Bistro on Bridge — Restaurant in Phoenixville

Bistro on Bridge was responsible for ruining my rehearsal dinner and causing a substantial embarrassment in front of about 50 people.

I booked my rehearsal dinner with Bistro on Bridge several months after getting engaged. We were told that the upstairs space was "semi private." When we asked what that meant, we were told that people would be able to sit at the outside deck, but the inside space would be ours. They also told us they have valet parking; this, as you probably know, is critical in Phoenixville. Satisfied with these answers, we booked the venue.

Then things went sideways. About a month or so before the rehearsal dinner, we were notified that there would be another rehearsal dinner in the space with us. This was not completely acceptable, but we didn't have time to find a new place and they did not offer to return our deposit. They assured us that the space would still be alright and we could use it without interference. We reluctantly agreed.

Next, we learned that there is a DJ that comes on at 9PM. We were told that it is "not intrusive" and shouldn't be too loud, and our rehearsal dinner would be alright. Out an entire deposit if we cancelled, we said that we trusted them and kept our reservation.

HUGE MISTAKE.

When we arrived, my guests were forced to wait in line like they were waiting to get into a frat party while the world's slowest ID checkers made them stand on the stairs to scan their IDs. This included my mobility impaired grandmother, who is clearly not a teenager. This is a private event; do not treat your event customers like they're college kids.

Next, the place was not remotely private. Not only did we share the space with another rehearsal dinner, but the ENTIRE INSIDE SPACE WAS PUBLIC. So public in fact, that DRUNK PATRONS STOLE FOOD FROM OUR REHEARSAL DINNER.

The worst part of the whole experience, however, is that it was unbelievably loud. There was a horrible musician there whose music was being blasted into our space. This, plus all the drunk patrons, meant that my father gave a speech at my rehearsal dinner that no one could hear. The extent to which this breaks my heart cannot be overstated. People dream of their weddings for their entire lives. To have this venue lie to us about the space meant that I didn't hear the speech that my dad spent weeks working on and that he hoped I would remember for the rest of my life. Neither did any of my family. Oh, and by the way- that "not intrustive" DJ was set up DIRECTLY next to my tables.

Next, The bartender refused to give me two drinks at once. After fighting my way through a crowd of fratty college kids to get to the bar, I asked for two glasses of wine. The bartender refused. I told him it was my rehearsal dinner and I was hoping to get a drink for the groom as well. He told me I'd have to make two trips.

Next, the staff at Bistro on Bridge cleared the tables an HOUR before our event ended. I had to intervene and tell a staff member that the "private space" was still reserved for another hour. They tried to kick us out a full 30% early.

Finally, our cars were "valet parked." However, they actually don't perform the service that you pay for. Instead, they park your car 4 blocks away and stop retrieving them at 10PM. This means that when your mobility impaired grandparents want to get their car back, it isn't retrieved by a valet and they have to walk a quarter mile back to their car which is now in a totally different location than where they left it.

Shame on you, Bistro on Bridge, for telling people that you have private venue spaces. You single handedly ruined one of the most important evenings of our lives because you wanted to make a few bucks....

What a waste! First time in Phoenixville, and this was an awful introduction. We were greeted by our waitress and a waitress-in-training (I would have preferred if our waitress was the one shadowing). This is the first I was told "we need to take your ID and scan it." I was always taught to never let my ID out of my sight; I was very uncomfortable with the waitress taking my ID across the restaurant, showing it to other employees, and then returning it to me. As my friend shared, it doesn't make sense; why they couldn't have scanned it at the table in front of us will always remain a mystery. I told the waitress this is an odd policy.

The food was decent, but both my friend and I were a bit disheartened when both of our dishes that contained cheese were unmelted. The bartender or food runner also had a fondness for slamming drinks down on our table (and from what I saw/heard, others as well). When I mentioned this to him he rolled his eyes and walked away.

The drinks were subpar at best. When I was looking for another drink on the menu, the waitress recommended a spicy margarita. I had my reservations, and inquired about the amount of seeds in the drink (they assured me there wouldn't be many, but when the drink arrived, there were clearly seeds and I swallowed several). I told the waitress it was way too spicy and I couldn't drink it. To her credit, she did come back with a club soda and lime concoction to try and cut the spice, but it didn't really do anything.

Then the bill came...not only was I charged for the drink (I already knew I would be charge for top shelf tequila but usually am offered to pick something else on the menu), I was charged 50 cents because I asked for a "spicy" margarita. I was clearly displeased and shared with the waitress that you were not upfront about the extra charge fro mthe beginning. Her excuse was "it's because of the jalapenos." Ridiculous! I've had many margaritas with jalapenos in it and have never been charged for this. The waitress spoke to the manager who then returned and shared "I spoke to my manager and she wants to give you the 50 cents back." That wasn't the point, so I declined the 50 cents as the whole situation was already out of hand.

After we left and went to a place down the street (much better), I spoke to a few people (one who was a customer last night) and both said it was mediocre at best and the service was terrible. Clearly, I will not be returning nor recommending...it's a shame, too, as I know many people who live in the area and...

To your response: Appreciate to whoever looked into the matter. Do not understand how my ID and (I am a citizen in Pennsylvania who reside nearby) still did not have my ID looked or given a chance to be scanned?

Did not appreciate the floor manager at the front that screamed in our face, of course we are going to be persistent on how we were not being let in due to someone else's IDs that was fake a few hours beforehand. Not being personal, just stating facts on how nothing was denied about the racial comments made at us.

Sure Bistro! Would love to share why I gave you one star.

Several of us who were visiting for a conference got recommended to this place. When we arrived, the man and the woman in the front informed us that we were not to be allowed in. We simply asked why and were told that another person who "looked similar to us" used a fake ID beforehand (another asian woman.) This comment was said to our group who were dominantly all asians.

We told the man that we do not know about that incident and respect how they are being cautious on letting minors in.

However, we insisted on checking our IDs because we were all 22+, but were denied because the "owner will not let you in." We asked the owner to come over to hear why he is saying that and he said he simply do not want people like us in.

What escalated was that another colleague of mine got let in because they were "white" said directly by the owner. This is unacceptable and racist behavior since we were still trying to figure out why People were still being let in Our IDs were clearly scanning and legal and being prevented from seeing our other colleagues already in the restaurant.

Our other friend who was Black asked the owner why are you not even looking at IDs and giving us a chance? The owner got into his face, pushed my friend's ID card down and said "I don't want you in here either."

Of course we left without calling the cops because why would we want to spend money and time at this disgusting place anyway!

From reading all the low reviews, it appears you do this very often with not letting people in with legal IDs.But this time race was involved and said. Do...