Jake's Dilemma — Restaurant in New York

I arrived at Jake's yesterday at approximately 3pm with my dog, and we grab a table outside under the window. It's important to note that there was not a single other person sitting outside. I go inside with a collapsible water bowl and ask the bartender to fill it up for my dog. I order a beer and give the bartender my credit card AND my drivers license. NOTE: Bartender stated that there was no table service outside - too early and nobody to do it. I return to my dog (a 13 year old 55 bound mix), and enjoy my first beer. A gentlemen arrives about 15 minutes later and sits at the table immediately besides my table, and we begin to chat. He immediately takes a liking to my dog, and we enjoy each other's company. A few others arrive and sit on the other side of the door in the outdoor seating section.

We're there about an hour, and 4 or 5 beers later between myself and my new friend from Scotland, when an employee of Jake's Dilemma comes outside and approaches me. He smiles and asks, "what kind of a dog is that?" I tell him that the dog is a mix. He then says that dogs are not allowed in the outside patio. Stunned (because 99% of bars in the neighborhood have absolutely no issue with it), I ask the man why? He says its their policy. Fair enough. I ask him the obvious question, "why did it matter what kind of dog he is", to which he begins nervously stammering about Service Animals only. I point out that it's perfectly legal for dogs to sit in the outdoor cafe portions, but I also acknowledge that it is the businesses right to choose not to allow it.

This situation begs a few questions - namely, why did the bartender fill up a dog bowl and give it to me if dogs aren't allowed? Why did it take an hour to come out and make us leave? The dog was a perfect gentleman, sitting quietly by my side, so why after 5 drinks and over an hours time did this suddenly become an issue? Particularly in light of the FACT that nobody outside complained, and in fact aside from my new friend, probably didn't even notice the dog was there? To non dog people, you've probably stopped reading, but I am a dog person, and this is simply comical. I had no problem honestly as the bars on Amsterdam Avenue are plentiful, and actually have servers come out and serve you, instead of requiring you go inside to get your beverage. I go in and pay my tab, and as I come back out, the Scottish gentlemen is also getting ready to leave. I ask him why, and he says because the guy that came out and had me leave was a 'c&nt", and he didn't want to give them his business! He ended up joining me a block up at Dead Poet!

So, to Jake's Dilemma, I say, "fare thee well". I, my family, my friends and co-workers will certainly never return while this policy is in place. Can't wait for Frank Macs to open...

I don't normally go to bars, but a coworker of mine was moving to the other side of the country, and this place happen to be her favorite hangout place. For a first time visit to a bar, it was a surprisingly pleasant experience.

There is an outdoor seating area, for those who prefer to enjoy a nice and quiet meal along with their drinks. In between those seats, there is an entrance that leads into the bar, guarded for ID checks. Our group arrived around 7:30 pm on a Friday, trying to catch their half-price happy hour, which starts from the moment they open their doors until 8 pm. It was the perfect time to come as the crowd was just starting to trickle in. We were able to pick a strategic standing spot on the upper level where we get to see a birds eye view of the bar, watch some sports on TV, play with their beer pong table in the back, and still be close enough to the stairs leading to the restrooms on the lower level. A fair warning though, if you block the staircase leading to their downstairs lounge, the staff will ask you to clear the way, repeatedly. From what my coworkers told me, they usually hold themed parties and trivia nights in the lounge downstairs. The decor is minimal and casual. The place seems to primarily gather a crowd of college students and young professionals.

Moving onto the drinks...maybe it's my unfamiliarity with prices of drinks in general, but they are surprisingly very affordable for a bar on the Upper West Side. And with the happy hour, the prices are practically close to nothing. The appetizers and food were pretty decent as well and reasonably priced. There is an ATM machine inside, but they do take card as well. You can keep your tab open or closed, but if you do want to keep your tab open, they will ask to keep your ID. I tried their pineapple juice with vodka and sex on the beach, both were refreshing but I much prefer the sweeter sex on the beach. An added bonus, they also have busboys who go around collecting your empty glasses, so make sure you have enough to leave tip. Overall, it was definitely a pleasant experience. Not a place I would normally go on my own accord, but would recommend for those who do frequent...

I will NEVER come back here nor recommend anyone to this place and will share that they have a bartender who is clearly RACIST and not shy to show it. If I could give no stars I would. I was invited here by my friends for happy hour yesterday, the bartender/server lady with blonde hair was immediately rude to me and my friends who happen to be the only black and brown skin people in the bar and although she was disrespected by a group of obvious intoxicated men, she was nice towards them and then came towards us with immense attitude. When we ordered our drinks she responded rudely for no reason "you guys wanna order together since you don't know what you want clearly" which we were confused at because we did we were just figuring out the happy hour prices and after sharing that she then responded back with more attitude "clearly not, you don't have to drink here you can go right next door then!" It was completely uncalled for so I left. While my friends were drinking in the outside seating I was smoking my vape and she sent out one of the servers who was Spanish to tell me to move and that I couldn't smoke there but said nothing to no one else smoking. She also had the security guard watch me the entire time I was sitting waiting for my friends to finish their drinks. I felt so targeted and upset. I hope management reads this and even questions the Spanish server from yesterday who even admitted to me she's weird when it comes to black and...