The Alchemist — Restaurant in White Bear Lake

I was excited to visit The Alchemist with my girlfriend as we both enjoy craft cocktails. The drinks were great, the chupacabra was delicious! Instead of going to Minneapolis, it was nice to potentially have a place 5 minutes away we could frequent. The wait staff were pleasant when helping us find a spot. We'd decided to sit at the bar rather than the table offered. Thank you.

I did have an issue with the way we were treated at the bar. Once we decided on our drinks and placed our order, even before receiving the drinks, the bartender announced the total and put a rolled up tab in front of us. Were we expected to pay first? I understand some establishments require a card on file or pay as you go, but as this was our first time in, at least explain your process. Looking around, I saw no one else with their tab placed in front of them and also had beverage napkins while we did not, whatever not that big of deal. After a bit a second bartender came over to check on us and saw the rolled up tab and placed it into a check presenter for us (wanting to provide a better presentation it seemed, not pushing us to pay, thank you). We were here for dinner and drinks, not expecting to pay as you go like a nightclub or party bar. I'm sure you don't require pay as you go at a table so why would you do the same at the bar?

As we sat, I felt very unwelcome and embarrassed, (but also REALLY enjoyed the drink). We contemplated ordering another round and some food as this was our set destination for the night. The bartender was checking on guests at the bar, another bar guest was wanting to head out, but they had to request their tab from her, Confirming my suspicions that the placing the check and announcing the total was specific to us, not the typical procedure. We decided to head down the street and have dinner and drinks at another restaurant.

We spent $31 but could have easily spent triple that on another round and food. It was disappointing, especially as I mentioned how close this place is to me.

I do want to give you another shot, if we are welcome, but this first time did not make us feel very welcomed. I worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years, and my girlfriend almost as long. We both have other careers outside the industry now, but we both are very accommodating and understanding as we know what it's like to be on the other...

A friend and myself walked in Tuesday night 11/8 around 6:45pm. Noticed there was no one in the entire restaurant/ bar except for a red head man behind the bar and worked, darker in color gal sitting at the end of the bar toward the kitchen. Super awkward right when we walked in - asked if they were open and they said unfortunately they were. Attitude from the gal was terrible - and we kind of took our seats at the bar slowly as we felt so unwelcomed - I said are you sure you're open we understand if you want to close early we work at another restaurant in the area. The gal said - "apparently we are". Wow felt so uncomfortable and so unwelcome to be there. Mind you they close at 10pm I even double checked online while sitting - that's 3 hours. Was about to order our drinks when I had a feeling to ask if the kitchen is open they said no the lady has been out sick and they aren't making food today. Etc. Understand but we got off from our jobs to go have dinner and a cocktail. No sympathy or anything. Was NOT cool. I come there often to visit the Bar Manager Julie. Very disappointed in...

Three of us came by on a Tuesday afternoon with hopes to sit in the garden with a drink. We went in and the guy who became our server told us we couldn’t sit in the garden because “it’s 300 feet from my other tables.” I was fascinated with his blunt attitude. Just say you weren’t serving there! Amazingly this attitude continued. They are a cocktail bar but have wine on the menu. We each ordered wine and he said “really, that’s how it’s going to be? We are a cocktail bar.” Wow! We felt unwelcome for sure, a word I see many other reviews mention. Wine is priced similarly to cocktails so it isn’t like they wanted us to spend more per drink… I cannot think of a time someone was more rude to me at a restaurant. To top off the experience, one of the glasses of wine was clearly from a days-old bottle and the wine flavor was terrible. We didn’t dare ask for a change and left the third glass full, paid the bill and got out as soon...