The Scratcher — Restaurant in New York

Me and my friends are from Spain and we just understanding the tipping culture here in the us. When we talked with our friends from us about this they told us that you have to give a minimum of 20% in a restaurant and places like fast food or bars it’s a curtesy but not something obligated. With this in in mind my friend we she payed she didn’t left a tip bc 1. 6’5 for a cider is kinda overpriced 2. The bartender with didn’t come to our table or anything we went to the bar and she just took the cans out of the freezer and nothing else, not a glass or even straw. We payed and 5 minutes after she came to our table, slammed the bill and (not even joking) screamed that she didn’t care that we were from Spain that in the us you leave a tip and we have to fix the bill. Okay, we’re genuinely sorry for that, we had no idea that tip was also mandatory in this case. Still, there was 100 ways of how to approach this and she just took the worst one. When u are working the priority should be the manners and professionalism and that was just not it. I worked as a waitress and I know is tiring and sometimes really exhausting but I would have never approach to a client like that, and talking with my American friends said in my social media they all agreed that that behavior is not normall. Also the place was full of empty tables with...

The Scratcher is one of my go-to dive bars in the East Village when I know a conversation is on the agenda. This place is not usually too busy or noisy until after 11, and almost never so busy that one feels uncomfortable ordering a drink from the bar. I have had many good conversations at this bar without the noise level causing any problems.

They usually do have someone checking IDs on the way down the steps into the bar. The seating is bench seating for most tables, and they usually have a candle on each table for ambient lighting. The bartenders make themselves available and don't usually need to be flagged down for ordering.

They have an acceptable range of drink options. Plenty of beer on tap, and a more limited liquor selection. They make water available at the side of the bar. The prices are affordable...

This is purely based on the hostile attitude I and my wife were met with as soon as we entered this place. We looked on several online forums to find a good place to meet friends before a gig. The Scratcher had good reviews and was listed in several places as open from 11am to 4am. We walked in at 3.35 pm to whom I assume was the owner/manager sat with an employee at a table. Before we'd barely got through the door one of them said "were not open" in what I can only describe as a rude manner. No apology, smile or any other friendly gesture. I ended up apologising as I'm polite I felt like we had intruded on something. We left confused and offended, and unwilling to return. A shame. As I'm sure it's a great bar. But customer service is always the first...