Clover Club — Restaurant in New York

I hate that I am writing this review for this place, but I think this needed to be stated.

So I really love this place, as I have been coming here to work, relax, dine, and just meet up with friends at times. The staff Monday - Thursdays are absolutely lovely! They are hands down, some of my favorite waitstaff in Brooklyn. They are very nice and actually make you feel comfortable and wanted as a patron - especially if you are a regular. Heck, they even make sure to say hello if they ever see you randomly walking down the street. That’s just how they are. Truly lovely people.

However, this past Friday, I encountered staff that were the complete opposite. Upon inquiring about a table outside when I arrived, there was not even a smile or feeling that I was being welcomed back - I should have taken this as a sign. I am seated outside, in my usual spot, and of course the waitress eventually comes to take my order. Again, no smile, no pleasant demeanor. She just looked unamused, uninterested, and not generally seeming like a nice person. Eventually, when I finish my drink and she had come to check on me, I mentioned I had finished, but that I would likely just stay for a few minutes before getting my check to leave. Without me even asking, she hands me the check. I thought it was so rude - I was actually really upset by this, but didn’t show it. I ask her, would it be ok if I could stay for a few moments, as I had NOT asked for my check yet. She tells me “It’s a Friday night, and they need the tables.” Mind you, there was no one waiting on my particular table. After she forces the check on me, she stands there waiting for my payment. I pay, get up, and she didn’t even try to stop me from leaving. I was truly appalled. I go to busy places all the time, I have never had someone hand me check without me asking for it like this. It’s like you are being forced to sign your check and leave. Even if others would have needed a table, I, like every other restaurant patron, can wait, put my name on a waitlist, come back…like regular people do. There is never a need to make your patrons feel uncomfortable and force them to leave. It’s extremely rude. I love this place, but I do not recommend going on a Friday night, unless you are looking...

I never write bad reviews. Until now. My parents are in the industry so no silver spoons here, but this was by far the most uninviting and hostile service I've ever experienced. We went there Saturday to celebrate our engagement with family (don't bother clicking on an event type when rsvp'ing btw, they couldn't possibly care less). It was so bad that we were actually getting a laugh out of it (like "what's next", I think we even had a bet about whether the waitress would roll her eyes on the next rare pass of the table), from "I hate you" attitude right out of the gate to wrong orders... you name it, it was there. There must be a lot of masochist regulars because I have no idea how this place is in business, or has a rating above 2 stars. They even bounced our payments at the end (I tried mine first and then had to ask a friend for help afterwards, which as a newly engaged husband to be trying to pay for his new family is kind of embarrassing, especially with the attitude from the hostess (think slow apathetic vocal fry)). His didn't work either and he thought of calling his bank (chase) because apparently they didn't trust them as a business. My advise would be to keep the bartenders (they seemed nice), and the kitchen staff, (food & drinks were above average for sure, interior design as well), but my god get rid of the waitresses and hostesses on that time slot, they were begging to be anywhere else. But my guess is that there's some "It starts from the top and trickles down" economics at play here or they wouldn't have the nerve to be like that. Avoid this place at all costs unless unless your sitting at the bar, ordering takeout ot just want to wait 40 minutes for a drink in an empty room and feel like a...

At this point, The Clover 🍀 Club in Brooklyn is an institution. It's been the hot spot, the unknown gem, and the neighborhood bar. You can go there and have any of your cocktail needs met. The classics are made to perfection. The riffs are different enough to pique your interest but are still close enough to remind you of what it's based on. They are sure to go into experimental waters, too. If you're in Brooklyn, be sure to make your way to The clover club, you won't be disappointed.

Here's what I had

Port of Call: Drink this drink. No matter what you came there to do, even if you just stop by to use the bathroom. Drink this drink. Gin and Ruby Port working with cranberry preserves and lemon are a sign of greatness. Cinnamon is added to these ingredients to give it the extra pop for your taste buds.

Maple Malt Fizz: A cocktail that can be delicious year round but is perfect for NY in the cold months. This drink brings apples, condensed milk, maple syrup, and butter washed rum together in a harmonious song that's way too easy to drink.

Meet Me in Montauk: Feeling classy, have some champagne 🍾. This fizzy concoction highlights clementine as it main fruit flavor. Gin makes up the body, and a slight herb touch with yellow chartreuse sweetens the deal to balance out the lemon juice. If you like a French 75 you'll love this.

Highland Diver: Who says Scotch isn't for tropical style cocktails? If you combine scotch, coconut 🥥, lemon, cinnamon, and nutmeg in the right ratios, you have what could be considered a classic...