This review is for Future Galley's new location, 50 Upper Alabama St #278, Atlanta, GA and it's proprietor, Eugene.
Please read!
The good: (1) This is a beautiful space. EuGene is an extremely talented artist and his work provides an incredible backdrop for pictures (2) EuGene is very responsive to questions (primarily by text) (3) He is knowledgeable about the area and parking.
The Bad (buckle up - ALL facts)
The night of my party, the AC was out - in August - in Atlanta. The pictures were ruined as EVERYONE was sweaty. Some folks left early because of the heat. Many had to step outside to cool off. Fortunately, people hung in there because it was such an important night for me.
Do you think EuGene proactively reached out to offer a refund because of this issue - Nope. I reached out and he put me off until a week or so later because he had to wait on Giggster (BS). By the way, I suspect that he did this on purpose to game Giggster's rules.
He then offered less than 25% of what I paid (he offered $200). I wasn't happy with this and asked for $150 more - expressing my frustration with how issues with HIS FACILITY ruined the experience for me.
He offered $250. I still wasn't happy. I know that things happen and since I like(d) Eugene and want to support his business (and a Black business), I drafted a sample review that addressed the AC issue without being too harsh with the understanding that he would provide a refund: "While there was a snafu with the air conditioning, we had a great time because it's a great facility with beautiful artwork. To his credit, EuGene took care of us" (excerpt).
After sharing his cut of the payment (giggster charges serious fees), I settled on the $250 - TO SUPPORT HIM!
Guess what? He then rescinded his offer to provide me with a refund! FACTS! He texted me "I'm just not sure why I'm paying at this point? Your review is a fair one and you still mentioned your issues?" Sir, I am not going to lie to folks! They read reviews the same way that I read reviews. AND you confess that the review is fair!
One more thing, I paid for an extra bartender to avoid having people wait. Well, when you only have one POS device to take payments, an extra bartender doesn't matter. The result? LONG LINES! His excuse for this: "People didn't know what they wanted to drink." Really?
Almost done. I paid for the outside food because he told me that this would cover "clean up." OK. In our back and forth about the OVEN that was my party, he suddenly complained about the clean up. His review of me? "Good Renter. I would host again." Stop playing games.
The sentiment is not mutual.
Ultimately, he ghosted me - after agreeing to refund $250.
Grimy.
So, while this is a beautiful location and Eugene is a truly talented artist, do-not-book-this-place for an event. I did not want to write this review - I really didn't. But Eugene revealed himself to be untrustworthy - despite all of my efforts.AND I TRIED TO WORK WITH HIM - HE KNOWS I DID. If your event is important to you, don't book here.
MY experience is this: you can't trust Eugene to take care of you.
MY HONEST experience.
Don't say I didn't warn you - I tried.. read more