we had the expectation we could have sound and the game given our interaction with the bartender earlier in the day and because we just left Brix sports bar around the corner who had way more TV's and sound. So Why would we stay somewhere that isn't a true sport bar catering to sports fans during the NFL playoff if that truly wasn't their intention. I even asked if we could ask the other patrons if they minded if we had the sound on- he responded "they are here for MLK day" not NFL.

Hello- it's a Monday night in January! And a holiday! Ain't nobody trying to be at the club! We want to watch Football! Playoff Football!! Only place In Town with a theatre screen but doesn't cater the sports patrons. SMH! No wonder why Brix is packed and y'all barely got 20 people...

If you're the owner of Surfers- it really doesn't hurt to be pleasant to your holiday patrons and oblige their simple request of sound for an NFL playoff game. If it's not something y'all do, no biggie, but clearly it's been done given the response by your bartenders.

Won't be back. Def hit up Brix. More TV's and sound for your sports needs. Bartenders may not be as friendly but they get the job done with no complaints.

Oh and your bartender is moving to Nashville she told us cause she can't stand working...

UPDATED REVIEW

I once gave this place a review for 3 stars after my past VIP experience. However, this place continually goes downhill.

Once again we get VIP but are told to come back at 10:30 because of a private party. That’s fine, but compensate me with something. 10:30 is a late start and all it would take it free shots or something. Yet instead it’s,”I’m sorry.”

Then the issue of people coming in the VIP without permission and the security sitting around doing nothing like last time. It literally got the point where two guys snuck in and started stealing liquor out of the icebox and I chased them to the bathroom. Yet when security gets there I’m treated like I’m causing an issue and they physically accosted me till they realized I was the VIP client.

This continued throughout the night to the point it killed my vibe. I asked to speak with the manager, who continually would not come out. He finally did at close when the lights are on and it’s time to go home. I tell him their security is insufficient, you treated me wrongfully when I stopped two people from committing a crime basically (those 2 were kicked out btw), and we received no compensation for a late 10:30 start time. He literally says, “well we’re sorry, I can give you guys a free rounds of shots?” The lights are on and it’s time to go home. No one is there but my party. You think I want shots? No, I want a discount or some kind of monetary compensation for now or for the next time I come in. I even told him that’s not going to cut it. Was completely disrespectful and retreated back to his office and called security when I wanted to speak with him further. They force us out and on top of that and call Jacksonville Beach Police who threaten us with arrest.

Overall this place has declined heavily and I will be disputing the charge. On top of all this, I got my check which was ridiculously high. The waitress says the lemon drops (cheapest shots you can buy) were $7.50 a piece. That should tell you this...