Disappointing Experience, Hidden Upcharges, and Poor Service -- $150 Wasted…read more
We visited District Tavern on Sunday evening before the Turnpike Troubadours concert. Having enjoyed previous visits, we were looking forward to returning. Unfortunately, this experience was disappointing from start to finish.
Our server was inattentive, seemingly overworked, and not particularly personable. Beyond the poor service, the number of undisclosed upcharges was astonishing. We ordered Kentucky Mules instead of the Moscow Mules listed on the menu and were charged extra for substituting bourbon for vodka. I also requested Tito's vodka instead of gin in another cocktail, two similarly priced spirits, and was met with another substantial upcharge. None of these additional charges were communicated when ordering. By the time we reviewed our bill, we counted approximately $15-$20 in unexpected upcharges alone. It certainly makes you wonder how much additional revenue is generated from customers who don't scrutinize their receipts.
The food was equally disappointing. The calamari appetizer was ridiculously small, accompanied by very little sauce served in a plastic container. The side of fries was laughably small, as was the salad. I ordered the chopped chicken salad, which wasn't chopped at all. Instead, it consisted of sliced ingredients and chicken that appeared to be prepackaged. If you're serving what is essentially a standard Cobb salad, call it that rather than marketing it as something else.
To make matters worse, when I didn't enjoy one of the cocktails and requested an alternative, the bartender's treatment of me was unnecessarily unpleasant. A simple request shouldn't result in a customer feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that District Tavern benefits from having very few nearby dining alternatives before concerts in downtown Clearwater, aside from places like Clear Sky. Unfortunately, limited competition may mean there's little incentive to improve.
We spent $150 on mediocre food, poor service, disappointing drinks, and a collection of undisclosed upcharges. Having previously been a satisfied customer makes this experience even more frustrating. I don't mind paying for quality food and drinks, but I expect transparency in pricing, reasonable portions, and basic hospitality.
