The Rail

This past Saturday night my best friend and I ended the night at The Rail. It was my first time at this bar, and unfortunately is the only experience in Hillcrest with having an exceptionally negative interaction with a bartender. My friend and I were interacting with one of the dancers and went to the bar with him to grab a shot. I paid for the first round and he agreed to get the second round, so my friend asked the bartender for the second round as told us to wait for him to change and he’d be back. She goes to the dance floor a few feet away, and I stay at the bar for a few minutes. After those few minutes I approach the area she is (still very close to the bar). Suddenly this same bartender storms onto the dance floor, literally grabs my friends shoulder and tells her “Don’t you ever order drinks at my bar and not be here to pay for them!!!” Completely shocking to both of us how aggressive he was about it, and we head towards the bar. I calmly try to explain to him we were literally right there waiting for the dancer, and he said “I don’t care!! SHE ordered it!!” As stated before, the order was for 3 shots and upon approaching the bar there was only 1 shot poured. So this bartender thought it made sense to aggressively approach us over ONE single shot, not even getting the order correct. After going back and fourth and trying to understand why he’s so hostile and combative, we just paid for the one single tequila shot that he apparently slaved to make, and went back to the dance floor. The only reason we didn’t immediately leave is because my co workers were also there having a good time, and we didn’t want the night ruined. Eventually we went to a different bartender whom was absolutely amazing. Came to find out the extremely rude bartender was the MANAGER. It really makes you question a business that has the worst bartender as their manager. After befriending a few regulars on the patio, apparently the manager Ziggy has a history of being rude. The other bartender Stevie saved the night for me. He was very sweet.

Stopped by during the day time for some day drinking with friends. Place was ok. They've remodeled and you definitely notice it right away. The day we visited was a Saturday afternoon. They had a drink and draw event going on. Made the place feel livelier. Overall it was a good place to stop by to cool down, hang with friends, and drink.

Avoid at all costs. Rail security staff exemplify what's wrong with the gay community. Favoritism and bias. There are way better bars in hillcrest that will treat you well. Rail staff don't treat their patrons equally. They play favorites and are unethical. Please don't spend your dollars at a place that employs staff that don't understand how to treat their patrons with dignity. If you need a detailed story, read below. The security guard at Rail is perhaps the worst human being I have ever met. I was first in the stand by line over pride weekend on Friday. I was standing in the stand by line for 30 minutes. The security guard came up to me and had the audacity to ask me"what are you waiting for sir?" I replied I am in the line. I was actually first in the line . The security guard gave me some BS that the group behind me were waiting since 8 pm alluding to the fact that I need to leave the line. How come I am first in the line then? I saw the group behind me arrive after me. Earlier I actually saw the security guard talking to the group behind me promising to pull some strings to let them in faster. I felt humiliated. The security guard obviously knew them and was playing favorites. Shame on the Rail for hiring an unethical security guard. He should be fired. I will never do business with them again. The whole experience was just awful. I went to Rich's and had a great time. At least they know how to treat their customers right. Rail earned an F.

A much better place since the remodel. Large space with seating against the walls and in an open side room. Unfortunately the staff's personality is not pleasant. Dead on the Manic Monday with lack of available seating. Even if you arrive early you are removed from seating without any advance notice.