Speakeasy Novato The Board Room

The food was really good. Excellent service. I wish there was more room to dance. Big pianist!

We were looking for a happy hour's place in town and found it. Some of our favorite staff before in other places are so bonus here! Great food and drink specialities. The goat cheese was excellent. Cat and Philippe saw our night as they always provide service over and above. Our new Fav!

An immediate new favourite with a great atmosphere, a variety of happy hour appetizers and drinks. The staff was helpful and friendly and made us feel at home. Our bartender Cat enjoyed clearly finding out what their customers like and tailor-made their drinks.

I went to word. Honored by a lady who said when I went past, “It’s full, but maybe a few seats at the bar.” Then she saw the dogs and said, “We don’t have room for them in the bar.” I said we had them here under a stand, no problem, last week, if places are available, would you check? I added that we had three in our party... when my father in... so we couldn't sit at the bar and needed the stand again. She answered, "No, you have six. The dogs do not count and fit into the bar.” I said they fit under the table and do not need any extra space when a stand is available as it was last week, it is no problem. She said, "No, they don't fit into the bar and not the walker," I said, both fit when there's a stand available as we had the dogs under the table and the walker in a corner last week. Once again, you would check whether there is a stand available or come available. She said we had no room for the walker in the bar or the dogs. She then said let me check the restaurant, although I said I don't think they serve happy hour there, so there is no need. She went ahead and approached another man at the Hostess station next to my dad's friend. She whispered in ears reaching from my dad’s friend, “Let’s say we’re full as we don’t want the dogs here.” So she came back to me and said we were full of big parties tonight, so we don't have a room. I said this is good, but maybe we could check if a table would be available in the bar so that we can get happy hour. They said we don't have a room, but make sure you reserve the next time to let us know that you have dogs because we need additional space for them. We count them as 6. I said we just come to talk and there are no reservations required. If it is. I table, there's no table. End of discussion. She said, “But I must be through.” I didn't say that two people with disabilities feel like a burden or that we have to jump through Hoops to go to a restaurant. She just had to say, "We don't have a room. It's coming first, serving first. And you are welcome to wait outside and if something is available, we can let you know, or probably the sooner you come the better, especially if you need a stand against bar seat.” That's it. We'd be okay with that. I told her everything was necessary. No need to feel like a burden because of our disability and tell us that you don't have accommodation in the bar for a walker or dogs, even if a stand was available. I went out of the door and she continued to follow me to make sure that I understood her intention to be “Dorough”. No, you have actively shaken two people with disabilities. Then to catch it when I left, accused me of saying I told her to “F off” that never came out of my mouth at all. My back was turned around and I hear how she screamed when I left, and how dare you tell me F off. It was never said or even thought. I'm just shocked that it could have been such a simple handling of a situation in which the speech was full and that's it. No need to treat our disabilities and requirements for ADA-certified dogs and a walker. They never had to get up. We are appalled with the treatment of people with disabilities in this establishment by these employees, and actually shocked, after such a welcoming experience by the head bartender and the owner of the week before.

Walked in to go to speakeasy. Greeted by a lady who said as I walked past, “it’s full, but maybe a couple seats at the bar.” Then she saw the dogs, and said “we don’t have room for them in the bar.” I said we had them here under a booth, no problem, last week if seats are available, would you check? I added that we also had 3 in our party… as my dad walked in…so we couldn’t sit at the bar and again needed the booth. She replied, “no you have six. The dogs count and they won’t fit in the bar.” I said they fit under the table and require no additional room if a booth is available as it was last week, it’s no problem. She said, “no they won’t fit in the bar and neither will the walker” I said both will fit if there’s a booth available as we had the dogs under the table and the walker in a corner last week. Again, would you check if there’s a booth available or coming available. She said we won’t have room for the walker in the bar or the dogs. She then said let me check the restaurant although I said I don’t think they serve happy hour there so there’s no need. She went ahead and approached another man at the hostess station next to my dads friend. She whispered in ears reach of my dads friend, “let’s say we are full as we don’t want the dogs here.” So she came back to me and said we are full with large parties tonight so we have no room. I said that’s fine but maybe we could check to see if a table would be coming available in the bar so we can get happy hour. She said no we have no room but make sure you make reservations next time to let us know you have dogs because we need extra room for them. We count them as 6. I said we were just coming to the speakeasy and there’s no reservations required. If there’s no table, there’s no table. End of discussion. She said, “but I need to be through.” I said no need to make two people with disabilities feel like a burden or that we have to jump through hoops to go to a restaurant. All she needed to say was, “we have no room. It’s first come, first serve. And you are welcome to wait outside and when something comes available we can let you know, or probably the earlier you arrive the better especially if you require a booth versus bar seat.” That’s it. Enough said. We would be ok with that. I told her that’s all that was necessary. No need to make us feel like a burden because of our disabilities and telling us you have no accommodations in the bar for a walker or the dogs even if a booth was available. I walked out the door and she followed me out to further make sure I understood her intent to be “thorough.” No, you were actively shaming two people with disabilities. Then to cap it off as I walked off, accusing me of saying I told her to “F off,” which that never came out of my mouth at all. I’m just shocked that it could’ve been such a simple handling of a situation in which the speakeasy was full and that is what it is. No need to address our disabilities and requirement for ADA certified dogs and a walker. Those never needed to come up. We are appalled with the treatment of those with disabilities at this establishment by this employee, and actually shocked, after such a welcoming experience by the head bartender and the owner the week prior. Those two were accomodating and we enjoyed the entire experience including the food, so much so, that we couldn’t wait to come back this week to try. We would’ve been understanding if the bar was full and we would have to come back another time, but the ShameSplaining from the host was inexcusable.