As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am heartbroken and disappointed learning of the “rules” this establishment holds. I am the maid of honor for my lifelong best friend and I am a proud gay woman raised by lesbian mothers. We all wanted to incorporate a fun, accepting environment into our trip and I found this club. Not being from the area, I thought we would be able to stop by at the end of the night for some dancing. However after looking into it I realized I wouldn’t even be allowed to enter the club if I attended with my best friend and her friends, as we are a “bachelorette party” which this club prohibits. The website explicitly states fully accepting of all kinds of people. I am devastated I wouldn’t be let in, when clubs like this are some of the few places I’ve felt safe before in nightlife scenes. Do better.
John Ingersoll
Fun little
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Machu
To all the straight girl bachelor parties that don't respect LGBT spaces; Gay people are not here to entertain you. We don't care that you have a "gay friend." There's straight bars all over the country, you don't need to invade our space.That being said; great service, good vibes, fun atmosphere. If you come here and are respectful you'll have a good time. If you show up in a huge straight party to overtake a safe space for your selfish enjoyment, you'll be turned away. It's simple logic.
Catherine
I love it here! Super welcoming and a chill vibe! My friends and I love going here <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooke Wilson
The bartender was on a power trip and would not back down…We had a group of seven adults. All were between 23-50. The bartender didn’t like one of the IDs because it had “two circles”. He was very rude and dismissive. He told two of the group members they couldn’t be served until the ID could be verified by the police. We asked if he was going to call and be rudely said that wasn’t hisJob and we needed to leave.I called the non-emergency line and had a cop on the way. I let the bartender know and he said that the three of us had to stand outside for the cop. He wouldn’t give credit cards back to party members that had already ordered drinks throughout the process.The cop came, verified all the party member IDs, spoke to the bartender who caused a scene arguing with the cop in front of all other patrons. The bartender then refused service to the three party members who were waiting outside in front of the cop. He said we were “too drunk” to be served. We went back to the rest of our party members. Then he changed his mind and kicked out the three original party members that stood outside with the police. At first he refused to give cards back but eventually gave in.After the parent of the party member whose ID was under question asked for an explanation from the bar tender, he kicked her out of the bar as well. The remaining party members then tried to close their tabs and were screamed at about “talking to other patrons about the situation”. They were also refused service and kicked out after having to repeatedly ask for their tab again and again.I have gone to many karaoke nights and have had a great time at SideTraxx in the past. I have not seen this bartender before or been this disrespected. I cannot believe the way the party was treated. I understand that the bartender can refuse service but he was in a power trip and absolutely refused to back down even after serving five of the seven party members already. Arguing with a cop, saying we were “too drunk” after not having any drinks, refusing to allow us to pay tabs, forcing two other party members to stand outside, this is just unacceptable service…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lewis Bunting
Bartender was a horrible person. Went for some karaoke and he refused 2 of our group because he didn't like the look of their ID.Police came and verified both ID's. Bartender didn't like this and on a power trip said that we all had to leave and it was his right not to serve. He held on to the bank cards of those of use who had already ordered and served everyone else before giving them to us to check out.We literally just wanted to just go to hangout, have a drink or two and watch some karaoke and this bartender ruined our night completely. Never returning after tonight.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
edgardo dejesus
Great place some times to dance. To get a drink takea for ever..ND the music need to be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua McGinnis
love this
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
christina st onge (Gigglepuss)
Always love going here for karaoke the drinks are always awesome and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Sam L.
Bartenders are pretty good, quick service & friendly. The one star is solely due to the extremely rude doorman, Lisa. She is consistently judgmental & and unwelcoming, even if you are sober. Im surprised she is still employed there.
The bad reviews are from girls upset the owner tries to keep this place a gay bar. Thank you to the owner for making sure LGBT people have their own place too.
Alex Casas
It was our first time in Traverse City and after reading all of the reviews about Lisa and the non bachelorette parties policy knew we had to visit. Lisa is warm, positive and friendly! Great dive bar vibes with dance floor.Thank you for providing an inclusive space dedicated to LGBTQIA folks. I wish my local gay clubs also had a similar policy regarding bachelorette parties.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Blair Mishleau
Folks were so friendly and it had a great atmosphere. I think some of the low ratings are bridal parties who are trying to take over a space intended for LGBTQ folks who might not have anywhere else to feel safe and build community.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Kristin Stuut
If I could leave 0 stars I would. Lady working the door was rude. Turned away simply because we were a bachelorette group. You should advertise this on your website if you’re going to pick and choose who you want in your bar.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Madelyn Cain
this is the worst bar I have ever been to in my entire life. Lisa was nothing but rude to me and my sisters. If you are looking to have at all of a good time avoid this place and the lady behind what she thinks is her podium. -1,000 is a generous rating.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am heartbroken and disappointed learning of the “rules” this establishment holds. I am the maid of honor for my lifelong best friend and I am a proud gay woman raised by lesbian mothers. We all wanted to incorporate a fun, accepting environment into our trip and I found this club. Not being from the area, I thought we would be able to stop by at the end of the night for some dancing. However after looking into it I realized I wouldn’t even be allowed to enter the club if I attended with my best friend and her friends, as we are a “bachelorette party” which this club prohibits. The website explicitly states fully accepting of all kinds of people. I am devastated I wouldn’t be let in, when clubs like this are some of the few places I’ve felt safe before in nightlife scenes. Do better.
Fun little
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
To all the straight girl bachelor parties that don't respect LGBT spaces; Gay people are not here to entertain you. We don't care that you have a "gay friend." There's straight bars all over the country, you don't need to invade our space.That being said; great service, good vibes, fun atmosphere. If you come here and are respectful you'll have a good time. If you show up in a huge straight party to overtake a safe space for your selfish enjoyment, you'll be turned away. It's simple logic.
I love it here! Super welcoming and a chill vibe! My friends and I love going here <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The bartender was on a power trip and would not back down…We had a group of seven adults. All were between 23-50. The bartender didn’t like one of the IDs because it had “two circles”. He was very rude and dismissive. He told two of the group members they couldn’t be served until the ID could be verified by the police. We asked if he was going to call and be rudely said that wasn’t hisJob and we needed to leave.I called the non-emergency line and had a cop on the way. I let the bartender know and he said that the three of us had to stand outside for the cop. He wouldn’t give credit cards back to party members that had already ordered drinks throughout the process.The cop came, verified all the party member IDs, spoke to the bartender who caused a scene arguing with the cop in front of all other patrons. The bartender then refused service to the three party members who were waiting outside in front of the cop. He said we were “too drunk” to be served. We went back to the rest of our party members. Then he changed his mind and kicked out the three original party members that stood outside with the police. At first he refused to give cards back but eventually gave in.After the parent of the party member whose ID was under question asked for an explanation from the bar tender, he kicked her out of the bar as well. The remaining party members then tried to close their tabs and were screamed at about “talking to other patrons about the situation”. They were also refused service and kicked out after having to repeatedly ask for their tab again and again.I have gone to many karaoke nights and have had a great time at SideTraxx in the past. I have not seen this bartender before or been this disrespected. I cannot believe the way the party was treated. I understand that the bartender can refuse service but he was in a power trip and absolutely refused to back down even after serving five of the seven party members already. Arguing with a cop, saying we were “too drunk” after not having any drinks, refusing to allow us to pay tabs, forcing two other party members to stand outside, this is just unacceptable service…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bartender was a horrible person. Went for some karaoke and he refused 2 of our group because he didn't like the look of their ID.Police came and verified both ID's. Bartender didn't like this and on a power trip said that we all had to leave and it was his right not to serve. He held on to the bank cards of those of use who had already ordered and served everyone else before giving them to us to check out.We literally just wanted to just go to hangout, have a drink or two and watch some karaoke and this bartender ruined our night completely. Never returning after tonight.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great place some times to dance. To get a drink takea for ever..ND the music need to be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
love this
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Always love going here for karaoke the drinks are always awesome and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Bartenders are pretty good, quick service & friendly. The one star is solely due to the extremely rude doorman, Lisa. She is consistently judgmental & and unwelcoming, even if you are sober. Im surprised she is still employed there.
Restaurantji Recommends
The bad reviews are from girls upset the owner tries to keep this place a gay bar. Thank you to the owner for making sure LGBT people have their own place too.
It was our first time in Traverse City and after reading all of the reviews about Lisa and the non bachelorette parties policy knew we had to visit. Lisa is warm, positive and friendly! Great dive bar vibes with dance floor.Thank you for providing an inclusive space dedicated to LGBTQIA folks. I wish my local gay clubs also had a similar policy regarding bachelorette parties.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Folks were so friendly and it had a great atmosphere. I think some of the low ratings are bridal parties who are trying to take over a space intended for LGBTQ folks who might not have anywhere else to feel safe and build community.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
If I could leave 0 stars I would. Lady working the door was rude. Turned away simply because we were a bachelorette group. You should advertise this on your website if you’re going to pick and choose who you want in your bar.
Food: 1
Service: 1
this is the worst bar I have ever been to in my entire life. Lisa was nothing but rude to me and my sisters. If you are looking to have at all of a good time avoid this place and the lady behind what she thinks is her podium. -1,000 is a generous rating.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1