The Chainlink

This is a popular destination/stop for many riders. They now require you to park your bike at the bike racks right next to the road at the entrance to the parking lot. This is completely out of view from the restaurant (separated by the entire parking lot). Bring enough locks to secure your bike or simply chose not to do business with them anymore. The patio is closed this time of year and they won't allow bike parking there or in the side yard. They should take a lesson from other brewpubs and have parking right in front of the building. 

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Interesting. A group I was with had the same experience at New Glarus with a bus full of people.

New Glarus was better before they expanded. The new brewery could be so nice, but they understaff the tap room to the point it almost feels like an assault on your common sense. You're a brewery, how do you have literally 25+ deep lines to purchase the only product you make?

If you want a good biking combo, I suggest the bike loop that starts and ends at Potosi. Super nice folks, a great brewpub, plus you can also visit the breweriana museum.

Bike loops: http://www.cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com/

Potosi: https://www.potosibrewery.com/

Three Floyd's, similar to Kuma's, has always had a punk/heavy metal aesthetic that translates into not bending over backwards in terms of traditional customer service standards.  Ask them to turn the music down or accommodate a special request, they're likely to tell you to f'off. 

I get why it rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but those places also wouldn't be what they are without that attitude as well.  To be honest, in both cases, I think neither set out to ever have 2-hour plus wait times, and both would be happier as the type of more relaxed places they were intended to be when they started out.        

   

To reiterate why I just don't care to give the restaurant my business, they refused to let us split up and be seated separately. That has nothing to do with a punk aesthetic and more to do with being terrible at customer service. We came from Chicago, we were starving, and they gave us the runaround only to finally seat us exactly the way we'd been begging to be sat after we waited 2 hours for the privilege of spending money in their establishment.  

So, for what it’s worth, that’s all just so much bullsh*t. Rationalizing treating people shabby and “copping an an attitude” is NOT “punk”, it’s not an “aesthetic” -- it’s dumping on people because you can get away with it and because they will eat yer sh*t. There is nothing antithetical to being alternative/punk/metal AND providing hospitality. I get playing yer music as loud as you want to, but when the wait staff can’t hear the customer and the customers struggle to hear each other and converse, it’s just plain anti-social. The reason I go to a pub is not just beer & food — I could get that at home — it’s to be in a social setting, to socialize. And the volume is the least of 3 Floyds’ “issues.”

One of my very favorite bars in Chicago, the venerable Hopleaf, is high church not just because of its impressive, deep beer menu and quality kitchen but because of its lack of ANY screens (television, that is), which I find encourages people to actually engage in conversation — with strangers even. And their curated soundtrack of American soul, jazz, and rhythm & blues is my jam.

Completely agree on all points. And, I love Hopleaf too. For very much the same reason. 

Coming to a new city, I find it crucial to find neighborhood places to visit and my favorite is a French bistro because the bartender is friendly and talks with me when I visit. Other places don't make the effort so I don't go nearly as often. Personally, I'm not a fan of super loud music and loads of tvs. If I want to watch a Nats game, I can go to a sports bar.

I'm sure any place where the Nats game is on is quiet as a grave.

hahaha. funny. ;-)

But..... Those places clearly exist.  They're almost the norm.  There's literally 100s of bars in Chicago that will welcome you with a smile and a warm greeting.  I like them too, and visit them often. 

I just don't need everything to feel like that.  To each their own, but I doubt I'm alone in finding some of the anti-socialness of places like Kuma's and Three Floyd's part of the charm, not just something to be endured. 

Why do people think things need to fit within what they want.  If you don't like places like Kuma's and three Floyd's which can be a bit anti-social almost by design, don't go there.  It's as simple as that.  Personally, I kinda like a place that's willing to tell someone to "f off" every once in a while and play music ridiculously loud.  So do others.  Hell, Ed Debevic's and Dick's Last Resort tried to build (poorly IMHO) chains off of the concept of surly service.  So, by all means, vote with your wallet, which is your right to do, and maybe my wait will only be an hour instead of two next time.    

EDIT: and I'll add.... I think very often these places are not intentionally unfriendly to people.  They just aren't overly accommodating in the way most hospitality places in this country (and I do stress this country) are to people.  I've personally had good and friendly experiences at Three Floyd's, but it's probably because I didn't ask for much or expect much outside of enjoying some okay bar food and some fantastic beers competently served to me with not-quite-a-smile.   

As I mentioned earlier, I do think there's a difference between less social/less friendly and bad customer service so while you enjoy the place and haven't experienced the same customer service-related frustrations (nothing to do with being friendly or not being friendly), it doesn't mean we've all had the same experience. And I agree with you - we vote with our wallets. I prefer to go to places that will feed me if they sell food and not make me wait hours to do it.

So, I hardly expect that things need to fit within what I want. But if I don't like it, I'll say so. I can be as anti-social as anyone you'd like to meet. But I don't find the need to defend 3 Floyds. And I don't dig the Wiener Circle shtick either. And I never waited an hour or more for a Hot Dog. That's how I roll. What's it to ya?

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