The Union

Fun arcade games.  Decent food, drinks and music. But that doesn't change the fact that this place seriously needs to hire better staff.  One of the bartenders who is a younger white gentlemen needs to learn the lesson that it is not okay to racially profile customers. Plain and simple.  Definitely wont be going back.  What a shame, the other bartenders and bouncers where very polite and friendly; it is NEVER okay to call a customer a terrorist!

This was my first visit to The Union, but it only took one racist remark from the bartender to make it my last.

Let me elaborate on my experience so you can see how this all unfolded, and how The Union left a rather poor taste in my mouth, which wasn't the alcohol.

My girlfriend and I visited The Union, on a Saturday night (7/20/13), we were greeted by two male bouncers which were actually quite nice and complemented both of us on our attire. Upon entering The Union, to my surprise, I saw all the retro gaming from my youth, which made me turn my inner child on and want to play all the games! For the atmosphere (music i like playing in the background) and entertainment (all the arcade games and basketball hoops in the back!), this was a 5/5 in my book!

My girlfriend purchased a living social voucher which we went to redeem at the bar. The first bartender, an African american male, which was a really cool nice guy helped us first. We ordered a salad, loaded tater tots, and two long island iced teas. He asked to hold onto my ID with the voucher and then he would ring us up later. He used a paper clip to hold my ID to the voucher and kept it by the cash register.

After finishing our food (which was actually pretty good), we went back up to the bar to get one last drink out of the voucher. We got our same bartender from earlier and ordered a drink which he then went off to the side to make for us. As we were waiting, two Caucasian male bartenders then came to the bar to make drinks as they were beginning to get busy.

One of the Caucasian males notices my ID by the cash register. At this time, he doesn't know that I am standing right there waiting for the other guy to finish our drinks. The Caucasian male bartender grabs my ID and then speaks with the other Caucasian male bartender as says something along the lines of "looks like a TERRORIST" and then they both laugh and put my ID down. What the hell? Right? Unprofessional.

Infuriated, I take a minute to process what just transpired. I then yell "Excuse me sir, can you come here for a minute," to the bartender that made the remark. At this time I believe he thinks I'm trying to order a drink as he doesn't know I heard. I then stated, "If you don't mind, the TERRORIST would like his ID card back, thanks!"

The bartender, laughs, "Hey man, you took that seriously?"

I respond, "You serious? Why would I not take that seriously? You just racially profiled me and called me a terrorist, a pure racist remark based on my skin color and last name."

The bartender replies, "I was just joking, you can call me whatever you want and I wont take it seriously." Still somewhat chuckling.

I respond, "I am a customer that has to come into your establishment, you don't see me calling you derogatory terms or anything of the such. You making fun of me due to the color of my skin and my last name, and using racist remarks is just unprofessional. I could get you fired if I talk to your boss."

After I mention I could get him fired, the bartender changes he demeanor, he is more serious now, and then replies, "Hey man, I'm sorry. I'm sincerely sorry, do you accept my apology?"

I shrug it off, having already had a drink, and not wanting to get into trouble myself, I tell him to not do it again as there are people that would react differently than I would (if he will hold his word, I doubt it). The rest of the night was ruined as I was in a bad mood the rest of the evening. We left shortly afterwards.

Being called a terrorist just because I am brown skinned by an employee of this establishment is just pure unprofessional, and therefore I will not be coming back, even though up to that point, it was a pretty cool place.

I can't tell you, the reader reading this review, to go here or not, that is ultimately up to you to decide. I can only explain to you my experience, what i went through, and how I ended up feeling. In the end, you must decide if you want to go here and spend your hard earned money. My girlfriend and I will not be coming back here as I do not want to pay money to be called a racial slur.

Or maybe being called a terrorist is just what I am to expect in this day and age. Regardless, thank you for reading and best of luck. This was also my first Yelp review, so sorry if I went off on a rant.

(Above I labeled the bartenders as "African-American" or "Caucasian", this is not an attempt at being racist, but more I do not want to get the good bartender that was nice to us in trouble for nothing he didn't do, since I did not get either of their names. That is all.)

The bar tender was great. He was happy to refill my drink often. The food was good. The men who own the place are gentlemen. Very much a place where you are see some hotties (both men and woman). And they have basket ball hoops.