City Winery

I would not recommend City Winery for a sold out show. It appears to be a classy venue with a good sound system, but audience seating is way, way too crowded to enjoy a show by someone you'd like to see. Food is OK & drinks are expensive but that's to be expected. Service was bad as the hard working server simply had too many tables to service. You're not getting what you'd expect from a good music venue.

Very nice, classy place to dine or drink and listen to an artist performing.  Service is generally attentive, but when I went with friends, our server never came back to us with our orders, so we ended up never eating.  The ambiance is nice but it doesn't feel too personal. Another thing is that the concert should start when stated instead of being late - that part is a bit unprofessional.  Overall, it's good, but I think your experience would depend on a lot of factors: artist, performance, music, service, staff, etc.

Show Ticket Buyers Beware!

WARNING: The floor plan that is shown when buying tickets looks spacious but is not. The tables that are shown for 4 people are actually tables for 2 people with 4 chairs crammed around it.  

a quick summary of my dining experience: Imagine sitting down to dinner in a subway car during rush hour and trying to see a show. (we did not even stay for the show, it was to uncomfortable)

Details Below:

My Parents and I bought 3 tickets for $45 each to the Suzanne Vega show. When we were seated, I was surprised that the table was actually a very small table usually used for 2 people with 4 chairs squished around it. The tables are set so there are 2 chairs on either side of the table (like the floor plan shows) However, with the chairs touching the chairs still hang off the edge of the table 3-4 inches.
Clearly the tables are only meant for 2 chairs.

The 3 of us tired to make the best of it. We pushed the 4th chair aside and all squeezed in.

Once seated, it took so long for the server to come over and take an order. Since the tables meant for 2 people were all set for 4, she was very busy.  We barely squeezed our 3 entrees on the table and once are drinks arrived (after the entrees) it was almost impossible to find space.

During dinner, the table next to us was seated. The ladies were sitting so close one ladies hair was brushing my shoulder every time she moved her head.

Then to make matters worse, the host sat a 4th stranger at our table. There was no space on or around the table, so the host tried to take my entree plate. I wanted to finish my dinner and kept my plate, but the stranger now seated at our table, had no room and was siting watching use eat. It was a bizarre and very uncomfortable dinning experience. As more and more people showed up and took their seats at the surrounding tables, it become almost impossible not to elbow someone while eating.

Finally I gave up and walked over to speak with the lady in charge of seating. (the server was non existent, at this time, so busy with other tables)  Her only option was to move us to a table to the side of the stage, where the performance could not be viewed, and once other guest showed up we would still be in the same predicament.

Suzanne Vega had not taken the stage yet, and we asked if it was possible to get a refund on our tickets or a credit to see another show. We were told to wait by the door for the Concierge Manager to arrive. (I find it interesting that none of these employees would walk over to the table to speak to us. Im guessing because it was to crowded)

Rebecca Spindler the Concierge Manager came to speak with us. She was polite but to sum up her words: "tickets are non refundable, didn't you see the images of the venue online?" That was it. So we paid for our dinner, plates un cleared, and left.

I feel tricked. The website shows large table for 4 people, somewhere comfortable to have dinner and watch a show. But once you have bought your non refundable ticket, the City Winery can do whatever they want, and you can't do anything about it.

Worst part this restaurant looks like it would be a wonderful place to have dinner and drinks or even sit at the bar for happy hour. I wish I had not had an awful experience at the Suzanne Vega show.

My next step it to write an e-mail to the General Manager David Richter. Hopefully I will be able to post a positive update and add a few stars.