Blackstone Pub and Grill Recieves Negative Review
John Schaub
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Entertainment
Blackstone’s Pub and Grill, the latest addition to the revitalization of Saginaw Street in downtown Flint, failed to meet any expectations of what I imagined after learning of the opening.
A cold greeting and dirty look from the hostess of the half empty bar gave me the suspicion that the bar wasn’t too fond of college students between the age of 21 and 25 (coincidentally, an age group with the largest % of expendable income).
A simple response to fellow student Sam Ryan’s honest question continued to add to my suspicion. When he asked “what beer do you have on tap”, our bitter waitress answered “get up and go look at the bar yourself”. Now I am not from Michigan, but I am reasonably sure that any server in an establishment with “pub” in the name should know at least a few decent brews they have on tap, anywhere.
Our waitress continued to confirm my feelings were legitimate. After promptly walking over the bar and realizing they had a good selection, I politely ordered a Bass Pale Ale. She properly carded me, and in 15 agonizing minutes, I received a cold, smooth brew. I wasn’t even halfway done my beer when dirty looks from the manager and another carding visit from our now apologetic (too late) waitress made things even worse. They took all Out of State ID’s to validate the people who had already been served were actually 21. Actually, we were 23, 23, 22, 22, 22, with a single 21 year old. I support carding the first time, but a second time is irritating unless I am traveling through Canada to New York.
Overall, I ordered a potato skins appetizer which was good, and met my expectations of good bar food. I was just finishing my food when even more gawking from the manager made me regret sticking around long enough to eat food there.
I promptly got up and walked to our waitress and asked to speak with the manager. He approached me and I politely asked him if there was a problem, receiving no legitimate response other than “we have been having problems with you guys, so I wanted to check your ID’s again”. My whole party had never been there before, but apparently he was trained in identifying underage, cheapskate college kids that are out to wreck his business. He failed to listen to anything about our terrible service and wasn’t even open to hearing his customers concerns.
Overall, Sam Ryan, the rest of our party, and I were disappointed. We had faith that anyone with the drive to open a new establishment in a revitalization area of a college town would value the business of college students. Disappointed and frustrated, we promptly called our designated drivers to chauffeur us back to Bar Louie, a place that never disappointed a dollar of the $600 I dropped there last fall. It’s a place where Kettering students are welcomed and willing to pay higher prices for good service, selection, and food. Too bad Blackstone’s Pub and Grill won’t get a piece of that pie. 
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Andrew Scorgie
posted 7/09/09 @ 12:44 PM EST
I agree, any place that must card you more than once is a place that is certainly not willing to serve college students. They need to recognize that Kettering, Mott, and U of M Flint students will keep their establishment running after the high of the grand opening has worn off. (Continued…)
Tracy Schmitz
posted 11/12/09 @ 4:24 PM EST
I attended UofM Flint's "Taste of Flint" event where we went to a few different restaurants around Flint in one evening. Though they had set it up beforehand, so the servers/managers knew we were coming, I had a very pleasant experience, even with a very large group. (Continued…)
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