Smoke & Muddle — Restaurant in Southington

Let me begin by stating that I have never gone to an establishment where the staff were completely rude. I went to this restaurant last weekend, while I was enjoying my birthday weekend with my cousin. I also went to see a friend who happened to be the bass player for the band that performed that evening. I hadn't seen him in at least twenty-five years. I started in excited. When we went in, and found what seemed like a couple of empty seats, albeit, there was no table at the seats, a very abrupt and quite rude bartendress/waitress, came over to us and told us the seats we were sitting in were reserved and we needed to go sit at the bar. We then went to sit at the bar, and the same person came over and told us we needed to move down a few seats, that we could not sit in those seats. After this very rude welcome to this establishment, we were then completely ignored while sitting very near to the taps at the bar. While we were sitting there another couple was standing next to us ,waiting patiently to get a drink, and were also being completely ignored. I finally caught the attention of a bartendress that was not even working my end of the bar and I asked her for a seltzer and cranberry drink, but I had to interrupt her and she seemed annoyed. She then asked me if I had paid the cover fee. It seemed to be all she cared about. The fact that I stayed after the way I was treated, I definitely did not think a cover charge should have been paid. We left after a few songs. I signed for my drinks and because it was so dark in there I did not get to see the charges, but I was told the drinks would be $7.00, as I paid for my cousin's too. When I checked my copy of the bill, I saw that I was charged $20.00 for a show I did not stay for. It was unbelievable! I would love to get a refund!!! Anyone??? No, too busy? To be clear, remember that your customer is your bottom line, ALWAYS, forever, in the restaurant business! Also, get a professional who knows how to run sound. Just an awful...

Posting a 1 star review for service alone. On 12/26/2024 my friends and I attended the bar and were met with immediate disgust by the blonde bartender working. We were ID’d upon our arrival which is fine. I went back out to the car to grab my pool cues and upon coming back she ID’d me again. I mentioned she had just done so 5 minutes prior to which she replied “no I didn’t”. I complied. I tried to order two beers for myself to which she replied “if you want to order more than one drink you’re going to have to have your whole group come back up with their IDs” No big deal I order one drink. I then notice two of my other friends order two drinks at a time with no issue. She was picking and choosing who to harass. One of our friends overheard her mention to another woman (presumably staff) her dismay at our attendance. Perhaps because the bar had cleared out before we arrived and we now made it busy again. Overall this individual made the experience awful for us and I have no desire to come back, which is a shame because you would think giving a small business your BUSINESS at a reasonable hour of the evening would be normal...

If I could give this spot ZERO stars I would. They didn't even deserve the one star I had to give in order to add my review.

So, I NEVER write reviews but I have also NEVER been to a place where they refused to serve me. I sat at the bar and after 5 minutes the bartender finally asks if I'm ready to order. As soon as I start to she interrupts me and asks if I have a reservation. Mind you, I'm at the bar so why would I need a reservation? When I said I didn't have a reservation because I just wanted to eat at the bar she says "well we're full tonight so I can't take your order. It's reservation only."

The two couples sitting at the bar next to me couldn't believe it. I was extremely embarrassed having to grab my things and leave as others are sitting at the bar being served.

If the place was closed to the public I would totally understand. And if that was the case, the least she could have done was apologize.

I would NEVER make things about race but it did NOT feel good as the only person of color in the building being told they can't be...