The Red Room, Vancouver (bar and nightclub to AVOID!!)

If you’re looking for a fun, safe night on the town — AVOID THE RED ROOM in Vancouver.

At least according to more than a handful of people who’ve had terrible experiences there. In short: If you are the designated driver, you can’t get even a free glass of tap-water.

The Red Room charges designated drivers $4.25 for a glass of tap water.

Worse, according to the comment at this blog, when someone asked why they couldn’t get a simple glass of water, they were ejected from the place.

I asked the bartender for a glass of water, and she told me the manager did not allow her to give away glasses of water, and that I had to buy a bottle of water, which cost $4.25.

I went to the bar where the manager was working, and ordered a glass of water. He told me he would give it to me, but he was doing me a huge favour and I shouldn’t expect it next time.

I asked him why I wasn’t welcome to a glass of water whenever I like, and he started yelling at me saying I should know better than to ask for something for free that I didnt have the right to. He asked me to leave the bar.

Crappy service is one thing.

Gouging your customers for something that doesn’t cost you one cent is one thing.

But refusing to give designated drivers a glass of water?! Why isn’t the B.C. government looking at these people’s liquor licence with an eye to pulling it?!

Arienne and Ianiv went there the other day and got the same treatment.

Since I was driving, I was not drinking any alcohol; so when I got thirsty, I went to the bar and asked for a glass of water. The conversation went something like:

- Hi! Can I get a glass of water please?
- It’s $4.25
- (The music was loud so I thought she couldn’t hear me well) Oh, no, I just want water.
- You have to pay for it?
- For tap water?
- Yes, we only serve water to people who are buying drinks.
- What? But I’m the designated driver and all my friends are drinking. Why can’t I just get some tap water?
- Our manager tells us that is the rule.
- So now I have to go drink water from the bathroom sink?

I kept trying to reason with her and then a bouncer showed up and we argued a little more. I didn’t want to get kicked out just because I wanted to drink water so I went back to my table.

Until the Red Room reverses this idiotic policy, I’ll certainly be telling friends to avoid it. You should as well.

Posted May 16, 2008

Comments

Comments

5 Responses to “The Red Room, Vancouver (bar and nightclub to AVOID!!)”

wader on May 16th, 2008 11:52 am

I’ve never been to a bar in Edmonton where the DD didn’t get free pop, let alone water. I’d be calling your MLA.
bz on May 16th, 2008 12:38 pm

Most bars usually just put a pitcher on the end of the bar with a stack of plastic cups by it and let people help themselves.

Simple. Doesnt waste your staff’s time, stops people from being drunken asshats.
Raul on May 16th, 2008 2:52 pm

I completely agree, Tod. I also wrote a post about it, it is really a stupid policy. They should know better (the Red Room).

Great post
Bob on May 17th, 2008 7:43 am

Never heard of anything so stupid Tod. However they did give you an out, get one of your party who are drinking to order a water. However probably still lose out as would have to tip the waiter?
Pretty much a no win situation. Must have something for the place otherwise customers wouldn’t be coming back!
Super G on May 29th, 2008 7:26 pm

The forced payment for water is nothing new, just another way for a club to (unethically) increase their profits at the risk of doing detriment to others’ health. In Toronto’s rave heyday, when people were arguably opting for other libations besides alcohol, club owners actually TURNED OFF THE COLD TAP WATER in the washrooms, forcing dehydrated dancers to even collapse in some cases. This can’t be legal.