Blue Ribbon Tavern

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  On Friday night myself and a buddy of mine had planned to meet with some girls whom we had previously met to grab a drink somewhere.  The ladies we were meeting suggested that we go to this place the Blue Ribbon tavern because the bartender was a friend of theirs.  Having never been there before I didn't know what to expect, and for good reason because the night took an unfortunate turn for the worst!
  We arrived around 11:30 PM to this hole in the wall and immediately noticed in the parking spot adjacent to us that there was a couple "getting in on" in the back seat of the car..charming first impression.  Walking in the place it seemed cool actually with a lot of TV's, darts and conversation.  My buddy and I patiently waited to get the bartenders attention; we got a beer for each of us, tipped our bartender and joined the ladies we were meeting at a table.  We talked with the girls for a while, finished our beers and also the girls had also finished their drinks. The girls went to the bar and ordered a round of shots for the 5 of us, my buddy had mentioned to the bartender for the 2 of us to join their bar tab so we would all pay him out collectively at the end of the night.  The shots took 15 min for him to make!  We took our shots talked for a while amongst ourselves then put in an order for a round of long island iced teas.  Again the drinks took over 20 min to make because the bartender was busy sweet-talking a pair of ladies telling them "how much guys are assholes". When he finally had our drinks he filled them to the brim with alcohol then managed to spill half of mine as he shaked it.   The man was drunk off his ass! Stumbling around tending to the needs of his regulars and friends around the bar rather than engaging some new customers.  The other bar customers would say things like "hey mama" to the girls we were with while, others were passed out drunk on the bar counter.  
  We sipped on our LIIT's for a while at the table minding our own business having playful conversation.  After finishing the drinks the ladies put in an order for another round of cocktails. And again the bartender took his sweet time in doing so.  At this point I was done drinking for the night and gave my buddy some money to go get himself a drink, my treat while we waited patiently for our other drinks.  He got his 1 drink paid the bartender and rejoined us at the table.  
  At this point the bartender freaks out screaming and animating the bar.  He begins trash talking and pointing over at our table saying that my friend never tipped him. Keep in mind that we had a tab with our group and we were going to pay him at the end of the night.  He began screaming "DOES IT LOOK LIKE I MAKE $20 AN HOUR HERE?" while me and my friend both work in the restaurant business as waiters we clearly know the importance of tipping in service jobs.  But my friend seeing that he was upset went to go talk to him and apologizes for any misunderstanding. He explained that we would generously tip him when the night was over.  They shook hands exchange a laugh and done, right?? He rejoins the table and we resume talking but the bartender won't drop it, he continues B*@#*ing to his customers about what assholes we are because my friend didn't tip him on one drink.  I looked at the bartender and smiled playfully.  He immediately took my smile as hostile and began cursing me out in front of the whole bar! I carefully approached the bar trying to defuse the situation.  The completely shitfaced bartender went off for a minute about how I am the biggest asshole.  When he was done I said, "can I say something sir?" as politely as I could.  And he responded with "NO!, GET THE F*CK OUT OF MY BAR BEFORE I JUMP OVER THERE AND BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU!" where did that come from??
  So scared for my life my friend and I picked up our things, put money on the table for our drinks with tip, said goodbye to our friends and exited the bar.  We lit ourselves a pair of smokes to relax from the high pressured situation that just took place and were just about leaving the area.  Then a group of drunk guys came outside and confronted us.  One man had a huge biker beard and looked like a drunken, Neanderthal, hillbilly with a gut hanging out like the state of Iowa, and his goons were total hoodlums all slurring their words.  They told us they were going to kick our asses if we didn't apologize to their friend the bartender and pay him out handsomely; after we tried to resolve the misunderstanding AND WE DID TIP HIM.  We left the bar in disgust, never having been treated so poorly by other people, drunk or sober! I believe the place is a disgrace to the service establishment by having worked in a restaurant for years; and its a terrible place to bring a lady, bad service!, bad drinks!, trash hole!, trashy people!!  This place is not the place to have a casual drink with friends, but it is the place to get belligerently drunk, insult women and come home with chlamydia.

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  Posted on 07.13.13 Joe K.

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  What a great friendly place. If this isn't a sports/cheers like bar nothing is.....
  Great food and drinks at reasonable prices.  Both Gail and Sue (owner) not only remember your name but always make you feel welcome. A great sports crowd during football season and darts the rest of the year.  The patrons are quick to recognize you and make you feel like you belong....
  
  This is the only casual bar in Rockland or Bergen county I would recommend.
  Do check it out you will not be disappointed!

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  Posted on 10.09.12 Bill S.

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  Love this place. It's my "Cheers."  The food is fantastic and the staff is as well.  I love going there for karaoke and summer nights to eat and have a few on the deck.  The food portions are more than adequate and it's a great place to watch the game, catch up with old friends, or even go out to dinner with the family.

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  Posted on 01.07.12 Lolita M.

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  I work down the road, and can be found here very often on Friday afternoons when the office is quiet.
  
  This place is a classic low key bar. Unpretentious and fantastic at what they do. For food you need only know three things. The booyah wings are amazing, the blue cheese bacon burger is beyond delicious and the french onion soup is a pillowy trampoline straight to heaven. The service is amazing, Sue is a wonderful bartender/owner who takes little to no shit from anyone (and with good reason).
  
  Best of all, for a just one dollar you get a chance to win the progressive shake a day. Roll 5 dice, get all 5 the same number and you win! 4 dice of the same gets you a free drink.
  
  If your in the area and want to belly up to a great bar with great eats, this is the spot!

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  Posted on 12.26.11 Daniel G.

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