The X Factor

Charlottesville has a newish “club” of sorts, the X-Lounge, derided by hipsters and hippies alike. Quoth someone who works at another Glass Building establishment (both the person and place shall remain nameless), “you’re not even cool enough to think about the X-Lounge." But let’s face it folks, you’ve noticed, too: every weekend, that place is packed. People are enjoying its smoke-free atmosphere and its lofted sitting area above the bar, open and spacious among the tree canopy inside The Glass Building’s former floral shop. But see for yourself: DocMultimedia posted some great pics.

What I do find a little odd, however, is the posh, sleek interior juxtaposed with their outdoor seating area on a concrete slab, bordered by Tiki Torches. ::shrugs:: I have yet to eat there but apparently they serve tapas along with expensive libations. Most nights people pack the inside of the bar, spilling out into the parking lot. Such a different scene from the weekend-morning Bluegrass Grill breakfast crowd.

The X Lounge seems to pull rank with the likes of C’ville’s other happenin’ bars, Blue Light and Zocalo, bringing in similar clientele: mostly young professionals or professional UVa graduate students (think Law, Darden or Med students [sorry, guys]). It’s hard not to chuckle at the ’Lounge’s incessant thumping bass sans dance floor -- some are calling it a wannabe NYC spot. I admit I find it a little ridiculous for Charlottesville, but don’t mind it so much. The smoke-free aspect is almost worth the price.

That is, I didn’t mind it so much until I looked at my bank statement last Monday, Labor Day, after an evening there the previous Friday. Being a holiday weekend, some purchases I made the week before were being held in queue until Tuesday. I gave my online statement a once-over and noticed something rather strange. An entry read,

PURCHASE THE X 09/01 - $50.00

What?! I scratched my head. Now, I had been fairly inebriated, but I remember signing for my tab. Fifty dollars would’ve caught my attention (at least I certainly hope so). I had purchased five drinks: four draft beers and one cocktail. Could that plus tip really add up to $50??

This got me very curious. I did a little searching and found one other instance of a mysterious $50 charge at the X Lounge. Chris Carlson posts on outskirts.com:

I went there for the “best of C-ville” party last night and bought one mixed drink for a friend. Today my bank statement says they charged me $50!!! Their phone number isn’t listed, so I have to walk over there to dispute the charge apparently. This is the only time I’ve set foot in the place, mind you. I feel burned and won’t go back there again if they don’t somehow make it up to me.

Wow! Was I also overcharged? I discussed this with a few people, thinking that maybe each beer cost $5, the cocktail $10 and perhaps a $10 tip. But then I kept reading and Carlson posted again:

My mistake!!! The charge was a preauthorization. I just walked over there and JF brought out the credit card log. Apparently check cards work this way where they pre-authorize a certain amount and that’s what is initially encumbered against your account. X lounge is NOT to blame!!!

Sure enough, I found my receipt: $30.19, and when the pending “X” charge cleared late last week, I was only charged that amount.

Two things:

First, I can understand why a bar might do this. Levying an initial $50 charge at least lets them know if the patron is good for the cash -- this helps them decide whether or not the person may open a tab in the first place. Fine. But what if I only had $100 in my checking account? Though I probably shouldn’t be opening bar tabs in that case, if this had been a Saturday night, and then I tried to make a $60 purchase on Sunday, my card would be rejected as the actual amount of my tab would still be held as a $50 charge until cleared by my bank the following business day. This seems a little ludicrous to me.

Second, have I just been caught completely unawares? Is this what is practiced at most restaurants/drinking establishments? Have I just not been going out enough to notice? Doesn’t anyone else regard this as a moderately shady business model?

I suppose the part of all of this that is upsetting is that there was no indication, verbally or otherwise, that this is what would happen when I handed the bartender my check card. If there had been a clearly visible sign, I could fault no one other than myself for my ignorance to the ways of open tabs. Luckily it wasn’t an issue, but I can definitely imagine scenarios where it could have been.