I've read all of these posts and it's funny to see how split the sides are. We close at 9 on Tue-Thurs and 10 on Friday and Sat. That means the kitchen closes...not the doors. There are plenty of times that we get a late table (AND, YES, it sucks sometimes) and then get a table that comes in after we close. I seat them. If I have one table there, may as well have three or four.
The point is that you should never be made to feel uncomfortable when you're spending your money dining out. One time in three years (here at the E. Market st. location) that I asked a table to leave. It was actually a lunch table that got here at 1:59 (we close at 2) and were still here at 3:30. I had to run an errand, which was the only reason I had to say something.
I discourage servers from putting chairs up while there are customers in the house, but if we do (because it's getting late) I tell them not to put them up on the tables nearest to the customers. Then, I make it a point to say to the guests, "Please don't feel rushed. There are a few things the servers have to do before they leave, but we'll be here cleaning sitll." Every once in a while, I have to turn off the kitchen lights, turn up the bar lights or turn off the music. It has to be when we are TOTALLY finished and ready to walk out the door.
As a server, it DOES suck sometimes when you've worked a double and a table walks in just before closing, but on the same hand, it is by THEM that we get paid.
As a manager, I find it hard to believe that another manager at one of Louisville's nicest eateries woud say, "It's time to go" I'm not calling you a liar, Jeremy, just saying it's hard for me to believe that a "manager" would do that. Anything's possible.
Go to another city, l8ike NY or Chicago...they'd be happy to tell you to leave and not think a thing of it. I think, for the most part, Louisville is pretty hospitable when it comes to restaurant diners.
