5 stars for the Bartenders and the Views at this bar. ZERO stars for "Policy/Management."
Good deeds don't go unnoticed! Thank you to the girls at the bar for understanding that sometimes logic and courtesy need to trump policy. The Outer Bar is technically only open to "members/guests" until 4:30pm. My boyfriend and I tried to get a drink down by this beautiful bar on this beautiful property at about 3:30pm. At the time, it was completely empty, and I will add, this was off-season (Sept. 19). We are a younger couple (not their typical demographic) and he is highly visibly tattooed (also not their typical demographic) but we appreciate finer luxuries in life too, especially on vacation. The bartenders at the Outer Bar felt really terrible about turning us away (they were younger as well) and you could tell they really really did not want to do it. We were ready to eat and drink and these bartenders literally had NO ONE at the bar. She sincerely regrettably told us we had to go up to the bar upstairs since we were not guests of the resort.
Once we got up there we asked for a couple of menu's and the older gentleman bartender barely looked at us and said "Sorry kitchen is closing soon, you can go down to the other bar." We weren't about to have a Pretty Woman "Hey, I got money to spend in here" moment- however we were still dejected, and a bit irritated, so we returned to the Outer Bar to tell them we were just sent back down, and to possibly seek some sort of explanation for the confusion. We were then told that they have no idea why that bartender told us to come down there, because they have the same kitchen, so if their kitchen is closing obviously we can't eat at this bar either. The bartender, embarrassed for both the establishment and for us, apologized and said "We'll serve you, we'll serve you. I'm really sorry for the confusion, they tell us to enforce these rules and then someone else says something else." I knew she was telling the truth and that it wasn't any discrimination on her part, because obviously she would much rather have us and get tips than sit at an empty bar. She was super-apologetic and made sure we had a very welcomed experience once they were able to serve us.
I understand the policy if the bar is crowded. Maybe have a limit of people you WILL serve before you start saying guests only. It is ridiculous to send business away from an empty bar, off season. It is just plain bad business to exercise unnecessary exclusivity to the extent of isolating potential guests and patrons, and also sending business away from those bartenders trying to make tips at the empty bar- while the bar upstairs was full of people dining and drinking.
Furthermore, this bar is not a bar you stumble upon just walking around in a town. Obviously I have either 1) Been here before 2) Know someone who IS a guest at the resort or 3) Got a very serious recommendation to come here with very specific instructions on where to find this bar. In my case, 1 and 3 are true.
Even if I were a guest staying somewhere on the property I'd need a map and someone to tell me where to go.
Such a shame to be rubbed the wrong way here, because it truly is a breathtaking place.
I truly hope this somehow reaches someone with Wequassett who will consider what I've said, additionally to enlighten any younger couples or non-guests who don't want to go through the embarrassment of being turned away from two bars. It is far too out-of-our-way to get all the way there and park and be told we're an hour too early. read more