This review doesn't even begin to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding the experience my friends and I had at The Press Room on Friday (12/13/24) night. We came in excited to try the holiday cocktails in The Press Room and spend time catching up, as we do every two weeks. Unfortunately, the service we received--or rather, the lack of service--completely overshadowed what should have been a pleasant evening.
When we arrived, the bar area was being attended by two older white bartenders and a younger white man who may have been a barback. Though the bar was busy, we managed to find a table for three near the end of the bar, still attached to it. From there, we waited patiently to be acknowledged. One of my friends, a Black male, made eye contact with one of the bartenders on two occasions and was clearly acknowledged. However, that bartender never directly greeted all of us, offered water, or attempted to take our order.
We continued to wait, watching as customers came and went. After approximately 10-15 minutes, a white woman approached the bar near where we were sitting. She asked for water, and the bartender immediately obliged without hesitation. Despite being seated for much longer and clearly waiting to be served, neither this bartender nor his colleagues extended the same courtesy to us.
The racial disparity in the level of service we observed was unmistakable and deeply troubling. While we understand the bar was busy, it is entirely unacceptable to ignore paying customers, particularly when it was clear we were trying to order. After waiting for what felt like an eternity without so much as a greeting, we ultimately decided to leave.
This experience has left us not only disappointed but also questioning whether The Press Room values all customers equally. We came with the intention of spending money and supporting this establishment, yet we left feeling disrespected and marginalized.
I hope if others who look like us go there, they have a better experience. Unfortunately, I will not subject myself or my friends to this type of behavior again, so there won't be an opportunity for them to "make it right." read more