The bar staff is horrible, forcing gratuity on not just patrons but even those providing entertainment for the patrons. POS
louis pierre
I had a great time with my friends here. I'm definitely coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alana Poole
Went here to experience sippin santa! The decorations and drinks were GREAT! The best part of the experience was Tom, who was behind the bar! Tom was welcoming, informative, and friendly! 10/10 experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ernie Britt
I made a reservation online for 6 people at 10:30 PM on Friday, December 20. We arrived on time, walked into the bar (no one greeted us), and stood by the DJ booth awkwardly for a few minutes while we waited for a table to open. The bar was decorated for Christmas (cute!) and there was a seasonal “Sippin’ Santa” menu with fun holiday drinks. We were excited to try them.
We bussed our own table (old drinks were left on the table, we took the dirty glasses to the bar) and we tried to flag someone down several times. No staff member spoke to us or acknowledged us the entire time we were there (30-45 minutes). Other patrons were circling the bar like vultures, desperately looking for a seat or struggling to get the bartenders’ attention. I saw a young man walking around who appeared to be a waiter. He told us he worked at the food truck outside. He wasn’t able to find anyone to help us and seemed overwhelmed and confused. The people seated next to us said it was no use. They said that “everyone” on staff was brand new, no one ever came to their table, and they had to fight for their drinks at the over crowded bar. They told us to try to get the attention of the bartender in a Hawaiian/tropical shirt: “He seems incompetent but he’s actually the most competent person on staff.” If customers are expected to clean their own tables and order everything at the packed and understaffed bar, we should be told that at the door. One competent bartender for ~70 patrons is insane. We decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. We left.
I’m very disappointed in how bad service at The Royal Tot has become in recent years. It used to be a fun, cozy, unique place to get great food and drinks. Service was friendly and responsive. Now the service is abysmal — practically non-existent. I don’t know if the drinks are still good because we never got a chance to order anything. I now realize they no longer serve food, which is another unfortunate choice. The potential for greatness is there. The new ownership is squandering it.
The new owner will probably respond to my review and call me a “fake account leaving a fake review” when my whole name and headshot are right there, my reservation was recorded in their online reservation portal, and this is not my first review. Responding to constructive feedback with attacks is very sloppy, childish, and unprofessional behavior. Here’s a better business strategy: Read the feedback, improve the customer experience, and do better!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Riley Sims
Bartenders were so nice and friendly!! Love the Christmas decor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janae H
Please CHECK YOUR ITEMIZED RECEIPT BEFORE paying!!!!! I was charged for multiple drinks I did not order. We went to the holiday pop up shop and the atmosphere was really cute but the drinks were just ok…. The food place they partner with never brought our food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Iuigene Balbin
Great spot during the holidays as they turn into a Christmas pop up bar! Love their cocktail selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Charlene Bentley
I've never gone out of my way to write a bad review, truly. But tonight we were really disappointed with our experience.
I follow The Royal Tot on social media, we've been there a few times before and like the vibe a lot.
We hadn't been there in a really long time and saw that they have a Christmas pop-up bar right now so, for our Saturday night plans, we thought "let's go to The Royal Tot for a little bit to check it out and get a few drinks and some bites to eat".
Well they don't do any small bites to eat anymore, they did before. Ok fine, so we were okay to just get some drinks and then leave to get food somewhere else.
We sat at the bar, we knew what we wanted pretty quickly, and we waited a little while before the lady bartender said that someone would be with us shortly.
Keeping it mind, it was early and it wasn't full at all. The couple that sat down after us got served first. Ok fine.
Then we waited and waited. Hoping to get served shortly. Someone had walked up to the bar long after and the male bartender immediately tended to her. At that point, we were not happy and already even more frustrated.
So we decided to get up and leave.
So unfortunately our experience was really disappointing and we will not be going back again!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Jessica Pendleton
Christmas pop-up bar the Saturday before Christmas has two bartenders working. It was pretty dead so we sat in a booth and waited didn’t get served so we moved to the bar and were also not served. Cute place but smelled like sticky bar floor. Drinks were $20 so this is not like some dive bar where you expect to jump over the bar to get a drink.
Service: 1
Kaylan Bailey
Was completely ignored for the first 15 minutes of arrival. Tried to get the bartenders attention multiple times, was completely ignored. Horrible 👎🏾
I can recommend the atmosphere. It was absolutely beautiful. The building is ideal for a fun dining experience, especially during nice weather.
However, I absolutely cannot recommend the drinks. We ordered two and ended up not finishing either. They were not well made or reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Winkels
I went here for a Latin dance event, and I would highly recommend it! It was on the roof area with a view of downtown Charlotte.
When it started to sprinkle outside, we moved into the upstairs bar. It was a little more close-quarters in there with all the people, but still a lot of fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ally F
This is a fun, novelty cocktail bar with a wide variety of tropical drink options. My favorite drink is the Treasure Chest. I highly recommend choosing a fun cup and sitting at the rooftop for some city views!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Mackenzie Beyer
Savannah was awesome! Recommended drinks and was super personable. Loved the Christmas decor!
The bar staff is horrible, forcing gratuity on not just patrons but even those providing entertainment for the patrons. POS
I had a great time with my friends here. I'm definitely coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here to experience sippin santa! The decorations and drinks were GREAT! The best part of the experience was Tom, who was behind the bar! Tom was welcoming, informative, and friendly! 10/10 experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I made a reservation online for 6 people at 10:30 PM on Friday, December 20. We arrived on time, walked into the bar (no one greeted us), and stood by the DJ booth awkwardly for a few minutes while we waited for a table to open. The bar was decorated for Christmas (cute!) and there was a seasonal “Sippin’ Santa” menu with fun holiday drinks. We were excited to try them.
We bussed our own table (old drinks were left on the table, we took the dirty glasses to the bar) and we tried to flag someone down several times. No staff member spoke to us or acknowledged us the entire time we were there (30-45 minutes). Other patrons were circling the bar like vultures, desperately looking for a seat or struggling to get the bartenders’ attention. I saw a young man walking around who appeared to be a waiter. He told us he worked at the food truck outside. He wasn’t able to find anyone to help us and seemed overwhelmed and confused. The people seated next to us said it was no use. They said that “everyone” on staff was brand new, no one ever came to their table, and they had to fight for their drinks at the over crowded bar. They told us to try to get the attention of the bartender in a Hawaiian/tropical shirt: “He seems incompetent but he’s actually the most competent person on staff.” If customers are expected to clean their own tables and order everything at the packed and understaffed bar, we should be told that at the door. One competent bartender for ~70 patrons is insane. We decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. We left.
I’m very disappointed in how bad service at The Royal Tot has become in recent years. It used to be a fun, cozy, unique place to get great food and drinks. Service was friendly and responsive. Now the service is abysmal — practically non-existent. I don’t know if the drinks are still good because we never got a chance to order anything. I now realize they no longer serve food, which is another unfortunate choice. The potential for greatness is there. The new ownership is squandering it.
The new owner will probably respond to my review and call me a “fake account leaving a fake review” when my whole name and headshot are right there, my reservation was recorded in their online reservation portal, and this is not my first review. Responding to constructive feedback with attacks is very sloppy, childish, and unprofessional behavior. Here’s a better business strategy: Read the feedback, improve the customer experience, and do better!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bartenders were so nice and friendly!! Love the Christmas decor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Please CHECK YOUR ITEMIZED RECEIPT BEFORE paying!!!!! I was charged for multiple drinks I did not order. We went to the holiday pop up shop and the atmosphere was really cute but the drinks were just ok…. The food place they partner with never brought our food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great spot during the holidays as they turn into a Christmas pop up bar! Love their cocktail selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
I've never gone out of my way to write a bad review, truly. But tonight we were really disappointed with our experience.
I follow The Royal Tot on social media, we've been there a few times before and like the vibe a lot.
We hadn't been there in a really long time and saw that they have a Christmas pop-up bar right now so, for our Saturday night plans, we thought "let's go to The Royal Tot for a little bit to check it out and get a few drinks and some bites to eat".
Well they don't do any small bites to eat anymore, they did before. Ok fine, so we were okay to just get some drinks and then leave to get food somewhere else.
We sat at the bar, we knew what we wanted pretty quickly, and we waited a little while before the lady bartender said that someone would be with us shortly.
Keeping it mind, it was early and it wasn't full at all. The couple that sat down after us got served first. Ok fine.
Then we waited and waited. Hoping to get served shortly. Someone had walked up to the bar long after and the male bartender immediately tended to her. At that point, we were not happy and already even more frustrated.
So we decided to get up and leave.
So unfortunately our experience was really disappointing and we will not be going back again!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Christmas pop-up bar the Saturday before Christmas has two bartenders working. It was pretty dead so we sat in a booth and waited didn’t get served so we moved to the bar and were also not served. Cute place but smelled like sticky bar floor. Drinks were $20 so this is not like some dive bar where you expect to jump over the bar to get a drink.
Service: 1
Was completely ignored for the first 15 minutes of arrival. Tried to get the bartenders attention multiple times, was completely ignored. Horrible 👎🏾
Restaurantji Recommends
weak, overpriced drinks.
I can recommend the atmosphere. It was absolutely beautiful. The building is ideal for a fun dining experience, especially during nice weather.
However, I absolutely cannot recommend the drinks. We ordered two and ended up not finishing either. They were not well made or reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I went here for a Latin dance event, and I would highly recommend it! It was on the roof area with a view of downtown Charlotte.
When it started to sprinkle outside, we moved into the upstairs bar. It was a little more close-quarters in there with all the people, but still a lot of fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is a fun, novelty cocktail bar with a wide variety of tropical drink options. My favorite drink is the Treasure Chest. I highly recommend choosing a fun cup and sitting at the rooftop for some city views!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Savannah was awesome! Recommended drinks and was super personable. Loved the Christmas decor!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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