Crooked Pint Ale House — Restaurant in Maplewood

We had an event take place on December 14 at the Maplewood facility. One month before the event, I had reserved the patio area (a private area) for my husband's birthday celebration from 7 to 9 pm. I had gotten confirmation that the time was set. I then get a call from someone at Crooked Pint around 11 am on the 14th saying that the kitchen is open until 11 pm. I was confused because I said our reservation was from 7 to 9 pm. I said that I wasn't going to be there that late and that we were planning on arriving at 7 pm. The person said that is fine. So, I assumed everything was set.

Then at 6:00 pm when my mom arrived, I get notified that the time of my event doesn't start until 9 pm. I asked who changed the reservation and Crooked Pint said I did. They said that I called in that morning and changed the time and when they called me at 11 am, she said that I had confirmed the reservation at 9 pm. I said "No I did not". And they insisted I did. They said someone called in and changed the time to 9 pm. I kept telling them I did not do that. And they said well, someone did. I tried to tell them that I have 25 people coming at 7 pm. She said the room is already booked at 7 pm with another event? I was very shocked and confused. How could another event already been booked in the same room as us at the time that I had requested the event? I was very upset.

It was a special birthday celebration and I didn't get any sort of apologies. I felt that they tried to put the blame on me stating I was the one who changed the reservation and there was nothing they could do to change it. Their accommodations for me was to share the patio with another party. It just doesn't make sense to me. I really feel that management did not handle this situation appropriately.

On top of that I had indicated to the server (at the very beginning of the evening before everyone arrived) that I wanted all of the tabs separated and that everyone is responsible for their own food and drinks. At the end of the night there were drink items that were put on our tab that we didn't order. The server told me that she was told to put the drinks on our tab. I was shocked that the server allowed it without confirming with me. I was not happy that she put the drinks on our tab without talking with me first. Then the manager came over and I explained what happened but rather than apologizing, she said that when there is an event sometimes these things happen. The manager clearly did not understand what happened. The problem is that the server knew exactly what she was doing. The server even told me that she knew they were added to our tab. So why couldn't the server consult with me first? Why couldn't the server just ask me if it was ok to add these items to our tab?

It was just an overall unsatisfactory experience in my opinion. I was not happy how management handled these situations. If they would have apologized and set things straight I would have been fine. But, that did not happen at all. A very poor experience.

I do not recommend this place...

Should be a normal place to use a Groupon. 40$ for 20$ can't particularly fault the establishment for not honoring the Groupon failure here. Somehow Groupon showed that my wife had been refunded for our coupon and yet it was deducted but there's no receipt for a refund on her end- so confused spoke to management, (the manager who was new said he didn't know how to go about handling it and I'd need to deal with the bar manager lady, who said her hands are tied and we would have to call Groupon.) I said okay that's fine. I am going to do that but you guys partner with these companies and you're leaving it on the shoulders of the customer to deal with the Groupon error. I understand that as well, but the fact that she's straight out said there's nothing they can do being in the service industry. I know there's a lot they can do in fact so I don't appreciate being bold-faced lied to unless they're upper management are fine with turning away a family they just moved two blocks from this establishment and despite the subpar food, would and could have patronized this establishment in the tune of several multiplying factors of what the the $40 or $20 loss was that the bar manager refused to accept-or even acknowledge that there's a possibility to remedy. the situation in any way whatsoever. (A 5$ off next meal would have been a token of Forward thinking business practices but again these are lost in today's greedy times. Add having millennials run the place this is how it goes- they just throw up their shoulders and say I don't know what to tell you? call corporate good luck. They have no interest in the company. Maybe losing a family of clientele for years to come is worth saving 25$ these days. The bar maid has no interest in the company's well-being so of course she doesn't care, And with the garbage business model of present day who can blame her . So if you want a decent burger {without the gluten free bun!} Half old half fresh fries , and don't mind the waitress walking off without asking you for your drink choice for the evening, and plan on using a janky Groupon And being left with the fat Bill when it doesn't process properly, (my review for them is next..,no phone number for customer service!?) and like weak Managers that just throw their hands up and say I don't know can't do anything, maybe call Groupon.?”.. Then enjoy....

Edit for visit on 1/13/23

What happened to the service? The deal. We had a large party, 22 people I think. We called a few days ahead to the restaurant knew we were coming. Our waitress only took orders and brought out items one person at a time. Literally. Two people ask for water. She brought out one water then maybe if we were lucky five minutes later the other water comes out. Food was the same except sometimes other staff delivered the food. All one plate at a time. I guess it's good we were not planning to say a prayer then start eating at the same time because we're coworkers not a family. But what the heck? One cup or plate at a time?! What happened to bringing out a pitcher of water for the table to top up our own water? It was very hard to get out waitress attention. She was serving a few tables next to us (maybe 3 other tables of 2 people each) and I know she could carry 2 cups of 2 plates at a time. It was weird. I get we had a big group but it was about half n half doctors and nurses with one baby (who did well thankfully). Usually a big group gets more attention because we literally needed our server to just be our server or send 2 people over for the large group. If you can't handle large groups that sucks. Taking away some points because it was comically bad to get one cup or one plate at a time over an hour or whatever it was.

Original review below:

Really excellent food and I've had really good customer service. It can get loud and busy during peak dinner time, so if you're concerned about crowds coming in early during the happy hour is a lot calmer. They seem to be good for sports crowds - from the chanting when real dinner started is my best guess. I still don't like a full restaurant like the before times; so I've left after happy hour or I can carry out an online order.

One big con is the stairs to get in the front door. A bit scary in winter. The stairs are well kept but if anyone has mobility concerns you can't use...