I've been to the Canary Roost a few times in the past and always enjoyed it but after my most…read morerecent visit, I WILL NOT return again. I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in a long for some emotional support and Karaoke. I've been really struggling with my mental health, being around friends and singing really helps! When we arrived things were great. I had been dying to sing "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton but was worried someone may have already sang it since she just passed. The woman with red hair, hosting karaoke said someone already sang it but they already left so it was no big deal, they had been honoring Dolly all night.
As the night went on, I was mostly focused on connecting with my friend. We had a few drinks and great conversation. Towards the end of the night, in a bar full of maybe 10 people, I asked to sing Whitney Houston's - I Will Always Love You but the host told me no. I asked why and she informed me that someone else had already sang it earlier. I asked if that person was still there and she said, "no, but I just can't let you sing it." I asked why I was able to do the Dolly version, which someone already sang, but I'm not allowed to sing Whitney's, her reply, "I'm sorry, I just can't let you do it." At this point, I chose another song. I've been singing karaoke in a public setting since age 10 and have come across many hosts on Power Trips with their own rigid rules that make entirely no sense. I don't feel it is right, but I let it go and sang a different song.
At the end of the night when it was time to leave, I was feeling very dehydrated. I consistently feel this way, some of the medication's I take cause this. Typically I carry a large water bottle but I forgot it so I asked the bartender for a water to go. The blonde female bartender, whose name I don't recall, told me it is illegal for them to give out water to go. A few of us around the bar expressed how strange of a law that is, and while the bartender agreed she said there was nothing she could do. So, I began, in a very playful manner, asking my friend if he'd sneak the water out of the bar with me. I told him water is nearly a medical requirement for me, and should I be "busted by the cops" I'm sure they would understand. I was laughing about how my dad would sneak beer out of the bars in his coat pocket and that this is just water. With everything I have been going through mentally, I just wanted to feel rallied around but my friend was not responding the way I had hoped so I asked a man sitting near us, in hopes of getting a laugh and to gain connection, if he would sneak the water out with me. My point was not to start a ruckus, but rather make light of strange situation. My friend seemed upset about me speaking to the man at the bar and kept pushing me to stop which then triggered me to walk out the front door, water in hand. After I walked out, the bartender chased after me, hollered "hey, If you wanted water that bad, you should have just said something" and proceeded to toss a water bottle at me. Up to this point, I was unaware that the bar even had water bottles. I was not told there were any for purchase or offered one.
I am completely appalled that this transpired. As a bar who serves alcohol and provides karaoke for the enjoyment of their customers, DO BETTER. How completely un-accommodating,
Unethical and rather inhumane can you be. I had an emotional breakdown my entire way home after this experience. I did NOT deserve to be treated so poorly, it broke my heart. I hope they get a better team of people who know how to treat humans who are out for a good time. Your job as a bartender or a karaoke host, is to spark that joy in your customers, it is a SERVING career. That is why after my experience, I do not feel the bartender or karaoke host have made the proper career choice. I hope they choose a better path that doesn't involve working with people and so long as they have a job here, I will not spend a dime nor step foot into this poor excuse for a bar.
