The Rô on Oak — Restaurant in Roanoke

Fellow bartender here: in summary: you should go.

The Ro is new and I updated my original review due to a quick response from the owners to make things right. Still leaving an honest review and so should you. I might update it again next time.

The main bartender seemed to know his stuff. His bar back did not and that’s totally ok.. it’s a new business… but the bar back made my second drink and botched it. That’s fine he’s gonna learn and be better for it. But don’t make my drink, forget the garnish at a place like this, and then charge me $15 dollars for it. I want them to succeed, Roanoke needs a place like this.

The main chandeliers are a tad bright for the vibe and some of the music tracks weren’t quite it. But hey, the final 10% in anything is the most challenging. I’m confident they’ll get there. The Ro shows real promise and you should go. And now to the great…

The prosciutto flatbread was fantastic! Wow. The first drink made by the bartender was stellar. The staff was talkative and seemed happy to be there.

Advice? Train/empower your people to comp a drink or two if multiple mistakes are made this early in an opening. I get it’s a slippery slope with comps but still… This way, staff has a shot at a patron’s forgiveness and they deserve to be tipped and get return customers. Finally.. encourage them to look up, take a breather and evaluate their bar or they might ignore someone which could be bad in a smaller town like Roanoke.. they’ll be better for it.

Openings are incredibly hard, chaotic and fun. I tipped 50% which is typical for me and I will be back for more and so should you.

Edit: after a reply from the staff within an hour of my review.. it’s clear these folks care about their business so...

Went here for the first time yesterday for my birthday, and it would have been a 5 star experience if not for our server. She ruined the entire experience. Didn’t catch her name, but she had long brown hair and gages in her ears. She brought my boyfriend the wrong drink, and then forgot to put our flatbread in. 25 minutes into waiting, we ask if it was still coming…at which point she realized she did not put it in at all. She then has what I can only describe as a meltdown by the table. She grabbed her face and rubbed it awkwardly as she repeatedly said sorry for not putting it in. She then stared at us in silence for at least 20 seconds, with her hands still covering her entire face, before she asked…”do you still want it?” We said yeah…we want it. And she ran away. It was bizarre, and if I were the manager and saw her doing that by a table, I would have immediately pulled her off the floor and asked if she was under the influence or having some kind of episode. All that time she spent freaking out could have been spent putting the order in. Something was not right with her, I hope she’s okay, but it was embarrassing. And after all of that, no discount or anything was offered. She just came back and asked about 12 more times just simply, “do you need anything else?”

I would come back for the food and atmosphere, but I’m avoiding that chick...

I’ve been coming to The Ro off and on for a little over a year. It used to be one of those cozy spots where you could count on friendly bartenders, great conversation, and a warm vibe that made you want to stay a while. Lately, though, it’s felt a bit different. The staff seems to change pretty often, and the familiar faces I used to look forward to seeing aren’t around much anymore. The new team is nice, but the overall energy has shifted and it’s not as welcoming as it used to be.

I usually sit at the bar, and I’ve noticed management doesn’t really engage with guests the way they used to, this is what makes me the saddest. Before management changed, the old GM would greet people, make everyone feel at home, and set the tone for the place. Now, things feel a little cold and disconnected. Even the bartenders seem tense, like they’re not encouraged to chat or get to know the regulars. That’s why we haven’t been back.

It’s a shame, because The Ro used to have that neighborhood charm that made it special. I really hope it can get back to that! Just great drinks, friendly faces, and a comfortable spot to unwind at the end of the day. ALSO, i’m getting old and I would love if you had at least one physical menu like a normal, inclusive space that...