Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar — Restaurant in New York

First, this rating is literally primarily based on the disgusting attitude/ service that I received from the hosts at the door entry (5/6/22). (Nothing to do with the food and drinks, which are amazing, my family are regular customers here) however distasteful service can greatly impact returning to an place like this.

Well I decided to dine in and treat the special women in my life to an early Mother’s Day dinner, I booked this spot in advance for a table of 5 and then ended up having to change the reservation the day of to just 2 instead.

My Aunt and I arrived at around 6:40pm for our reservation at 7pm.

The 2 Hispanic women that were the hosts at the door first said that they could not find my reservation. Then suddenly found it, after “skimming” through hand written papers for seating. She informed me that there was a $15 cover charge per person for the entertainment that Friday night at 8pm. We did not initially come for the entertainment because that’s usually done on Thursday nights, but I thought it would be a nice addition for my Aunt since they were playing Motown music, so I ended up obliging to pay. (Also you must have cash for door coverage)

It would be nice if there was an ATM to accommodate that request being that most ppl. do not normally carry cash around anymore.

We were then recommended to sit at the bar until our table for 2 was ready since we were “too early”. Sat down at the bar at 6:47pm, we didn’t receive service for drinks until around 7:07pm, mind you I’m keeping track of time because, I was wondering why it was taking so long to seat 2 ppl with reservations in an nearly empty restaurant. When entering the bar area, I immediately notice almost all of the lower level dining tables were set & empty except about 4-6 diners that were previously there. So I went back to ask if we could be seated, but then was told those seats were already accounted for the show. But the show didn’t start until 8pm, in which I didn’t mind eating then leaving, but she kept giving me the run around about our table being made up for us upstairs.

Before finally getting seated around 7:23p I asked to see the dining area upstairs before having my clearly elderly Aunt climb the steps to upstairs. Well for starters the tables were all already set, as they were downstairs, but upon coming upstairs you can smell the restroom located directly in front of the stair case. The upstairs dining area has small seating booths with short stools on the opposite side without a back rest. (Definitely not suitable for my aunt), nor was I in agreement with paying to watch a live show located on a small tv upstairs.

After seeing this was where we were waiting to sit all of this time, I immediately asked for my money back and ordered an Uber for pick up and found an awesome Steakhouse (212 Steakhouse)on the other side of Central Park (18min drive). We were seated shortly after making day of reservations and received happy greetings from the host. Which made a hell of a difference when planning to spend $300 on food. Service is everything and extremely important!

I’m disappointed because I initially found this spot for my sisters and I to dine at years ago and my Oldest sister ended up loving it and becoming a regular supporter. (If not stopping by every other week, at least once a month). To receive the treatment that was given yesterday was highly discouraging of me ever returning. I rarely leave reviews now a days, but this was an issue that needed to be displayed and addressed accordingly about this...

The experience my guests and I had dinning at this restaurant was a complete disappointment, to say the least.

As a native New Yorker, returning back to the city i brought two guests with me.

Early in the day I made reservations bringing a party of 3 at 6:30pm. When arriving on time, the hostess went through a scribbled handwritten book which appeared to be the reservation listings. Next, we were asked if we were here to see the show. I expressed we made reservations online, not aware of live music performance (starting at 8pm), but willing to attend. She proceeded to tell us how we could not be seated in the main dining area and would need to go “upstairs.” I expressed wanting to be a part of the dining experience/atmosphere on the main level. The hostess came across rude and condescending saying its the same experience upstairs. However, if I want, I can step into the main dinning area and take a peek.

My guest and I were hungry and proceeded upstairs.

Here’s where it gets crazy!

We were put into a room for dinning and were the only ones there. We literally had to request music be turned on. A waiter name Charles, whom came across as if he really didn’t want to be there with lack luster customer service skills proceeded to take our orders. We sat for about 15 min and no staff or anyone checking on us. We literally felt forgotten about. After about 25 min being seated, we assumed our appetizer’s was coming to the table, but it was the restaurant’s complimentary cornbread finally reaching upstairs. Once we received our appetizer and main entree not one time did anyone ask us if everything was okay. Charles might have peeked his head in twice to refill water. But never did anyone ask about the food or being able to get us anything else.

Once we received the bill I noticed the service charge was automatically added. Therefore, the lack luster waiter Charles received a decent tip without even working for it. That was a disappointment.

Besides the poor service, the food was good. But, surely not a place worth promoting or...

Okay so I'm biased with this review but I'll still be 100% honest. If you live in NYC, visiting, or plan on visiting NYC then trust me on this you will not go wrong with Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar! In the very early 2000's I used to be the manager of this place long before Nick Ashford passed away. Back then the food and the atmosphere was incredible but the then manager was departing and service incredibly slow, I mean really slow, the staff didn't seem to understand the process of serving food or manning a table in a timely manner. But, when you did get your food it was well worth the wait. At Nick's request I took over for a short while and The Sugar Bar has never looked back! Now the year is 2025, the service has gotten leap years better than when I was there, lol. I frequent this spot almost every chance when I visit NYC, I now live in Atlanta. The atmosphere today is still electrifying, especially on Thursday nights. The Sugar Bar has always owned Thursday nights and been the place to go for live music, and A-List celebrity mingling, no velvet ropes here, you're up close and personal. You honestly, and I do mean honestly, never know who 'will' show up. Denzel Washington, Jesse Jackson, Alicia Keys, Kem, Freddie Jackson, Luther Vandross, El Debarge, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Paul Schaffer, Stephanie Mills, Cindy Lauper, and the list really is way way way too many to try and list them all. Normally Valerie Simpson, if she's not touring, is there to mix and mingle with everyone as well. She's such a sweetheart! I cannot say enough good things about The Sugar Bar, it's home to me. There are patrons there to this day that still treat me as family even though as I said it's been many moons ago that I was running the place. Even to this day I would still say you'll well get your money's worth in food, excitement, music, and celebrities. Am I biased, yeah I've already admitted that, but even now as just a patron I still love and enjoy this place. I think all will as well. Go and...