I have never left a bad review, or any review really, of a bar or restaurant. As someone who has worked in the service industry, including a bar, for over 5 years, I understand how challenging this form of work can be. However, last night a bartender at The Black Nugget was so abrasive to myself and my brother, that it drove me to tears and I struggled to sleep last night as a result of his aggressive, mean nature. I love a good 'tells it like it is bartender' but this man was rude, aggressive, and unwelcoming.
My brother and I went to the black nugget after a super heavy and delicious meal at Phat Thai. We had a couple drinks, but between the heavy food, tons of water, and a couple of walks around downtown Carbondale, we were far from being overly intoxicated.
We went to the black nugget for one drink. My brother asked a simple question, "is it okay to sit at the bar or should we grab a table." He immediately and aggressively kicked us out... as a response to that question. We thought he might be kidding, but he said "I'm not fucking around. I'm not serving you." I may have used unkind language in response to this.
After being kicked out, for no real reason, I went back to order a glass of water and to ask him why. He began to yell at me, saying that he "saw my boyfriend screaming at me outside." First of all, he is my brother and that absolutely was not the case. The fact that the bartender was screaming at me, in response to thinking that my "boyfriend was screaming at me" was a concern.
A kind woman, who works at the black nugget, came to speak with me. She said he had the right to not serve me, as it was up to his digression. I understood that, but as someone who was not visibly intoxicated, I simply asked her "would you serve me?" She said she couldn't answer, which makes me believe that if she thought I was too intoxicated that she would say "yes" but she did not.
The bar was practically empty minus one table and a single man sitting at the bar. Perhaps if the staff was welcoming and not abrasive, they would see more people in there. read more