I just wanted to reserve 8 seats for my firsts and a birthday
That sounds like a nightlife or special event situation. If you go on a Thursday/Friday/Saturday, they may pull these shenanigans at the door. Some venues do it as a sort of bar guarantee. Avoid this by arriving early (ideally with a reservation) but staying late.
Is there an event going on? I definitely didn't spend that when my friends and I went
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