Sanford Avenue Tavern — Restaurant in Sanford

My friend was here from out of town and we wanted to show her the night life of downtown Sanford. (My other friend lives in deltona so she knows the area). This was the first bar we went to and they were nice at first, we ordered three Jell-O shots and went on to the next bar. Later in the night we decided to go back and get some drinks and hang out. We walked in and there was about 3 people in the bar (now I know why) We had to use the bathroom first so as most girls do, we went in together, the three of us! Luckily we did because the door was broken anyways and it wouldn’t lock so I had to hold the door shut. As my friend is going to the bathroom and I’m holding the door, they start beating on the door screaming at us “get out there’s only one person allowed in the bathroom at a time” we’re telling them hold on as my friend is mid peeing and they continue yelling and start pulling at the door trying to open in. (Which I’m pretty sure is illegal). Then the DJ and other employees proceed to yell over the microphone telling us to get out of the bathroom. Really embarrassed us. And had the nerve to say to us when we came out “there’s only one reason three girls go in a bathroom at a time” we were accused of wrong doing as well as harassed and embarrassed. They yelled us out of the bar telling us not to come back. Very unprofessional. Steer clear of this place! Such rude...

The owners Joe and Val absolutely saved our wedding! Our previous venue and backup venue were both omitted as an option due to hurricane aftermath but everything happens for a reason. With just over a week to spare, Sanford Avenue Tavern accommodated our every need and helped us pull off our perfect wedding! Val arrived hours before our event to allow us to decorate and she even went above and beyond to save our ceremony backdrop that fell over and broke while we were getting ready for the wedding. She repaired the backdrop quickly and didn’t even mention the hiccup until after our event so we wouldn’t stress. Our bartender was personable, helpful and wonderful to talk with. The pricing was beyond reasonable to rent and helped us stay within our wedding budget while many venues would have seen the opportunity to profit more off our desperate need to find a location. The venue was perfect, comfortable and exactly what we needed. We will be return...

Worst place ever. Bartender's are beyond rude. I was a BUYING customer. I attempted to use the bathroom, the lock was broken. I asked my friend to come hold the door for me. 5 seconds later the waitresses are BANGING on the door yelling 1 at a time. We yelled back that the lock was broken hold on (as I was mid stream) they then attempted to pull the door open as I was peeing! I don't even know if that is legal! Then they had the DJ announce over the loud speaker (they barely had any customers in there & I guess I now know why!) ONLY ONE AT A TIME. When I hurried & got myself back dressed they was a huddle of about 6 or 7 employees surrounding the door! You would think I was doing something outrageous. They had a BROKEN LOCK & treated US like criminals. Totally ridiculous. I am local & I know a lot of people that like to go to downtown Sanford & I will be telling everyone I know to steer clear of this...