Undertow Beach Bar — Restaurant in Saint Pete Beach

Extremely Disrespectful Bartender Experience – 9/4/25 Night Shift

We visited this bar on the night of September 4th, 2025, to celebrate my friend’s birthday with a group of about 10 people. We spent well over $1,800 throughout the night, tipping 20% or more on every single tab. We came to have fun, spend money, and support the bar — but one bartender completely disrespected us and ruined the experience.

At one point, we asked the female bartender working that night to slap my friend and hang from the bar pole — just something fun for his birthday. She did say there would be a charge, but never told us how much until after she did it. Then suddenly, we’re hit with a $100 charge, which is absolutely excessive and ridiculous for something like that. To make matters worse, she entered that $100 as a tip on the receipt — not as a service or fee — but a gratuity, which is misleading.

Naturally, when we saw a $100 tip already added, we didn’t leave anything extra. And because of that, she complained — and then refused to serve us for the rest of the night, accusing us of not tipping. That’s outrageous, considering we had already left generous 20%+ tips on every previous order. We even asked her to pull the receipts, and they all clearly showed our tips. We know how this industry works, and we always tip properly.

She flat-out decided we weren’t worth her time anymore, and when the other male bartender was busy getting beer or ice, she stood there doing nothing, completely ignoring us, even though she knew we were waiting. Her attitude was unacceptable — cold, entitled, and unprofessional.

We couldn’t help but feel like we were being profiled, Why else would we be treated so differently after spending over $1,800 and tipping well all night?

Thankfully, the male bartender working with her was the complete opposite — professional, kind, and attentive, even while juggling restocking duties. He did a great job and deserves recognition. If it weren’t for him, we probably would have walked out a lot sooner.

And here’s the real issue: this kind of behavior is financially damaging to your business. We were a group ready to come back every Thursday — we loved the music, the vibe, the atmosphere. But you think we’re going to return with that type of employee behind the bar? No chance. One person like that can drive away loyal, high-spending customers and ruin your reputation.

Unless that woman is the owner herself (which would explain the arrogant attitude and poor judgment), it’s hard to understand how she feels entitled to treat customers that way. And if she isn’t the owner, then whoever is should really think twice about the type of people they’re trusting to represent their brand — because she’s not only hurting your customers, she’s hurting your bottom line. She is costing the business money, profits, or...

Well you’re pretty stupid if you don’t think 35 parking spots has anything to do with your bottom line. Not only are you missing out on tourist’s but you’re also missing out on drive-by traffic when you have a sign at the front of your entrance or when you had gates up. Your bartenders won’t do anything to jeopardize their job, but you might want to talk to them.

On more than one occasion I’ve heard bartenders say something about the sign and the gate stopping the customers from coming in so your bartenders are standing there making no money. They are saying the same thing that I’m telling you so why would I lie about that. Friday late afternoon through Sunday are your busy times and the rest of your time your place has customers trickling in and out throughout the day.

Pre-Covid and even back later than that, your business was doing pretty well and you don’t have no helicopter dropping off customers and you don’t get that much foot traffic from people coming off the beach. You have some of the most expensive drinks around the area for a beach beachfront bar.

You’re here responding to me when you should be having a group gathering with your bartenders and having everything come out in the open because at the end of the day your business is there to make maximum profit each and every day if possible. I’ve seen other negative reviews about parking so I’m not the only one. You might want to readjust your drinks by about three dollars to compete with the other businesses up and down the beachfront. Word travels fast and your bartenders are biting their lip because I don’t wanna...

The Undertow Beach Bar discriminates against guests with disabilities. On Sunday, June 14th myself and two friends drove here from Brandon to celebrate a birthday. We were met by a deeply tanned, mildly tempered parking attendant in his early 50's when we drove in. He wore a button up T-shirt, shorts and a fedora. He rose from his lawn chair and directed us to park rear end into a spot. My friend had difficulty parking the car as instructed and asked her other friend the same height to do the job. (The attendant was rushing us and wouldn't allow me time to adjust the seat.) After condescending us from across the parking lot, he approached our vehicle and began insulting my friend about her scoliosis and physical appearance. He asked us, 'Is she even old enough to drive? Can she drive?' You all should probably leave, that would be a fantastic idea.' At that point we politely left the premises and phoned the owner.

The owner, Karen Nicklaus refuted our complaints over the parking attendant's discriminatory actions and did absolutely nothing to service her own guests. Rather, she recommended different locations along the beach and gladly acknowledged we wouldn't be returning.

CONCLUSION: Karen Nicklaus and the current parking attendant she has employed deny service to...