Should We Have Asked for our Cover Charge Back?

[Chattyaholic]

Last Wednesday was mine and DH's 31st wedding anniversary. We went to dinner and then to a nightclub for their weekly comedy night. We'd never been there before, got there about 8:45 (show started at 9:30) and paid $5 each for the cover charge.

It was early enough that we pretty much had our choice of seats. We didn't want to sit right in front, so chose seats on the side. We had a small table and another table was right next to us that would seat 4. We ordered drinks and just sat, enjoying each other's company, talking and sipping our drinks.

The place started filling up, and when the show was just about to start two couples asked if they could sit at the table next to us. Of course we said yes. It was obvious the two guys were already drunk and they were a little loud, but we figured they would quiet down when the show started.

Nope, they didn't.

One of the nightclub's employees caught my eye and she came over and told me the four would have to quiet down or they'd have to leave and she wanted ME to tell them! I told HER to tell them and she said, "oh, you're not with them?" And I said NO!! So she told them. Helped for a minute, then they went right back to laughing and talking loudly among themselves.

TWICE MORE they were told (by the bouncer guy) to quiet down. Each time they just got more obnoxious and louder. At one point the guy was walkie-talkie yapping on his cell phone with someone!!

We would have moved but there were no empty seats to move to. So we would either have to leave or try to tune them out. We tried tuning them out but it was pretty much impossible.

The bouncer guy came over once more and took their drinks away from them and said they were "cut off." He should have escorted them out the door as that just made them mad, and they got worse. The show ended about 10 minutes later.

I was tempted to ask the bouncer guy for our cover charge back, but I HATE confrontation so we just left. Not sure we'll ever go back because of that experience.

Should I have sucked it up and asked for our money back? Or should we just assume that drunks go hand in hand with a nightclub and there really was nothing we could do about it?

 

[Bob Slydell]

I think it comes with the territory and while you certainly could have asked for your money back, I doubt they would have given it to you.

 

[salmoneous]

Once you sit through the whole show, it's hard to ask for your money back.

 

[noodleknitter]

If you go to a bar, you are liable to be around drunks.

Sorry you didn't have a good time, though. Especially after you were sweet enough to allow them to sit there.

 

[cardaway]

No.

Had you left or make a bigger stink when they first acted up I think I would be on your side. If they knew you and others would leave if they didn't stop, they may have thrown them out. I would have.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yes and no. Talk to the manager or owner. Explain nicely. Then ask for another night, no cover and a free appetizer.

Remember to talk to someone high up. They have the authority to do this. It is cheaper to give you the discounts than spending their time on the phone. And they should want you back.
Mikeeee

 

[Poohnatic]

I agree with the other poster that if you were upset, the time to do something about it was as soon as they started acting up.

I've seen far too many examples of instant idiot-just add alcohol to steer clear of places like that. Cover charge and two drink minimums just are neon signs for me to pass on by!

Suzanne