Post #438240 by atomikitty on Fri, Mar 6, 2009 3:47 PM

On 2009-02-21 18:14, bigbrotiki wrote:
And please lets not drag this petty haggling out, your man has obviously done fine with other folks. Done. The fate of Sam's Seafood is much more important: A better match then being the site of the rebirth of Don The Beachcomber's in Los Angeles is unimaginable! Ka Pai!

I raise my glass to that sentiment!
I am VERY excited and hopeful about the future of this beautiful, unique tiki spot, and I look forward to supporting it with my patronage and my bar tab!
It is a real gem of California Mid-Century architecture and culture, and it is a rare blessing when these places fall into the RIGHT hands and are preserved!

Reading through this thread, I do feel the need to share my two cents on a little debate that seems to be going on here. . .
Sadly, I too had a really bad experience with the bartender in question.
So much so that I came away feeling very bummed out, and I definitely spent a lot less at the bar (which is usually one of my favorite spots!)
This directly translates into less money coming in to the establishment, and that is why this discussion is relevant.

This was my first visit to the Kona, and I was really excited to finally be there. I asked to see the drink menu and he slid one down the bar and walked away. No eye contact, no hello. He eventually came back to take our order. His attitude radiated 'I don't want to make any of your stupid f****in tiki drinks' and so I ordered a beer. (I like my drinks mixed with love, not anger) My friend ordered a Vodka Tonic, no lime. He forgot (it happens) and when my friend reminded him she asked for no lime, even making some joke about not liking vitamins with her booze, He argued with her and was aggressive and openly hostile-even going so far as to complain about us 'bitches' to two regulars at the bar not 3 feet away while we were standing there waiting for our change!

I was really stunned and speechless. I couldn't understand what was going on.
I actually took my tip off the bar that night. Something I have NEVER done, and hope to never have to do again.

Some of you may know me, and some of you may not, but I am a very happy, laid back and friendly girl, and I love all things tiki and supporting vintage cocktail culture. I was also a bartender for 8 years, including at the Lucky Tiki, and I know the particular stresses and joys of bartending.

His behavior was completely uncalled for, and there is no place behind a bar for a hostile person like that. I understand having a bad night, and maybe being annoyed by demanding customers and time consuming drinks, but you are there to do a job dude. Snap out of it.

If your a friend of his and he likes you, that's great. But you can't be a tool to 'newbies' and expect them to come back.

For New Years this year, I was really excited about the Tikiyaki show @ Kona.
In the end we decided on something else, in large part because I thought about how another run in with this surly (and not in a fun pirate way) bartender would really ruin my night.

So yes, this is serious and relevant to owners trying to run a successful business, and not just 'losers wining'.

Sorry to vent. I feel better now that I got it off my chest. I shall speak of it no further.

On to better days and a brighter future with Kona/DtB!

MAHALO for listening~

Suzy Atomikitty