River Raisin Banquet Center

We dealt with Drew for a wedding on July 7, 2023. We had a consumption beer/wine bar with cash bar for liquor. Drew was helpful at times with ideas about cutting bar costs and we were grateful for that. But during the event our guests were treated inhospitably. The reception began at 5:30pm. The first guests who arrived before 5:30 were told by staff that the doors would not be unlocked before 5:30. Guests then came to me with reports that liquor was unavailable for purchase. When I addressed that issue, the bartender told me that "He (Drew) went to go get the liquor." Guests were eventually served as agreed. We were told by Drew that coffee and supplies were included in the $3.00 per person charged for non-alcoholic beverages. Coffee and supplies were not prepared. My sister had to *argue* with the bartender that Yes, there *was* supposed to be coffee. One pot was brewed, and the coffee ran out before the event ended. The bar charges were discussed and agreed upon: $24.00 per person for 167 guests. Any refund check " will be mailed to you the next week". The next day, July 8th, I emailed Drew about the final bar bill. No response. I emailed again on July 11th. No response. I called on the 13th; he said that we were due a refund, gave the amount, and said that he would get the invoice to me that day. I emailed on the 14th. No response. Emailed again on the 20th. No response. A check dated July 20th arrived at my house for the stated amount--but no invoice. I called Drew on the 23rd and left a voice mail. I received an email on the 24th saying he was unable to get me the invoice until the next day. I called him again on August 1st. He stated that he'd emailed the invoice to me two days ago (no...), but he told me he'd send it again right away. After 8 more hours, I emailed again and asked him to simply reply to my email and attach the invoice. No response. I called again the next day. Finally, after 26 days, 6 emails and 3 phone calls, I found out we had been charged for 175 people. I asked Drew where the 175 number came from as 167 was agreed upon. He stated "We always base our bar packages on the number of seats... In this case, I (Drew) missed that on the initial invoice which is my fault... The total number of chairs rented was...175." When I asked that he honor the original invoice as approved and refund the $48.00 overcharge, he wrote "Let me assure you that with the amount of non-alcoholic drinks that we went through you are getting a steal at that price. The refund will not be adjusted." $6.00 x 175 people is $1050.00. A two-liter soda is $1.68. A bottle of water is $0.25. So 167 people over 6 hours drank 625 two-liter sodas? or over 4000 bottles of water? in addition to all of the beer, wine and liquor that was served? His statement is patronizing and ridiculous. Nowhere, in any communication, was it specified that we would be charged for beverage service for furniture. It is unfortunate that Drew chooses to withhold the $48.00 he overcharged, after a price was agreed upon and paid, that he chooses to respond with silence and pettiness, and that he can't seem to keep what he chooses to charge for his services straight from conversation to conversation. If you're seeking to minimize wedding stressors, I'd look elsewhere for your venue...one where the management responds promptly and meaningfully, remembers to give you what you agreed upon without arguing, and doesn't arbitrarily make up extra charges.

My husband I and hosted our wedding reception here on June 30th, 2023. Drew Bentley was wonderful to work with throughout this entire process. He was very communicative and eager to ensure our day went smoothly. RRBC is a simple yet beautiful venue, perfect for our reception of 150 guests and could have accommodated more. I would recommend utilizing the venue’s preferred vendors- Everything came together beautifully.

Mary-Gail was very easy and eager to work with us. I imagine she is like this with anyone booking the venue. The River Raisin Banquet Center is a beautiful piece of Monroe, MI history and my wife and I are glad we booked here. Great location with a beautiful view of the River Raisin.

Very cool location, reasonable price. The venue came with nothing, we had to set up tables, get linens, tear down everything, and clean. By the time you add everything together it’d be worth it to get a more expensive place that provides more.