Steiner's Tavern — Restaurant in Sonoma

If there was a way to give less than a star and still review I would have done that.

I'm from S. Oregon, which is about 6 hours away (driving). I was down here in Sonoma with my friend and his family to catch the National event at the drag strip. Saturday evening (7-30-16) we found ourselves at Steiner's. We came to Steiner's on a recommendation from my friends dad & sister who had been there last year during the same event bars in mind that we are all from S. Oregon). As you walk in through the western style swing doors your struck with a laid back atmosphere. With the bar to your right, pool tables in the back, and the dance floor up front you can see where the night could turn out to be a winner. There was no cover charge, and like I said it seemed pretty easy going at the start, granted we got there a little after 8 so the night was plenty young. At 10 pm we were informed a live dj would be coming on, also we were told by two employees that my friend needed a different shirt (he was wearing a tank top, it's the middle of summer). So, with a little grumble, he bought a Steiner's shirt. Shortly after my friend and his family left; I decided to stay to enjoy the night and would catch a cab to the house. Enjoying my atmosphere through a couple drinks I eventually got cut off by the bartender (middle aged woman). Curious as to why she did so, I inquired to the reasoning behind it. Before telling me anything she waved for her bouncers to take me out. As the bouncers (yes that's plural; by the way I'm a hundred and 70 pound 22 year old) approach I think "no big deal trav, just go out, catch a cab and go home" , which I was fine with because the Finals would be held on Sunday (7-31-16) at the drag strip. When the bouncers show up they immediately grab my arm (I have pictures of the bruises), and start leading me out. Irritated at the fact that they instantly grabbed me, I started mouthing off. That's where it went south. After being pummeled for awhile before the sheriffs showed up, I have finally gathered my bearings & incredibly made it to work this morning (Monday; 8-1-16). What I do remember is I did not throw the first punch. I'll make another review of the damage after I go to my doctors appointment.

Needless to say I probably won't go back to Steiner's and can't say I recommend it to anyone. Poorly operated and ran on a business aspect. Very unprofessional and I may recommend that they screen who they hire a bit...

My Fiance who was born and raised in Sonoma was visiting her mother who was at the hospital recovering from Surgery. After a long day she at the hospital she asked if I wanted to go get a couple drinks downtown. She took me to Steiner's where she sated everyone used to go as a young adult. We got there about 9:30 pm. We sat ate the bar that was not really all that busy. The bartender a muscular guy greeted us and asked what we wanted. She ordered a glass a wine and I a beer. A bout 45 minutes later a bouncer approached me asking me to remove my Oakley Ball cap. I looked at him with a confused look but with out hesitation took it off. We both ordered another drink and as doing so we saw the bounce that told me to remove my hat poring himself a drink from an alcohol bottle in his sweatshirt. By this time the bar had gotten quite busy with young people and with the bouncers drinking we decided it was not a place we wanted to be. I asked the bartender to close us out and my wife put her jacket on and I put my hat back on. I was immediately approached again by a bouncer that aggressively told me to remove my hat. I stated we where leaving and I do not understand the thing with the hat. He said to take it off and get the F out. I asked to speak to his manager. He went and got the manager whom I said why are your bouncers giving me such a hard time we got up to leave I put on my hat and now they are in my face. He stated to me that the bar has new policies that go in effect after 10 pm and hats are not allowed. I said that's fine but we are leaving. The bouncer said take off your hat again getting in my face. I stated I am leaving let me get my credit card. I turned to the bartender and was grabbed by three bouncers they pulled my pants and underwear up my rear end picking me up and took me to the from throwing me out of the bar. They had my Fiance sign for the tab she was being approached by locals apologizing for the bars behavior and left. We reported the incident to the police which they investigated the incident finding out that this establishments cameras some how where not working that night. Surprise surprise. If anyone was there on Friday Nov. 29th and saw the incident go and report it to the Sonoma Police. This place needs to be held...

I wish I could rate this place lower. We came here after a friend’s wedding, hoping to end the night on a good note—but what we witnessed instead was violent, racially charged, and deeply unsettling.

The bar owner and staff exuded entitlement from the start, giving clear preferential treatment to white patrons while targeting and scrutinizing our group and other BIPOC guests. Things escalated quickly when a bouncer started a physical altercation with a much smaller brown man. The bouncer ended up putting him in a chokehold long after the scuffle should have ended. Multiple people had to physically pull him off.

Afterwards, instead of showing any remorse, the bouncer smugly gloated about being trained in hand-to-hand combat. It was disturbing and triggering to witness, especially for those of us who are already too familiar with violence against people of color by those in positions of authority.

I wish I could say this was a one-time incident, but after speaking with other restaurant staff in the area, we learned that similar experiences have happened before. They even advised us to steer clear of this place.

This wasn’t about safety. This was about power, ego, and racial bias. I would never recommend this place to anyone—especially fellow...