Rum Boogie Cafe — Restaurant in Memphis

I don’t get the Opportunity to come to Memphis often for work but when I do I try to go down Beale Street. I have in the past found some of the better bands that suit me at rum boogie Café or the amazing intimate setting to the left of it with new local artists.

I had a really nice time with a new local group today and then I went to the rum boogie and there was a band playing afterwards that was really good with a great harmonica player and his brother playing some awesome guitar, I was excited to share there music with my friends via Facebook by recording it with my iphone and then someone else near me was also doing the same on the ramp leading to the restrooms.

But we were then shamed by doing that by the band and were asked to put money in the tip jar. I waited for the next song to play and appreciated their talent and relented to their earlier request to tip by putting in a $20 in hopes to feel comfortable without ridicule to be able to record on further songs if I wanted to like any normal place or concert anyone goes to in order to spread how awesome this group/band was.

The lead singer had a mid song exchange about some political stance regarding taxes or something and asked people to raise their hands if something affected them or whatever regarding this or that. I listened to another song after that one and asked to purchase one of their CDs and it was $15 but I still gave them a $20 and said to not worry about the change to the awesome guitarist brother.

As I was walking away I heard the lead singer say that I was a “sparkle shoes communist”. His brother said that I was OK because the tip jar was closer to him (I’m assuming) and he saw that I was just there to enjoy the music.

As soon as I heard that, I was out the door to find a more welcoming place to listen to music and left that CD somewhere that won’t be...

Went to Rum Boogie before a Grizzlies game on Friday around 5pm. There were patrons in the bar area, but in the seating area, there was only one other table of people. We ordered drinks and then dinner. The waitress brought the drinks, took our order and then disappeared. We ordered burgers, gumbo, and red beans and rice. After approximately 25 min, I got up to look for the waitress. I had to ask the doorman to find her. He came back and said our food was coming right out. When the food arrived, the burgers and french fries were barely warm, and the gumbo looked like it had been sitting for some time (top layer started hardening). When I told the waitress and asked for new fries, she tried to take my entire plate. Fearing it would take too long, I asked that she just bring me new fries. She brought a plate over and asked me to put the fries on the plate. I refused, not sure if she was going to just reheat them. She finally brought fresh fries, and disappeared again. When we were ready for the bill, again I had to ask someone to find our waitress and tell her we wanted the check. A different waitress brought the bill and said our waitress was busy, although we hadn't see her anywhere in the restaurant.

The next day, I looked at the credit card receipt and noticed it was higher than the itemized bill. BEWARE: They charge 3.9% for using a credit card. This was written at the bottom of the receipt, but is hard to see in a dimly lit place. I find this ridiculous with the amount of money they take in and the fact that the food/beverages are not cheap.

On an upbeat note, the band, Pam & Terry, were very good. They were a bright spot in an otherwise dismal experience and the only reason I gave them...

Rum Boogie is an awesome place to go. The food is good and the music is great. HOWEVER, my last visit saw me taking my wife and daughter out for my daughters birthday. We went early afternoon and ordered a good lunch. Since that day my daughter has been sick and that night didn't see my wife and I feeling great either. We found out that a waitress there was bragging that she, "may or may not have messed with our food." My wife called the manager today and it did not seem like our concern was taken legitimately. That being said, I have no confidence now that my food will be handled properly at Rum Boogie and if this is the type of staff employed there how many other times has this happened or lax SQF (safe quality food) practices are in play at Rum Boogie. Sadly, I will not be back due to this experience and i really like liked the place. But confidence that my family and I are safe with something as commonplace as our food has been destroyed by the malicious act of a criminal. I realize I am one customer and it probably won't make a dent in business but hopefully others will be vigilant in examining their food before...