The Hampton Social - Nashville — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

NYE Sunday morning: “Security” on power trip, uneducated on State IDs, harassed us. Terrible experience.

My friends and I are 22 and 23 and were asked to provide IDs for the roof brunch. Okay, that’s fine, we can provide our ID before we go to our reservation. We give the bouncer our one Tennessee ID and our 3 Ohio IDs. Despite this being a tourist location, this bouncer stares at our Ohio IDs like they’re in a foreign language. He returned our IDs and then promptly asked for all of ours from OH back again. He was convinced one of the OH IDs were “off,” gave no specifics, and stared at my sisters ID more than the others. I explained we’re fraternal twins so our info is the same but we look different - assuming he was concerned about the duplicated info. He asked my sister for a second form but he required a picture. Who carries around their passport when you have a state ID and matching credit cards? She offered her credit card, insurance card, debit card, but no, despite this all having her info he wants a picture.

He then accuses my other friend’s ID of the picture being “off” - changing which ID was the accused “fake.” He calls over another security guard and they hold up all three Ohio. The two agree, “Yeah, this one is… off.” The security said the picture was “different” but could provide no specifics. There was nothing different about the pictures formatting or graphics other than we have different faces… obviously… they have no device to scan them, no black light to look at the holographic, and are completely uneducated on how to assess a state ID. Instead of calling over someone more educated to assess the ID, they just keep holding our IDs fishing for anything to accuse us of providing false identification and refuse to let us go to our reservation.

The new security guard then harasses us as to how one acquires an Ohio ID. The DMV like every other state, sir… he starts hypothesizing that the pictures look “different” because they were taken at different locations and asks if it’s legal in Ohio to get an ID at the county clerks. Clearly he is trying to defend his stance on why the IDs are “different.” Ridiculous. Why am I educating you on state IDs? I’ve been a bartender for years and know how to assess an ID. These two are acting like they’re “secret service,” on some power trip, but have absolutely no idea how to do their job. This whole ordeal takes 15 minutes.

They finally concede. Despite escorting the previous guests up the elevator, they ignore us and don’t give directions to the roof. The hostess on the roof apologized for their poor behavior, knowing exactly which bouncers it was and citing them as “idiots.” You don’t say. How awful that your own staff knows how terrible your staff members are. Clearly these two are on a power trip, are uneducated about their roles, and did not handle the situation appropriately. Ask a manger for their opinion, use a scanner, use a black light, ask me to recite my information, ask for a second form. You can’t refuse my reservation because you have an inclination and “the photo looks off.” I’m flattered you think I look young, but all of my information is correct.

The cherry on top of the cake was that halfway through our reservation a table of 4 adults and 8 elementary kids sat down. So you don’t have to be 21 to be on the roof…

Otherwise, are server Dalton was great and really nice. But I do not recommend to other 20 something girls - avoid the harassment and go somewhere the staff actually know how to do their job. Terrible lunch as we were so unsettled after the...

I understand why they charge a mandatory gratuity, regardless of party size.

To call this place underwhelming would be a disservice to anywhere else I've used that term for. The food wasn't bad hence the two stars, but what we ordered didn't surpass mediocre.

Atmosphere: The place is pretty and classy. Not exceptionally so in any way, but it's nice. But that's only if you don't care about the connection of the background music to the ambiance. Variations of house music with virtually the same beat was definitely not what we expected or would have wanted. But it's not just about what we wanted. The music was entirely out of place and just made it feel like they very much wanted it to be what they think a similar restaurant in Los Angeles would be.

The real standout part of the experience however was the service. We've been here on vacation for a week. During that time we've gone out for all of our meals and been to a wide variety of restaurants and had nothing less than really great service. Until now.

In my life I've ordered oysters at more places than I can recall, and in all that time I've never once had a server tell me only what coast they were from when I asked what kind they had. Then when I asked her to find out specifically what type they were, she was clearly irritated when she had to pull a note card out of her pocket with the name and description. I'll admit, that should have been a red flag and that at that point it was my mistake for ordering some anyway but the place DOES have a great review score so I rolled the dice. So I shouldn't have been surprised when they were delivered without a shellfish fork (another first) and with half of them looking dry.

The pizza my GF ordered as an appetizer wasn't great but it wasn't bad. Good enough that we wanted to give it to someone on the street rather than let it go to waste. When you ask a halfway decent server for the check, don't you expect them to ask you if you'd like a box for any remaining food? Me too. I shouldn't have had to ask her to bring one.

I'd really like to call out the server by name, but she never introduced herself.

Finally, if the service is decent I generally tip 20 percent. If it's above average I'll tip 25 percent or more. So I'm not at all against imposing an automatic 18 percent gratuity regardless of party size. But to not let the customer know about that at the outset is a shit move. It's the kind of thing you do when you know your service is subpar. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone that...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hampton Social, and I must say, it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish!

First and foremost, the service at Hampton Social was truly exceptional. From the moment I stepped foot inside, I was greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. Youssef, our server, deserves a special shout-out for his outstanding attentiveness and friendly demeanor. He went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. His knowledge of the menu, recommendations, and willingness to accommodate our requests truly elevated our evening.

The ambiance at Hampton Social is simply delightful. The coastal-inspired decor, complete with beautiful nautical touches, instantly transported me to a beachside paradise. The restaurant's attention to detail in creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere is commendable. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a fun gathering with friends, Hampton Social offers the perfect setting for any occasion.

Now, let's talk about the food! The menu at Hampton Social is a culinary delight, offering a wide range of delectable options. From the mouthwatering seafood dishes to the perfectly cooked steaks, every bite was a burst of flavor. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every dish, and the presentation was impeccable. The attention to detail in both taste and aesthetics truly impressed me.

I must also mention the incredible management team at Hampton Social. Ra and Guy, the managers, were incredibly attentive and ensured that every guest felt welcomed and valued. Their dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience was evident throughout the evening. They were readily available to address any questions and went out of their way to make us feel like VIPs.

In conclusion, Hampton Social is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it receives. The combination of outstanding service, delectable cuisine, and a captivating ambiance makes it a must-visit restaurant. Whether you're a local or a visitor, I highly recommend indulging in the Hampton Social experience. Trust me; you won't be disappointed!

Thank you, Hampton Social, for an unforgettable evening. I can't wait to return and create more cherished memories...