Zapphire, L.I — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

Warning! Long detailed review, back away if you're not in----to that sort of review. November 2018 and my Valley Stream posse said there's a new kid on the block. Fine, let's go... We got to Sapphire around 6:05 pm on a FRIDAY. There was a lone body moving inside but it looked closed. Wait what? Not ready for business on a Friday during the happy hour? Hmmmm. As there wasn't a Yelp page to be found I quickly located them on Google.

"Hi, are you guys open?" Male voice: " well we're open but not open". Pause "What does that mean, open but not open?" "Well we're open but (pause) well we don't have a bartender at this time". My brain is going dude you're losing potential repeat business! Open and sell some beer or something! Me" okay do you know if you're gonna open this evening?". "Give us about thirty minutes". "Okay see you soon!"

We went to another new pub on Merrick. Had a good time there but I really wanna patronize this new black owned pub in Valley Stream and what's a pub crawl with just one stop right?

Back at Sapphire about forty-five to an hour later and still closed. W. T. Eff!?!

Moved on to another spot on Sunrise highway, they're closed too. I'm starting to feel as I'm in Walking Dead as bingeing on shows does that to me. Where is everyone???

Went to a fave of mine on Merrick then hours later back to Sapphire, you see how relentless I am!

They're OPEN!

Walked in and you could have heard a pin drop. Extreme silence. They're decorated with blue almost everything. Blue lights circa 1980. Blue drapes, blue counter top, blue liquor bottles. Well under the Sapphire light everything was blue but I could be wrong.

There was a couple on one end of the bar, about three people on the other side and a group of about four or six seated at the back close to the loo. No one was drinking. Just empty cups on counters and tables.

There were two bar-ladies on duty. One in heavy conversation with the couple (who we later found out was another off duty staff member). Although we sat directly in front of this young bar-lady she never even made eye contact. Conversation must have been too juicy for her as she and her friends exchanged a few F bombs. The more mature bar-lady left her end of the bar came and greeted us and took our drink order. We ordered but I was honestly starting to wish it was "to go". We sat a drank in blue splendor barely speaking because it was so silent (except of course for the bar-lady and her friends whose conversation we were hearing quiet well).

The mature bar-lady went to the DJ set up and thankfully put on some music. Okay, I feel my shoulders shaking a bit, head nods to some hip-hop, maybe this place can save itself after all!

We were finished with our first drink and yet again "our girl" failed to even nod in our direction. She was still into her fun. Again, the other bar-lady came over to check on us.

A pet peeve of mine in establishments like this is the plastic cup they serve drinks in. Now at a club where things could get out of hand, I get that. But many folks don't wanna be out for a nice evening at a nice spot and sip from plastic cups. It's just so tacky x 4.Trust that.

I love Valley Stream and I love the concept of more local, black owned establishments. However, if it wasn't for the mature, light skinned, short hair bar-lady, they would have crawled through with a two star from me.

I get it teething issues and I am absolutely willing to give them another chance because It's important that "local 'wins'......in my world. Inserts my raised...

This place is pretty shady. They write your receipt on paper using a pencil. They only accept cash but have no signs posted of this. When I explained that I only had a credit card they “made an exception” and allowed me to pay with credit card. After they claimed to run my payment, the server came to me demanding to take a picture of my drivers license with her PERSONAL phone. I obviously have no idea what she will be doing with the picture.

Shortly after, they brought my back my card with NO receipt. I asked the server for my receipt and she immediately had an attitude and completely walked away from me. The manager who was sitting a few tables away REFUSED to come and assist with the issue.

Another waitress saw my frustration and offered to help me since no one else would.

As a business owner myself, they’re obviously doing something very shady. I will be closely monitoring my credit card and making a report regarding my drivers license in the event it’s used for any unauthorized usage.

FYI they never provided me a receipt or allowed me to sign for any of...

Sapphire is a great spot all around! Tasty finger foods, great atmosphere and have a really nice bar with great selections! Not to mention, there’s HOOKAH! It’s so hard to find spots on the Island that has all 3! They also have TV’s to catch games and great music. All in all, always a great time when I go. Owner usually stops by and he’s a very down to earth guy; the Ladies that work there are also very friendly ! Only thing is, the hookah is cash only, which was a bit annoying at first but has never stopped me from going. Great spot for events as well, especially with the nice back area;...