Brannan Manor Restaurant & Spirits — Restaurant in Sacramento

We all should have taken the opportunity to treat this pandemic as a reset button for each of us, a chance to do things differently and better. Brannan Manor, unfortunately, has not seemed to have heard that message. I will say, even for a Saturday night with barely half of the bar open, it still was not too crowded. Simply because nobody was flocking to get in. This place was... "confusing" to say the least. This is an establishment right in the center of one of the only places to really do ANYTHING in the surprisingly barren Capital of our State of California, a historical AND tourist location. I am near enough to be considered local, yet this place was a new experience to me. So I have a great perspective to say that the owner of this establishment seems to be quite confused as to whether they want to create a successful business, or to completely ignore the advice they were honored to receive by amazing professionals. Understandibly, a phenomenon occurs when an establishment is featured on television. Prices rise, as well as should the standards. Now mind you, my entire review is not based on the staff that served me at all. They are what warranted even a single star. Without the staff I experienced, it would have been zero. Unfortunately for them, my review is primarily regarding the larger picture of this business that I feel was not up to par. This place COULD be incredible, especially if they open more as a complete business. This establishment got 1 out of 5 things a good business should have right. The staff did fine. However, my list of things I did not like is much longer. My street tacos were way too greasy, I've never had to pour so much oil out of such small tacos before. The beer was the only saving grace thanks to the top-notch tap system, though getting a plastic cup for the beer and a paper plate for the food while the only option for water was being charged for a bottle, was upsetting. The environment was easily the worst part. BLARING House/Techno music played at max volume from the moment I arrived to well after I left (you can tell because you can hear it down the street). This is a bar in a historical old-time railroad town. Not what I would consider the clubbing atmosphere. Now, if this WERE labelled a club, it would make sense. However, that is not what the owner is attempting, it seems, stuck between 5 different ideas with no guts to select one style and stick with it. This is why I refer to the owner as "confused". During the television feature of this bar, the owner was convinced to change the idea of the bar to fit in with the surrounding location it was at. The issue only now comes up, that the owner seems to be unable to stick with any one idea. The owner has had a choice. Stick with a sports bar, change it to a local bar, or close. Right now, it really appears that the inability to stand for one or the other is exactly what will be what causes it to fail. No business can be all of the things this bar is trying to be. Just a classy, vintage sports bar? Sure! A vintage club? Sure that works too. Even a sports club would work better then what Brannan Manor is trying, or not trying, to be as of now. The jukebox was not active, the terrible networking cables around the room were the only thing visually interesting to look at, the food was below average, etc. Each of these issues individually would not warrant such a strong review. However, it is the immense combination of all of these downsides that have come together to gather 1 star review from me. Yes, a 1 star review hurts more when the standards are higher. However, it is the lack of accountability and unwillingness to provide a unified establishment that make it very unfortunate for the employees to have to work here. There is always a chance this review can change. Though, this bar seems to have had plenty of "chances" yet it seems to continuously drop the...

Negative 5 Stars

(Please see original review below, the manager's response and then my responce to the manager)

My wife and I just left this place (Sunday, September 1. 2024 about 2:15) because of the extremely rude manager. We were graciously meet by the very nice hostess, sat down and as I walked up towards the bar and asked the very nice bartender about how spicy the bloody Mary was, the manager came up to me and rudely said "what do you want. You are not allowed to talk to the bar tender!" I was shocked! Extremely rude attitude! I have never been treated so poorly in my life!! I then sat down at the table with my wife and told her what had just happened. My wife decided to leave. As we walked out the door the manager followed us out as if she was kicking us out!!!! Unbelievable! I was wearing a sling on my left arm because of surgery 2 weeks ago. Perhaps she does not like handicapped people, I don't know. This restaurant was on Bar Rescue a couple of years ago. I will make sure John Taffer knows about this! Sorry, John; this bar rescue was not worth your time. 1 comment Like Comment Share

Brannan Manor Restaurant & Spirits · Follow Good Afternoon Tom, I’m sorry you felt you didn’t have a good experiance. Our goal is to always provide an excellent experience with great food and awesome customer service. We asked that all our employees are treated with respect and feel safe within our establishment. In the situation you were asked 2 times to return to your table because you were flirting with the bartender and making her uncomfortable. You were advised you to please direct your question to the manager or server. Please do not divert your presumptuous behavior with the suggestion that we do not like handicap people as you stated this may be the reason for your bad experience. This is a frivolous statement that is inaccurate as we go above and beyond to accommodate anybody with a disability.  Thank you

UNBELEIVABLE RESPONSE FROM MANAGER!!! First of all, I would like to let everyone know that my wife and I are very nice people, tip well and exceedingly polite, always saying please and thank you to not only restaurant employees, but everyone. -Lie #1: The manager accuses me of “flirting with the bartender” which is a complete fabrication of the truth. This makes no sense; I was with my wife! I simply asked the bartender how spicy the Bloody Mary’s were, which obviously should not make any bartender feel uncomfortable. Lie #2: The manager says that I was “asked 2 times to return to my table” which is a blatant lie, and the manager knows it. I returned to my table immediately after I was confronted by this “so called” manager to inform my wife as to what had just happened, and my wife and I immediately left the restaurant. It is pathetic that this manager has to lie to try to deceive the owner from what actually happened, most likely to try to save her job. She should be fired immediately or just rename this place “Brannan No Manors...

This place is just awful! The owner and his wife were so rude and insulting and at one point became threatening. For being a bar and restaurant they said food would be available for an event I was attending and the owner said "sorry we won't be serving you people food". When the dungeon equipment arrived to the venue they told us the basement was not linger available ( the owner should have called someone to them know ahead of time Next a friend of mine ordered a drink and it had a nasty little fruit fly just chillin on the ice so I took it back and asked for a new drink. The owner finished what he was working on and very rudely told be to move away from the bar and I did out of respect for the event staff. No water/ice was available for the performers and we where not allowed to bring in water for them. They would only allowed us but $3 water bottles from them. Next as the security guard and I were talking we both noticed that a teenager (not more than 13) was serving beer to a costumer! A teenager serving beer!?! I went out to check on the staff at the door when the owners wife comes out screaming at us that NO DRINKS ARE TO COME INSIDE THE DOOR AND IF THEY DID EVERYONE WILL BE KICKED OUT! At that point I was just done. I kept my mouth shut and went about my business. As the dungeon was being set up one of Brannon Manors staff kept going in and taking the fan that was not theirs and setting it aside as though they where trying to make that area unbeatable while in use. Lets talk about over-serving! The bar staff allowed a customer to get so drunk that she could barely stand on her own we tried to get her some water but guess what? They told us we could buy a bottled water. If I am not mistaken isn't that against the law? So the night goes on and this is where we come to the shady business practices. We reserved and paid to use the facility till closing time (Thats1:30 am) well they shut the business up at 11:30 pm not 1:30 am. A couple went to pay their tab and it came to $57 for 2 drinks (even at common top shelf that still steep). I really wish I could just leave zero stars for this place doesn't deserve the one star. Brannon Manor used to be a safe and welcoming place but now its just gross. There are plenty of other food and drink establishments in Old Sacramento. I suggest you go to them instead (The Sunway sandwiches place is better at...