Fuse Lounge

Just to explain, Fuse Lounge has an amazing free happy hour avail tues thru fri and changes daily, but is always good.

I hosted a group happy hour event the previous month,  which wasn't enjoyable to me, due to the busy, flustered service.

Well, we came back for another happy hour meet-up.  

I tried to do a good job of keeping the rsvp's tight, because last time we came people bombarded the place without rsvp-ing.  We needed extra seats and the lady looked flustered.  But the interesting thing about our first time is I don't even think she finished processing our transaction.  I asked and she said "I still haven't looked at it.  I just got a big wad of cash and it's sittin' there.". ....yeah, ok.  It didn't hit me til later because we werent charged for everything or at least I don't think so.  So I called later to ask for a receipt. Just confusing and chaotic and not fun.

I had a lot of requests to return, so our group went back.  Well, we once again had people just showing up.  Different server, less friendly and more flustered than the first one.  She got impatient when one of our group asked which drinks were on happy hour.  She hadn't been given a menu.......most of the group just went to the bar to buy a drink and get a plate.  I didn't like that she didn't inform a couple people that happy hour was over and since they don't do separate checks, I was shorted.  I told her, knowing it was just my responsibility but she didn't answer or seem to care.  

I do understand that it's hard to serve a large group, and they are giving away free food so the workers are doing the same amount of work as they would if a group were ordering from a menu, and since they don't add the tip on with groups like others do, they aren't paid what they should be.  And since I'm taking care of handling the check, I see that people don't tip for their free food.  I know they're not doing it on purpose.

I returned alone after this and the lady said they just won't be taking reservations for happy hour any longer.  So my crazy group has ruined it for any future events.  

I will return for their happy hour, and killer cocktails- altho the last time I came in they even got that wrong- but the group is going where we are welcome and right down the street we got stellar, welcoming service at Bahama Island Grill.

This is coming from the understanding that groups are difficult, sometimes forget to tip on value, and show up without lettin' everyone know.  I KNOW we were difficult, but have still been treated better at other spots.  Being busy is the goal of most businesses and even if you're rushed, the customer should never feel unwelcome.

Nice atmosphere.

stage and dance floor was pretty big. really enjoyed the live band while hubby and i relaxed in the lobby by the fireplace.

didnt get to try their food but their HH special sounded really good especially the buffet!

Carmel Mission Inn rocks!

Nice place to hang out by the fireplace , bar , comfortable chairs and booths not to pricey on the drinks , no cover charge . They have a great wooden dance floor and on saturday night all the best dancers showed up and were west coast swinging all night long.
Service is ok but sometimes they get slammed when a bunch of people show up and you have to watch their math when it comes to your bill.
the acoustics are kind of bad so the live music can seem too loud, they need to install some fabric to to keep the sound from bouncing around .
I don't know of any other place that has as good a set up , especially for dancing plus  the seats are comfortable , not  old rickety wooden chairs that are ready to collapse  or some metal barstool  with a hubcap on top.