Gaspar's Patio Bar & Grille — Restaurant in Temple Terrace

I've been going to this place off and on for several years. live nearby. the other night I thought I would stop in just to see the last 43 seconds of the basketball playoff elimination game, since i was on the road and wanted to stop and see the seconds. and it had a welcoming local vibe.

BOY was I wrong.

so ordered a cup of water. and then a different "bartender" came up to ask could they help me. i just stated politely i was just watching the last sec of a game, by then it 33 sec one point game, and id be on my way. i was then told assertively the bar had a 2 drink minimum, which is not posted, bc she would have pointed it out i guess i stated just wanted to watch the last 30 sec. and no signs are posted. i also noticed a few ppl there, only 2 at the bar and saw folks with no drinks. maybe it was gone, i don't know.

There's been times when i don't drink, and if water is provided i may throw a couple dollars, just bc. but her aggressive tone changed any polite dialogue.

maybe i could have said i been in there many times before and friendly with a waitstaff. and sometimes never bought a drink, maybe food or met up with ppl and had maybe one drink. not 2.

it was the tone that immediately went to hyper. maybe she thought a bum was loitering. i responded with the same tone/energy. while leaving, i came back to show her i had a wad of cash. and would have been ok with hiving the initial bar a couple dollars for allowing the seat. done it before.

I've visited there to listen to entertainment, shoot pool, playful karaoke and at times just ordered food and watched a game or listen to the entertainment on the patio.

it was a long travel day for me and listening on the radio to such a close elimination game i thought i could just come in to my local establishment to see the finish. it was arbitrary and i have my suspensions as to why she felt so aggressive, vocal and nasty in her tone, pointing me to leave. a power move, i guess. or enforcing unposted policy to certain people.

i guess she won, bc my MONEY will never see that place again, even the liquor store. NO establishment will ever speak to me in that manner and get my jard earned money.

i guess I've never seen a public posting of a 2 drink minimum. does that mean when i just bought food with water or soda i was violating policy? or when i met some buddies up there for a few and had one beer, I was violating policy?

maybe it's her attitude that only 2 people at the bar, at 10pm on a Friday, with those many empty, non paying seats. maybe there are others that feel the same? and quietly take a pass.

she's right. i'll choose another establishment in the area that fails to read people.

edit new.. your response confirms my decision... im glad you're not getting my money.,. no staff will speak to me that way. EVER. idc... notice im not belligerent on this anonymous post, but i was in person? WRONG. it wasn't that deep until she made it that way. i noticed you didn't confirm the 2 drink minimum, bc IT DOESN'T exist. post it so everyone knows. it was arbitrary and subjective. That's the point. stay focused. .. btw i did watch it on the patio 7 min or so. you that hard up for a reason..lolol...2 ppl at the bar will do that....

I don't leave reviews often especially not bad ones but due to my HORRIBLE experience at this pestablishment I feel I have to l, if I could leave 0 stars I would. I was in Tampa on vacation with my my partner and her family and we just wanted to play some pool and darts and maybe eat some food, my partner and I do not drink but her parent do so they purchased a drink each (and would have continued to buy more) and my partner and I payed to play a game of darts while we waited for a pool table to come open, about 3 minutes into playing our paid for game of darts a waitress or bartender or whatever she was approached us to let us know it was a "two drink minimum" to be in the bar, we asked her if the drinks her parents bought counted and she said "well they have drinks but you two don't" we let her know we do not drink and just wanted to play the games and hang out with her family (we paid to play the games) she said that wasn't ok so I asked if we could get a refund on our game that we paid for because we were being told we had to leave, she said she would have to go speak to the manager because she didn't know , she left for about 10 seconds (didn't speak to anyone) came back and said we could finish our game but we would have to leave if we didn't purchase a drink or something.... now I've been to many bars and this wasn't just a bar it's a bar and grill and I've never experienced this, the games we were playing cost money so we weren't hanging out for free in this place, there were no signs posted anywhere saying this was a requirement either so not only did we have to rush through our game we paid for but we were also embarrassed, and felt very disrespected and bullied into buying alcohol when we don't drink but our group we were with did buy alcohol, sorry for the rant but I've never in my life experienced this at a place of business. If those are the rules great but maybe have a sign or let people know before they enter your establishment so that they don't be made to...

I would strongly discourage People of Color from patronizing this establishment.

I spoke with manager a some time before setting up a small event at the bar on a Friday evening for my non-profit organization. The staff was friendly and accommodating over the phone. Upon my arrival, I explained my organization focused on empowering Black Women & voters in the community. The manager’s face quickly changed to a frown & advised she would need to update her manager. Upon returning, the new manager advised she would no longer be able to take our company card or a pre-authorized payment. She stated due to “all the scams going on”, my name would need to be on the credit card used. I inquired if all Gaspar employees check the ID of ALL patrons who provide a credit cards as payment. The manager refused to acknowledge my inquiry & was unable to confirm if this policy was displayed on the grounds. All further questions were met with cynicism and indifference.

As a woman of color, I’m used to these microagressive & prejudice behaviors, nonetheless it’s unacceptable and must be called out. This was a clear dogwhistle to my race & assumption that I, as a Black woman, was in the process of attempting “scam” this establishment.

Folks of Color, especially women, I urge you not spend your dollars in this establishment and rather one that provides equitable service to...