The nerve of charging $8+ for a drink is almost asking customers to not come back. This isn't a NYC nightclub, it's a family sports bar!!! If I'm paying $10 for a drink, you're going to make it precisely how I tell you to make it.

Yeah, between the costs of drinking out and not wanting a DUI to pay for a Uber, I almost never go out to drink anymore. The prices are absurd, and the drinks usually suck.

Just bought a gallon of whiskey and enjoying a quiet night in. Costs less and is less hassle than a single bar tab.

I'm with you LC, I would rather sit at home or my shop and drink good whiskey with family and friends than be out around obnoxious drunks.

Used to enjoy The Ram,then they started an automatic 18% Gratuity.

Was done at that point.

Your response made me realize I left out a critical piece of info...mea culpa. Probably a good reason why I don't write technical manuals on how to disarm ordinance.

The manager said all their martini's have two shots.
In addition, he said they only charge for actual alcohol. No upcharge for fillers or garnish.
They list a Tito's Lemondrop Martini for $8.00. Two shots.
I ordered a straight Tito's Martini. Two shots. $11.00.
There's the rub. It's not the price. It's the indefensible variance.

Keep in mind, this is now an escalation, because when I asked the server, he said "That doesn't make sense, let me check into it". He came back and said "That's the way it is...", to which I said "I would like your manager help me understand".

Instead of getting a lesson/lecture on corporate policy and pricing, here's what should have happened when I pointed to the menu and asked for clarification.

RAM manager: "Good evening, Mr. Customer. I understand you have a question regarding our cocktail pricing? How may I help?"
Me: "Yes. I ordered this drink, which seems to be similar to this drink, and I paid almost three dollars more. Why is that?"
RAM manager: "Hmmm, that does seem strange. Not sure what happened here, but I'll be happy to make an adjustment to your bill. Is there anything else I may help you with? How was your food tonight?"

Defuse the situation, accommodate a request that (I would argue) any normal person would perceive as reasonable, given the existing scenario, and then guide the customer to remark on a separate element, ie, food/service, of which there was no complaint. Guiding the conversation to a positive area.

In this case, the complaint was not about food or service, but pricing. Take care of the issue, and let the customer expound on an element of which there was no issue. With the right training, he could have had me singing praises about the food, and the service, and that's how I would have left the restaurant.

Under that scenario, they would have retained a customer.

Instead, he wanted to "tell me" about corporate policy, and why he was right, and I was wrong, but this "one time" he would "take care of me".

Had a shitty experience in 2011, took seven years for my wife to consider stepping foot back through the door. Won't be back. They won't miss me, I'm sure, and I won't miss them.

To some of us, that's what family & friends are.

I went to Ram once as well. I asked for a Bourbon and got a Canadian Whiskey. I asked for Ribs and I had to use a knife to cut them apart. I'm still not sure what happened to the poor coleslaw that came as a side, must have been a chef trying something new. Never been back since.

The place I go to now, I don't even have to say a word, they know exactly what I want and by the time I sit down at the bar a double Bourbon is usually on the way followed by a Club sandwich just like I want it. Heck if I'm in the mood for something new or different I have to flag them down before they start pouring! Service like that always gets a good tip even though they don't have an 18% suggested gratuity. I wouldn't say that I'll miss it when I'm gone, but I'll remember it for sure.

Since I'm not located too far away from you, do you mind sharing said culinary honey hole?