DREXL — Restaurant in Oakland

HORRIBLE SERVICE...This has to be the worst service I've EVER experienced in 20+ years of going to bars...ANYWHERE. But, for Oakland especially, this place is, yet another, black eye. I was in there on Wed Mar 21, with some co-workers. This will be lengthy..and deservedly so.

One co-worker and I step up to the bar to order our drinks. She orders hers and I am settling on mine. I ask about the beer list. The bartender helping us goes out of his way to avoid eye contact with me...I thought I was speaking to a young Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder, the way he was moving his head to avoid acknowledging me. He sarcastically and rudely tells me to look at the beer list for details. I took his "advice."

Not satisfied with the beers on tap, I decided on a Dirty Martini. He runs off the Vodka list. I settle on Kettle One. I CLEARLY and politely let him know EXACTLY what I would like. Other people are right there and hear my order. He quickly makes the drink and sets it by me, gesturing towards it. I look down at my drink and it's clear...not dirty, like I asked. I politely reminded the young man what I asked for and asked that he fix it. He took back the drink w/ zero acknowledgment or culpability. And w/ apparent irritation begins to execute on what I originally requested.

On top of that as he is reshaking the drink, he starts an argument with me about me not ordering the drink in the proper way. Lying. I engage and I take over the argument, defending my position, others around me concurring w/ my story.

I grow tired quickly of his apparent provocation and I raise my voice and tell him to "make my damn drink!" He asked me to repeat. I do so...verbatim. He says something he thinks is smart and pours out my drink and walks away.

I ask to speak to the manager...multiple times. He ignores me. My co-worker asks, he provides her a business card and goes to the back office.

I am raising hell at this point. I want everyone in that bar to hear me. He darts from the backroom and is still behind the bar, with the lady bartender holding him back, as he pretends like he is about to take it further.

Trying to save face he tells another lie, asking me, "did I hear you call me a N*@?" I said no such thing. And I let him know that language is inappropriate. He sought then to confirm if I told him to "make my damn drink!" I confirmed..reminding him how his antics led to that exchange. He replied, "I'm not your servant!" and storms off.

Do yourself a favor and FIRE this clown. He can't make a drink worth a damn. And he talks too much, tries to be tough and provoke situations your business and patrons don't need. Just drama and a liability. Too many businesses leave Oakland, due to violence in and around the establishment.

His behavior is bad optics for a burgeoning business that has potential. You lost my patronage for sure though. And I am not sure how...

Came here a few weeks ago, the reason I am following up? I have been here a few times. It’s consistent af and hope they absolutely kill it. (maybe scroll up for my previous review?).

Tried most of the menu, it’s all great.

Owner has a great concept of ingredients, especially how they come together. Props to you!

The reason I write this review, though, is just because Sam, and I think Kyle is his name (?), are great individual bartenders.

I’ve traveled the world and tried the worlds best bars (check 50 best bars on Google) and actually was impressed, so I asked Sam to make me a concept drink from his own creation.

The guy has experience from multiple bars in his time (think rich table in SF a Michelin starred spot, etc. - correct me if I am way off Sam!).

The drink was A+.

You know a spot is good when the sum of their parts (I.e. supply chain + collection of liqueurs + employees + owners) is greater than any individual.

The concept leads all here, and in Oakland, it owns.

Top 5 in the bay?

I’d say it’s undefined between Prizefighter, Drexl, and East Bay Spice Company.

In the world, well that way is tough... Lots of choices. Many cultures that effect what can come out of a cocktail

Quality-wise, I think The Old Man Hong Kong, The Manhattan, Singapore, and the Clumsies, Athens are tops.

But, don’t like overlook this spot.

Challenge the bartenders. Challenge the owners. They’ll come up with some great drinks.

(For any haters, I don’t personally know anyone here other than chatting with them having first come here recently. It’s just a good spot.

It’s Oakland’s best. Bay top 5. World top 75! At least as I...

My friend and I were trying to enjoy some drinks here, but during our visit, she was physically assaulted by one of the staff members, completely unprovoked. Shockingly, the bartender broke a wine glass in my friend’s hand, causing serious injuries, with blood everywhere. This incident occurred well before 2:00 AM when my friend was simply trying to finish her drink. Management tried to justify this excessive force by saying it was “the law.”

How do you enforce the law by breaking it? Using unnecessary violence is never acceptable, especially when it leads to someone being hurt.

What made this situation even worse was the lack of appropriate action from management. Instead of handling the situation with care, the owner completely disregarded the seriousness of the assault, showing a total lack of accountability for what had happened.

No customer should ever be treated this way, and it raises serious concerns about the safety of this establishment. My friend, and every other patron, deserves to feel safe when out enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, this bar has proven they do not prioritize the safety of their customers.

Until Drexl Bar takes responsibility for this incident and implements significant changes to ensure their patrons’ safety, do yourself a huge favor and avoid this place...