Night of Joy — Restaurant in New York

A while back, I was here with a group of friends for a birthday.

I'm a cocktail nerd, and I snuck in a small thermos of a special homemade cocktail (using very expensive and somewhat rare ingredients) I made to share with the birthday girl and a few others.

Now I'm fully aware that this is not allowed in bars, and a business has every right to forbid it, or to tell me to leave if they caught me. And I would comply with any such demands.

But that would be very stupid on the part of the business. Just because I sneak something in, doesn't mean that I won't be spending money there. In fact I pretty much always spend more at a bar than most of my friends, and usually tip the most as well, and this night would have been no different.

Anyway shortly after I arrived, and I think I had already even ordered my first drink, I very discretely poured some of my homemade cocktail into an empty glass for a friend, and I think some for myself as well.

But not discretely enough, apparently one of the servers / bartenders / owners had seen, and after standing uncomfortably close to me for a long and tense time while making faux friendly talk with my friends and I, she quietly said to me "I'm on to you" in a creepy, scolding, and triumphant way, before confiscating my friends mostly-full glass..

Again, they have every right to do it, and I'm sure this lady was very proud of herself for 'catching' me trying to do something thoughtful for my friends.. Something which would have cost their business absolutely nothing, if anything my friends would have likely had a better time and spent more money.. I certainly was planning to buy at least several drinks there, and I mostly drink cocktails. Instead I think I bought one, and didn't stay long, because I was so put off by their needlessly confrontational, hostile, and condescending attitude.

It's possible to be technically right but still be obnoxious, or to be technically wrong but still polite and considerate, and I hope intelligent people can understand that..

They lost a customer that night, and permanently. Usually when I go out, half of my friends buy nothing, or get one beer, but I always make a point to spend money to support the establishment, because I realize that we are taking up valuable space. If I ever do bring something in, I'm even more conscientious about buying something and tipping well.

This lady either isn't very bright, is very simple minded and shortsighted, or she cares more about asserting her ego than running a profitable business. And this is pure speculation, but based on her attitude, I'm guessing that this isn't just sn employee, but an owner or management.

Anyway this incident was over a year ago, and I've been in countless bars since then, but this really stands out as one of most off-putting experiences I've ever had, it certainly ruined that night for me. I don't plan on ever returning, and if I do somehow end up there, I will spend as little as possible out of spite.

There was a nice way they could have handled it. She could have simply told me that that she saw what was happening, they can't allow it, and told me to keep the thermos in my bag and that if I took it out again, she'd have to ask me to leave. Or if she wanted to play cop, she could have monitored the table before confronting me, and then she would have quickly realized that I was spending more than anyone else at the table, and that other people in the group were also still buying drinks. That would have been the smart way.

Again sure they have the right, and I have the right to spend my money at establishments where the staff and management are pleasant, respectful, and don't have a chip on their shoulder, an ego to feed, or...

Pointlessly rude. Avoid.

I politely asked a question (about the why there was a wooden cage separating the bartenders from the guests) to the woman bartender working Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at night. She said it was a replacement following the covid plastic partitioning. To which I asked an obvious follow-up, "why replace with this fencing after taking down the plastic barrier?". Never having seen something like this, at least since gone-long-ago punk rock venues, and thinking it curious, I just asked, no biggie, right?

She uttered the most classic hipster scoff and eye roll I think I've received since the first time I heard the punchline from "how many hipsters does it take to change a lightbulb" joke. She turned to walk away barely muttering "menus on the wall". Wow, it seemed like it might be a good place... But, pardon me for taking a such a tiny interest in your [very slow] spot (two patrons at the bar and about three full tables).

Why in the world would anyone then proceed to ask for a drink from such a snotty individual as this? Professionally, it could have been an easy connect [read: good tip catalyst] for most any semi-personable bartender to respond with a simple "I don't know" or "well, fun story", but I guess just not this one. I moved on; plenty of really great (and friendly) spots to get a drink at...

I think the vibe of the place was summed up best by my old roommate - “it’s like we stepped into Anthropologie at night.” It was a very quaint space - much larger than I had anticipated - with carefully selected decor very similar to the “antique” decor you would buy at Anthropologie. But hey, I really liked it - well minus the weird bird cage in the front - that was just kind of strange. There’s even a pool table in the back. The atmosphere is very laid back, with handwritten menus featuring their infused liquors. I opted for the beet and dill infused vodka which was INCREDIBLE. Having sat with the beets and dill for days the liquor had taken on both the red coloring and sweetness of the beets - it was basically a natural mixer. Down a couple of those and you are good to go for the night. Their specialty cocktails will run you $9 each but I assure you it’s money well spent!

They also have a great rooftop for the warmer months but we warned - it...