Went here twice while visiting Seattle. We had two very different experiences. The first time was great. My boyfriend and I stopped in on a whim after visiting Snoqualmie Falls. We were met by a friendly bartender and the owner happened to be there too. They were extremely friendly and chatted with us. We had such a good time we decided to go back the next day. We drove a half hour from Seattle just to come back because the first time was so fun.
When we walked in the second time there was a different bartender who looked at us like we didn’t belong there. There was no warm welcome. Just a scowl and asked for our IDs after I enthusiastically said hi. She held our IDs for 6-7 minutes scrutinizing them as if they were fakes because we’re from NJ and she didn’t recognize them. She was googling on her phone what NJ IDs should look like and questioned if our DRIVERS LICENSES were IDs. Her reasoning was they’re for “driving not drinking”. 6-7 minutes is a long time to check our IDs when that’s usually a 10 second process.
We finally had enough and left. She wasn’t friendly so we decided we didn’t want to be there anyway. I should mention we’re in our 30s and look it. Also NJ drivers licenses have holograms. They’re not something minors would attempt to fake. The idea that they were fakes was so outlandish it became insulting.
I understand checking IDs is part of the job. I waited tables for years and worked as a cashier at a liquor store for years. I respect that she doesn’t want to serve minors. I don’t mind being carded at all. Her dismissive demeanor was not necessary though. We were nothing but nice until we finally got fed up from being hassled and treated like criminals. There are plenty of ways to verify someone’s age/ID politely. As a bartender she should know that. Such a disappointment.
