Bottom Lounge

Originally, after seeing a band in the Volcano Room of Bottom Lounge, I was impressed with their beer selection, ambiance and prices. However, after attempting to deal with their Special Events planner Natalie Meletsis and the staff that answers the phone at Bottom Lounge, I get the impression that they are indolent and incapable of communicating in something reminiscent of a timely manner or with each other for that matter. I was attempting to orgainize a birthday celebration on the Patio Deck outside of the Volcano Room for Friday September 2nd, 2011, and believed that it would be a good idea to ask details on having a group of around 22 people. On a visit to Bottom Lounge I had asked one of the bartenders for information on the Patio Deck and if it would be possible to reserve a table out there, she was unsure of the answer, but did provide me with the person to contact, Natalie Meletsis. I attempeted to call Ms. Meletsis on Tuesday, August 23rd to ask for any information she could provide. I called twice from my work phone, and both times my call was directed to voicemail. That same morning, I wrote Ms. Meletsis an email asking for information. I called a third time that evening from my cell phone. This time, I left a voicemail with details regarding what information I needed and as to details of what I was trying to organize. My phone call was never returned. I called Bottom Lounge's direct phone number on August 29th, after waiting five full days for Ms. Meletsis to reply in some manner, I was able to ask the person who answered the phone several questions I needed answered. They had informed me that the Patio Deck is basically first come, first serve and that if need be, they would accomidate with more tables and chairs for larger parties. I also, inquired if Septmeber 2nd was a date that would be open for being on the Patio Deck, they had instructed me that yes it was, but recommended to get there before 8 pm. I informed the 22 guests that we would be meeting on Friday, September 2nd at 9 pm on Bottom Lounge's Patio Deck. On Wednesday August 31st at 7 pm, Ms. Meletsis replied to my original email in a short, curt non-descript manner. She had stated that they were not accepting reservations for that weekend because it was blocked out due to Northcoast Festival. She provided no explaination as to what that meant. I recieved this message on September 1st. Their website suggested that there is a concert in their main concert room, not the Volcano Room or Patio Deck. Being that I had already spoken with someone on the phone that assured me there would be no issue with being on the Patio Deck, I did not pay much attention to Ms. Meletsis' incoherent message. However, I still had a lingering doubt and decided to call Bottom Lounge on the morning of Septmber 2nd, the date that I had planned on meeting 22 other people on the Patio Deck. This time, the person I spoke to on the phone informed me that they were indeed having a concert in their main concert room on the first floor. It is a Northcoast after party concert. This woman also informed me that the Volcano Room and the Patio Deck were not open to the public tonight because that will serve as the VIP area for this afterparty. The only way to access it is to purchase tickets. In short, I now have to find a new place to celebreate my girlfriend's birthday hours before we were to celebrate. How is it possible that if your job is that of Special Events planner, you do not respond to phone calls, messages or e-mails, even if you find them to be inconsequential or menial? Moreover, how does an establishment as a whole, provide incorrect information when inquired? It is very unlikely that if this Northcoast afterparty had been planned for weeks, that the several times I called to inquire about this date's availability that each person I spoke with would be clueless as to what was to transpire that night. I am fully aware that Northcoast is a relatlively large event and will generate a good stream of income for Bottom Lounge, the fact that Bottom Lounge is hosting an afterparty for Northcoast is not what troubles me. The fact that they were entirely unprofessional and basically clueless at each turn is not only pretrubing, but also shocking. How does a business function in this manner? And how are people gainfully employeed while not fulfilling their responsibilites or in the loop on what is going on? Bottom Lounge is a nice place, with decent food, a nice ambiance and good beer selection, but it is horribly managed and has the worst communication between employees and that ultimately means the worst communication with customers.