LOVED my night cap here! (So glad that I finally made it w/ their limited opening hours/days while visiting CLT.) The old fashioned, the punch of the day, and their hot toddy are not to be missed! The service is top notch, great ambiance, and the drinks are fantastic. If you can catch it, it's a fantastic afterhours spot with great views for sure. Cheers! read more

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We came to celebrate a friend's promotion back in August 2024. (Friend in the photo) I've been trying to visit this place since it closed during the pandemic. It's very intimate, the service is overall tailored for a great consumer experience, and the aura gave luxurious. We didn't eat here, only had a bottle that we bought from Hidden Wine (in the hotel lobby) and an additional cocktail. We were told in Hidden Wine since the bottle is from, literally the same building, if we bring it to Punch Room there shouldn't be a cork fee. Guess what, we were charged a cork fee. I really do believe that incentive should stand being Hidden Wine is only for buying bottles in the lobby of the hotel. read more

The Punch Room - Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is still one of my favorite places to get a cocktail. I hadn't been since they reopened last year and I was very happy to see my guy Kelly. I'm glad he's still running things. There are a few changes though. They do have a daily punch you can purchase by the glass. That's awesome because I go solo. The menu is not the cute little book anymore which is fine and it has the same cocktails as before. All cocktails are $20 now. They have added some additional food items. I didn't get anything this time and they did change the bar snacks. It's just me lol I don't like olives because it's texture thing for me but the chips were good. I do wish they would bring back the kale chips and zucchini fries because those were perfect. Other than that, one of my favorite places to sip and people watch. I need to make my way there more often. Until next time. Cheers! read more

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This is a cool speakeasy at the Ritz Carlton in Charlotte and the bar is filled with bitters and fancy aperitifs! The bartender is so attentive and he's creating a cucumber martini for me! I love the okra snacks!! read more

Made reservations to celebrate a birthday at The Punch Room, waited.... went up at our reservation time and it's closed. Why allow me to make a reservation if you're closed? I had to go all the way down to the front desk to be told they're closed on a Saturday night. read more

Cool cool cool!! Cute hideaway with great atmosphere and food . A-1service and bartenders and staff .. one of my favorites, I just hope the secret doesn't get out and it won't be a hideaway anymore. read more

Another one of my favorite watering holes in the city. Not sure it's exactly an home by the nice decor they have but I am always bringing friends that are visiting the Queen City to this place. Try to get there early on the nights when they are open as sometimes the wait can be bit of a turnoff. read more

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We wanted to end the night with some craft cocktails and this was across the street. Great ambiance and music. Awesome staff. We were given some complimentary fried okra which was delicious. Drinks were very good. read more

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Food/drink: 3/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Service: 4/5 I was visiting Charlotte from NYC for a weekend and was really excited to come to The Punch Room in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. I really appreciated the New York speakeasy vibe of this place. The exclusive entrance was great and the interior design was done well. The issues came with the service and especially the cocktails. I paid NYC speakeasy prices for drinks that were average, one-dimensional, and uninspiring. I'm totally okay paying high prices for cocktails, but only if they are good. And if you charge highly for a drink, it better live up to it. Presentation was perfect, but both cocktails we ordered tasted like something you would get on a Ruby Tuesday happy hour for $4. Drop the Beat was so overpowered by the beat flavor that you couldn't appreciate a single other unique flavor in the drink and Matcha Do about Nothing was so sweet I couldn't focus on anything else. We also ordered food between 10:45-11:00pm on a Saturday night but we told that the kitchen was closed (even though it clearly states on their menu it closes at 11:30pm). This would be expected for a restaurant attached to a 3-star hotel, but this kind of service for a Ritz Carlton speakeasy is unacceptable. I think people should really think twice before visiting the place. Hopefully they make some changes and improve in the future. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I wish every time there was a plot twist, it was as epic as late night visit to The Punch Room. You see, this was not part of our original plan. After dinner, we just wanted to grab a glass of wine next door to the restaurant we were at, but it was closing. So when Yelp Charlotte's very Nikki W, looks down at her phone and tells you, "We're going to the Ritz" you wipe the puzzle off your face and follow. First, don't be like me and get distracted by all of the shiny things. Keep it on moving upstairs to The Punch Room. I actually love that I had no idea where we were going or why, because it only made walking into the adrogynously chic and timelessly sexy lounge that is the Punch Room. And that was just the door opening to Oz. Then there was The Wizard: Bob Peters Holy moly, this guy knows his craft and is undeniably passionate about. In fact, he's way better than The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, because he's actually the real deal. Not only did we get a front row seat at the bar (mind you we were the only group present at the time so we had the pleasure of having the space to ourselves) but watching Bob work is part entertaining, part educational and 100% a special experience. We tried a few drinks off The Fall menu, took a taste of the punch of the day, and then watched Bob doing spectacular cocktail wizardry with flames, and special tools, and ice and all the things. It was truly a night I'll always remember. Thanks so much to Bob and team for your dedication to what you do, and for the time you spent with us! We enjoyed every minute (and sip) of it! read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Second time here and I still love this place. And, all my friends love this place. I almost don't want to give a review for fear it will catch on and become too crowded vs. swanky, relaxing and ever so cool. Tried two punches (visit One and then visit two) The first - a tequila based with jalapeño and cilantro. Amazing! Not too spicy. The second- a brandy and Ginger based for the fall. Also amazing... and I felt I was drinking something good for me ;) read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Punch Room just reopened this week after re-doing it's menu. I have been a couple other times before and I loved the class atmosphere and the delicious punches, it was a very unique experience. Unfortunately, my experience fell short of my expectations and I was disappointed last night. The sample punch they gave us at the beginning was okay, it just tasted like komboucha, nothing special. In addition to the punch of the day they only had 3 other types of punches. This seems very limited for a place where the word "punch" is in the name. My 2 friends and I each got different drinks. I didn't like mine at all! My friends and I agreed that it was far too strong, all you could taste was the alcohol and it was hard to enjoy. After flagging down the waiter he was kind enough to take my feedback and I requested a different drink which was AMAZING! However, at $20-$25/ drink it's hard to justify paying that when there are so many other places with a wider variety of drinks at half the price point. It also seems as the place isn't quite as "speak easy" - ish as before. In the past when I went it was a place that you would get dressed up. I saw multiple people in jeans and untucked shirts which I think is fine in general but I just thought they would have a dress code to enforce especially at a place that nice! They also had some tapioka appetizer thing that is complimentary but it was so weird and crunchy and stuck in your teeth none of us liked it at all. It was pretty to look at but really added nothing of value to our experience. I don't think I'll be back, I miss how it was the first couple of times I went. read more

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love the punch room great space to have a couple of drinks and have a great time staff is amazing and quality the best .

You should know something about your date, she has done this before. many times actually. So, ask your self whether you want to stick to the old playbook, or you want to be remembered? That's what I thought. Well, I'm obsessed with this classy and gorgeous space and cocktails from Bob Peters that reminds me more of New York or Philadelphia than Charlotte. You should be obsessed, too. Five Yelps read more

My experience at The Punch Room was five stars all the way. Charlotte, you have a total gem in bartender Bob Peters. The man is a spirits magician! Some coworker friends and I settled in at the bar for some cocktails last week on a quiet Wednesday night. We all started with the punch, which was light and fruity. I wanted something unique and ordered the smoked cashew. True to it's name, it was smokey, salty and nutty and not your run-of-the-mill cocktail. Bob mixed up so many other concoctions for us, it's hard to remember all of them. Hands down, my favorite of the evening, was his version of the pisco sour. Incredible! I've been thinking about it nonstop ever since. The cocktail lounge itself is totally gorgeous and a great place for a date or small group. Next time I'm in Charlotte, I'll be making a beeline to the Ritz. read more

Located in the Ritz, this bar is certainly upscale. Lots of recessed lighting gives a very modern look and feel. The bar is illuminated from behind, highlighting the variety of spirits they offer. There was a dull roar from the numerous conversations, but the more impressive part was the live band that played music loud enough to be heard, but not too loud as to be intrusive. Their menu has all the classics, but also a few unique concoctions that are poured from a donut shaped flask. Unfortunately, I couldn't get them to serve it to me in the glass, which kind of killed the whole presentation. The drinks were good, but I couldn't call them $12 good. Neat atmosphere though. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My husband and I enjoy popping in for late night cocktails. The martinis are quite good. The food menu selection is limited and not satisfying. Our server, Quentin, is nice but was not attentive. He did not offer water, was very slow to remove empty glasses, did not provide napkins with our appetizer or bring napkins when we asked for them. The view and room vibe is great, but the limited menu and spotty service has us rethinking about a return. read more

Swanky cocktails in a NYC-like atmosphere! We had a small party and went here for a special occasion. I tried the bourbon drink with special pumpkin oil and a mixture that tasted like a blend of pumpkin bread and pie! With the highly special ingredients and high prices, you really only need one drink. They also give you a sample drink from the daily punch flavor, super sweet drinks. Atmosphere was very much like a posh NYC upscale bar, quiet, good views and comfortable chairs. Truly a special occasion bar! read more

The Punch Room - Punch - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I don't get it... not a "rooftop" bar. Looks like a hotel room converted into a bar. Overpriced drinks and AWFUL service. Went downstairs and got a drink at the Ritz lobby bar where the service came with a smile. Don't waste your time or money. read more

This gorgeous place is on the 15th floor of THE RITZ CARLTON. We loved it! Great ambience, easy lounge environment with excellent service. The small plates are OK - I say this because I was starving and the portions are VERY SMALL with a very limited selection. So maybe eat somewhere beforehand. The drinks are rather expensive, but delicious. Nice environment for talking and lounging. The complimentary punch of the day is a lovely way to start the experience. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We stopped in for some cocktails straight after work on a weeknight. We arrived the minute it opened so we were the first to take a seat by the window. It was definitely giving me 'old world chic' vibes. My cocktail was $20 (see picture) which I think was the most expensive drink I have had in Charlotte. Hers was $18. But hey, this place is located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel so I guess I should expect that? They gave us complimentary snacks- macaroons and this unusual tapioca thing on a metal stand (see picture). So that softened the blow of the drink prices for us. Would go back if the moods suits. read more

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The Punch Room is back open with Kel Minton at the helm. The punches and cocktails are delicious and very well curated. Try it!!

What started out as a great night end very poorly. We started downstairs at the bar and went upstairs to the punch room because of the recommendation of the bartender providence. First off the hostess was not at her stand, and we had to wait to get in. While Chelsi and Kelly were great servers when I went to take a smoke and come back. I was unable to get in once again. Once the hostess came back she literally made me wait to get in even though she told me she knew I had already been in and I had people waiting on me. Once I was let back in I informed Chelsi of what transpired and the manager Kevin came over to speak to me. After being questioned by the manager he asked me if I wanted her to be fired which I responded no she just needs to be trained properly. He gave several excuses of why she couldn't let me in one being that she didn't have her key which I replied that could have been communicated and there not be a problem but she didn't. The manager continued to approach me several times even after I told him there was no way to make this right. I eventually ended up leaving and the manager followed me to the elevator. Definitely won't ever be going back. read more

We checked out Bob's new place on opening night, because we were already huge fans. When you get to the Ritz, make sure to put your name on the list with the gentleman by the elevators and be prepared to wait a little bit. When you get to go up to the 15th floor the hostess will take you to one of the lounge tables. The decor has a 1920s modern feel to it. (Think Great Gatsby and Restoration Hardware) For drinks, we got the Top of the Hill punch to share and a sweet potato and sage cocktail. Both were smooth and tastes great. For food, you get the 'bar beans' which are crunchy and salted and taste great. We also ordered the NY Strip jerky, which tasted amazing. Overall, the place is great for great drinks and going on a nice date. I look forward to all of the new drinks Bob will create in the future. read more

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I went with a friend on a Saturday night and the wait staff was very attentive and very understanding that we didn't order til about half an hour later because we were so busy chatting it up. It was nice and low key. Nice that it was quiet for a good conversation. The drink was super good as well! read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Cool bar on the 15th floor of the Ritz. The drinks where about $15-20 and we had to wait about 45 min to even get in. They ended up sending a text message when the space was ready. So be prepared to either call ahead or wait a bit for a seat. Inside the place was nice and not crowded. I was expecting a bit more of a speakeasy feel inside, but instead it was a Ritz lounge style. The drinks were good, not the best I have ever had though, but still worth trying out. They will also make you anything you want, not what is just on the menu. The service was good, but it takes time for them to mix up the drinks. If you are in town it was worth trying, not a place I would go every night though. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Looking for the perfect date night in the city for young professions? Definitely check this place out. Seeing the other reviews I am not sure if we beat the crowd or came after. We arrived around 7:30 and we were promptly seated. After riding the elevator up to the 15th floor we were greeted by the hostess and led through a heavy door and transported back in time. The bar had the feel of a swanky speakeasy. There were high back black chairs across from tables along the long golden couch where we sat. The couch was cozy and the table appropriately spaced away from it. Almost as soon as we were seated the waitress greeted us with a sample of the punch of the day. I cannot image a better way to welcome patrons to a bar than a free drink! We decided to split the Top of the Hill punch and an order of the house made jerky. The punch came in a beautiful bowl and two cute punch glasses. The punch was delicious and the bowl was large enough for several glasses between the two of us. The jerky was a bit of a disappointment it was super sticky, thin and the marinade overpowered the steak flavor. Overall we had an excellent experience and will definitely return to try another one of their bowls. read more

The Punch Room - Top of the hill punch - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Relaxing space, lots of comfortable seating. Mad scientists behind the bar were clearly enjoying trying different things. Tried one drink from the menu (veaux carre) and it was very nicely done. Gave them some qualities I wanted in a second drink and they concocted something unique that was right up my alley. Friendly helpful wait staff. Whole experience was a (peaceful) blast. Pleasant and sophisticated. read more

Don't tell anyone but this is the best kept secret in Charlotte for great macarons!!! To be truly honest this has been on my to do list in Charlotte for awhile and I am glad I got to go. It is over priced cocktails because you have to pay for the view! Seriously these macarons were so delicious !! Better than Amelia's hands down! I know I will come back for the food and not the drinks . If you get a chance and you are staying in the hotel. Go up to the 18 floor. The pool area has a wonderful view! read more

The Punch Room - In house made macaroons! - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Is an amazing speakeasy on the 15th floor of the Ritz Carlton. Went with a few friends for drinks and loved it. Great menu with selections of rum, vodka and gin drinks. I had the ugly sweater which was amazing. The bartender also made me a special drink that was to die for as well. They give you a complimentary drink to start that has great favor with tequila. They also make some small plates you can order. I will for sure be back. read more

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Bob is really getting it right here. His creative creations and knowledge of the standards really makes it a special cocktail destination. The atmosphere is swank and sophisticated with a nice view of uptown. Great place to hang out. read more

The Punch Room - Swanky with a great view of Uptown. Major league craft cocktails! - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

What more can I say other than Bob Bob Bob! The initial review of The Punch Room (TPR) is stuck up and over priced. Then you check the other reviews and dammit you got it BUT not really. The atmosphere of TPR is so laid back but I recommend business casual but some folks show up in tshirts. Hey if you're going to pay a few bucks for cocktails might as well show up for it. My hopes was to recreate a cocktail that I had at a speakeasy in New York but that didn't happen. Bob completely shutdown the thought but his recommendation was not close to what I wanted but the drink was well executed and strong so I was content. If I'm going to pay for a drink it better be worth it and it was so plus plus for Bob. Bob explained the drink and its contents which added to the experience. Overall, come for the experience but be open for suggestions. The staff is super sweet and nice. I've read reviews of bad service but we had the greatest service from start to finish. Enjoy folks and try the Bitter Butter, was my fav of the night. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This new beverage lounge is in The Ritz Carlton in downtown Charlotte. If you want to go out with a group, in a sophisticated setting, but enjoy some party juice, then this punch den is the place for you! When you first sit down you are offered their House punch of the day to taste test while you look over the menu. Head Mixologist Bob crafts each punch with great care. The prices of the punch may look shocking at first, but it's because you're meant to share it with 2, 4 or 6 people. There are other crafted drinks, small plates and desserts to enjoy here besides the punch along. The view here is really what makes this den that much more of a hot spot. You feel like you're in the Charlotte skyline. The decor is really modern, sleek, and elegant. Great spot for a fancy night out! read more

The Punch Room - Decor - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Ordered a round of drinks at The Punch Room on Friday night. I selected Strange Brew, and also had a few sips of the Jack Talk Thai Real Good and the Crafted Punch. Quality The evening started with a small sample of the Crafted Punch being served along with a tiny snack. I was immediately impressed as the Punch was probably the best drink of the evening. It managed to highlight the alcohol, while at the same time giving it a fruity edge. I was less enthusiastic about the other cocktails we ordered. I went with Strange Brew, which mixed bourbon with hazelnut milk, and then placed a coffee ice cube in the center. The problem with this however is only the midway point of the drink is it enjoyable. The start is too strong and the end is almost all coffee. And it is hard to love a drink that is only good for a limited span. My girlfriend selected the Jack Talk Thai Real Good, which mixed tequila with chartreuse, lemongrass syrup, and fresh muddled basil. It was overwhelming with basil, and I did not enjoy the few sips I had. My girlfriend liked it, but was far from crazy about it. Quantity The drinks were a fair size and clearly used a good amount of alcohol. I also appreciated the small sample of punch provided at the start. Value Expect to pay between $17 and $20 for a drink, unless you decide to splurge for the $400 cocktail. You are clearly paying more than you should for the exclusive atmosphere and the fact that it is the Ritz. Ambiance The Punch Room is located inside the Ritz Carlton in downtown Charlotte. Found on the fifteen floor of the hotel, it exudes exclusivity and class. Just to enter we had to wait thirty minutes, but after the wait we finally got to enter the mysterious doors. The space itself is dimly lit with tons of candles and a few strategically placed yellow lights. The far end has the small bar, but the rest of the stretched out space is full of leather couches and oversized chairs. Simple artwork and a few bookshelves can be found on the walls, and beads hang down over the windows. We were told the reason the windows were covered was because the view was not very good, but a quick peek showed differently. In the background classical music played softly. There is no doubt that this bar is a magnificent environment to have a drink. Crowd When we arrived we were told it would be about a thirty minute wait. I had read it was a small bar, but I was honestly surprised by the wait time. And I was correct because when we finally got inside we found the place nearly empty. Even with thirty seats, they purposefully seemed to only fill ten. While this makes it an intimate experience, I found myself upset that they made us wait when they clearly had space for us. Service Beyond slow and with no excuse. Maybe I was doing things wrong expecting my cocktail to come out relatively quickly after waiting for a seat for thirty minutes, but no one seemed to be in any rush. It took nearly an hour for us to get our drinks, which while I am sure take some time, could not have taken that long. The slow wait nixed any idea of ordering a second drink, as we instead struggled to grab the attention of staff to get our check and go. Don't even bother coming unless you have hours to kill. Parking Located in the middle of Downtown Charlotte, we just walked over from our hotel. However, for those driving I believe if you valet at the hotel they will validate your parking. Extra While the aura of The Punch Room makes it appealing, it just did not live up to the hype. The creative cocktails we ordered did not hit the spot and the aggravating wait and service were very frustrating. I personally enjoyed our experience at the lobby bar better with slightly cheaper drinks and a warm fireplace. read more

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Kind of a disappointment, I have to be honest. After talking about "how badly we needed to get here," almost a year later, we finally did (I think on many occasions it just didn't come to top of mind). We live in South End but don't venture Uptown much and now I kind of remember why. We went in on a Saturday evening, were ushered up and greeted outside of the door and had a wait. Totally fine. We went back downstairs and after seeing the insanity was their downstairs bar, we went to BLT steak for some quiet time. J had a scotch and I think I had a wine. We were called for our table upstairs, and asked if we wanted Bob to come by, which he did, which was a really nice touch. We had two cocktails each, that weren't really great. Sure they aren't a $9 vodka, but I didn't really think they were all-that. The atmosphere up here wasn't exactly super warm, felt a little old school stuffy, not really swanky. It was like the whole place was trying just too hard and some of it actually felt dated and old. You end up sitting quite close to others which doesn't lend to what should be an intimate experience. Goodness, I know I sound like an old hat, but I dunno. Go once. Say you went. Move on. read more

Fantastic cocktail room and great city view. Very swanky and skillful mixologist. Small bar bites are available along with the famous Punch Bowl. Great seating and ambiance with the ability to hold conversation. read more

The Punch Room - Lounges Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Punch Room in the Ritz Carlton is a good place to take your friends to impress them that Charlotte does in fact have some intimate bars with a special atmosphere. It is on an upper floor of the hotel and has a view of the downtown area though not as good a view as from Fahrenheit. Use the valet parking at the Ritz and get your ticket stamped at the bar and the parking is free except for the tip. I would give the Punch Room more stars except the drink prices are way over the top. That said that is probably the only way to keep the crown size here manageable and it does contribute to the intimacy of the environment. The bartender is one of these mixologist guys who has a good local reputation for creative drinks. I recommend a trip to the Punch Room when you want to impress but try not tie wince when you pick up the tab. read more

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Ever since we left the Punch Room on Saturday night I have been thinking back to that experience. And yes, I use the word experience because this isn't just a bar or just a restaurant. The Punch Room is an experience. I left feeling like I learned so much, yet I didn't learn enough. The Punch Room is located on the 15th floor of the Ritz. We arrived right when they opened on Saturday (6:00) and thus, did not have to wait for a spot. My husband and I grabbed two of the four seats at the bar, simply because we are bar people. However, we didnt realize that those two seats at the bar were basically our tickets to a show all night. The atmosphere inside is very nice looking with couches and lighting everywherer We received tasting of the punch of the day and Bob introduced himself. He is the head (and only) mixologist here and he had a big list of other places he has worked at. Soul and Pisces were two that came to mind. As for drinks, my husband and I each had two different drinks. Honestly, i have zero clue what they were called because we didnt exactly order off the menu. We were chatting with Bob and he just made us drinks based on what we were telling him we liked. All our drinks were absolutely over the top amazing and looked like pieces of art at the same time. No detail is left unturned. It was an absolute pleasure to sit at the bar and watch Bob work. Just watching him carefully stirring and mixing ingredients. You can tell that this is his passion and he puts everything he has into it. It was almost a running joke because the waitresses couldnt ever tell when we was done making a drink or not! He was very receptive to all our questions and even gave us small tastes of beverages that we were questioning. Absolutely created that "experience" feel. I definitely appreciated the fact that this place really staggers people in here. It only holds 37 people but Bob told us typically they like to keep it around 30 so that a) it keeps the feel of the place more enjoyable and b) he is able to spend enough time on each drink to really make it special. The even have a no standing policy at the bar. This is something that I really apprecaite cause, like I said earlier, we are bar people. However, the worst part about sitting at the bar is having someone reach around you, in front of you, in between you to order their drink. If I am drinking something that tastes so delicious and looks like pure art, I defintiely dont want to be interrupted by arms throughout. Great call. We did try the Hummus. Holy smokes. I have never tasted hummus this good in my entire life. It didnt even taste like hummus.....something that is hard to explain. That was the only food item we tried. However, based on this one item, I am sure their menu is top notch. It was truly an honor being able to visit this place on Saturday. read more

THOROUGHLY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. But first the good, because I try to be fair. The lounge is beautiful and peaceful, and the drinks are tasty. We enjoyed the sample of the punch du jour so much we ordered a full punch bowl of it. Now on to the unpleasantness... The highly uppity environment was an immediate turn off. We arrived at 10:30 on a Friday evening, and we were met by a hostess who tried her best to put on airs. Unfortunately she was so young, I could barely take her seriously. There is VERY LIMITED SEATING and they are very particular about who gets seated when and how. There is a locked door which only the hostess can open if/when she decides to allow you in. We were fortunate to get a 4 person seating area without any wait, but the couple who arrived before my party was left in the hallway. Upon being seated, I informed the hostess that we had a few more people meeting us here, so we would like to be able to either pull up additional chairs or move to a larger seating area when they arrived. She was non-committal, but nothing made me think that a larger party would not be welcome. We settled in to enjoy our drinks and conversation. And it was nice for a few minutes. It's fairly quiet, as the Punch Room has cultivated a calm relaxing atmosphere. I get what they're trying to do and I appreciate it, but more on that in a moment. Fifteen minutes later, the remainder of our party arrived. Four more people rather than the additional two I was expecting, but still... not a rave or anything. I received a text from our party saying that the hostess would not allow them in, and that it was going to be an hour wait before they could get in. I looked around in disbelief. The entire sofa seating area was empty - two long sofas and 4 arm chairs. Behind me was an empty 4 person seating area. And to my left was another area with open spaces. There were literally only about 8 other patrons in the place besides my group. I went to the hallway to discuss with the hostess how we could accommodate the additional people who had arrived, but she was very aggravated and high strung. She kept saying "I did not confirm or deny that we could add chairs to your area!!" OKAYYYYYY. Bottom line: (1) They do not want anyone standing in the lounge. FINE, I understand. (2) They do not want any seats moved around within the lounge. OK, not ideal, but again I guess I can understand. (3) They do not allow a party to move to a bigger area because they have other guests on a list that might be waiting for that area! THIS... this I do not understand. I am in your bar, ordering a lot of drinks, behaving nicely and enjoying the scene. I am willing to continue spending money on outrageously priced drinks because they taste good and I like the company I'm with. But you would rather text someone on a list who may or may not show up (for the 4 open seating areas you currently have), rather than allowing a patron who is already there and spending money to stay there and keep spending money. This makes no business sense to me. I will not be back, and I would not recommend this place to my friends. read more

I've been to the Punch room a few times now, and while the first visit was pretty terrific (all thanks to Bob Peters), the next few visits got progressively bad. To make a long story short, if you want to feel like you're in NYC or LA trying to get in to a tough-to-get-into club, the Punch Room on a Saturday night is just the place! While the bar tender, the drinks and the ambiance deserve 5 stars, the hostess and overall experience before even walking in to the bar is terrible - almost negative stars worthy. Granted the bar is at the Ritz Carlton, but that hardly justifies telling your guests that the bar has a 37 person capacity and is at 35 people, when in reality there aren't more than 10 people in there. I can understand if the hostess was driving away a rowdy, inappropriate or oversized group, but that wasn't even the case here. I hope something changes in the way this place is run, because I really am a fan of the concept, the style and the drinks here and I would like to return and even recommend this place to my friends in the future! read more