The Hemmingway Room — Restaurant in Rochester

Last night, my three friends and I wanted to go out and celebrate my engagement. We went to the Hemingway Room and got stopped immediately at the door by a lady asking to see our IDs. After checking our IDs with no issue, she seated us at a table. The ages within my group consisted of 27, 26, 26, and 23. Once we were seated, a waitress came over and asked for our IDs again. We complied, stating that we were already checked at the door. The waitress made no comment and checked three of our license, skipping our 23 year old friend altogether. She immediately left and soon the manager approached with a black light, asking to check our IDs.

This was the third time we were carded in not even five minutes. All four of our licenses are from the state of Michigan. Once again, we all pulled out our ID. She flashed the light on every license, which reveal the appropriate markings. Then, she looked at me and saying, “I’m not comfortable with your license.” I am 27 years old. My license in an enhanced license with the real ID star. The real ID star is REQUIRED on all licenses by May 3, 2023. When crossing the border, an enhanced license grants you the ability to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. My enhanced, which also has the real ID star, has the highest level of credentials / security clearance. This manager had no idea what an enhanced license was or even what the star signified.

Next, she looked at my other 26 year old friend, who had the same credentials as me, an enhanced license. The manager stated that she was unsure about her license as well. We were asked if we had another form of ID, specifically passports, which I do not carry unless traveling to a different country. She stated that she was uncomfortable serving us because she was unfamiliar with our form of identification. The manager then checked the 26 year old who does not have an enhanced nor real ID star. Her license is approved. Finally, she looks at the 23 year old’s license that has the real ID credentials (not enhanced) and remarks that she is unfamiliar with her license. When we explained why the enhanced licenses looked different and why majority of ours had stars in the upper right corner, the manager replied by saying they had experienced multiple fake IDs recently and had never seen ID like ours, therefore, she would not serve us alcohol.

After the manager made her round she continued to single me out, saying she felt uncomfortable serving me. I never received a specific reason why and she never shared her verification process, such as “I’m looking for A, B, and C when shining the light and these indicators are not showing up on yours” etc. No explanation at all. Since I was accused as being under the age of 21 at a 21 and over bar, the correct procedure would have been to ask me to leave the establishment, which she also failed to enact.

The manager had absolutely no idea what she was doing. Not only was she ignorant of various legal forms of Michigan identification but was also unaware of proper procedures when handling individuals under 21 years of age.

If I was the owner of this establishment I would be embarrassed by how the situation was handled. A restaurant / bar manager’s major role is to detect minors and proper identifications. This manager failed to recognize 3 legitimate forms of Michigan driver’s licenses. If my license was from another state, I would have given her the benefit of the doubt. But we are all verified Michigan residents. If my group and I were denied, how many other groups has she improperly turned away due to her lack of knowledge.

We decided to go to Too Ra Loo next door, which we were unaware was affiliated with the Hemingway Room. The same manager informed the staff at Too Ra Loo to refuse all four of us alcohol. A fun night planned to celebrate an engagement was ended early due to a manager incapable of adequately performing her job. Their conduct was unprofessional and...

EDIT UPDATE TO OWNER RESPONSE

Thank you for the reply and checking my bill mischarge. I will ammend my review to reflect the change thank you.

Original review

After going to Hemingway for the first time this last weekend 03-26-22 we found our experience to be relatively normal for a bar downtown Rochester on a saturday night. The place was packed and there was a wait for a hightop table for the 5 of us. Once we were seated there were only 4 chairs and so finally I got ahold of someone and asked if they had an extra chair in the back OR if I could take one of the (5-6) available seats at the bar and bring it over. I was told she would ask and eventually no I couldn't bring over an open bar stool to our hightop by the door. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me. But hey whatever I can look past that. She also notified me that there were no available extra seats so I'd have to stand (even though mind you there are 5-6 open bar stools) so ok...As I stood there for awhile the very nice hostess eventually brought over her chair saying I could use it since I was standing. I thanked her very much for the nice thought!

The service was mediocre besides that, very slow but in their defense it was busy with no open tables anywhere just those bar stools in between couples etc. 🤦‍♂️ We had a few drinks which were good but on the pricier side. But its a small nice boutique cocktail bar so you pay for the ambience and standing.

All in all at this point I'd rate the place a 4.5, the drinks a 4.5 the prices a 4 and the service a 3 (5 for hostess). 4 stars overall. I might go back at another time when they are less busy too see how it is.

bill/tip error has been corrected by the...

I think they confused me with somebody else they had an incident with because I was black... Terrible experience

*To reply: That reply further supports my statement.. the one time I was ever there before I became friends with a server or host over common interest (art/tattoos) which encouraged me to return.. never ordered food.. 2 mimosas.. limited reaction altogether & I was amongst a party of others.

So it was completely appalling to be mistaken.. turned what I was hoping to be a positive experience into a negative one.. Logically..nobody would drive 30 minutes to go back if they had a bad time prior... But I forget how things are sometimes.. & for the record WE DO NOT ALL LOOK THE SAME.

I'm a business myself.. I understand etiquette and as an entrepreneur I don't have time to cook.. so I go out to eat multiple times a day everyday.. I'm well known where I go.. my orders are remembered and I'm always welcomed

Intellectual 22 year entrepreneur.. 13 year storefront business owner.. I understand longevity and customer relations.. that's how I know I'm confused with somebody else of my skin tone. But I also understand accountability isn't popular.

Basically I sat down at the bar during a visit today and one of the regular patrons who went into clutch their purse mode.. I guess it shocking because I was about 30 minutes from where I'm expected to be (Detroit)

So to make the other person feel comfortable I was told to leave.. I resemble anything other than a fellow business owner.

*I just noticed the female manager is tied to multiple...