Ideal Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

I thought this kind of thing only happened to other people

Monday, between 3 and 4 PM two friends, and myself were visiting from out of state. While taking a stroll on and around the boardwalk, we decided to have a late lunch and chose 'Ideal Bar and Grill' as they had an outside patio with plenty of available tables with umbrellas. We were greeted by a charming host, who escorted us to a 4 top table. He then informed us that our server would be right with us. Unfortunately, the table was seated directly in the sun (without an umbrella) it was not only blinding, but also beating down on our heads. As time goes by, our server still hasn't shown up to service our table so that perhaps we could request a different seating arrangement . We'll, I spotted a two top on the far side of the patio between two tables with umbrellas, and it was providing just enough shade for a pleasant experience.. so we all decided to take the smaller table and just pull up an additional chair. (we are two average size women along with one very petite gal) . It was absolutely perfect. Of course, coming from the service industry myself, I was mindful of the comfort of others as well as the functionality of floor staff. So even with our petite friend, sitting on the outside of the table, I estimate there was at least a two table width of walkway available for other guests, as well as the staff to make their way past without infringement. However, it wasn't long before one of the female floor. Staff approached our table and informed us that we could not sit at at the table with the 3rd person. I was absolutely flabbergasted. We attempted to explain to her that the selling point for us was the shaded outside patio as well, as having the ability to accommodate my service animal that I decided to place on the outer side patio gate so that he would not intrude on anyone's comfort level or mobility. Of course it was probably even more important to find a shady spot for him since he too, had been out in the sun. Even after explaining our position, the staff member refused to budge or reason with us. It was at that time one of my friends suggested a manager come to the table so we could explain why we're sitting at a two top. Well, this rather intimidating, dark haired fella seemed to have already made his decision to not serve us as we were. I honestly could not make heads or tails as to why or what they were thinking. Of course, I point out all the extra space that's available to show him that we are not infringing on the flow of the restaurant, which by the way was after any lunch rush that may have been there previously . Most of the tables on the inner part of the patio were empty.. and had I not had my service animal with me. I would've absolutely taken one of those tables. To close down the subject, he simply said it's our policy our policy that three people cannot sit at a two top. Well, then he decided to take it one step further, by telling us since we were already unhappy with the restaurant that we can all just go ahead and leave.. which of course we were more than happy to do by that point; but not before I told him exactly what he could do with...

I have gone to the ideal bar and grill to celebrate my birthday for the past 4 years now however this year's experience was not as joyful as all of the others it took me being overly sweet to the waitress for her to even crack half of a smile it was my birthday and she never even said happy birthday to me we made the reservations under my birthday and then even mentioned it to her the reason I chose to go to ideal bar and grill is because I go there every year for the last past 4 years for my birthday because I always have such a great experience they always have made me feel special for my birthday and I have always gone by myself , however this year I found someone to go with me so that I would not go by myself but my experience was not as great as it normally is when I've gone in the past, for example last year my waiter brought me a drink a free drink for my birthday and then at the end of my meal he asked me what type of ice cream I liked and then surprised me with a little cup of a scoop of ice cream with candle sparklers lit in it he brought over a couple of other waiter waitresses to sing happy birthday for me and that made me feel very special and I deal bar and grill has always made me feel special like that but not this year I would have rather had the hostess who took my reservation over the phone and who greeted me at the door when I got there I would have rather had her be my waitress because she was very sweet and kind and graceful the waitress that I had I don't think she should be waitressing I think she should have another position in the restaurant because when you waitress you need to be a people person if you are not a people person that is not the job for you! Therefore all in all I think that next year I will choose a different place to have my birthday dinner 🤔 you know out of everything what I didn't mention is that the food was just as delicious as...

Unfortunately this review should have been higher as we found your little place initially very good but the actions of ONE female bartender has ruined the whole experience for us. We unfortunately didn’t get her name but she’s working the back bar shift tonight (04/28/2024) around 8:30/8:45pm.

We found you yesterday and the bartender asked to see our IDs before providing a service and we had a lovely evening. We liked it so much that we returned tonight for food and drinks and we were served by Macy/Macie. We had Clamchowder bread bowl, horseradish salmon, 2 Sauvignon Blancs, 2 Coronas and a S’mores dessert. We paid over $100 with tip and because everything was good we decided after dinner to go inside to the back bar to continue our evening.

That is when we were met with the rudest girl we have met since our 1 month road trip in America. The female bartender asked for our IDs and we provided her with our usual ones (from the UK). She glanced at them briefly and said immediately that she’s not going to serve us, unless we have a passport. As a foreigner in a country we try and keep our passports safe and we keep them secure in our hotel and have gotten on with our IDs with no issues until tonight. We tried to explain to the girl that we have just spent the evening having dinner and drinks outside on the patio and she interrupted us and said “she’s the bartender and she decides who she serves, and there’s a bar down the road”

We can’t believe after spending so much money and providing a tip that our night ended so rudely and denied further service by a member of your staff. We didn’t get her name but I’m sure you can check who was working the back bar tonight with brunette/dark hair. It has made us feel awful for wasting so much money at your restaurant and it overrides the good service beforehand.

I hope you get in touch. I have messaged you on Facebook...