Worst experience ever at the Ink Drinker. A friend and I wanted a quiet place to meet up and listen…read moreto high end audio gear and found this spot on yelp. Seemed perfect - cocktails, easily accessible, with tasty looking drinks and snacks. When we arrived at 5:30p on a weekend evening , it wasn't that busy, particularly closer to the bar, so we sat at a table with no people close by. In contrast, there were two groups talking in conversationally norm tones closer the entrance and window.
After about 20 Min, a server who didn't originally serve us (apparently the owner) told us it was "quiet reading time" and just repeated the phrase in an annoyed, condescending tone when we tried to ask for clarification regarding what that meant (she seemed to intentionally ignore us despite by friend trying to flag her down 4 times ) . We subsequently asked our original server if our modified whisper level was acceptable. She said "yes"
And actually kindly asked us about our hobby.
However, the purported owner returned 10 min later , targeting just us (not the people up front who were talking louder than us at this point) , saying we were not complying and needed to close our bill (our drinks were not half-finished at that point). We asked if there was anywhere she could recommend for an alternative to converse quietly, and she bluntly and aggressively stated, "Anywhere but here" to by friend's reasonable question.
The onwr then charged me double the cost of my 14 dollar drink ($31) , making not effort to reimburse me and stating that it was my fault for not catching this?!? Huh?!?
The owner then proceeded made several concerning, microaggressive, racially concerning statements that left myself and my fellow attendee shocked and sick to our stomachs. I was blown away. I actually recorded part of this on video, but won't post it here unless someone wants a clarification.
Next, the owner rapidly escorted us out, though my friend was not asked to pay for his drink. She told
Me to "Get out!!!" , and mumbled something that I can't mention, as I am not sure I could believe what I heard. I have lived in Seattle for 24 years and have never been treated as such condescending and insolent manner, let alone by the owner of an establishment that frankly I was excited to check out prior to this debacle. I was looking for a place to gather quietly but apparently they expect you to drink in silence , which was never clarified to me.
On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her.
On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her.
An older group and separate younger were allowed to carry on despite speaking louder than us (still conversationally , but definitely not whispering as we had been trying to do). Neither of these groups were individuals of color- which I bring up, due to the differential treatment we received despite all of us speaking or whispering in similar tones, and due to the words told to me that I'm having a hard time believing I heard - let's just say I felt "profiled" ... if you know what I mean.
In summary , DO NOT come here if you value basic human dignity, kindness, or frankly, sanity.
I do not write such negative reviews lightly- Feel free to check my other reviews, which generally are favorable to other restaurants and businesses , as I love to support small, privately owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Further, I've been YELP ELITE in years past , so it's not as if I'm not familiar with how to expect to behave and be treated in this community.
Mostly I am truly sorry I ever set foot in such a scary, and hateful space.