Sidewinders — Restaurant in Roanoke

Went with a friend. Had to go through a metal detector outside before entering. It went off and was wanded and allowed entry. Same for my friend. However, when she stepped out later to speak with a friend, she was told she had to go back through the security machine. She waited in the long line again and once again had the machine go off. Upon reentery, she voiced to herself that was ridiculous. The bouncer at the door heard her and physically grabbed her, asking what she had said. She seemed confused because she didn't say it to anyone in particular. She asked him to remove his hands from her, but he refused and told her that since she didn't like how they ran things, she was barred. No reentry. Upon coming through the front door to advise me to get her purse, she had her hand all bent back by the doorman. There was no reason for the physical activity to her. She is 5'5", maybe 130lbs. The police officer outside could have escorted her in to collect her things. The unwarranted barring and the physical assault were totaling uncalled for. Pd on seen as security advised to have all tapes pulled and to file charges. We walked away while calling Rke City Police Dept. The incident is recorded. Calls have been made to Sidewinders management but have not been returned. I get security being physical to a person they are concerned may be drunk or causing harm. But not a female in a skirt, voicing her aggravation. Boo on Sidewinders. Will not ever be returning. Luck, she didn't have ptsd from a situation in the past. This could have been a very bad situation.

Interesting, how I can not respond to the (owners) review. If she had been intoxicated, she would have been arrested and not allowed to walk away on her own accord. But I would expect you to come to the defense of your own establishment. I have no issue with security. However, I feel that a customer who had already been in the facility for an hour should not have to wait back in line. But she could have been scanned by the wand. No excuse for your poor...

It took a long time for sideys to be strict with covid regulations but this past weekend they were on on it. Only the downstairs was open and you had to be seated at a table, no dancing or walking other tables on the first weekend that the covid cerfue was lifted but the owner reassured the second floor will be open for st patties weekend. The experience we keep in countering here is always mixed within our group. The first time we came and went upstairs it was slow and I had the best time but my friend didn't think it was worth the cover since the DJ wasn't taking our music request (on the second floor). The bartenders and waitresses that night where very attentive and timely! However being new to sideys you need to have a general idea of what to order when it comes to alcoholic beverages because they will not provide a menu. We don't always know what we want drink wise and you won't have any idea of what your tab will look like until it's time to pay. The bartenders must love their job here because I have always seen the same ones working, our favorite is Erin. He is helpful with drink ideas and gets drinks out extremely fast. A few of the other bartenders are not as friendly. Sideys is getting 3 stars from us because of the amount of times different bartenders had just looked as us blankly and walked away after we ask a question. They are not accessible to all. The Djs are non-compliant except once when we celebrated a birthday. Most of the staff will still serve alcohol to folks who have had way above their limit and you can visually see it. And if the right sound guy isn't there that night the sound quality of the band is awful. If you haven't been yet definitely check it out and form your own opinion. Be prepared for a loud atmosphere no matter how many people are inside. Good place to dance if you are cool with large crowds or know how...

I was very questionable while going through their security check, which was like going through a TSA checkpoint, but was pretty worth it as we had a good time. Now after reading some other reviews I see that they keep your information and record exactly who comes in, by the machine they scan your license into, guess that's their prerogative, but if you value your privacy, you may not want to come. Will say all the security guys were super friendly, just doing their jobs and getting everyone through as quickly as they could. Getting past, there was a $10 cover. The place is hugh with an upstairs and down. Downstairs was country, and upstairs was more a hip-hop dance club. DJ was downstairs once we entered. I don't think we realized there was a live band playing, when we came in, they were on a break. After about an hour or so, they came back out. I'm not sure who they were, but they really rocked the house they were super fun and sounded great. There's a large dance floor with a good sized stage for acts to play. It wasn't overly busy at first, and then it started to fill up. They have a number of different bars you can get drinks from when I went to two of them in the bartenders, who were always friendly and tried to get to you as quickly as they could. We ventured upstairs for a little bit to check out the scene, which was much busier upstairs at first, then downstairs. We had a really good time and no regrets by going. You definitely can have a lot of fun here. Looks like they'll put on some good shows, so it's a great place to catch up and coming...