SideTraxx Dance Bar — Restaurant in Traverse City

The bartender was on a power trip and would not back down…

We had a group of seven adults. All were between 23-50. The bartender didn’t like one of the IDs because it had “two circles”. He was very rude and dismissive. He told two of the group members they couldn’t be served until the ID could be verified by the police. We asked if he was going to call and be rudely said that wasn’t his Job and we needed to leave.

I called the non-emergency line and had a cop on the way. I let the bartender know and he said that the three of us had to stand outside for the cop. He wouldn’t give credit cards back to party members that had already ordered drinks throughout the process.

The cop came, verified all the party member IDs, spoke to the bartender who caused a scene arguing with the cop in front of all other patrons. The bartender then refused service to the three party members who were waiting outside in front of the cop. He said we were “too drunk” to be served. We went back to the rest of our party members. Then he changed his mind and kicked out the three original party members that stood outside with the police. At first he refused to give cards back but eventually gave in.

After the parent of the party member whose ID was under question asked for an explanation from the bar tender, he kicked her out of the bar as well. The remaining party members then tried to close their tabs and were screamed at about “talking to other patrons about the situation”. They were also refused service and kicked out after having to repeatedly ask for their tab again and again.

I have gone to many karaoke nights and have had a great time at SideTraxx in the past. I have not seen this bartender before or been this disrespected. I cannot believe the way the party was treated. I understand that the bartender can refuse service but he was in a power trip and absolutely refused to back down even after serving five of the seven party members already. Arguing with a cop, saying we were “too drunk” after not having any drinks, refusing to allow us to pay tabs, forcing two other party members to stand outside, this is just...

How many bad reviews does this place need before taking action against an employee who CLEARLY drives patrons away in droves?

Friend and I tried to visit last night and were turned away by the woman at the door, who multiple other reviews mention by name, for being "drunk" despite the fact that I had an entire conversation with her as my friend parked.

Never have I ever had to play 20 questions to try and get into a bar and her justification was particularly offensive. She said she'd noticed I had a hard time getting out of the car and otherwise commented on my posture etc which is the way it is because I have AS, something I should not have to disclose to a total stranger just to then PAY to get inside an establishment.

It seems based on the other reviews that gaining entry depends entirely on her mood and that more often than not she is cantankerous and rude. Way to represent a marginalized community in an area where that representation is needed. Shameful and embarrassing.

Edit: Don't let any of these 5-star reviews fool you, they seem to be solely from people who believe that denying entry to allies is an acceptable practice. So people want to celebrate their bachelorette in a space they feel safe? So what? Is that -really- such a disruption to you?

It hasn't been that long since we ourselves couldn't get married so the hypocrisy of a gay venue denying people (mostly straight people based on these reviews) access is embarrassing.

I'm gay too and so to anyone reading this who's had a negative experience here or is bothered by the reviews and blatant bias this establishment shows just know that it does NOT speak for all of us.

It's no wonder this area only has one gay bar. Come to Metro Detroit and visit any of the establishments down here instead, you will get a much...

If I could leave zero stars I would. They don’t even deserve the one star. Not sure how this business was able to obtain a 5 star review. After the experience we had, I find it very had to believe anyone could have had a good experience here. A few locals recommended we go to sidetraxx because we wanted to dance. My sister is getting married so technically it is a bachelorette party, but half of our group is mother’s of the bride, and ladies who are pregnant. We didn’t enter the building being obnoxious, or belligerent, but were immediately told we weren’t welcome there. 2 of us went inside to ask why we weren’t welcome and were confronted by an extremely unkind woman who pulled a member of our group back by her shoulders, towards the door, and told us again we weren’t welcome there and needed to leave. Another worker came up to us and asked what was going on so we explained the situation and she replied with “well I wasn’t here for it so I’m going to take her word for it” My mom came in and the lady was extremely rude to her as well.

I’m not sure what the point of this establishment is. I have now been turned away on two separate occasions. Once as a group of 4, two couples. And once as a bridal party. We have had older friends, younger friends, colored friends, and white friends, straight friends and queer friends, and we’ve all been turned away so I’m very unsure of what their targeted audiences is. What I do know is there are now 13 extremely unimpressed ladies who will never step foot in here again, and will make sure they spread the word about how unkind, and inappropriate...