Sparks

We were a little hesitant when we walked into this smokey, empty bar...especially when we saw the ""seat yourself"" sign, but we wanted to give the place a chance. We walked into the dining room where a large group of people were playing poker. We stood there confused for what seemed like an eternity before one of the girls at the table (maybe the hostess???) directed us to pick any table we wanted. Picking our table wasn't an easy task considering 3 of them already had people sitting there and almost all of the others hadn't been cleaned from the previous diners. We wearily chose a table in the corner near the window, wondering if anyone would even notice us sitting there. We sat at that table for close to 15 minutes without so much as a greeting or ""we'll be right with you"" even though BOTH of the waitress serving the other tables looked right at us several times. The place wasn't even busy, so I'd hate to see the service on a busy night. Since we were never served and eventually just decided to leave, I can't comment on the food but if it's anything like the service then I would suggest trying somewhere else. Pros: convenient location Cons: terrible service more

When a restaurant has a sign saying SEAT YOURSERLF they should periodically see if customers have actually sat down. I toughed it out for 10 minutes before sending my son to find the wait staff. Wait we did! In fact we watched other potential customers walk in, then walk out because of the inattentiveness of the staff. We should have been right behind them!! After waiting an inordinate amount of time to get our order - my plate came cold. My sons was hot. I tried to attract someone to take care of this. Finally it was promised to be resolved only to disappear into the kitchen. I had to walk in there to tell them to put it into a to-go box as my son was long finished his meal and they seemed to have forgotten that they did not bring it back. The same happened with our soda - took the glasses for refills and never brought them back. The guys swilling beer at the next table were given tremendous service. Three waitresses stopped be frequently to see how things were going only to ignore my ""excuse me's"" and waving arms. more

I wish I would have read the reviews before going to this trashy bar. I took my father, visiting from out of town, there to watch the NFL playoffs and was so embarrassed for him to see and hear the filthy, ignorant individuals that hang out at this bar. There is a group (8 - 10) of men, aging 40 - 60 years old, that hang out at this bar and pretend they are 16 again. They verbally harrassed every female that entered the place, even women that were obvisously with their husband's. I guess they felt invincible in numbers. Unfortunately I was sitting closely to this group, who took up most of the bar space, and from over hearing their conversations - these are shady individuals that are looking for trouble. The owner/manager appeared to be friends with half of this group. I guess they keep him in business because they made sure people knew this was their bar and they go there every night. One guy even got upset that someone was sitting at the bar in his ""regular seat"". The police needs to patrol this establishment more, I'm sure they could pick up few outstanding warrants. If the owner does not get control of his restaurant - Sparks is doomed! Pros: One centalized spot for all the rift raft in Apex and keeps them out of the good establishments Cons: Many fights, very smoky, expensive bar food, nice TV's, but mounted at bad angles for viewing more

At first I thought this bar was a decent place to sit and watch a ballgame with a sandwich and a beer. But there is a constant parade of rude and argumentative customers and fights/confrontations that seem to occur every time I stop by which is maybe once every 2 weeks. The bartenders are slow and non-professional and the beer selection is pretty slim. The food and cocktails are extremely overpriced and not exactly high quality. The wait staff is good. It seems they are playing poker some nights for cash prizes - which I thought was illegal and the smell of cigarette smoke is overwhelming on those nights. One cannot play a set of personally selected songs on the overpriced jukebox without some of the songs being skipped or interrupted by other customers or by the whim of the bartender. I have sat beside a customer who had words with another group of customers who then proceeded to pound him right at the bar. The really odd thing was that right after this assault the bullies who did this were welcomed back instead of banned. Stay away from this place - stay very far away. Pros: Seems like a friendly place Cons: Bartender not really in control - no security - many ruffians more

I think they should change their name from Sparks to The Good Ol Boys Club. While having dinner with my two daughters, I watched the owner of Sparks (who was drinking alcohol at the bar) and a customer at the bar get into a very disturbing verbal confrontation over a football. The language that was being used between both individuals was embarrashing for me to hear, not to mention my two daughters. I was amazed to see a known owner of an establishment leave his seat in a rage and approach the argumentative customer, only to be held back by other customers. The bar bouncers or owners friends that were sitting by him at bar, exited the customer outdoors. When they returned, they joked loudly about doing ""a number"" on the customer. more

If you're looking to have a couple of drinks and good food after work, I can recommend Sparks. The staff are great and fun, and know their stuff when it comes to recommending food and drinks. When a game is on the place can get really excited, especially on weekends. You don't need to go to Raleigh or Cary to find 'atmosphere' , it's right here in Apex. Pros: Great staff, fun time, good food and drinks more

I had a great experience @ Sparks. Sparks has a good local Bar feel and a great wait staff, I had a waitress by the name of Sara. Sara is hands down the Best, she always made sure that I had a beer and not to mention that she is gorgeous. Definitely recommend to anyone. more

I have been a happy entertainment book user for over two years now. This is the first time a restaurant or store has ever refused my entertainment book coupon. I will never go to Sparks to eat and would never recommend sparks to anyone I know. Don't waste your time, service is rude, prices are outrageous and restaurant uses coupons to attract new people but don't honor them Cons: Non Honering Coupons, Rude, Slow more

Had the best bartender..I believe her name is Kimberly. Very attentive, had large party..she did everything possible to show us a good time! If you are ever in there, ask her about her shot, can't remember what it was, but a version of a lemon drop- AWESOME Pros: great staff Cons: no hostess more

I was kind of turned off to Sparks for awhile not because of the food but because of the service. There is a new owner now and I think things are much better. This is a great place to just sit and eat or go over to the bar and party. We always go on Thursday nights when there is Karaoke (starts at 9:30). It is so fun! Pros: karaoke nights, great wings, good dj Cons: smoky (in bar area), bar area too small more

Sparks is Apex's answer to Cheers. They are friendly and have great food and drink specials daily. There is always entertainment with Free Texas Holdem Poker Monday, Wednesday,and Saturday nights, Karoake Thursday nights, Dart Tournaments Tuesday nights, and music every Friday night. Come with the family for dinner or with your friends for drinks in the evening. Best wings and burgers in the triangle!! Pros: Food, Service, and Value more

This past weekend we visited Sparks and had the best meal ever! I ordered the special, scallops in a lite wine garlic sauce over pasta with mixed vegs, my husband had the new steak sandwich (melted in his mouth) and my daughter had wings and pizza. Each and every item was prepared to perfection. The staff was friendly and very attentive. My daughter also enjoyed the magic from the Sparks magician, Happy Dan. We will continue to keep Sparks top on our list! Pros: Friendly Atmosphere, Friday Magician, Prices more

I just wanted to say thank you to the manager and crew over at Sparks for making my son's birthday a great one! We had a party of 14 people and we did not have reservations so there was a wait, but it was worth it. The manager sat us and he made sure we had everything we needed. The serverice was fantastic and the food was great! Thanks again Sparks! more

A friend of mine and I recently stopped in for a burger and some Buffalo wings. The hostess was quite friendly. I ordered a burger and my amigo ordered Buffalo wings. The food seemed to take forever (45 minutes) to prepare despite the fact that there were few customers that evening. When I asked what the hold up was, the waitress rudely replied ""soon, we have other customers too, you know"". The wings were under-cooked and my food was cold. The waitress never made an apology for the poor service. The manager didn't seem to care about how we were treated or how the orders where screwed up. He had this ""take it or leave it"" attitude. I agree with an earlier post, which said good customer service merits return business. This place certainly won't be getting my return business anytime soon. Pros: Free parking, Friendly hostess, Decent drinks Cons: , Poorly prepared food, Lousy management more

My wife and I have been to this restaurant before, and I must say that the service was great. However, this time was much different. I ordered the pork chop, and my wife ordered wings. When our order came out, the pork chop was cooked perfectly, but the buffalo wings were cold! We declined to have the wings sent back, but did not receive an apology from the waiter, or even the manager, who did not come out. Furthermore, our drinks were not refilled promptly. To win my return business, one must have the best possible customer service, and this was not it. Pros: convenient to my home Cons: , poor quality of food more

Sparks is a great place for anyone. The saff is great and the food is better than the average chain restaurant grub. I did have an overcooked burger once, but I still go back because the staff is the friendliest around and the food is great! I recommend it to anyone. more