Ernie’s Inn has been my FAVORITE bar in Scottsdale for over 10 years… but after what happened last night, I will NEVER be returning. What used to feel like a fun, welcoming neighborhood spot now feels like a hostile, Nazi-enforced environment where customers are treated like criminals instead of paying guests.
Let’s start with the bouncer. Picture this: a greasy beard, a sloppy beer belly, and a terrible attitude. The second I walked in, he made a rude comment about my purse—like, excuse me? Then, he storms inside and immediately zeroes in on my friend, who had her phone, lipstick, and vape sitting on the table (because her purse was small and—heaven forbid—women’s clothes don’t have pockets). Instead of handling it politely, he comes up to our table in the most aggressive, confrontational tone and basically threatens to throw her out over it.
I couldn’t hear what he barked at her over the music, so I asked him to repeat himself, and instead of clarifying, he got mad at ME for daring to ask. Later, when I stepped OUTSIDE to hit my vape (like a responsible adult), he came up and interrogated me, asking if it was nicotine, then DEMANDED I take a hit so he could “smell it.” Who does that? Completely unprofessional, creepy, and invasive.
And it didn’t stop there. We had been patiently waiting FOUR HOURS to sing karaoke. FOUR. HOURS. Sitting inside the whole time, waiting for our names to be called. Finally, I go up to the DJ to politely ask when our turn is, and instead of giving me a straight answer, he snaps at me and says I should have asked earlier—as if it’s MY fault for waiting to be called like everyone else. He got defensive, rude, and dismissive, making it seem like I was the problem for even asking.
This bar has gone from being the highlight of Scottsdale to an absolute embarrassment. The staff is loud, hostile, and power-tripping to the point where it’s uncomfortable to even be there. After 10 years of loyalty, I can say confidently that I won’t be back—and I guarantee others will start leaving too. Treating customers this way is a fast track to an empty bar.
Ernie’s Inn, get it together—or prepare to lose the people who have kept you in business this long
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Josh Harrison
We waited for 30 mins before the bartender finally got there. Drinks were terrible. Tasted like it was watered down. Karaoke host was a perv. Me and my friend put our songs in at the same time. I was moved to the bottom of the queue when nobody was in it. It had 15 placeholders in between me and the 2 people that were about to sing. I sang 4 songs while the room was empty. Once the room started filling up he moved me to the bottom and said he wasn’t going to let me go for a while. When I asked what place I was he said it would be 30-45 mins before I sang again. That’s when I saw all the “unknowns” ahead of me. Weird. He had placeholders for people ahead of me that hadn’t even signed up yet. I know I’m not a great singer but dang. Talk about rude.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gwen Gonzales
We went there, tried to pay and they dont do Apple Pay, the bartender pointed us to a ATM and it was broken, I told him that so he pointed me to another ATM across the bar, it’s raining and I’m wearing flip-flops and tramping through the bar only to find that the other ATM was out of service too. I went back and told the bar tender and he acted like we robbed him!! It was a $17 bill! He made us feel like we were going to stiff him! The whole thing was a unbelievable
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Thomas Cheeseman
Earnies is a great place to sing karaoke, play a game of pool or darts. You won’t find any great singers but you will enjoy the time. Pool brings in some pretty good players on occasion so careful when betting on pool.
The staff are friendly and the vibe is pretty good. Lots of flexibility and stuff to do. Drinks are reasonably priced for the area as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Anonymous I
The bar is a cool concept but Dwayne the KJ kinda sucks. He makes it unnecessarily loud when there is few people, his mix is a bit harsh and he is overall kind of rude but not the funny kind and seems like he hates being there. He could care less about the crowd more about the Dwayne show.You can be a real buzz kill man. I hope you can change your demeanor and maybe more people would come to your shows. The fun kjs are the ones that can accommodate regular singers and people who don’t ever sing and not just belittle them when they ask for accommodations. Remember it’s about having fun at the end of the day.
Atmosphere: 2
nicholas sumner
As a regular customer who frequently visits and has never had a single negative experience, that changed tonight. Stopped in after I got off of work before a round of golf and after thought I’d return for a post round beer. As normal I walked up to the bar and was greeted by someone who seems to just hate their job. No friendly welcome like normal, immediately asked for my ID and out loud voiced ‘well this looks different’ don’t know what she was implying but was completely caught off guard by this interaction. Instead of being a paying customer tonight I’m writing this review .. Be better Ernie’s.
Service: 1
Jeanne Little
Asia is the absolute best bartender in the area. 100% on customer service, responsibility and a adorable bad ass!.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca
The owners wife was bartending and told us to stop playing music that we paid for. Then she gave us separate checks. I’ve never been asked to pay my bill separate before.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Brian Mitchell
Awful experience. The regular bartenders are awesome but good god keep the delusional owners far away from the guests. They do nothing but belittle them and barely even fulfill regular orders. I have never felt so mistreated, the owner literally gave me and my wife separate tabs. Confused we asked about it and the exact response was “what can he not pay it?” Also being said, there were a bunch of extra charges on the tab. Not surprised on that one. Wow. Keep thinking the remodeling is going to fix your horrible attitude and best of luck in your endeavors. Negative 5 stars.
If there was a zero I would add it. She was very rude to everyone and doesn’t need to be like that. As customers we should be treated fairly. This place is terrible not recommended. Do not visit if you want to have a good time especially Asia.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sam Corkery
I've been coming here for a couple years. They recently sold the bar to new owners that have completely destroyed the atmosphere and clientele of the bar. Most of the bartenders are fantastic, but when the owners tend bar they repeatedly berate myself and my friends over things that aren't our fault, such as sitting on the brick wall, not having our IDs taken by a previous bartender, or having their stereo system break and play loud static for well over half an hour (before we left). This used to be my favorite bar in Scottsdale, but the two new owners have done everything they can to drive me away. We just left an empty bar after an empty Friday night, and I will not be going back. And for the owners, give me an email when you sell so I can go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Harrison Davis
The owners are tyrants. Completely disrespectful and condescending. The atmosphere and service are so bad that the place literally empties when the owners take a shift.
Hannah Warren
I just waited an hour to sing karaoke and they never put me in the queue. My friends and I were waiting and kept watching other people come and sing multiple times in front of me. After 30 minutes we asked the DJ when I was up and she said another 30 minutes. We decided to wait another 30 minutes and I still wasn’t up. We cancelled our song (that problem would have never been played) and ordered our uber. Seriously ridiculous and rude.
Dr Craig Lumpy Lemke DMus
The bad bartender reviews above appear well founded.
1 Star (if I could give zero, I would)
Ernie’s Inn has been my FAVORITE bar in Scottsdale for over 10 years… but after what happened last night, I will NEVER be returning. What used to feel like a fun, welcoming neighborhood spot now feels like a hostile, Nazi-enforced environment where customers are treated like criminals instead of paying guests.
Let’s start with the bouncer. Picture this: a greasy beard, a sloppy beer belly, and a terrible attitude. The second I walked in, he made a rude comment about my purse—like, excuse me? Then, he storms inside and immediately zeroes in on my friend, who had her phone, lipstick, and vape sitting on the table (because her purse was small and—heaven forbid—women’s clothes don’t have pockets). Instead of handling it politely, he comes up to our table in the most aggressive, confrontational tone and basically threatens to throw her out over it.
I couldn’t hear what he barked at her over the music, so I asked him to repeat himself, and instead of clarifying, he got mad at ME for daring to ask. Later, when I stepped OUTSIDE to hit my vape (like a responsible adult), he came up and interrogated me, asking if it was nicotine, then DEMANDED I take a hit so he could “smell it.” Who does that? Completely unprofessional, creepy, and invasive.
And it didn’t stop there. We had been patiently waiting FOUR HOURS to sing karaoke. FOUR. HOURS. Sitting inside the whole time, waiting for our names to be called. Finally, I go up to the DJ to politely ask when our turn is, and instead of giving me a straight answer, he snaps at me and says I should have asked earlier—as if it’s MY fault for waiting to be called like everyone else. He got defensive, rude, and dismissive, making it seem like I was the problem for even asking.
This bar has gone from being the highlight of Scottsdale to an absolute embarrassment. The staff is loud, hostile, and power-tripping to the point where it’s uncomfortable to even be there. After 10 years of loyalty, I can say confidently that I won’t be back—and I guarantee others will start leaving too. Treating customers this way is a fast track to an empty bar.
Ernie’s Inn, get it together—or prepare to lose the people who have kept you in business this long
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We waited for 30 mins before the bartender finally got there. Drinks were terrible. Tasted like it was watered down. Karaoke host was a perv. Me and my friend put our songs in at the same time. I was moved to the bottom of the queue when nobody was in it. It had 15 placeholders in between me and the 2 people that were about to sing. I sang 4 songs while the room was empty. Once the room started filling up he moved me to the bottom and said he wasn’t going to let me go for a while. When I asked what place I was he said it would be 30-45 mins before I sang again. That’s when I saw all the “unknowns” ahead of me. Weird. He had placeholders for people ahead of me that hadn’t even signed up yet. I know I’m not a great singer but dang. Talk about rude.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We went there, tried to pay and they dont do Apple Pay, the bartender pointed us to a ATM and it was broken, I told him that so he pointed me to another ATM across the bar, it’s raining and I’m wearing flip-flops and tramping through the bar only to find that the other ATM was out of service too. I went back and told the bar tender and he acted like we robbed him!! It was a $17 bill! He made us feel like we were going to stiff him! The whole thing was a unbelievable
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Earnies is a great place to sing karaoke, play a game of pool or darts. You won’t find any great singers but you will enjoy the time. Pool brings in some pretty good players on occasion so careful when betting on pool.
The staff are friendly and the vibe is pretty good. Lots of flexibility and stuff to do. Drinks are reasonably priced for the area as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
The bar is a cool concept but Dwayne the KJ kinda sucks. He makes it unnecessarily loud when there is few people, his mix is a bit harsh and he is overall kind of rude but not the funny kind and seems like he hates being there. He could care less about the crowd more about the Dwayne show.You can be a real buzz kill man. I hope you can change your demeanor and maybe more people would come to your shows. The fun kjs are the ones that can accommodate regular singers and people who don’t ever sing and not just belittle them when they ask for accommodations. Remember it’s about having fun at the end of the day.
Atmosphere: 2
As a regular customer who frequently visits and has never had a single negative experience, that changed tonight. Stopped in after I got off of work before a round of golf and after thought I’d return for a post round beer. As normal I walked up to the bar and was greeted by someone who seems to just hate their job. No friendly welcome like normal, immediately asked for my ID and out loud voiced ‘well this looks different’ don’t know what she was implying but was completely caught off guard by this interaction. Instead of being a paying customer tonight I’m writing this review .. Be better Ernie’s.
Service: 1
Asia is the absolute best bartender in the area. 100% on customer service, responsibility and a adorable bad ass!.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The owners wife was bartending and told us to stop playing music that we paid for. Then she gave us separate checks. I’ve never been asked to pay my bill separate before.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Awful experience. The regular bartenders are awesome but good god keep the delusional owners far away from the guests. They do nothing but belittle them and barely even fulfill regular orders. I have never felt so mistreated, the owner literally gave me and my wife separate tabs. Confused we asked about it and the exact response was “what can he not pay it?” Also being said, there were a bunch of extra charges on the tab. Not surprised on that one.
Wow. Keep thinking the remodeling is going to fix your horrible attitude and best of luck in your endeavors. Negative 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The best for Karaoke in the valley.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
If there was a zero I would add it. She was very rude to everyone and doesn’t need to be like that. As customers we should be treated fairly. This place is terrible not recommended. Do not visit if you want to have a good time especially Asia.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I've been coming here for a couple years. They recently sold the bar to new owners that have completely destroyed the atmosphere and clientele of the bar. Most of the bartenders are fantastic, but when the owners tend bar they repeatedly berate myself and my friends over things that aren't our fault, such as sitting on the brick wall, not having our IDs taken by a previous bartender, or having their stereo system break and play loud static for well over half an hour (before we left). This used to be my favorite bar in Scottsdale, but the two new owners have done everything they can to drive me away. We just left an empty bar after an empty Friday night, and I will not be going back. And for the owners, give me an email when you sell so I can go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The owners are tyrants. Completely disrespectful and condescending. The atmosphere and service are so bad that the place literally empties when the owners take a shift.
I just waited an hour to sing karaoke and they never put me in the queue. My friends and I were waiting and kept watching other people come and sing multiple times in front of me. After 30 minutes we asked the DJ when I was up and she said another 30 minutes. We decided to wait another 30 minutes and I still wasn’t up. We cancelled our song (that problem would have never been played) and ordered our uber. Seriously ridiculous and rude.
The bad bartender reviews above appear well founded.
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