Whiskey Park

My girlfriends and I went to Whiskey Park last Saturday. We were stopped at the door since our names weren't on the list, but the (hot) manager was walking by and escorted us up the stairs to the bar. Once we got upstairs I appreciated the stiff door policy because the crowd was a nice mix, not to mention beautiful (as was the entire staff). My martini was a bit pricey for Atlanta but it was the BEST BLUEBERRY MARTINI I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!! There was no smoking inside which is nice for my friends that don't smoke but the bartender said they would be opening an outdoor patio soon for those craving nicotine (like me). Overall, we had a great time and look forward to going back this weekend!

Pros: service, drink selection

Cons: expensive parking

Posted 08/07/08

My girlfriend and I have been wanting to check this place out as we had heard it was a busy spot for the weekends, and atlhough we arrived early evening, there was already people streaming in. We waited a few minutes but once inside the scene was a breath of fresh air. Quality drinks, beautiful people and everything you'd expect from the W. We toured the lobby a bit then looked into the Whiskey Bar. We got in just in time to see P. Diddy and his entourage while everyone else seemed oblivious! The Dj was pretty good but the tables were scarce. We were able to get a couple of seats at a table next to the bar and our waitress was excellent. I asked if there was a place to smoke, but you had to leave in order to do so. We had a great time but cut it a bit short as I really needed a cigarrette. Definately going back, soon!

Posted 08/06/08

This town has needed something like this for quite a long time. This is def the new Thursday night spot for the ATL. The DJ was amazing ( I think his name was Baby You) and the scene was hot! It's nice to get a NY/LA feel here in a lounge. The crowd was very, very mixed so no matter what you were looking for it was there and dressed to impress. Service was great and the drinks were strong. What more can you ask for, except maybe closing later than 3am...

Pros: The crowd

Cons: the valet was expensive

Posted 08/06/08

This is a bad situation on a Friday night. Last Friday, I'm thinking...after dinner cocktails with the girls at a swank bar, a little people watching and then on to something else. Can you say, UTTER CHAOS!!! Now, I do the Whiskey -Times Square, The W-Chicago Lakeshore, The W-Westwood and have NEVER experienced such a poor experience with this chain hotel bar entity. From the time I valeted, my group and I were treated as if I we were being done some favor by the ability to enter the Lobby. The scene was a hectic mix of prenentious people who were trying too hard and maybe a little under exposed. In our attempt to check out the Whiskey Park Lounge, which I've peeked in on one of my prior dinners at Spice Market, we were grilled by "3" men on whether we had reservations and denied access. Reservations to order drinks from one of the hotel bars??? A hotel company that I've spent thousands of dollars with??? Not to mention that this exlusive bar/lounge is literally two rooms with a cute bar. My idea of an upscale hotel-bar experience which is what they believe they offer WAS JUST NOT THIS!!! Hopefully the hype of this new location will tamper down, because there is no way to deliver quality when everyone in the service and wait staff are more concerned with being more "fabulous" than their patrons. I'll do the Spice Market, however, the mess around the restaurant is a major turn off when you're accustomed to paying for good treatment.

Pros: Spice Market

Cons: High end brand with poor service

Posted 07/30/08

My friends and I went for our monthly Girls Night Outing last Saturday. We had an absolutely terrible time and will NEVER return again! The crowd is very pretentious and is clearly trying too hard to look big city. There was actually a girl there in a t-shirt and stilettos and the men were just ick. I paid $21 for two drinks at the bar in the lobby. A glass of wine and a cocktail. $21 PLUS tip!

When we attempted to go to whiskey park, we were shut down at the door. When we got to the velvet rope, we were asked if we had a reservation or were guests of the hotel. We were neither and so we were denied access. Denied access to a hotel bar? Yep. You read right. I could almost see it if the place was jumpin and they needed to be selective about who they let in, but it was not busy at all.

We stood to the side so we could plan our next move. As we stood there a group of white people walked up to the bar and endured the same rejection. They had neither reservations nor a hotel keycard. Like us, they stood to the side complaining. A couple of minutes later, one of the doormen walked over and escorted them in. We couldn?t believe it. My friend walked up to him and asked why they got in when we know they had just been declined. He stated that he got an email from his general manager instructing him to let them in. That is total BS because dude was standing there the entire time with neither a BB nor a laptop computer. It is obvious, that he let them in because they were white.

Touting racism is not something I do lightly. Since I have been in Atlanta, this is the first time a situation like this has ever happened to me. But it was blatant. I?m sure they are doing it to keep the crowds looking a certain way. But my friends and I are no schlepps!

After buying overpriced drinks, paying too much for garage parking, and being treated poorly, we decided to take our money elsewhere.

There is too much nightlife in atlanta to put up with that!

Pros: none

Cons: expensive garage parking, rude staff, overpriced drinks and poor business practices

Posted 07/28/08

Ok folks, let not forget that in Atlanta and bars and restaurants come and go quickly. Even though this place is hot right now, within a year people in Atlanta move on to something else. Their door policy is very iffy. One week you go right in and 2 weeks later you need a reservation to stand at the bar and have a drink. Starwood didn?t state I need a reservation to get a Starwood?s rewards card for their hotels. I find offensive then when African American frequent certain place in Atlanta and spend money, things change. The drinks in the lobby are pricey $15.00 a drink. But, they should treat people a little better. Hopefully W downtown and W Buckhead will do better then midtown. In closing I must say there are African Americans in Atlanta, GA that do spend money when treated accordingly. With bad economy you would think they want the business.

Pros: spice market

Cons: everything else

Posted 07/17/08

It's only a matter of time before there is a shooting here! I can see my property value tanking now.

Posted 06/29/08

I went to Wihskey Park for the first time last night. I had called earlier that afternoon to reserve a table but never got a call back from a manager. When I arrived and asked if there was a table I was told that all tables had been sold out. I also asked for an escort into the VIP room and a waitress said she would get a manager but no manager ever came. My waitress WAS efficient (I eventually sat at a table just outside VIP.) However, I got the same old excuse of "it's a private party" when I attempted to enter VIP.

Some of us enjoy top-shelf service and have come to expect it when we go out. Clearly, Whiskey Park has some service issues to address and I am willing to give them a second chance since they just recently opened. But my first impression was overall a dissapointment and in the future I will expect better or I won't be going back.

Posted 06/21/08

What a fun place.. had my friends bday girls night out here and had so much fun!! I will no doubt be back to Whisky Park !

Pros: Quick Service, Fun people

Cons: no dress code

Posted 05/28/08

No, it's just another hot Atlanta Midtown chick doing her thing. But Cindy's husband, Rande, has just brought one of his famous Whiskey Nightclubs to Midtown Atlanta. And what a stunner. Located on the top level, of the new W Hotel Midtown, this is the new destination for the ultra elegant hip set. The main bar is hot, with reflective glass, a lounge area for getting close, and a patio bar with a view of the Midtown skyline. Dress to impress, or begone. It's expensive, and if you got the bucks, you might reserve the V.V.I.P. area adorned in black hardwoods, red velvet, and an advance booking fee. Welcome to Atlanta, Rande, and bring Cindy by soon! Gotta get back on that dance floor!

Pros: Very Hot, Hip, Expensive Midtown Nightclub!

Cons: Where's Cindy?

Posted 05/16/08