Pearl Diver — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

The bad experience starts at the door. There are other people in line who don't have a table so we have to wait until they get sat before we get in, despite the fact that my friends already have a table inside. My wife think its shifty behavior to make people think that it's more popular than it really is - this place always has a line out the door when I drive by. Horrible logic and time to rethink the experience - the first and perhaps the most important customer touchpoint.

Inside now... it's not full. Where is everyone?

Talked to the owner/bartender: He doesnt want it to be like a Broadway bar, elbow to elbow, people fighting for a drink. Fighting their way to wench a drink from the alchimist to quench the raging bends. This is a neighborhood bar, unlike a Broadway bar, yet they insist on lines, they stamp your hand, and they treat the place like a club. Maybe this is the new east Nashville? Or maybe they take themselves less seriously, and don't consider their bar space as the center of the universe. Maybe you craft the space for the customers to have a good night out. I saw a mom yelling from the barred door to her two sons waiting in line that the appetizers were getting cold. They yelled back, trying to explain the mandatory line policy of Pearl Diver.

It's not about Pearl Diver, its about the people that meet there, and the moments they have together. The bar is like any other place, a watering hole of mixed drinks, but with a slightly above par environment. If you go here, expect to be confused and annoyed by the out of ordinary entrance ceremony. Hopefully, they'll change this and people don't have to wait outside so the bar doesnt get overwhelmed. Maybe they'll actually get wait staff so the bar isn't a forced interaction point. The current method of operation doesnt appear to be about the customer, it seems to be about coddling...

After seeing mentions and photos of the Pearl Diver on social media, my boyfriend and I were DYING to try it out. About a week or two ago, he made reservations for us to eat dinner on my birthday. We arrived a few minutes before our set time because I was genuinely that excited. When greeted by the host, the energy level quickly shifted. She went to check our (VERY REAL) ID's and seemed in disbelief. I understand that people may try to get in with fakes, but it's incredibly insulting when they take a very thorough look, rub/ bend the card, and take every attempt to make sure its real. You might as well say that you don't think I am of age. After realizing it was my birthday, she gave me a backhanded, "Happy Birthday". She showed us to the dining room where she asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. We made a reservation for an indoor table on my BIRTHDAY. I don't think anyone would want to be shoved to the bar for a special event. I kindly stated that we prefer a table. There was no push back, but with an introduction like that, we felt VERY unwelcomed. I believe our server was training another server when helping our table. They were kind, but we felt bombarded and expected to know exactly what we want. We ordered two drinks for about $30. After sitting in the dining room for about 20 minutes, we decided that the environment did not fit how I wanted to spend my birthday. We paid the tab and left a 25% tip. We then went to Taco Mamacita in Germantown. The service there was a night and day difference. I genuinely do not know what the issue was with Pearl Diver, but the staff DID NOT want us there. It was incredibly disappointing to view this place so highly until the second I walked in the door. If I stayed to dine, I felt as if my birthday would be ruined. I really do not recommend this restaurant especially to younger adults that just want to...

I feel guilty leaving any bad review, especially when this establishment has consistently been my favorite bar since Edgefield closed down. I just have had the worst experiences here lately and especially last night. The “hostess” at the door had NO idea what she was doing. They only took your name and number down if you planned on eating. If you were just grabbing drinks they checked ID’s and had you wait in a growing crowd within the foyer of the bar. It’s a small space, and it was hectic. She said if you were only wanting drinks then wait there in the crowd because they were “slowly” allowing people into the bar. I get that it’s crowded, I get that it’s 9pm on a Saturday night, I get that Pearl Diver is gorgeous and trendy and everyone wants try it out… But really? I waited with a friend I hadn’t seen in over a decade for over 45 mins to get lost in crowd she kept saying was a “line” there was no line LOL. People that arrived after us for just the bar were let in before us because there was no structure! And I only know that because I was paying attention to every mistake the front door staff made and I also know we were behind a group of 5 ladies that just wanted the bar and they let back 45 mins before I decided to go to Pins Mechanical. I could have gone up and thrown a hissy about other people getting to go in before us but they probably would have just thought I was crazy and trying to trick my way in. This is coming from someone who has worked in the food service industry for years as a hostess and maitre d. I don’t dislike Pearl Diver, but the front...