The State Bar & Lounge

08/18/08

As to the 5/6/08 posting by alacrity40

by statebar at Citysearch

The post from 5/6/08 was posted by a disgruntled employee (Jackie) from her mother's email address. Obviously, Jackie no longer works at the State Bar

07/17/08

Meh... You may enjoy it when it's not busy and as long as you don't order a glass of wine...

by bort84 at Citysearch

Have heard some good things about this bar... Unfortunately, my first visit there was at an event that was a little large for the staff on the schedule. I've worked in the restaurant industry for 4 years as a waitress while in college and only recently switched jobs. There was one bartender in particular who seemed quite inept and was very curt and snippy.

I was willing to forgive all of this because the atmosphere was good, and I realized that they were probably understaffed for the number of people there. I've worked under similar circumstances and it's not fun. What I could not forgive, however, was the rude treatment I received from manager and bartender alike when I ordered a glass of wine. After she put the remains of what was apparently a bottle that had turned in my glass, she dumped it out and filled it with contents from a fresh bottle. Okay, but next time if you're going to use the same glass, at least do it where I can't see it.

So she hands me the glass, and it's nowhere close to a "standard" pour (about 1/4 of the bottle). The amount poured was more like 1/8 of the bottle, priced for about 1/4 of the bottle. So I said, hey, this seems like a really small pour. The waitress said, no, this is our "standard" 4 oz pour. Well, in most places, a 5-6 oz pour is standard. 6oz pours make the bottle neatly contain 4 pours. So I said that.

The manager came up and said, no ma'am, this is a sommelier glass (very snooty) so it just looks like there's less wine in it to you. Yes, I said, I'm familiar with these "sommelier" glasses (snob) I've waitressed for 4 years and these are the same glasses I've always used. Had I served this amount of wine to my customers, however, I would have been fired. (This went on for a bit.)

So, long story short, I just bought the bottle and firmly told them how I felt, and I plan to write a letter. After a $20 markup, there's no excuse to charge those prices. Also, for a manager to be that rude is INEXCUSABLE!

• Pros: Nice atmosphere; decent beer selection; in my apartment building
• Cons: Nasty manager; some unpleasant bartenders; really OVERPRICED wine by the glass!!!

05/06/08

Was great but not so much anymore

by alacrity40 at Citysearch

I've been going to State Bar fairly regularly since I came to town about a year ago. It's a nice place and I have enjoyed bringing friends and co-workers there for happy hour. I've gotten to know the employees and they are great. Bartender Jackie is very nice, she's attentive and makes good drinks. Waitress Elyse is accommodating and good for an intelligent conversation. Former General Manager Raynee was great as well, friendly and helpful but not overbearing and the place ran smoothly. Recently Raynee left and assistant manager Andrew became GM. Since then things have gone down hill. On one visit I saw, not once but three times, Andrew behind the bar taking a shot of something, I think he thought no one could see. Another time I saw Jackie refuse to serve a young lady that appeared to me could have been under age. Andrew served her. I've mentioned a couple of times that they should change the music selection, Andrew agreed but, they are still playing the same tired mix. The final straw, on my last visit I ordered a vodka tonic, Andrew served me a gin tonic. I told him it was gin and he tasted my drink, gave it back and told me it was vodka! I'll actually miss Jackie and Elyse but I'm not going back until there is a change in management.

• Pros: Ambience, employees
• Cons: manager