The Walnut Room — Restaurant in Providence

I generally rarely give bad reviews on google reviews, but the poor service at this bar made me sick. There were four of us, two of our friends arrived and were seated first, a blonde female bartender checked both of their IDs while my partner and I arrived at this bar within 15 minutes. It was only when the female bartender came over to check both of our IDs that we realized that electronic IDs were not allowed. So we kindly told the bartender that we had called uber home to grab our physical IDs and we would be back in 20 minutes. However, while we were waiting for the uber (only a few minutes), she refused to serve our friends with IDs (even though we ordered non-alcoholic beverages) and very rudely and abruptly told us that if we didn't order she would have to ask us to leave (we obviously ordered but she refused to serve us, didn't she?). We eventually relented and chose to leave, and before we left I went up to the bar and told her that her behavior was very rude, yet instead of apologizing she joined another male bartender and claimed they were just following the law. She could have handled this in a more friendly manner! I don't know if it was because we were the only Asian customers in the bar at the time! I have every reason to suspect this was racist! There needs to be training...

Wanted to check the place out because of the ambiance, despite the warnings I'd received of the horrendous customer service for which the place now seems to have acquired a reputation. Sadly, the rumors are true. It isn't often that a bar goes out of its way to make their patrons feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, but The Walnut Room seems all but happy to deliver on that promise. What's worse is that I believe the rot emanates directly from the top. Management not only appeared disinterested in remedying the dissatisfactory service, but seemed to have a vested interest in perpetuating the deplorable, condescending nature of their wait staff. I think unless the owner of this bar doesn't act quickly in addressing these micro-aggressions on the part of his/ her own subordinates, then the place will be doomed for failure.

In this economy, small businesses ought to be attracting patrons as if their livelihoods depended on it - not actively alienate them, never to return.

My advice to all would-be customers.... Tread with caution, lest you be admonished by the condescending attitudes of a wait staff content in their unprofessional ways due to ineffective leadership...

Stopped in for a cocktail, it looked like a quiet nice place. Got a table. The whole place is pretty dark. We requested a candle (which there were a number of on the bar) because it was difficult to read the menu, our eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. The waitress said ‘no’ because the candles are only for the bar (even though there are 5 recessed down lights above the bar).

We ordered.

We then went to the bar and asked the bartender for a candle and he said ‘no, they’re for the bar’, and said that the sconces on the wall were enough light for us.

Shortly after telling us no, the bartender was lighting more candles and we thought maybe one candle would come to our table —but no, all were for the bar except one which he brought to a well lit front table which was already lit by sconces as well outside street lights.

Customer service was non existent. The bartender was particularly rude.

Unless you enjoy rude service we recommend skipping this venue. Not fun to spend your money at a place that treats its...