MacDinton's Irish Pub — Restaurant in Tampa

This was my first visit and, because I've never been here before, I didn't know there was a dress code. Due to the fact that it's June and we live in Florida, I wore a tank top. We arrived around 8:00 and sat at the outside bar where the bartenders proceeded to serve us both drinks and dinner. We were there to surprise a friend as it was her birthday and we spent about 2.5 hours sitting and talking while the place began to get busier. During this time, not a single person said anything to me about the American flag tank top I was wearing. It continued to get busier and I had to get up to use the bathroom. It was at this point that the Tampa PD reject security guard decided he was going to shake me down because my shoulders showing is apparently some kind of threat (meanwhile there are girls walking around in tiny tank tops that leave nothing to the imagination). Anyway, here I am, posing some kind of serious threat, asking this guy why not a single person has said anything to me for the last 2.5 hours. He couldn't give me any answer other than it was our dress code. So he kicks me out and I call my husband and tell him that Paul Blart Mall Cop wont let me back in. So my husband tells the bartenders who, again, have been serving us for the last 2.5 hours without a word, and the one girl was hesitant to help. It was at this point the true hero of the night, Colleen (one of the four bartenders) swoops in to save the day. My husband could barely finish the story of what was going on before she basically sprinted from the bar, found me and asked me what size shirt I wore, before returning 5 minutes later with a t-shirt, much to rent-a-cop's dismay. Colleen got me back into the bar where I was able to continue my night without being bothered again. So, while Colleen deserves a raise and a month's paid vacation for providing top of the line customer service, I would not recommend this place. It's Florida. It's Summer. It's stupid hot outside... stop taking yourselves so seriously. The 5' 11" gay dude in the American flag tank top who just needed to use the bathroom after spending $150 at your establishment is not a threat. If you do decide to visit this venue, be sure to ask for Colleen. She was amazing the rest...

Dear MacDinton’s Management,

I am writing to formally bring to your attention an incident that occurred during my visit to MacDinton’s SoHo location on 09/03/25.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., my friends and I ordered drinks without being informed of a last call. Within minutes of receiving our drinks, we were told the bar was shutting down and that we needed to leave. We were surprised, but calmly went toward the exit with our drinks in hand.

One of my friends had been traveling since 6 a.m. from another country, another had just finished a long double shift and driven over an hour and a half to join me, and we were celebrating my 24th birthday. Instead of being allowed to finish our drinks, a staff member named Billy became visibly angry and aggressive. Despite me apologizing and explaining that we had just ordered, he was sweating, shouting profanities at us, and ultimately grabbed and crushed our drinks out of our hands. He slammed us toward the gates and called us “entitled pieces of shit.” Another individual then repeated the same insult, while multiple security staff stood by and did nothing.

I work in the hospitality industry myself, as do my friends, and we fully understand the stress of late nights, closing procedures, and difficult guests. However, the behavior we experienced was unacceptable by any professional standard. Not only were we disrespected and humiliated, but our drinks were taken away, spilt on us, well before official closing time.

Because of this, I will be contacting my bank for a refund of our charges. More importantly, I expect to be contacted directly by ownership or senior management with an apology and assurance that this matter will be addressed. I have always been a loyal guest at MacDinton’s and often bring friends, tipping well, but after this experience, my confidence in your establishment has been badly shaken.

I trust you will take this matter seriously and...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting MacDinton's and was fortunate enough to experience the exceptional service of bartender extraordinaire, Kaylee. From the moment my friends and I walked in, it was evident that I was in for a memorable evening. Kaylee's mastery of mixology is nothing short of astonishing. She effortlessly crafted a range of cocktails that were not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor. Her attention to detail in each drink, from the perfectly balanced ingredients to the immaculate presentation, was truly impressive. What truly sets Kaylee apart, however, is her warm and engaging personality. She not only anticipated my drink preferences but also took the time to chat, making me feel like a valued guest. Her knowledge of spirits and her willingness to share stories about the origins of different cocktails added an educational element to the experience. Kaylee's efficiency behind the bar was commendable. Despite a busy night, she managed to give each customer her undivided attention, ensuring everyone received their drinks promptly and with a smile. Her ability to multitask without ever sacrificing quality is a testament to her skill and dedication. In addition to her mixology skills, Kaylee's enthusiasm for her craft is infectious. She made me feel like I was not just ordering drinks but embarking on a delightful journey through the world of cocktails. Her recommendations were spot-on, and I left with a newfound appreciation for the art of bartending. In conclusion, Kaylee is a true gem in the world of bartending. Her talent, professionalism, and engaging personality combine to create a memorable and extraordinary bar experience. I eagerly look forward to returning to MacDinton's to enjoy Kaylee's impeccable service once again. She has set the bar high for what a bartender can...