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Charges to be withdrawn against two students who refused to tip at Lehigh Pub

Abstract:
After grabbing national attention, two local students, who were arrested for refusing to pay a mandatory 18 percent gratuity on their bill, will have the charges dropped against them....

Da

posted 11/19/09 @ 12:53 PM EST

Always good to know where NOT ot eat.
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Maynard Meadows

posted 11/19/09 @ 4:17 PM EST

Originally posted by

Da

 Always good to know where NOT ot eat.


I agree with DA, I would never ever set foot in that restaurant. With bad service and compound it with potential embarassment and arrest,, bad problem bad service
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James

posted 11/19/09 @ 1:03 PM EST

$16.35 is 22.13% of $73.87. Where'd this amount come from?
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Max

posted 11/20/09 @ 1:33 AM EST

Originally posted by

James

 $16.35 is 22.13% of $73.87. Where'd this amount come from?


I suspect that the actual bill was around $90.85 + $16.35 gratuity. After the customers complaining, the bartender probably comped them food items worth $16.98 to make the total look like the gratuity had been removed, but still ensure the waitstaff gets the money for tip. The customers probably looked at the detail of the new bill and saw it was still $73.87 + $16.35 gratuity. This would be where the customers paid the base amount shown on the bill without gratuity, and the argument and police call ensued. Of course this is guessing, but the numbers don't make sense otherwise.
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moose

posted 11/24/09 @ 12:21 PM EST

Originally posted by

James

 $16.35 is 22.13% of $73.87. Where'd this amount come from?


The tip may have included the addition of the tax for the meal. In the strict sense, the tax is not a service and should be excluded when the tip is calculated.
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bad service

posted 11/19/09 @ 1:19 PM EST

Arrest the Manager for theft of serivces!
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Jack W

posted 11/19/09 @ 2:57 PM EST

Give that pub as much publicity as possible. Tell all your friends and ask them to spread the word around town. Ask what a mandatory "gratuity" is (apart from a contradiction in terms).

When you win in court, file a civil suit against the management.

Find other ways to make them sorry they caused this totally unwarranted arrest.
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stupid

posted 11/19/09 @ 3:41 PM EST

Well I really say the old saying. Bad press is better then no press but I think with what happened here is NOT good for bussiness, Yelp shows there average score is now on a scale of 5-1 5 being high now at a 1. Thats one bright general manger they have there
KC
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gman

posted 11/19/09 @ 3:44 PM EST

Say what? Now not tipping is an arrestable offense. Stay away from that pub and stay away from that city so you don't get arrested
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Vine Zappia

posted 11/19/09 @ 3:54 PM EST

Can't believe the police would even consider arresting anyone under these circumstances. Restaurant manager needs to be fired and the arresting officer needs to be disciplined. I wonder how much the managers stupidity will cost restaurant owner.
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Allison

posted 11/20/09 @ 11:07 AM EST

I am quite surprised myself at the manager calling the police and the officer actually arresting as requested.... I work in a restaurant in Bethlehem as well and I think my managers would have just taken it off if it was that much of a big deal.....a party of 8 or more often takes more attention, which I will gladly give since I have served a party of 8, a party of 10, and a party of 14 over the last week. Whether or not the manager decides to add the gratuity or not, these groups should be attended to as well as any other guests....now as for waiting that long for food (supposedly) there is no excuse for that and if that server was outside smoking instead of keeping communication with the table (supposedly) then he or she deserved to be stiffed....
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larry

posted 11/25/09 @ 2:07 AM EST

Originally posted by

Vine Zappia

 Can't believe the police would even consider arresting anyone under these circumstances. Restaurant manager needs to be fired and the arresting officer needs to be disciplined. I wonder how much the managers stupidity will cost restaurant owner.


I totally agree with you. Just how stupid is the arresting officer? If this is an example of his powers of reasoning, then I shudder to think how he'll be with a gun in his hand. Hire him to be a server at the restaurant as it seems to be policy there to hire total morons.
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Keith

posted 11/19/09 @ 3:55 PM EST

The negative publicity this pub is getting will cost a whole lot more than the $16. This is the last place I would go for anything.
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Stover

posted 11/19/09 @ 4:10 PM EST

Wow, dumb waitress, manager, and even DUMBER police. I'm glad this made public news. Hopefully it will drive the owners out of business. Everyone should call the pub - (610) 868-1313 and let them know they will NEVER eat there. Similar posts are on Craigslist. This place should be driven out of business!
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smiles0812

posted 11/21/09 @ 9:13 AM EST

Originally posted by

Stover

 Wow, dumb waitress, manager, and even DUMBER police. I'm glad this made public news. Hopefully it will drive the owners out of business. Everyone should call the pub - (610) 868-1313 and let them know they will NEVER eat there. Similar posts are on Craigslist. This place should be driven out of business!


Hey Stove, Hope your are from Bethlehem. Great suggestion. I'm calling the pub, even though I'll never be in Bethlehem PA. I'm going to ask for the manager and see if he still has a mandatory tip for large parties. What a time to make a statement, the whole college should boycott this place. You folks have the nations attention.

yours, Smiles0812
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Mack the Knife

posted 11/24/09 @ 8:38 AM EST

Originally posted by

Stover

 Wow, dumb waitress, manager, and even DUMBER police. I'm glad this made public news. Hopefully it will drive the owners out of business. Everyone should call the pub - (610) 868-1313 and let them know they will NEVER eat there. Similar posts are on Craigslist. This place should be driven out of business!


Many restaurants add an 18% gratuity to parties of 8 or more, although I personally always tip 20% for excellent service. If it was known before they ate, it was basically a surcharge, and it seems to me they are boligated to pay it. OTOH, if it is for implied good service, which they apparently did not get, didn't the restaurant break their part of the "contract?"
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hmmmmmmm

posted 11/25/09 @ 8:36 PM EST

Originally posted by

Stover

 Wow, dumb waitress, manager, and even DUMBER police. I'm glad this made public news. Hopefully it will drive the owners out of business. Everyone should call the pub - (610) 868-1313 and let them know they will NEVER eat there. Similar posts are on Craigslist. This place should be driven out of business!
t

why call? so innocent people who have nothing to do with the incident and who are great servers can deal with you shouting in their ear? As a friend of a pub worker, i understand people have called threatening LIVES. good job, stover.
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Raid this Pub.

posted 11/19/09 @ 4:28 PM EST

22%!!! - what is this? Bendover Pub?? Arrest the manager.
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troy

posted 11/19/09 @ 4:59 PM EST

what a waste of time and tax money...the cops should be fired.the manager should be fired on the spot and should never be allowed to work anywhere with that kind of thinking.
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Ron

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:10 PM EST

Good thing they payed the bill or would it have been the Death Penatly. Good Going Lehigh Pub way to lose .
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Le Client et Roi

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:12 PM EST

Arresting clients for not leaving a tip is morally reprehensible! You want to put an arrest on someone's record for 16 dollars!?! IMO, Lehigh Pub just slit their own throats. I will never go there, and am telling all my friends, including the ones who are travel agents, never to go there. I hope Lehigh Pub goes bankrupt, and the person who called the cops - Shame on you!
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FREETHELEHIGH2

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:18 PM EST

The owner needs to apologize PROFUSELY, fire the waiter/waitress and manager. They need to drop the charges IMMEDITATELY!

Officer needs to be reprimanded for the arrest! The restaurant needs to be fined for the court costs.

Don't tase me bro for not tipping!
Free the LeHigh two!!!!!!!
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Robert Jackson

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:36 PM EST

This establishment needs to go out of business. Boycott!
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madmilker

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:39 PM EST

the general manager should pay the dang tip and give the couple a $100 gift certificate.
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Jack

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:43 PM EST

How long till this bar is in the dead pool?
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mims

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:46 PM EST

When my husband told me about this, I thought he was joking. I am appalled that he was not. This restaurant, being under new owners should just close right now. Either that or fire the waiter/manager, apologize profusely and offer the two that were arrested free dinners there each month for a year. The officers involved should have refused to arrest them and if I were the chief of police, THEY would be reprimanded too. With all the really horrible crimes that are being committed and this couple get nailed for not leaving what is a "voluntary" tip. I don't care what that restaurant says, you cannot DEMAND that folks leave a tip. Its unconstitutional.
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any investors???

posted 11/19/09 @ 5:58 PM EST

Any new investors in area looking for restaurant location??? A block from a prestigious private university, across a bridge from another smaller college, walking distance to Casino! WOW! Lot will be available relatively soon.
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TC Gage

posted 11/19/09 @ 6:04 PM EST

The restaurant calls the cops after someone refuses to pay a 18% gratuity on service??? And the cops arrest the customers??? HOLY COW!! That place truly needs to be boycotted and left to dry up and go away. What an incredibly selfish and stupid manner to conduct business.
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hello

posted 11/19/09 @ 6:09 PM EST

I warned everyone in May that they'd find out sooner or later about Darryl, the owner of Lehigh Pub. He was the former owner of Beer Bellies near Morvian College, until his questionable management ran that otherwise goldmine into the ground.

This is not out of character for him. You will continue to hear nightmare stories about him and his bar until he strikes out for the second time.

There are many other fine establishments on the South Side that treat customers with respect and appreciate the business. Places that are willing to hear out a legitimate gripe about service instead of just reacting by calling the cops. Just say no to Lehigh Pub!
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Chris Callahan

posted 11/19/09 @ 6:36 PM EST

This outrage needs to be widely publicized. Contact the Mayor's office, the county, the police, the judge and your friends.

NCInfo@northamptoncounty is county.
jsarnicky@bethlehem-pa.gov is chief of police in Bethlehem
bethlehemcs@bethlehm-pa.gov is town office.

This outrage needs to be publicized.
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Citizen

posted 11/22/09 @ 12:47 AM EST

Originally posted by

Chris Callahan

 This outrage needs to be widely publicized. Contact the Mayor's office, the county, the police, the judge and your friends.

NCInfo@northamptoncounty is county.
jsarnicky@bethlehem-pa.gov is chief of police in Bethlehem
bethlehemcs@bethlehm-pa.gov is town office.

This outrage needs to be publicized.



Phone for mayor's office is 610-865-7100
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scott

posted 11/19/09 @ 6:54 PM EST

Ya, this is an ocassion where " any publicity is good publicity"..... i would never eat there again...perhaps they could bring a civil lawsuit against pub owner and manager and police for causing them undue stress and mental anguish.. they first received horrible service, and then the manager attempted to "extort" a tip higher than the mandatory gratuity. to top it off, police made a bogus arrest
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Bergman

posted 11/19/09 @ 7:25 PM EST

According to dictionary.com, a gratuity is a gift of money over and above the normal payment for a service, that is not demanded. A mandatory gratuity is an oxymoron.

If a restaurant (or pub) provides bad or no service, they are not entitled to a gratuity. Even if they provide spectacularly good service, they would still not be so entitled.

The customers in question were essentially arrested for not committing a crime. If not committing a crime is now illegal, we're all in trouble!
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Chris

posted 11/19/09 @ 7:36 PM EST

Nice job Lehigh Pub- your 'plight' has been picked up by CNN and other national newscasts/websites.

How dare those freeloading customers refuse to pay the mandatory gratuity- you claim to offer to comp the meal, but somehow that didn't happen.. in fact, you elected to turn it up a notch and call the cops about the gratuity- after verifying a loss in service to your customers?

Might I be so bold to recommend a mandatory training regimen for your members of management- start with Customer Service 101, and follow the prompts.



Smooth move, exlax
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Rob

posted 11/19/09 @ 8:26 PM EST

Even if the tip was required, what are the Bethlehem Police, the restaruant's private security force? Give these people a ticket or whatever, but the arrest them like that is ridiculous. Who is paying for this arrest? The people of Bethlehem...we don't want our money wasted like this.
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B

posted 11/19/09 @ 9:10 PM EST

I'm currently living in South Korea, and this story is even news here!! Wow - international bad publicity. I bet whoever called the cops is having some serious regrets right now (well, hopefully anyway).
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BobbyJ

posted 11/19/09 @ 9:51 PM EST

If I were the Lehigh Pub or the mayor of Bethlehem, I would be expecting a lawsuit within a few days.
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SoSueMe

posted 11/20/09 @ 12:10 AM EST

The students should see if there is a law professor whom can represent them to sue the bar.

Why?
The service charge is an adhesion service contract. For the fee, the bar promised the patrons service. The bar failed to provide the service and so it is in breach. Damages???? Consequential due to have to defend a criminal charge filed by the bar.

Intentional infliction of emotional distress and Negligent infliction of emotional distress. Clearly the act of the bar calling the police for $16 dollars was intended to inflict distress on the students.

False imprisonment - not sure what the elements for this are in PA but I think this would work.

The bar's attorney fees could run into the thousands of dollars to defend this - that would teach them a lesson they need to learn.

I sure hope there are more friendly people there in Bethlahem, PA.
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Emma

posted 11/20/09 @ 2:16 AM EST

Anyone who has worked in food service knows it sucks, but that doesn't give you free rein to ignore and treat customers like that. When I was working my butt off for minimum wage, I always had a smile plastered on my face and was quick to thank customers profusely for their patronage. Customer Service 101.

I hadn't even gotten around to trying Lehigh Pub yet, but I certainly won't start now. I'll stick with the Tally-Ho and MacGrady's, thanks. I'm sure the owners of those other establishments will be most happy with the Lehigh Pub shooting itself in the foot. More business for them!
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matthew

posted 11/20/09 @ 5:52 AM EST

Once, I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, in NYC. My room was almost $200 for the night, and it was an absolute shit hole. Mold on the walls, dirty bathroom and bed sheets. But, I still had to pay for it. Beer at the phillies playoffs were 8 bucks, and they were not cold, but I still had to pay for it, and i tipped the beer guy. I go out to eat all the time, and am often disappointed in either the service, or the food i receive, but I pay the bill anyway, and tip the waiter for his/her time, because you can't blame them for all the problems with an establishment. I have been to some restaurants that charge a plate sharing fee, and i have seen that range from 5-15$, but that is the policy, and if you dont want to follow along with it, then don't go there, or leave. Grow up y'all. I am in no way saying that the food is good here, or the service is steller, but you get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. I was at Emeril's the other day, and we had a manditory gratuity added to our bill, and had lousy service. Empty glasses sat on the table forever, water glasses never refilled, and so on. Our check was over 400$, and they got their 18%, even tho they didn't deserve it. We knew this was the deal before we sat down, and were reminded of it on the menu. So, thats how it is. If your unhappy with your experience, dont go back, and badmouth them to everyone you know. But don't be a scumbag, and try to get out of something you agreed on when you sat your cheap asses down at the table. Really, if it was THAT bad, why did they stay and drink 8 pitchers of beer? I would have said "this place sucks... let's get outta here",cancel the food order if it wasn't too late, or go to the bar, where they said they had to go for drinks anyway. A deal is a deal, so grow up kids. You have years of disappointing service and food ahead of you.
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George

posted 11/22/09 @ 12:49 AM EST

Originally posted by

matthew

 Once, I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, in NYC. My room was almost $200 for the night, and it was an absolute shit hole. Mold on the walls, dirty bathroom and bed sheets. But, I still had to pay for it. Beer at the phillies playoffs were 8 bucks, and they were not cold, but I still had to pay for it, and i tipped the beer guy. I go out to eat all the time, and am often disappointed in either the service, or the food i receive, but I pay the bill anyway, and tip the waiter for his/her time, because you can't blame them for all the problems with an establishment. I have been to some restaurants that charge a plate sharing fee, and i have seen that range from 5-15$, but that is the policy, and if you dont want to follow along with it, then don't go there, or leave. Grow up y'all. I am in no way saying that the food is good here, or the service is steller, but you get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. I was at Emeril's the other day, and we had a manditory gratuity added to our bill, and had lousy service. Empty glasses sat on the table forever, water glasses never refilled, and so on. Our check was over 400$, and they got their 18%, even tho they didn't deserve it. We knew this was the deal before we sat down, and were reminded of it on the menu. So, thats how it is. If your unhappy with your experience, dont go back, and badmouth them to everyone you know. But don't be a scumbag, and try to get out of something you agreed on when you sat your cheap asses down at the table. Really, if it was THAT bad, why did they stay and drink 8 pitchers of beer? I would have said "this place sucks... let's get outta here",cancel the food order if it wasn't too late, or go to the bar, where they said they had to go for drinks anyway. A deal is a deal, so grow up kids. You have years of disappointing service and food ahead of you.


Reply: You dont know about mandatory gratuities untill you are presented with the bill, that means too late, the food is already on its way to the shit hole. I dont think there was a welcoming sign saying "MANDATORY TIP"
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Steve

posted 11/24/09 @ 4:11 PM EST

Originally posted by

matthew

 Once, I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, in NYC. My room was almost $200 for the night, and it was an absolute shit hole. Mold on the walls, dirty bathroom and bed sheets. But, I still had to pay for it. Beer at the phillies playoffs were 8 bucks, and they were not cold, but I still had to pay for it, and i tipped the beer guy. I go out to eat all the time, and am often disappointed in either the service, or the food i receive, but I pay the bill anyway, and tip the waiter for his/her time, because you can't blame them for all the problems with an establishment. I have been to some restaurants that charge a plate sharing fee, and i have seen that range from 5-15$, but that is the policy, and if you dont want to follow along with it, then don't go there, or leave. Grow up y'all. I am in no way saying that the food is good here, or the service is steller, but you get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. I was at Emeril's the other day, and we had a manditory gratuity added to our bill, and had lousy service. Empty glasses sat on the table forever, water glasses never refilled, and so on. Our check was over 400$, and they got their 18%, even tho they didn't deserve it. We knew this was the deal before we sat down, and were reminded of it on the menu. So, thats how it is. If your unhappy with your experience, dont go back, and badmouth them to everyone you know. But don't be a scumbag, and try to get out of something you agreed on when you sat your cheap asses down at the table. Really, if it was THAT bad, why did they stay and drink 8 pitchers of beer? I would have said "this place sucks... let's get outta here",cancel the food order if it wasn't too late, or go to the bar, where they said they had to go for drinks anyway. A deal is a deal, so grow up kids. You have years of disappointing service and food ahead of you.


Even if it was posted on the menu, "mandatory gratuity" is a contradiction of terms.
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Ken

posted 11/20/09 @ 3:11 PM EST

The police should have some kind of common sense and not act like a robot as they handcuffed the couple. By the way, what is the definition of "Tips"?
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Brian

posted 11/20/09 @ 4:40 PM EST

Sounds like they have an alcohol problem which the courts should address. They were refused service, helped themselves to beer (at a public restaurant), set their own tables, and were probably rude to the waitress. Why didn't they just go to another bar?
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read the story

posted 11/20/09 @ 7:26 PM EST

Originally posted by

Brian

 Sounds like they have an alcohol problem which the courts should address. They were refused service, helped themselves to beer (at a public restaurant), set their own tables, and were probably rude to the waitress. Why didn't they just go to another bar?


actually, if you read any of the news coverage, you would know that they went to the bar to refill their SOFT DRINKS. Nice try though.
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down with pub

posted 11/21/09 @ 9:30 PM EST

Rather than completely boycott the restaurant, I say we all go there and refuse to tip. Let's see them arrest a whole restaurant full of people.
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Steve

posted 11/24/09 @ 4:15 PM EST

Originally posted by

down with pub

 Rather than completely boycott the restaurant, I say we all go there and refuse to tip. Let's see them arrest a whole restaurant full of people.


Gratuity goes to the waitstaff, not the restaurant. If the service was really as awful as described, these folks had every right to refuse to tip, but if we did what you described and the service ended up being great because the waitstaff worked their butts off to make up for the bad publicity -- well, then we'd only be acting like [censored for content]. Make the restaurant hurt, not the waitstaff.
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Georgi

posted 11/22/09 @ 12:39 AM EST

If this is a chain of restaurnats, then boycott the places, sue them and put them out of business.
I bust my butt at work for hours and days and I dont even get a thank you note, now do I have the right to call the cops and arrest my boss for not tipping, the owners of this restaurant are crazy, and as such i wouln not even trust their food, might be poisoned.
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Shay

posted 11/23/09 @ 3:45 PM EST

Seeing as none of us were there, it seems a bit hypocritical to judge what happened. Most restaurants have automatic gratuity for larger parties, and being a server, I know how important that can be when you get a table that spends over $100, is incredibly demanding and only leaves you a $5 (or whatever). Serving a large party is more complicated than a simple two-top. Plus, you have no idea how busy the restaurant was, how crowded the server's section got how fast and what the delay was in the kitchen. Clearly, she shouldn't have taken a smoke break, and clearly they should have charged the stated amount, and while I don't think they should have been arrested, they should have paid the stated amount. Servers make their entire livelihood off of tips (we make $2.83/hr because tips bring it up to minimum wage) and those people took 8 seats in that section for two hours, preventing the server from making money from other/easier customers. Before you go throwing stones, remember there are two sides to every story.
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Wendy

posted 11/23/09 @ 11:37 PM EST

Half the stuff that was ssid by them. Is not true I go here all the time I know this would never happen over just a tip
....grow up n get a life people
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