One the many benefits (or drawbacks) of the Internet is the anonymity it affords its users. Anyone with an axe to grind can easily hijack a website to orchestrate personal attacks on someone they feel slighted by. This is nothing new, of course.
I am the aforementioned ""Drew"" you see mentioned in the one star reviews posted over the last 5 days. Judging by the timing of these reviews, I can guarantee you these originate from the same person. You'll notice the reviews go to great lengths to detail what a crappy bartender I am, how unprofessional I am, and rude, etc. etc. Without mentioned in specific detail WHAT exactly the problem may be, or why someone would spend this much effort to slander an 800 square foot pub, which had much positive feedback over the past 2.5 years (my tenure there).
The person I suspect to be writing these reviews (who will remain anonymous) was asked not to return to our our bar after a series of incidents several weeks ago. Several young women accused the gentleman of groping them while on his way around the bar. After consultation with my co-worker we decided to give him the benefit of the doubt; after all, the bar was crowded and he was here with his Family. However, after his family left, he returned. He threw down a pen underneath a young woman sitting at a table and, under the pretext of retrieving the pen, attempted to look up her skirt. This was observed by a number of individuals who obviously took offense and quickly escorted the gentleman out of the bar. He sped off. When he attempted to return last Friday, June 26, I escorted him out of the bar, explained the situation, and asked him not to return. Of course, much like the Internet, his actions leave room for deniability, but too many coincidences, reported by unrelated patrons, leaves no doubt in my mind.
I encourage people of all types to come to my bar to socialize. I know the names of many of my patron's kids and am just as capable of having a conversation with a 6 year old about Pokemon as I am at whipping up a round of tasty shots. After 10pm, people will probably be loud and the music will get cranked up, and I'll encourage comaraderie because, well, it's a bar. The only thing I ask is that people act in a manner that doesn't offend of disrespect others. If you can't do that, then you'll be warned. And if your actions are particularly egregious you'll be asked not to return, because, really, who wants a pervert in their bar?
Perhaps this gentleman felt TOO comfortable here. Perhaps he felt the casual atmosphere allowed him to take liberties with others' personal space. If I am accused of making people feel comfortable, than I stand guilty as charged.
Pros: Quick, personal service; interaction with other customers
Cons: Small size means bar can be loud and crowded
more