The Gristmill — Restaurant in Port Clinton

I’ll never give this place another dime. The staff here are unbelievably rude, and last night sealed the deal for me. After leaving the Brick House, where we had exceptional service, I walked in with two friends. Normally, you’d expect at least a “hello” or “welcome” when you enter a business. Instead—nothing. Not even eye contact. When I asked if we could still get a drink (it was 10:30 and they close at 11), the bartender gave a dismissive response I can’t even recall because what happened next overshadowed it. The owner sat in the corner staring at us like we’d just landed from another planet. It was uncomfortable and unwelcoming. I politely said, “I don’t like the way you treat people here,” because this wasn’t the first time I’d felt disrespected in this place. That’s when everything went completely off the rails. Instead of listening, the owner and two female employees started yelling at me, making a huge scene in front of everyone. I never raised my voice, I never cursed, and yet they shoved me toward the door like I was the problem. It was humiliating and honestly shocking. No customer deserves to be treated that way—especially for simply voicing their opinion in a respectful manner. If this had been my establishment, I would have listened, apologized, and asked how I could improve. Instead, the owner chose to act childish and hostile. Bottom line: this place clearly doesn’t value its customers, and the owner seems more interested in power-tripping than running a professional business. There are far better places to spend your...

Cocktails are so well made! Great service & live music. Go for the Thursday Happy Hour to get their $8 featured cocktails.

Update: I recommended this place to my parents so we stopped in again. By the end I was a little embarrassed to have recommended it. Two of us grabbed a seat at the bar, while the rest waited at a table. We were ignored for ~15 minutes and couldn't figure out why. Note: it was mid-day and not busy. Another customer was asked if he wanted a refill, and it wasn't until he pointed the bartender to us that we were finally served. We discovered towards the end that it must have been because we didn't stand in the "bar lane line" perhaps? A little wait is no big deal, but to be ignored and then get an unfriendly tone after patiently waiting just made for a really uncomfortable visit. I wasn't expecting it from this place, but it was one of the more awkward encounters I have had in a while. Have not been in a hurry to go back since. Nonetheless, past experiences...

First off I would've liked to have commented on the gentleman's review that came into the Gristmill with his friends and was thrown out for no apparent reason but I don't know how. I was there that night with a friend when these three gentlemen came in, they looked like they were having fun but were in no way shape or form drunk like was explained by the owner. I have no idea what was said or done to get the treatment they did because we were sitting outside but the gentleman that had his drink ripped out of his hand had every right to demand a refund. How he was treated by your staff and how he remained calm the whole time was beyond me. After leaving the gristmill we went across the street and saw the three gentlemen at another local establishment and after hearing there story it sounded like the gristmill didn't like a comment one of them made about how he was being treated. Shame on you Gristmill for creating a scene like that over someone...