Bad service bartender playing with his phone ignoring customers was there 10 minutes no service left

Personally I really like Bernie's. Look people....it's a beach bar. I don't know why there is this expectation that there's going to be gourmet seafood there. It's a clean, open atmosphere. The staff are really nice and attentive. But keep in mind, this is a fried seafood/alcohol joint. Anything beyond that...go somewhere else....it's not what they specialize in. Bernie's is the place if you want to veg outside and listen to the ocean while you enjoy a nice stiff drink after a long day. There is only 1 other bar on the strip with the same ambiance, so it's nice to have a welcome alternative to that. For those that want 5-star seafood....go to Portsmouth and spend $250 for two to be underwhelmed....in the meantime...you'll find me at Bernie's. read more

Knowledgeable staff and unique food items. Blueberry BBQ sauce is amazing. The downstairs bar is really convenient to walk across the street to when at the beach. read more

Beat place in Hampton. Top decl has 2 bars and dozens of tables. Had the cutest waitress Lauren N. Hummus and tabouli and cocktails were u real. read more

Spent 45 minutes at Bernies Beach bar in Hampton for an ice pick vodka promo didn't get served one drink with five bartenders sitting around worst bar in Hampton. read more

Stopped in because it was pouring out and glad we did. Food is outstanding, staff is very friendly and service was fast considering how busy they are. 10 out of 10 would recommend going here!! read more

Have been to Bernies once and we had a lovely waitress and great food. So on our next trip to Hampton went for a drink @ the bar. Worst experience ever. Bartender completely ignored us even when we called him over. Sorry, Rude & Ignorant. Will never go back read more

While hanging out for the day at Hampton Beach, my boyfriend and I were starving for lunch and had too many choices. We read Bernie's posted menu and loved the outside balcony dining so we headed on up and hoped for the best. 3 stars on Yelp sorta scared us, we tend to lean towards the 4 & 5 star spots. However, we were feeling wild and decided to take the risk. I'm so glad we did! The service was good and the food was delish! We both ordered the Teriyaki steak and cheese, which was super tasty and our margaritas were on point! Don't be fooled by 3-stars, this place is a great go-to for a summer lunch. read more

My experience with Bernie's was WAY less than desirable. Let me start by saying I frequent Hampton Beach and the bars along the strip during the summer, as I have friends with cottages near by. We were all looking forward to Bernie's opening - the tiki/reggae vibe was exciting and the deck did look appealing during the construction. This is what happened when friends and I decided to give Bernie's a try: First of all, there was a 'bouncer' at the bottom of the stairs going up to Bernie's top deck. We all stopped (being 26+ in age) to show that man our IDs. As most places in Hampton do, we expect to be carded at doors and even seperate levels. This man looked at me with a confused look and said "just go up" without so much as glancing at any of our IDs. I thought for sure there would be someone at the top checking them instead. No. No one whatsoever carded us (or ANYONE that entered the bar area). the deck was PACKED. Is there even a capacity? For sure they are exceeding it. The band was loud. So loud that I could not here the 'hostess' (who looked to be 12 years old with converse hightops and a tshirt that made her look like she was not wearing pants, sporting a giant hickey on her neck) ask for my name. As with the Seaketch, it appeared to be seat yourself seating. No signs posted but no orderly system when arriving at the top bar. Once we figured out that the hostess wanted us to put in a name for a seat, we were not given a buzzer/beeper/number or any means of being found or notified once a seat was ready. We decided to stand close to the bar incase we were called soon. As all of this was going on, many people trickled up the stairs and went directly to tables to seat themselves before they were chased down by this hostess and asked to put their names in. This whole system was very disorganized. About 20 minutes later, we were 'found' (only identified by a Boston shirt I was wearing) and taken to a table beside the bar. I agree with the comment about the tables and unbrellas being oversized for the space. I was being shoved by every person trying to get to the bar for a drink. Still seemed very over capacity. The waitstaff were spinning umbrellas just to get by with trays. My friends and I waited about 20 minutes for our waitress to come over (still no menus). The drinks were over priced (10-12$ for a watered down mixed drink?) so most of us stuck to beer when she finally did come over (still no menus). One friend ordered a Blueberry Lemonade and when it arrived, 15 minutes later, it tasted like watered down crystal light. The waitress we had never came back to ask us if we wanted food, more beverages, anything... Two of us made the trek to the restrooms and this was a fire hazard in itself. The path was packed with people and industrial sized wires for AC/fan units. We had to climb over buckets of dirty dishes just piled on the floor beside the bar. Waitstaff never budged, just crowded around the computer, right in our path. We reached our limit with chair shoving and loud music and finally flagged down our waitress for the check. No joke, 20 minutes after asking, she STILL had not come by our table and still no check. I watched her attend to every other table, avoiding ours. She even stopped to take some photos for a table next to us. We politely waived her down again and she disappeared to the back. We finally approached the older woman who had been training the hostess. Come to find out she is the manager. We ask her to find our waitress as we wanted to go and she had never returned with the check. This manager, instead, stood by our table and 'chatted' about she hadn't had a day off in 7 days and that the computer was backed up. Our waitress walked by and the manager got her attention and asked for our check. This waitress was carrying a tray of drinks, and instead of appropriately putting down the tray and retrieving our check from her apron, she thrust her hip towards my friend and said "its in here." We all sat in silence and confusion. Were we supposed to reach into her pocket and get this ourselves? She didn't make an attempt to get it and finally the manager reached in and handed it to us. RUDE. As my friends figured out the bill, I wanted to let the manager know that there were a few things she should be aware of (ie the no carding) I explained to her that her bouncer was not carding anyone and I was pretty positive they could lose their licesne over that. She joked about how she loves to be carded - it makes her feel young again. She clearly wasn't understanding me. I said it again, stressing that it was not a joking matter and she looked at me and said "so you like being carded?" I really have to say that Bernie's is poorly managed, full of violations and pure chaos. Let's just hope things only get better and quick! - before the deck collapses and there are minors being served. read more

The service there today was absolutely AWFUL! I tend to be very forgiving since I've had that job before....but this was TERRIBLE! We asked repeatedly for EVERYTHING. The server told us it was his second day but I consider it the manager's issue to ensure that all customers are taken care of. If he was truly overwhelmed, the manager should have either stepped in or sent him some help. Others with me said they were there a couple of weeks ago and had a great experience but they said today wasn't even worthy of $1 tip. Totally disappointed and definitely wouldn't go back!!! Other tables around us were complaining as well and several couldn't even get anyone to take their money. We were downstairs and shouldn't be snubbed just because we weren't on the deck on the upper level. read more

I wasn't going to review on this bar since it's only been open one season.. But with the other reviewers that had the same opinion, someone has got to listen. The owner of Bernie's has been in the restaurant and bar business for a while and you'd think there wouldn't be so many beverage and service issues. I do believe this re-build, launch and opening was rushed. I was excited to see the new building after having been such a fan of LeBec. At LeBec you could sit upstairs in the bar area and look out to the ocean through the large opening, and the deck. At Bernies your back is facing the water if you sit at the bar. I liked the décor and how it felt and can tell they are going for the tiki beach theme, however, what's with the tables downstairs? There's no bar or service area, just the front wall to the building with tables.. Not very inviting. We did sit at the bar since all the tables were full. Looked at the drink menu, which is mostly made up of vodka concoctions with Margarita & Mojito options.. The beer selection seemed ok. I chose the Blueberry Banana Hammock to try something different. Not very good at all.. The blueberries in the drink are squished so if you suck one up in the straw you have to blow it back out to take a sip.. I guess I should've read the description a little better since I hate fruit floating in my drinks like that. As a beach bar, you would think there would be more rum based drinks for a true tiki/beach themed bar. We ordered the calamari, it was lightly breaded with no salt and hardly any flavor. It's served with a spicy marinara type sauce that seemed between a mix of cocktail and tomato sauce.. Under the calamari was a mix of yellow corn and diced purple onions.. Odd. but ok. There may have to be a bit of tweeking here over the off season months to get these reviews up for next summer. This place could have something good going on with a few changes, but not as it is. We left and went to the upper deck of the Sea Ketch which is always nice and the drink menu and food is never disappointing. read more

It looks cool and it's open late so that's a plus. I went here last summer and got an espresso martini - after about 20-25 minutes of being ignored, I flagged the bartender over. I slowly sipped the martini before I realized it was spilling all over the bar. I thought I spilled it. Instead, I quickly realized the CHEAP PLASTIC MARTINI GLASS was cracked. I pointed this out to the bartender, who eventually asked how the drink was after about another twenty minutes. Instead of giving me a new martini (since god-damn half of it was on the bar) the bartender said he "wasn't sure how much I drank" and "could only give me a new cup." Are you f'n kidding me?! Unless I'm trashed and retarded, I'm never going back to this rip off craphole! Good luck! read more

Don't go! The worse service ever!!! Was at a table for over an hour and no one even came over. We were there later in the evening when dinner service was over. We wanted to sit at a table to listen to the live music. The bartender (who ignored us for quite some time before getting us drinks at the bar) told us to cash out our tab and head to a table. We witnessed 4 servers in our area, with less than 10 tables actually taken, walk right by us without even a look in our direction. We also witnessed another couple who were seated by the hostess, sit for about 20 minutes before leaving their table after never being served. The expanded space has potential, but if the service sucks, it will never be filled. Ps. We went to the Sea Catch the next night and had phenomenal service... read more

Bernies is always a great atmosphere in the summer time great drinks, cornhole and awesome shots!! Come see Kenny BD.. he is the man!!

Agree with most of the other reviews. New or not,, this place opened too quick and unorganized. Because of the tourism,, most people will go in there anyway because of the outdoor appeal. But the staff has a lot to be desired. I was impressed with the décor,, but agree that the umbrellas are over kill. I sat at the bar and saw how disheveled the bottles were . The ladies next to me said they couldn't drink their bloody marys because they were so bad. The bar tenders looked stressed and had no desire to engage with customers. I was afraid to eat there, so left. read more

Bernies is the only reason to come to Hampton beach. Love this place! Service is quick, food is good, and great atmosphere

I should start off by saying I've always made it a destination when I travel to New Hampshire to check out Hampton Beach. I've always been a fan of coming here but, my most recent visit to this establishment will probably be my last. I ordered a Patron neat with a lime on the side. Which was served in a shot glass for whatever reason. I have a glass of Patron each night as it's my go-to. When the waitress brought me my drink I had called her back over to inform her it wasn't Patron. She said someone must have made a mistake I'll get you another. The next glass, again not Patron but I drank it anyway. I went to the bar to order my next one to ensure that it would be Patron as I could see them pour it. Well... again this time not Patron. Another member from the waitstaff had informed me for years they have been putting the 'well booze' into premium cocktail bottles and that they had a room somewhere where all of this mixology would take place within the establishment. My wife ordered a Grey Goose neat to better prove this theory and unfortunately it was the same case. It's sad when you go to what appears to be such a nice establishment and find out that you've been paying $12-$14 a drink and getting the cheap stuff. The owners must be lining their pockets in return. Unfortunately, I won't be back as a customer but potentially for a music venue after I've had my share to drink elsewhere. I guess this is the Hampton Beach Way :-( read more

We went here for a late lunch at 2pm on a Sunday. We were told there would be a 5-10 minute wait. If we wanted to wait at the bar, they would find us. We sat down, got a drink and 15 minutes later saw someone walk in and get seated right away. We went over and the same girl asked if I wanted to put my name on the list for a table, I told her I was already on there and who I was. She said she called my name but I must not have heard her (its very loud around the bar, there is zero chance of anyone hearing her). No biggie, she apologized and sat us right away. The waitress came and took our order promptly. We got the bacon wrapped jalapenos and grilled mahi with gouda chipolte mashed and onion rings to split. The app was out within 10 minutes and they were very good. A couple were very spicy, but great flavors. The mahi came out less than 5 minutes later, so we moved the app over and tried the fish, mashed and rings. All were warm, but none were hot. The fish was very good, a little over cooked but its a thin cut and was still juicy. The onion rings were GREAT. They're home made, breaded onion rings, much like you get at a fried seafood place. The mashed were ok. They're home made and tasted good, but I didn't get any taste of gouda and I had to sit and think about the chipolte to find a hint of it. The mango sauce that came with it is VERY potent. Good, just don't go pouring it over the fish. Dip the tip of the fork in. Overall, this place will be great once they have some kinks worked out and the staff gets everything together. We'll definitely be going back again, but if it stays average, we will stop. Its one of the more expensive places on the strip to eat and its at the end. So please pick it up so we have a reason to keep coming back. There is plenty of ok and mediocre food, cheaper, in the middle of the strip, with better views of the train wrecks walking around read more

Spent the afternoon with an amazing woman and we decided to check this place out because it seemed very inviting. Was able to sit at a table by the glass wall overlooking the beach. Waited about 7 minutes before ordering our first drinks. It went downhill from there. Pros: server had a great attitude (Ashli) and was very polite. If you are looking for a great summer drink, Longboard Lemonade is where it's at. Calimari was okay but took way too long to get. Sandwiches were quite filling and had great portions. Cons: Table assignments were very scattered so we didn't see our server for a good 20 minutes at one point. Received lunch while still waiting for drinks, then only one drink had a straw. After getting the straw we asked for napkins and didn't receive them until we finished our meals. Then, someone made a mistake and charged another customer's credit card to our tab, creating immense confusion. Server apologized and said she was going to have the manager take off some of the bill. Never saw the manager, server vanished again for about 10-15 minutes ( could be due to improper table assignment). When she finally returned she said the manager would not comp anything so our bill was still $100...we never asked for a comp, it was offered by the server so don't promise what you can't deliver. This was a very disappointing experience and we would like to return again but they are in need if some serious leadership. Also, for it being the middle of the afternoon, the music was entire way to loud for a relaxed beach setting. There is no need to crank club music at such a volume during a lunch period. read more

I want to love bernies and their gluten free menu but I have felt sick twice after eating there and then yesterday I paid for a SALAD that the waitress messed up not once but twice!!! I was also charged $6 for two chocolate milks for my toddlers!! Seriously a draft beer is cheaper than a cup of milk!! Not to mention I had a two year old that really had to pee so we go to the bathroom and two of the stalls are locked with no one in them and the third one was full of paper towels! It was disgusting and all I wanted was the check but my waitress had to be hunted down! read more

Cool place. The food is meh. The "specialty" drinks were ok. My Longboard lemonade was flavorless. Super cool venue though!!!!

Don't go with children. I'm all for fun but this was overboard. Guitarist dropped the F bomb a few times on the mic. Patrons very drunk, a woman was vomiting in the ladies room. Way too loud! I like to have a good time like everyone but they are out of control. The smell of pot is all around. We went about 4pm. We left early and can't go back with the family. read more

Guess I really should've read some of these reviews before I wasted a vacation day at Bernie's Beach Bar, but considering it recently got voted number one Beach Bar on the coast, I figured we would give it a go. My family and I had a late lunch, food was nothing special honestly and was ruined by a women sitting at the bar. Her being on her phone/computer the whole time we were there confused me to what position she could possibly hold here, but at one point we all stopped eating due to the women screaming at staff members. Again not sure who she was, but I felt genuinely bad for every employee there. If someone can speak to them in front of customers like that, I can only imagine what goes on behind closed doors. Would be a great place to suggest to your worst enemy to go. read more

Two stars for the decor. The renovations look great. Unfortunately our server was nice but didn't have any knowledge of the drinks offered. We wanted checks split which we stayed at the beginning of the meal. He completely mixed them up. He had no idea of the liquors they offered... We waited 10 minutes for shots and they didn't have the liquor he said they did so we canceled our shots.He also said they didn't make mixed shots... That all there shots just come in a small shot glass. No lime in my corona.. Just little things that all added up. Food is way overpriced. 18 dollars for a chicken Caesar.. Crazy. Anyway I used to love this bar last summer the service has declined hopefully they can tighten it up before summer hits. read more

First time I went to this bar. I understand it has recently been renovated. The bar is spacious and open air. The bar tender, Dan was friendly and made some great suggestions for drinks. Fun, lively place! Never tried the food. read more

Music was pretty good, mahi tacos we're mediocre at best. I would have expected, that being right in the beach,the fish would have been better. The service was horrible. The waitress visited the table long enough to take the order. Expectations were high. Unfortunately they did t live up to expectation. I think this will be the last time visiting here. read more

I cannot wait for Bernies to open! Such a fun atmosphere, the outdoor patio is so accommodating. The food and drinks are always consistent.

I was excited to head to Bernies for a show I paid $65 for two tix to see. Long story short the main act took so long to come on we left before he came on. The venue failed to communicate with the crowd. Everyone around us were complaining and irritated. There was one gentleman dancing having a good time, (with a bottle of water in hand) that was forcibly removed by staff for no good reason. He was intoxicated but harmless, drinking water, and certainly not out of control. I had a draft beer, my husband ordered ginger and captain ... we were originally told $15 but when ready to pay the bartender apologized and said prices were updated that day and that he was unaware and charged us $17!!!! So $19 with tip for a beer and 1 drink!!!! Ridiculous. I had a lobster roll earlier in the night that was delicious but the food is overpriced. FYI you do not need to purchase tix for a show. We stood for 3 1/2 hours waiting for an act because there is no seating when you pay extra money then left because we were exhausted, had spent a ton of money on two rounds for two people, and had no idea what was going on. Won't be returning to this venue. Also if you don't like cigarette smoke this is not the place for you. read more

Went here for the first time today. Love the beach vibe. The staff was super friendly. Pasca was our server he was the best! The nachos were awesome (good cheese core). Would definitely come back! read more

What a great place! Deck was packed on Sunday, but we got a table right on the end of the deck with a great view of the beach. Our server Chris was very friendly & the food was just as good as the service. We had lobster sliders for an appetizer, and the toasted croissant complimented the fresh lobster meat beautifully. My wife got the stir fry with shrimp which was a fresh and unique concept to Hampton Beach. I tried the Mahi Tacos which were very good, and the two sides (black beans and rice and veggies) filled me up. We will definitely go back, especially for a bomb pop! read more

Awful experience here. Sat down at upper deck with wife and 4 yr old daughter. Windy day so one of bus boys came by to take down umbrella so it didn't blow away. He hit my wife's drink knocked it into her salad Ice cubes and sangria everywhere. He says I'm sorry I'll get you a new one. Never came back, no napkins nothing. Had to ask waitress for new drink and napkins. The bill comes and they charged us for that drink they spilt as well as the sangria soaked salad!! Don't go here they're ignorant read more

My husband and I use to love going to Bernies. Yes the new deck and makeover is gorgeous. But the bar has turned into a club. We have been there on several occasions since the start of the season and each time the experience has left me not thrilled. Last night was my last attempt at trying to embrace the "new"bernies. Long story short. We put our name at the host stand after being ignored standing right in front of her. We're told for 2 an hour and half wait..tried to get drinks from bar once again ignored. Frustrated left went to seakatch sat on second deck waited on right away drinks right away and live music. Won't be returning to bernies club. read more

I blame the managers for the bad service not the young kids went for lunch was seated by the hostess no one came over after almost 15 min we got up and went to bar saw another couple get up and leave where is the owner or managers does any one care food was good bad service this place has so much potential I blame the owner after reading all the reviews complaining about the same thing the service only he can change it the 20 year old kids don't care he should I would think great burgers great drinks not enough alcohol I complained about that said nothing they can do about that b s 11 bucks give people more than a shot again this place shoul get 5 stars hire kids that care give the bartenders permission to make stronger drinks read more

I had very high hopes of Bernie's beach bar based on location and the view but this place is just not good, at all. We got here around 7 PM on a Friday night, the place was fairly busy but found two seats at the bar. First issue was with our bartender, he was pompous and had a poor attitude. Thats fine, I'm not here to be best friends with the bartendar. We ordered drinks on the menu, tasted like there was no booze in them with premade mix (one was a margarita, the other was a mojito). Then we ordered dinner, she got a chicken ceasar wrap, I got a chicken sandwich. Her's was inedible, the chicken was gross, the wrap was gross. I tried to add pickles on my sandwich, they would not add pickles onto my sandwich (weird) and the bartender was a loser about it when I requested that. We assumed the food would be average, we weren't expecting a 5 star but it was beyond horrible. So we finished our disgusting dinner and went over to the other bar upstairs. I ordered a John Daly, not standard but you are a bartender, its literally arnold palmer with vodka, you should be capable of making that. It was the most disgusting, sugary drink I've ever had, no booze in it, definitely wasn't arnold palmer or half and half, not even sure if it was iced tea, it was just gross. Then the band took the stage, they were pretty bad and I didn't want another crap drink so we went to leave. We we went downstairs they had this guy playing acoustic guitar, he sounded great and they were about to suck us back in until after watching for about 5 minutes and we realized he was PRETENDING to play the guitar. This place was just bad on all levels, I do not have one good thing to say about it. Theres plenty of places on the strip to give your business to, don't go here. read more

We went for dinner last summer when it was our first time visiting Hampton Beach. The service was great and friendly. At the time we went it wasn't a wait. We had their pulled pork nachos which were absolutely delicious. I had some good fruity drinks. The atmosphere and view off the balcony right where I table was located was amazing. I have a picture of the view behind me in a picture from my birthday night and you'd think I was in FL. Awesome. Definitely need to go back read more

This is the place to be! I've been looking for a spot like this forever. It has a giant outdoor deck surrounded by cafe lights. I've been here on rainy days and it's just as fun. They always have the best music playing and the drinks/food are amazing. I feel like I've been transported to the west coast every time I go and it's only down the street from me. I can't get over the view. Bernie's foreverrrrr! read more

I love this place! The best night life on Hampton beach. My friends and I ate at the bar last week. Hannah was put bar tender and she made amazing recommendations to get the Mahi tacos matched with the dragon margarita and I am in love. We will definitely be back! read more

I went here last night with a couple of my girlfriends. The service was excellent, we had Eric as our bartender. He was attentive and friendly all night. The other bartender was also very friendly and outgoing. The drinks were good and not overpriced and it was nice to be able to ask for a mixed drink and have it taste good but also like it was an alcoholic beverage. I would recommend coming here to any of my friends. The atmosphere was fun and laid back and the people there were all having a good time. On my next visit I will be trying their food which looked delicious.v read more

The food was pleasant. The service was rude to say the very least. When questioned a member of management came to the table offering free drinks but failed to omit the price from the bill. It would seem a tourist trap for sure. It may be a pretty ocean side place but the extremely rude way our party was on a quite day should never been tolerated. Again tourist trap. read more

First visit to Bernies. Very large and busy place. We had a very cute and pleasant waitress. She was new to the staff and to the USA. She was bubbly and super friendly as she took our order. Our friend asked for horseradish, and she said I don't know if we have that, but I will ask. Quite honestly she didn't know what horseradish was. She returned with a big smile on her face to tell us they did in fact have horseradish. The food was just ok. Nothing great. I will return, but not for the food. read more