Why the Abbey in West Hollywood Sucks, Part 1

So, I used to love the abbey. And, really, for the most part, it's a great place in southern california to go and take it all in -- if by all, I mean the gay glitteratti, wannabes, upandcomings and the rest. That said, though, it's starting to get on my tits, as it were.

Last night, after work, I met a few friends for some Friday evening cocktails. It was off and on raining and the place was not nearly as crowded as it usually is...which was nice. When it started raining, we moved to the big communal table in the front that's under a roof of some kind. It was lovely.

Then, at 7:30, a manager came over and asked us to leave because somebody had reserved the table...for 7:00. We said, sensibly, that a half hour had past -- no one had said anything to us at 7 -- and we'd be happy to move once the party got there. No dice.

We then move inside and toward the back. Grabbed a couple chairs and began to sit around a tall table. Again, we are told that, now, this section is reserved. Yet, no one is there. Hmm.

So, we finish our drinks and look outside again and, lo and behold, the big communal table is still empty and it's now 8:15. We sit down again and, promptly, a waiter comes out and asks us to vacate the table as it is reserved.

WTF.

If this is how the abbey treats paying, actual guests, no freakin' thank you.

Oh, and other things to note about the abbey:

1. There are no people of color as waiters, bartenders or managers. Come on, folks, this is L.A., not Sioux Falls.

2. Drinks are ludicrously expensive (though they are quite large).

So, we went to here and had one more round of drinks, which was quite fun, less expensive and actually welcoming.

So, enjoy here or, for that matter, Fuel, why don't you?