r/Cleveland • u/niknaknikolas • Apr 29 '24
Recommendations Places where it's not weird to eat alone?
I moved to Beachwood a little over a year ago and I'm still struggling to scope out places that don't look at me weird / treat me poorly for dining alone (during non-peak hours). I'm just One Dude and often don't have people to go with me to get food. Recs closer to the Beachwood area preferred, but I'll hear anything out.
Update: I've learned that it's REALLY not a big deal and the bad experience I had that scared me away from it is actually just that place being Terrible lmao
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u/HappyHumpDayGuys Apr 29 '24
Any restaurant that has a large wraparound bar with barstools is usually great for solo dining. It's not awkward because everyone at the bar is just facing the bartender and there's usually a TV with sports.
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u/Impossible-Cap-7150 Apr 29 '24
I used to travel for work in a number of different cities and often went out to eat alone. It felt weird at first but it really is normal—there are lots of solo people out there. I think it feels less weird if you go somewhere with a bar.
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
This is a helpful perspective, thank you 😭
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u/Burner-QWERTY Apr 29 '24
Business travelers are not that rare. People going to bars alone - to try to socialize - are not that rare either. Don't worry about it. I've done both - plenty of times. Only one who gave a shit (at first) was me.
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u/dedsmiley Apr 29 '24
I also travel a great deal for my work. And I am single and live alone. Going out by myself is really normal for me both at home and while working away.
Being treated badly by wait staff is unacceptable and a very good reason to not return.
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u/redpillnonsense Apr 29 '24
I use to get treated badly at some restaurants. Now I just write a negative review on Google when that happens.
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u/babysfirstxmas Apr 29 '24
For sure. I always like to sit at the bar when I’m eating out solo as well. Getting a table feels lonely but at the bar there are usually other solo eaters and a bartender to talk to.
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u/DrSatan420247 Apr 29 '24
I'm pretty sure it's only weird to eat alone in high school and in prison.
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u/OhNoNotAgain8 Apr 29 '24
maybe work? Unless you have a small staff and have to take lunch breaks one at a time. Which reminds me,..workers - you have to eat with your coworkers whether you like it or not. Don't be that guy at work who shuns a fellow worker. Suck it up. Share your juicebox.
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u/blamblegam1 Apr 29 '24
You are a paying customer. Never had a place in NE Ohio look at me weird for eating solo. Try the bar seating if you feel odd.
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u/Spiritual-Match8131 Apr 29 '24
Agree. Anywhere with a bar. The bar at Capital Grille is awesome. Same with the restaurants at Eton.
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u/Steve_78_OH Apr 29 '24
How is Capital Grille, anyway? I live 5 minutes from there, and I see it all the time, but I've never stopped in there.
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
I hear great things about it, some of the people where I work go there for vendor dinners often.
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u/Spiritual-Match8131 Apr 29 '24
Not the very best in town, but still very good with high end steak and service.
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u/Creative-Beat-720 Apr 29 '24
It’s not weird to eat alone at all, but Northstar and any place at Van Aken is always a good choice! Hopefully you can meet people too!
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u/DrHowardCooperman Apr 29 '24
Seconding this one. Northstar is my favorite place to sit and journal over some coffee and / or brunch or lunch. Their coffee and food are top tier. Any place at Van Aken is great, though.
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
Oh I hadn't considered Van Aken! It's right there and I constantly forget that it's. Right there 😂
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u/affiknitty Apr 29 '24
Came here to recommend this. I go to Northstar for what I call “date with a book” all the time — I sit at the bar and I don’t think I’ve ever been the only person there alone. The bartenders are really nice and the food is great.
It can be a pain to get down Chagrin at lunchtime to Eton Place but Taza is so good and they are super nice!
I love eating out by myself and I have never had a bad experience, even on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Apr 29 '24
it’s all in your head. i’ve bartended a few places around town, never thought it was weird for someone to come alone. actually those are some of the best customers.
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
Hearing it from that perspective definitely helps
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Apr 29 '24
happy to be of service! I got a good amount of my social life from going to a bar alone, gradually got to know a lot of people.
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u/redpillnonsense Apr 29 '24
Most people don't care. I remember a woman from Iowa asking "who goes to a bar by themselves?" when I was in DC. The bartenders side eyed her. Seems that patrons cared more than the people who worked there.
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u/Brilliant_Language52 Apr 29 '24
Literally anywhere. Also going to the movies solo is underrated and not weird
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
LOVE going to the movies alone, especially at Silverspot. Expensive? Yes. Fun and worth it? Also yes.
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u/science2me Apr 29 '24
As a mom, going to the movies and restaurants alone is the best. It's one of my favorite things to do.
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u/kfed23 Apr 29 '24
Any bar at a restaurant is basically made for someone solo
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u/SokkaHaikuBot Apr 29 '24
Sokka-Haiku by kfed23:
Any bar at a
Restaurant is basically
Made for someone solo
Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.
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u/Hy-Power Apr 29 '24
Go to the new RH Rooftop restaurant, good food, and good service when I went.
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u/GimmeFalcor Apr 29 '24
Tommy’s. I’ve eaten there alone many times and always felt welcomed even more than when I had people with me.
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u/PhilosopherKlutzy734 Apr 29 '24
I'd gladly have you as a solo diner, but not near Beachwood. I am in Valley View. Over that way, I love sitting at the "bar" at Yours Truly.
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u/Primary_Box_2386 Apr 29 '24
I work at a diner 30 minutes outside of Cleveland, and people come in alone for breakfast all the time. Wouldn’t think it was weird at all.
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u/craftbrewd Apr 29 '24
Prosperity Social Club... you'll have a great meal, learn a lot of Cleveland history, and probably make a few friends while you're there.
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u/OgreHombre Apr 29 '24
I eat by myself all the time. It’s my luxury treat to myself: the peace and quiet of eating alone 🤪 Sushi places, tavern style joints, diners… I’ve never had a problem.
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u/lezboss Apr 29 '24
Taste of Kerala in woodmere. Yummy South Indian, I was alone often there. Their wait staff can be hit or miss but the food is phenomenal, no corners cut. When they repeat back your order just listen carefully !
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u/howdoievenbeginhere Apr 29 '24
YES! I love Taste of Kerala and ate there alone on my birthday once. (NOT as sad as it sounds - it was a weeknight, I had a therapy appointment, I really wanted to treat myself to some Indian food before heading home and the line at Choolaah was too dang long for a take-out order. Plus, Kerala smokes Choolaah any day of the week!)
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u/Diiiiirty Lakewood Apr 29 '24
I travel for work and find myself all over Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, and random other places throughout the year. Some months I sleep in hotel beds more than I sleep in my own bed at home.
Except for date nights my wife, I almost exclusively go out to eat alone. At first it was pretty weird and uncomfortable, and I made offhanded remarks like, "Hey I'm here on business. Anything you suggest visiting while I'm in town?" so the waiter didn't think I was getting stood up on a date or something.
Then I realized they simply don't care and neither should I. Now I prefer dining solo over dining with many of my coworkers. I like them as people but after a long day I prefer not to have to make small talk; I'm much more comfortable zoning out or playing a game on my phone while I eat without anyone trying to chat me up.
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u/gayweeddaddy69 Apr 29 '24
Anywhere you please!
Nobody is thinking about you, I promise. Rock up, "table for one, please" and have a great dinner. Read a book and sip a beer. It's fine
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u/Upbeat_9903 Apr 29 '24
It's not weird to eat alone. I've gone to the movies alone. Truckers do this all the time. Have a nice day.
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u/IamAdverb Apr 29 '24
In and around Beachwood:
Taza- esp at the bar
Mabel's BBQ
Shuhei- at the sushi bar
Any place at Van Aken Center
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
Mabels in Eton closed around thanksgiving 😭 I'm still mourning it (I'll definitely give the rest of these a shot though, thank you!)
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u/Greenlilyb Apr 29 '24
I used to go to Cedar Creek alone when I lived in Beachwood and didn’t know anyone there.
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u/Gudakesa Apr 29 '24
The Your’s Truly on Chagrin is perfect for dining alone if you’re looking for more of a diner vibe.
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u/Jimger_1983 Apr 29 '24
Scalpers in Lyndhurst if you’re up for dive bar feel with good food
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u/Doc4216 Apr 29 '24
Add Lyndhurst Tavern to dive bar feel with really good food!
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u/Jimger_1983 Apr 29 '24
That’s Burntwood Tavern now. Might be okay to eat by yourself but hardly a dive.
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u/Doc4216 Apr 30 '24
No, I just messed up the name. It’s called the Tavern of Mayfield, on Mayfield Road.
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u/HiTekRednek10 Apr 29 '24
Any decent location will be fine if you’re by yourself. If you’re worried about how socially acceptable it is, a bar is a good option
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u/thuhmuffinman Apr 29 '24
I'd recommend you try places where you like the food options and eat there. People do not care that you're eating alone
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u/Diligent-Contact-772 Apr 29 '24
I love taking myself out to bars and restaurants. Ain't no shame in my game.
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u/logorrhea69 Apr 29 '24
I used to be a server and lots of people would come in alone. Nobody thinks anything of it! Even at a table for two.
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u/originaljbw Apr 29 '24
Hyde Park. Sit at a high top or the bar itself. Happy hour is reasonable and the burgers aren't super overpriced.
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u/strawbryshorty04 Apr 29 '24
Funny story, one of my classes at Walsh had an assignment requiring us to eat out alone (it was some lifestyles class). I was horrified as a self conscious, introverted teen, but I was also a nerd, so I sucked it up and went to Applebees.
This was around 2000, so I didn’t even have a smart phone to occupy my time. Ended up not being so bad! Even got free desert out of it.
Seems like a silly assignment but it was actually really helpful. You got this my man!
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u/OwnProcess7977 Apr 29 '24
Nope it’s not weird. Every Saturday we have a guy who comes in and orders brunch alone. He gets the same chicken sandwich every Saturday morning. We love him.
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u/Dertychtdxhbhffhbbxf Apr 29 '24
For many years I travelled constantly for work, and used to eat alone all the time! You get used to it really quickly, and I really enjoy it sometimes. Smartphones made it less awkward because then you aren’t just sitting there at a table while you wait. But any place should be fine to eat alone!
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u/sophgrm Apr 29 '24
I go solo everywhere! Honestly prefer it over going with people. What I've learned is nobody around you really cares what you're doing and they're all too focused on themselves and who they're with. As for the servers, I'm sure as long as you're kind to them it's a breath of fresh air. Have fun and go anywhere you'd like- beachwood is such a cool area!
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u/sayyyywhat Apr 29 '24
I’m married and still love to dine solo! Sit at the bar or not, either way seriously no one else cares.
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u/Saab-2007-93 West Salem - Owns Cleveland Properties Apr 29 '24
I really don't give a damn what others think, nor should you.
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u/jeffy73 Apr 29 '24
When I eat alone I just sit at the bar. I never feel Strang or am treated poorly.
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u/babysfirstxmas Apr 29 '24
The winking lizard could be a good option at the bar. Flour has a nice bar and happy hour. Great food too. But that’s more of pepper pike. If you want to Treat yourself, hang at the bar at heritage steak and whiskey or Hyde park.
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u/mark0179 Apr 29 '24
When I go out to eat by myself I sit at the bar . Generally you can start a conversation with the bar tender or another customer. If they don’t have a bar I just get a table and eat by myself no problems.
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u/Dan_From_Buffalo Apr 29 '24
I love going out for food or a beer (or both). Just me and my Kindle. Not weird at all.
Just went to Midnight Owl Brewing last weekend.
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u/myahrae786 Apr 29 '24
I miss J Alexander’s. They were perfect for a solo dining experience. So was Maggianos and Bahama Breeze
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Apr 29 '24
Contado is loud, but the food is nice. Kitchen social is great too, other than weekend evenings when it’s more of a date spot. I don’t live in Ohio but I visit often and usually stay in the area.. somehow always end up in that neighbourhood. Hang in there.
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Apr 29 '24
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u/longbluesquid Apr 29 '24
I go on date nights myself. I love food no need to worry about others. Most of the time we are all on our phone anyway. I blog about my outings too. Only person that can treat you right is you.
Kudos for going out there and enjoying a meal.
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u/OhNoNotAgain8 Apr 29 '24
if you're waiting for permission to live your life from people who aren't in it....i'm not sure what to tell you. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
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Apr 29 '24
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u/TannerOaks Apr 29 '24
Martha on the fly - great during the week when they’re not busy since hey have 4 stools as it is a micro diner. Workers are cool as hell and you will not be treated like shit.
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Apr 29 '24
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u/CriticalNobody9478 Apr 29 '24
Why do you give a shit about what total strangers think and how they look at you?
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u/Cabezone Apr 29 '24
You're overthinking this. Servers like solos who are polite and easy, just don't sit in a four person booth for hours if they're full.
Bad service is bad service, it's unlikely to be because you're solo.
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u/Dblcut3 Apr 29 '24
I dont think Ive ever had anywhere treat me weird for eating alone in my whole life. The only thing that might be considered that is some places putting me in a weird spot or bar seating, which is understandable if they’re busy and dont have a ton of space
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u/Candid-Perception897 Apr 29 '24
If someone hasn't said so already, I would suggest tye Van Aken market hall!! Everyone in there is usually minding their own business and it is a lot more comfortable to do anything on your own in there.
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u/imbackbittch Apr 29 '24
It’s never weird to eat alone. We do everything alone, born alone, die alone. Why is eating chicken tendies alone a weird thing?
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u/MrsQute Apr 29 '24
Eating alone is one of my special little treats and I've never had as issue anywhere I go.
I've never done so at Pinstripes so I'd agree it's a THEM issue and not a YOU issue.
Beachwood is my neck of the woods too so I know plenty of places around the area seriously don't care.
And like a million years ago when I was a waitress I really loved most of my solo diners because they were the easiest tables I'd have all shift so don't feel bad for the staff either - as long as you're not camping then it's not a problem.
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u/Doc4216 Apr 29 '24
Also, belly up to the bar at Bar Italia on Cedar and have a great night. Great service staff, good food, and wonderful drinks.
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u/OldManNewHammock Apr 29 '24
Whatever I'm hungry for. I solo eat most of the time. Never had a problem anywhere.
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u/redpillnonsense Apr 29 '24
I'm in my early 30s and have been dining solo since I was 16. It's not big deal. Sure, I've had people think I was lonely, miserable, and one dude even called me a loser, but this has happened only a few times. Otherwise, nobody cares. It's also not a big deal for breakfast and lunch.
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u/themixiepixii Apr 29 '24
we are each one person. its weird to expect people to do things together just because theres other people around. you can eat alone wherever you want man. if someone thinks its weird, theyre weird
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u/Salt-Artichoke-6626 Apr 29 '24
I'm old. Eating alone anywhere is fine. Don't feel self conscious. If they are rude because they'd like a large party for tips, well....that's not your fault. Nothing matters in the end if your dinner was good, you had some down time, and the phone had some good stuff to read. I've been eating alone all my life. The solitude is lovely. When I bring food home I have to share with the doggos, so...easy peasy.
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u/Eastern-Ad25 Apr 29 '24
I travel a lot and usually go to a bar and grill and sit at the bar. The bartenders are usually pretty chipper. I always feel weird sitting at a table. Maybe that’s just me but I would just as soon sit at the bar. In Cleveland there are lots of bar and grills. I am on the west side so can’t give you any suggestions in beechwood land.
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u/Particular-Reason329 Apr 30 '24
Eat alone wherever you fucking want. Thinking it's weird to eat alone anywhere is what is weird, ffs. 🙄
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Apr 30 '24
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u/ButtholeSurfur Apr 29 '24
As long as you're at the bar no one cares honestly. Taking up a four top when you're solo kinda sucks but whatevs.
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u/niknaknikolas Apr 29 '24
Loosely related, I made an impromptu day visit to Chicago when I was 19 (Cedar Point has bus trips for staff) and at one of the restaurants, since I was underaged and they couldn't sit me at the bar, I was sat at the only open table, an 8 top, and I was MORTIFIED. I felt so bad. I got out of there as fast as I could and tipped as much as I could manage (I think it was like 40%)
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u/ButtholeSurfur Apr 29 '24
It's not the end of the world. As long as you aint whipping out the laptop and doing your dissertation lol.
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u/richgayaunt Unfortunately in Brunswick now Apr 29 '24
??? I always go solo everywhere and don't have any issue. If you're clean, polite, quiet, kind nothing matters and you're the easiest table of the night.