Writing a bad review is always difficult - and it actually doesn't happen very often for me now that I think of it...
However, traveling through Ireland for holiday, Galway was one of our stops. On this one day in particular (Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018) we had just returned from the Cliffs of Moher and wanted to watch the "Thanksgiving NFL game." We googled to see if there were any spots in Galway that would be broadcasting American Football and ALL of the articles and reviews told us to go to Garvey's. Excited for a nice cold beer, some football, and live music, we hurried down to Garvey's.
Our night started off great! Live band played some awesome music, our football team was winning, and the patrons were all friendly and conversing with us. Everything was fine until about 11:45pm when they flashed the lights and we realized it was last call. Unfamiliar with the hours of Galway on this weekday, we were a little confused but understood that when it's time to go, it's time to go - so we proceeded to finish our beer (game is still on and a nail biter at this point.) The two female bartenders were so nice and friendly the entire night, btw. Before leaving the bar, my friend asked one of them
If they had a recommendation for us in regards to finding another bar that would be open and broadcasting the game. The ONLY MALE bartender who was there that night, looked over and says very rudely "We're closed and no longer serving!!!" We were a bit confused as to this response because we only asked if they knew of another place who would be showing the game...we just shrugged it off, grabbed our stuff and headed towards the door.
On our way out, other patrons who we had befriended throughout the night told us to grab another beer (we still had some time left before the bar was closed) and we politely declined and said it didn't seem like the bartender would be okay with that.
Mind you, the bartender is still serving other people at this point. As we get to the exit, the bartender loudly tells another patron sitting up at the bar (purposely loud enough so we can hear) "I don't care where THEY go, THEY just can't drink here!!!" We all paused on our way out in total disbelief and confusion. We have no idea what we did wrong, we were never an annoyance, nor were we ever disruptive. We were also not the last ones in the establishment holding up closing time - at that point there was easily over 15 other patrons still in there and still ordering drinks.
I couldn't help but to feel discriminated against, and I still don't understand what we did to deserve this. Garvey's was a great time up until that moment. Regardless of where your patrons are from, we are paying customers who never disrespected anyone, we didn't deserve that.
So, even though I didn't catch that boy's name (only male working that night and the one with the arrogant smirk on his face acting like he had something To prove), you should be ashamed of yourself and your behavior was unnecessary. I don't know what you got out of that, but I hope you got the gratification you were trying to achieve. You must of REALLY needed it. read more