The LOCAL College Park

"I stopped by during a bike ride. The bartender was busy, but I’m patient so I waited until I was noticed. I can’t be sure, but I believe the bartender was the only staff member. The kitchen was closed early, but I didn’t require food, so I ordered a beer. I had planned to pay my tab, ask the staff if they ever had live music and see if Wednesday evening was a good day for our weekly bike ride group to have a pit stop. After that, I had planned to ride home. My Credit Card Was Given to Another Customer. • Another customer’s tab was place on my card. Nothing of what I ordered was put on my card. • My card was given to the other customer. He left with my card. • A customer, or staff member, or manager, or owner, or “concerned Customer” or whomever came around from the other side of the bar Interjecting himself without introduction into the conversation I was having with the bartender about my card. Very unnerving. • Both Bartender and “concerned Customer” said they knew the guy and that he will be back. I waited. He never returned. • Both Bartender and “concerned Customer” gaslighting me saying that it’s not a big deal and they will get it sorted when the customer that has my card returns. • Both Bartender and “concerned Customer” threw cash at me out of the blue. Even more unnerving. I said I don’t want cash – I have cash, another card, paypal, ca$happ, venmo. I also have my company cards on me. I can pay for my tab, but I’m not giving up another card. • The other customer’s card was given to me freely by the bartender and was in my procession for about 10 min before I gave it back. The bartender gave me the other customer’s card. “Here you can have his card”. REALLY!? What was I going to do with someone else’s card? I would have been in trouble if I had kept it. • My card was a different color and not weighted like the other customer's card, I think it had metal that made the card heavier which should have been noticed. • As I was talking to the bartender, “concerned Customer” kept interrupting with his opinion of the situation … my situation – a stranger that didn’t introduce himself as staff, manger, owner, “concerned customer”, or whatever. I was told not to worry about it and that it wasn’t intentional. I continued to state that I’m not mad and that if I get my car back, no harm – no foul. • There was this continuation of trying to calm me down when I wasn’t upset. Trying to calm me down when I’m not upset only starts to make me upset. Being gaslighted that it’s no big deal, they know the person and the situation would get handled. • They continued gaslighting me, it was off-putting, and I started to get upset. Something was off. Why is this stranger so worried about my card? So, I locked my card via the app. • No call back from staff or owner. Yeah, that’s bad. Here is everything else that I didn’t have any intention of writing about either. • Bartender alone. Needed help. Service suffered. • Bartender having lengthy conversations with “locals”, ignoring other customers. [THIS IS A PROBLEM AT A LOT A PLACES POST PANDEMIC – STAFF TALKING TO CUSTOMERS OR EVEN OTHER STAFF WITHOUT LOOKING UP OR OVER AT THE CUSTOMERS. WE CAN FORGIVE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, BUT SERVICE IS NOT A SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE] • The bartender playfully placed my credit card in her bra. The “locals” must like it. Kinda gross. • Glassware all over the bar. The kitchen was closed early so I’m guessing no kitchen staff / Busboy. The bartender had to wash my pint glass in front of me. A cursory cleaning at best with bare hands and who knows how long the water was in those sinks. Kinda gross. • The pool table required the bartender to fix it multiple times while I was there. The only problems you get with pool tables are money or balls getting stuck. Close the table & call a repairman. You could open it up for free until it’s fixed. The bartender should not have to spend that much time with the pool table. The bartender had customers waiting, including myself."

"It’s called the LOCAL for a reason and they treat you like one too. I had a few whiskey in the rocks for happy hour, Philly cheesesteak fries and wings. All were great tasting plates and the service and atmosphere was extremely welcoming. Had the pleasure of meeting the manager Sarai and the bartend Megan. Both made my day. Will be back soon!!!"

"Decent place for watching sports. The staff do a good job of catering to customers needs in terms of putting certain channels on certain TVs, etc. Bartenders/servers are friendly ams attentive."

"Very cozy . Name fits the bar. Lived here for a year and felt very local vs tourist. Music good bartender Tara made it very welcoming. Patrons very nice no anger or drama"

"Overpriced wings! 10 for $16! Onion rings were plentiful, but I've had better tasting cheap ones. Poor service. 1 person bartending, and waitress. To top it off, 3% surcharge to use credit card+"