City Cellar — Restaurant in Lincolnton

3 visits. 1st -lunch was great- food &service 2nd-dinner- really good in all fronts 3rd-not so good. 1245pm reservation for 5 made 2 days prior for a birthday celebration.I arrived 10 minutes early to a staff that was surprised (reservation not noted). Empty restaurant except for 2 people at the bar. Got seated at a nice quiet corner table in the back. Situated balloons, gifts, myself only to be told that specific table was reserved for 130pm so I needed to move. Gathered all my things and followed a server to the front to a 4 top and was told my 5th guest could sit at the next table over -what?! I looked across the room and saw an 8 person high top, asked if I could sit there. Was met with a lukewarm “I guess-I didn’t think you’d want a high top “ Moved all my stuff again. Got settled. Ordered waters for all. Additional guests arrived except one who was walking en route. Spent 6/7 minutes in greeting, perusing menu- then our server announced we could not have someone under 16 in our party. I indicated no one asked me about nor informed me of age restrictions when I’d called. I indicated there’d be no alcohol consumed. The restaurant was now empty. Requested an exception as 1 guest was on lunch break so on limited time. Another was on their way. Manager -who never bothered to come out from behind closed doors-said no By the time we all packed up, got in our cars and got settled at another venue, at least 2 people would have to leave without lunch. The celebratory feeling, now ruined, the mother and 12 year old son had to leave. The server was apologetic and gave us a free dessert but, sadly, this bungle of errors will make me ...

Update: after posting a review yesterday, I woke up to this threatening message via facebook messenger this morning and I had to share and laugh—

Received at 6:24am October 16, 2022 Kerri Sigmon sent Facebook Message

12:08 AM Kerri Sigmon owner of City Cellar sent this message: I have you on camera leaving your kid in there car while drinking on the patio. You might want to take down your review down or I could call dss or the police on you for child neglect. Completely up to you. I have been waiting for your review to get your name.

— according to the message Kerri Sigmon (bar owner) sent me at midnight last night, she has video of illegal activity but won’t share it if I remove my review??? Lol 😂 that’s adorable, and untrue. Background For everyone: I don’t know this person, Kerri Sigmon, personally, I went to this place (City Cellar in Lincolnton ) once, stayed maybe 10 minutes and left due to the reasons I noted in my review. That’s why there are reviews for businesses. It’s a place to comment on your personal experience. This review reflects my experience. So instead of sending threatening messages perhaps try working on your business and your customer’s experience. Take the criticism and grow from it, instead of bullying people not to share because it hurts your feelings. Thank you for the message and proving my point. I hope you have the day you deserve.

Original Review: The owner is extremely rude and prejudice. Walking in you instantly feel out of place and unwanted. Weirdly enough going there is like walking back into school - clicks and bullies- why go there when there are much better options, even staying home is a...

Changing my review to a 1-star from a 2-star after having witnessed what someone else has already posted about this place. My wife wanted to try CC again to see if there was improvement since our last visit (there isn't). Here's what we saw: a large group with a small child was told, after being at CC for an HOUR, that kids under 16 aren't allowed. There is no clear "no-kids policy" so no way for this group (which had a young very well behaved child) to know that. We cringed as we watched the waitress tell this group about the "policy". The owner didn't even come out to apologize or explain it herself. The professional thing to do would be to allow the group to enjoy themselves for the evening and then gently let them know upon departure that there's a no-kid policy and then actually post something about the policy where people can see it! It's mind boggling how horribly the situation was handled. It's apparent the owner has bitten off more than she can chew and does not have a firm grip on how to handle customers. This will definitely be our last visit. My first review is here: So-so small place w/ mostly elderly local crowd. Lots of wine and fruity cocktails. Decided to try it based on "reviews" which must be from the locals that hang out there. I support local but local should support customers. 2 stars because we asked for glass of saki but were told We don't serve that. Yet people around us are drinking $$ saki cocktails. Also Food limited to snack stuff and pricey. Live music is good touch but its mostly Muzak type - slow and old...