Joyland — Restaurant in Sarasota

So sad to write this review, but it needs to be brought to someone’s attention. I’ve been waiting to go to Joyland since I turned 18, I am now 20. To start off this is the worst nightclub I've been to if you are under 21, I will forever choose to go to The Beach Club in Sarasota before I step foot in Joyland again until this is brought to someone’s attention. They treat their patrons under 21 horribly, I already felt uncomfortable walking in to the bad atmosphere. My night started okay I guess but then just continually went down hill. If I’m paying $25+ just to get into the place no food drink or anything I want to not be treated bad. I was watched like a hawk the whole time I was trying to dance and sing, and then when I asked to step out for fresh air I was told they aren’t supposed to let patrons under 21 step outside? That is absurd, in a world where people get overwhelmed, hot, and in such a small atmosphere where It gets stuffy I can’t step outside for a minute? That was already displeasing, since I wasn’t able to step outside I pulled an empty barstool from a table with nobody sitting as the folks had been on the dance floor the entire time I was there so far, 5 barstools..2 patrons..3 extra barstools to spare. I pulled a barstool to sit and after a few minutes of sitting a gentleman much larger than me started to yell in my face. I thought he was just joking at first because it sounded like it, when i like laughed a bit and gave him the barstool back he began to get louder and more aggressive with yelling. I was the only one under 21 in my group , and he knew that..it was obvious. I wasn’t even the one who took his barstool my friend was, and when she made that known he stopped yelling. RIDICULOUS and DISCRIMINATORY. When we brought it to attention of various Joyland workers they did nothing..They acted like they understood and didn’t. We left afterwards because I was uncomfortable and disgusted with this establishment and the employees were not helpful. If you are gonna be an establishment that lets under 21 enter do better. Being under 21 i felt unsafe...

I’ve been here 3 times now and unfortunately two of those times ended with me being kicked out - both times by the same staff member. The first time I was told to leave for being too “intoxicated”, I will admit I was drinking earlier in the night but by that point I was sitting on a stool, quiet, and not causing any issues. I didn’t argue and left respectfully. The second time I went, that staff member wasn’t there and I had a great night with my friends and no problem at all. On my third visit, she was working again. I felt her staring at me multiple times through the night and at one point I went to the restroom. When I came out she was standing there pulling me to the side to tell me that one of her coworkers had seen me drinking and that I had to leave. Openly saying she didn’t see anything herself, and I was not drinking alcohol that night, I had to be up early for work the next morning and I drove all my friends home. Again I didn’t argue I left respectfully because I felt targeted and unwelcome and didn’t wanna be there anymore after that. My friends even said that it felt off. Like I was singled out and it came off as discriminatory. The only good I can say is the front door lady with the curly hair (wish I knew her name) she is always so nice and respectful and made me feel welcome. As for the staff member who continues to kick me out without reason, she seriously needs to work on how she treats people. Her actions come off more personal than professional, and it’s clear she enforces rules based on assumption, not observation. If you’re going to remove someone from a venue, it should be based on facts. Not a grudge (which I believe is the reason I was asked to leave the second time by her and ironic I had no issues the time I went back after the first incident when she wasn’t there). I’m now hesitant on returning which is disappointing because I genuinely enjoyed spending nights out with...

I went for the advertised “Ultra Beginner” line dance lessons on Weds 6:30-8:30, but was disappointed. The dance floor was packed, and most people there had been there previously & already knew how to line dance. I went with a group of 6 friends to learn beginner steps & songs; but, it was so crowded & nearly impossible to see the instructor and her feet for demonstration. I envisioned the dance floor bigger, thinking it may be similar to their previous location. Other than the first 2 songs, the instructor kept doing advanced steps & songs the majority of the group already knew, but said next Weds would be more beginner instruction, and Thursdays for the more advanced dancers. This was suppose to be an Ulta Beginner class we attended, as per the website, which didn’t reflect the change in schedule she indicated. For me to drive more than an hour and a half round trip, only to learn Beginner instruction would be “more” next week instead, was disheartening. We were all frustrated & ended up sitting out a lot, while she did familiar, more advanced steps with the group. She tried, but catered more to the experienced dancers, which no doubt was more fun for her. Learning only 3 songs, one was more advanced the instructor stated, was not what we expected for a $10, 2-hour Ulta Beginner class. It was fun while we were able to do it, though. The food was alright, but limited to a selection of pizza, wings, & philly cheesesteak sub. Drinks were decent. I’ll try line dancing with Val at Big Top Brewers on Lakewood Ranch Blvd next week for free, since we want to learn beginner steps and songs and hopefully have...