California Grill - Bar Only

[Paisleyjane]

Is anyone else irate that they are now denying you access to just use the bar at the California Grill unless you have ADR up there? My DH and I would go up and have a couple of drinks at the bar and maybe each have an appetizer. Sometimes DH also has an entree. I don't want anything more than an appetizer, and feel guilty taking up a table and a server's table when that is all I am ordering, but they have changed their policy. Once or twice we have been able to go up to the bar, since they have their new check on on 2nd floor policy, but usually they tell us it is too crowded and we can't go up. What is with this. The one time we kind of had a fit, and they let us go up, but the bar had several seats available at it! What are the bartenders going to do for income if you don't let people go up to the bar? We love bartenders Lori and Ray up there! Should I just make ADR and then when I get up there tell them I decided to just sit at the bar? At least I am up there!

 

[KFISCHER]

We were allowed to go up to the bar without a ressie.
They told us on the 2nd floor there was no guarantee stools would be open, and we were fine with that.
Like you, we just wanted drinks. (We were actually coming from Citrico's, were dressed nicely, and wanted to go to CG. We, too, like the bartenders)

Sounds like they've changed things since we were last there.

I don't like this either. Seems they've done what they can to keep mobs from going up there just to see the fireworks. But this doesn't sound right to me.

 

[webray]

Believe me, the bar is still busy. This goes back to the old saying, one ruins for the rest, or in this case, many ruin it for the rest. People trying to get away cheaply, seeing the fireworks from CG without ordering anything at all.

 

[Paisleyjane]

I can't figure out why they have a dress code, and don't enforce it either. So who are the special people who are getting to go up to the bar? I mean we have been able to go up, but it is like we always have to have a fit about it.

 

[missycj96]

We just stayed at CR in august and went up to the Cal Grill to the lounge about 3 nights after heading back from MK or wherever we were at night - there was no problem. Two nights we ordered flat breads and drinks, one night we had desert and drinks.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Paisleyjane - I can't imagine what the problem is either. We went in January after going to MK; and I did have a PS and it was before they started this Business Casual stuff, and they acted like they were doing us a favor to let us in and the restaurant was only 1/2 full . (and our bill was like $300 so it wasn't like we were going to be a complete waste of their time) Do you try to get in for drinks on the weekend? Maybe they are busier then so they don't let walk up customers in then. My oldest DD and I went up for dessert and cockails (for me, she's only 17) when we were there in June and they practically carrried us up there (although we were dressed nicer because we had just come from dinner at Spoodles). It's like they have a split personality. The bartenders at CG were very nice, they should give lessons to the bartenders at AKL.
We'll be there in November so I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[TDC Nala]

From what I understand you can go up to the lounge without an ADR, but they will check before letting you up there to see if there is enough space open. If there isn't, they won't let you go.