I'm honestly shocked to find the reviews here. An elite yelpers entire review was: "What the hell happened to this place." a statement, not even a question. Lol. But anyway, this place is fun, affordable and delicious... We lived off of 6th and Broadway for years and this was and still is our sport. I think it's just been targeted by the powers at be, truly unfair reviews.
(4)
D G.
Smelt like an ashtray, bartender was super awkward. I tried to cancel my order after waiting 20 min for two rolls( we were the only customers) he said they were almost done. But we waited another 15 and only got half out order. It was disgusting we didn't even eat half. He said he felt bad but did nothing. Save yourself unless it's for the coronas
(1)
Katie S.
Very disappointed in this restaurant. Several years ago, this place used to offer amazing sushi. Currently, it is a very run-down, unkept place with outdated decor, unclean counters, and a menu that lacks imagination. Fish was not fresh and rice was not appetizing. I would never recommend anyone to come to this place for sushi.
(1)
Jess M.
A friend and I went into Opal on a Sunday evening for sushi. At first we weren't sure if they were open as the place was empty but that could have been due to the snow. We were seated in a dark corner in the not most comfortable chairs. However, the service was great. Our server was very attentive and friendly and treated us great even though we had a Groupon. The sushi was really good too. We went out on a limb and tried some stuff we hadn't had before, try the Broadway Roll. The wine selection left a little to be desired but at least they had some!
Ever wonder what a tire wrapped in rice would taste like? Well, if you have this is the place that'll cure that. Seriously, the sushi was pretty bad. The happy hour specials are pretty much the only reason to go. That and the salsa nights which I think are Thursdays? I could be wrong.
(2)
Jonathan R.
This is going to be a totally hypocrytical review... That you must read to the very end of to grasp the stunning hypocrisy of it. Opal Sucks... Ok sorry I'm being far to nondiscriptive here I enter the bar with my friends, its not very busy at all, some loungy house music permeats the atmosphere. After passing a dirty table, we find out seats, our conversation ensues. We are 20-something young professionals, our conversation revolves around which of our friends are sleeping with eachother, ect... 10 minutes later our waiter approaches, takes our drink & sushi order & disapears. after another 10 minutes our drinks find themselves at our table. Our conversation turns to which trendy clubs or bars are going to be the recipients of our hard earned skrilla during the night upcoming debauchery. After another 20 minutes our sushi finally puts in its much anticipated appearance. Now I'm not going to act like I'm the world fore most sushi-oligist but I'm not terrible impressed by their selection. Why two stars... Because for some damn reason I go to this damn place all the damn time & if heaven forbid people in Denver actaully start using Yelp & the staff Opal actually found this review... Well I'm pretty sure they know who I am
(2)
Mara B.
I haven't actually eaten at Opal, but I have to mark them down merely for dealing with them on a professional level. When I asked to speak to a manager on the phone I was hurriedly dismissed and even sworn at. If that's how people are going to behave just over the phone, how are they going to behave in person?
(1)
Steven S.
Cheap drinks, if you have enough of them (which might be hard to do) might get you sauced enough to eat what can best be described as Costco quality sushi.
(1)
peter s.
Yep, this place is as gross as they say it is. Too bad.
(1)
Megan Y.
This is by far the worst restaurant I have been to. Ever. The waitress was for the most part nonexistent; when she did come by she was downright rude. The food was terrible. I ordered the sea bass and what came out, after close to 45 minutes, was rubber. I have never tasted anything quite like it. One bite and I set my fork down and waited another 30 minutes for the waitress to come back. She asked me if I needed a box and, when I said no, sort of shrugged and took my plate. She never even asked why I hadn't touched it! I never write online reviews (this is my first), but after the horrible service and food that I had at Opal, I felt compelled to tell anyone and everyone that it is the worst restaurant in Denver. If I could have given it no stars I would have...
(1)
A P.
While this place may look like a hole in the wall in a random spot, it's pretty awesome. Is the service always the best? No, but their happy hour is pretty amazing. You can't beat $1 Corona's and 2 for 1 sushi, and even better, they have happy hour twice a day every day- not bad!! I've been frequenting this place for the past 5 years and it's a favorite summer happy hour spot for me and my friends. You gotta check it out!
(4)
X X.
My review is based solely on the happy hour. $1 coronas, $1 oysters....what could be wrong with that? Service was "OK"...not phenomenal, but seriously, who cares as long as you bring/refill my drink? The oysters were decent, didn't try the sushi, and the beers were cold...which made a very happy me. The place sort of reminds me of a run-down-diva....aka, something that once had shine and glitz, but now looks a little on the cheap side.. the interior is trying a bit too hard, especially with the freakin' "chain-mail" curtains. With that being said, not a terrible place to get your evening jump started with a cheap happy hour....just don't stay there all night as there are definitely better places to shuffle off to after $1 coronas.
(3)
Ryan F.
Horrible service, had to ask 3 times to one server to have water. Had to waive my menu to have an order taken. I roll better sushi. Decent ambiance.
(1)
Viviene W.
I have update my review because I had a great time with my friends the last times that I've gone. They have great sushi and affordable prices. Even a happy hour for their Japanese beers if you're a fan! The waitress we had was wonderful and very informative. She alerted us on the 2-for-1 specials, last call, etc. I'll probably be going back more now. :) A great place just to chill, relax, and enjoy the company of your friends!
(4)
Yuki D.
Good for happy hour drinks; sushi is good portions. (Not great, but good). Eric is a good bartender.
(4)
Erin M.
First time there was last night, the happy hour special was terrible the sushi was even worse and the beer was warm. The shrimp Tempura was deep fried in basic batter not tempura I felt like I was eating a deep fried twinky...gross.
(1)
whitney m.
Haven't been here in years and decided to check out that late night sushi happy hour--Stars are for $3 champagne that wasn't bottom of the barrel, delicious 2-4-1 sushi deals and crazy bar patrons kept it entertaining. no stars for crummy miso soup, way too loud gay dance club music with a shirtless dancer too boot!
(3)
Shannon B.
my boyfriend and i went there last night... bummer. we wanted to venture away from our standard sushi place - go fish - and we always see the big happy hour sign so we stopped in. the first thing i noticed was the cool decor, but on second look, i noticed all of the furniture was stained. gross. there was one couple to our left that seemed to be having a leisurely dinner. we ordered our sushi right away with our drinks. we both ordered diet coke, and got regular coke the entire night. not that big of a deal, but come on. the couple next to us got their salad after what seemed like a very long time. during this time, 3 other parties sat down (one of 7 people) and we noticed there was only one server and one semi-busboy. maybe he didn't even work there... after 45 minutes, we finally got our "sushi." like others, i have to put sushi in quotes because it was the saddest looking pile of fish i've ever seen. all of our nigiri was about the size of a cockroach. plus, the slices of fish were so thin i thought we were for sure being gypped. especially because the cost of the meal was up there ($50 for 2 people). ugh. after not seeing our server again for 20 minutes, we finally threw our credit cards at him and got our bill before the couple next to us even got their dinner! they had been waiting 45 minutes. not cool dude! our server finally came back with our bill and gave us a meager "someone quit today," but the damage had been done. no more opal for me sir. and i doubt their happy hour is worth it.
(1)
Lauren R.
I dont care what anybody says about this place - it is by far the most miserable dining experience I have ever had. Im stupid enough to have gone to sushi happy hour here multiple times, and each time has been worse than the last. Sure, the sushi is ok. Yeah, its cheap. But is it worth being subjected to the hellish service and rude bartenders for two hours of your life that you will never get back? I have a deep seeded loathing for this place - the stress alone is enough to send me into a cold sweat for the remainder of the night after going here.
(1)
angela P.
The worst place I have eaten or had drinks at in Denver! I meet some friends there around 11pm and do so for the happy hour. The waiter was clearly "high" and actually sat down in the booth to take the order. I'm all for people taking a hit BUT if it delays my drinking and I'm a paying customer then it needs to wait till they are off the clock! He forgot my order TWICE and when people joined us I told them to go straight to the bar...they got drinks before I did. I would never tip poorly but his guy was not working so clearly he didn't care about his tip. The food was not good! I WILL never go back to this place.
(1)
Angie K.
I see tons of bad reviews but I love this place. I have never had a bad experience & believe me I have gone there about a thousand times for drinks and sushi. I love the relaxed atmosphere and friendly people. I have never had slow service either. Yes this place is never real crowded but who wants to be in a sea of people? I love the hand rolls and happy hour specials. Its a good date place, you can actually hear what the other person is saying. I wouldn't go off all the bad reviews go and try it out for yourself. : )
(4)
Sandi D.
When the BF and I like a place, we hammer it, and that's exactly how we felt -past tense- about Opal. Sure it's sketchy looking, dirtier then I would like my food establishment to be, but we overlooked all the bad points since we liked the $1.95 Coronas, and the $20 Rib Eyes WERE -again past tense large, good quality, properly cooked steaks. Since Merging with Aqua, the food has gone down, way, way down. Each week it got worse. The 1st week, we waited an hour for food, the server got the order wrong, and treated us like garbage. The 2nd week, the portion was so small it was laughable. The only reason we didn't complain, is that it tasted so bad, we didn't want any more. Last night was our 3rd, and last visit to the New Opal. The BF ordered the rib eye, I went for fillet as the rib eye was inedible the previous time. An hour later, our usual, and forever flustered and obnoxious server threw down hockey pucks. Yes, we waited an hour for dried out past well done meat. Mind you, we were 1 of 2 tables and ordered our meat rare +, which is under medium rare. Now everyone has an off night, but what happened next is why we will NEVER, EVER set foot inside this restaurant again. We almost never send food back. In the almost 3 years I've been in Denver, I remember doing it 2 times, 3 if you count the time the server grabbed the food and told me not to eat it, they could do better, and I believe that was at a Q's bar, or someplace like that. We cut into the meat. Black and stringy -- so over cooked. Hey Chris ( the worst "server" in Denver) this isn't rare + or even medium rare. "So what do you want me to do about it" -- says he With a flounce, and a huff and a puff he begrudgingly takes my plate to the chef...quote, unquote, The BF is starving, and will eat the sole of his shoe if he has to, so he tells Chris although it sucks the big one, or small one in this case, he'll eat it. According to our Chris, the aforementioned Chef refuses to cook another, or anything else for that matter. What???? So I sat there sans food --- like a kid being punished. How stupid is that. Treating regular customers who order several rounds of drinks ( my cab is $9 a glass, never discounted, even on HH), usually an appy, 2 entrees, and once in a while desert, and who tip between 20-25% like that. No wonder they're down to 2 tables for dinner -- I'm sure they're just getting rid of the food in the freezer, and whatever has been already ordered from Sysco --and will fire the few cooks they have left, and only keep the bar part open. If I was a betting Woman, I would say Opal will either close entirely after the Holidays, or at best, be a bar who doesn't serve food. Either way, go up the street to Dazzle, or head down to S Broadway, where all the restaurants are on an upswing--I'd stay away from this place until they get their act together, or more likely -- close down. NEVER AGAIN
(1)
Elizabeth H.
I didn't like Opal in the past due to subpar sushi, but after giving it another shot after a long hiadius, I've found their sushi has improved vastly. Plus the fact that they have $1 coronas, bogo sushi and saki, and $1 oysters for happy hour everyday makes me give them a pity extra star (although they only deserve 3 1/2 honestly)
(4)
David B.
I'll say this for Opal, if you want sushi after 10 pm you'd be hard pressed to find a place for shushi except Opal....or maybe your local supermarket. It isn't a stand out but a good spot for late night sushi. Oh and theres a homeless guy who was hanging out front bumming cigarettes, very classy.
(2)
Rod W.
I tried Opal because I found a coupon in the Entertainment book. Even with the savings this place was not worth the trip. I ordered sushi, and I don't know if it had been sitting out or something, but it was warm. Maybe that's some cool way of eating it now, but it grossed me out. I have not been back since, and don't plan on returning.
(1)
Jenny S.
I've been here a few times and it has never been busy. The service and food is ok but I like the atmosphere in the bar area. I like the fact it is never very busy because you can sit back and have a casual conversation. The bathroom needs to be remodeled!
(3)
John W.
Went over for the first time for happy hour recently. Was very disappointed with the service and happy hour menu. Waited over 15 minutes to get service after being seated and we were the only ones in the dining room. Won't be back, too many other sushi places in town that are a much better value. I wouldn't recommend!
(1)
Rachel M.
Opal is hands down the worst "sushi" restaurant I have ever been to. I use quotes because I don't even think it can qualify as a sushi restaurant. It does not have a sushi bar. For some strange reason I have frequented Opal more than a few times, every subsequent time hoping for better service and better sushi. First of all, it is DIRTY. Note to owners: watch out for the health department. They WILL be paying you a visit and it will not be a pleasant experience. The hodge-podge of furniture is torn and cheap. The music is ok, but too loud. The only redeeming quality is the cheap sake. After about four bottles of it you'll forget you've had the worst quality sushi in denver, leave drunk, forget your experience, and maybe come again. But don't make my mistake: STAY AWAY!
(1)
Christine P.
My husband and I tried this restaurant after we read about it for the umpteenth time in Westword. The first thing I noticed was how dirty the place is, the carpet should be ripped up and thrown out. I could get over that if the food was good. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. We tried a selection of sushi and a house salad. While the salad was fine, the sushi was not. Meager portions of fish sat on top of a huge mound of rice. I literally had to remove half the rice before I could eat the sushi. It was not inexpensive, and it certainly was not good. I wouldn't recommend Opal to anyone.
(1)
Rebecca C.
I used to love Opal, I loved the cheep sushi and the great happy hour deals. My boyfriend and I used to go there at least once a week for dinner and drinks despite the usually lackluster service, but after the experience I had last week I will never go there again. Just moments after finishing up a less that dazzling dinner (oysters were small and sushi was put together poorly) a woman at the table next to us looked down to see a dead mouse lying on the floor beneath her table. She and her date jumped up and left without eating. While waiting for our check and trying not to become ill we watched the waitress throw and cloth napkin over the mouse, pick it up and carry it out a back door. I was willing to put up with the bad service for the good food but I won't put up with a dead mouse under my table. I wont be back and wouldn't suggest anyone else go either.
(1)
Dale P.
Wow, the place does not get any good reviews. As probably deserved. We went tonight not knowing anything about it. Partner had a thing downtown until after 6:30, so I just said we would meet at Opal. The place has a grubby feel. It may or may not be dirty, but I do not want to see it in the daylight. A coat of fresh paint and a good scrubbing would make all of that go away. The bartender was friendly and accommodating. We got a table and the server was good. I would not really order sushi or sashimi in a place that was not really more clean. We had the shaved prime rim sandwiches. They were good, the au jus was good, the fries were good. The place was pretty busy with a bar crowd for a Tuesday night. It really has a good potential and a good location. It just needs a little kick in the butt. DP
(2)
Jessica C.
I venture to Opal because of the setting sun and sushie, and well, $1 coronas at happy hour, but that is besides the point. I dig Opal. The wait staff will accommodate those who choose to hang out on the patio and smoke. One of the staff even explained the owners are going to pull out the summer patio furniture soon, which is even more inviting. Don't let them forget your edamame though!
(4)
Jennifer H.
We came here on Thanksgiving Sunday, so service was not great. Besides never being around, the waiter was training someone during a very short-handed period. Still, the food made up for it. Order the sea bass! Ohhhh yeahhhhh. My hosts mentioned that the happy hour here is excellent. Too bad b/c there are some promising dishes on the dinner menu.
(3)
Jeska R.
I go to the happy hour here all the time and have had no issues. I don't go there expecting it to be all glitsy and glamorous. I love the sushi and the prices. $1 coronas are a plus. Staff is friendly. Will continue to go there for my sushi fix :)
(4)
Candice L.
Opal is a stones throw away from my house and I don't really enjoy a warm Corona on a hot summers day. Opal used to be quite good but, there has been a slow deterioration of the place. I have heard some urban legends about the refrigeration so, I stay clear of the sushi and the warm Coronas!!!
(1)
Carrie R.
How is this place still open??? What's wrong with everyone?? Please stop giving this place your money, go somewhere good for god's sake. I don't care if you got a coupon, it isn't worth it. Bad food, bad service, and the decor looks like it was slapped together by junior high drama students for an episode of Trading Spaces.
(1)
Shiho F.
This could be the worst place to enjoy Happy Hour, period. So the decor is cool and the lounge area is quite stylish... the food is no good... they serve Miso Soup with a Big Silver Spoon...who does that? You are supposed to enjoy Miso Soup by sipping it while holding the wooden bowl. Their menu is confusing...Japanese food or Chinese food I don't think they know the difference. Our server was sweet but the bartenders were making her look bad. I ordered a Manhattan and I got a Cosmo in a broken cocktail glass. My friend ordered a Dirty Martini and it came out looking like one but it tasted sweet. We had them redo ours beverages and I got another broken glass ( a different one) and after than I just gave up. I love crab filled wontons and these didn't have cream cheese in them, um hello, that is the best part.
(1)
B W.
I really want to like this place- I really do, but I can't. So the bartender and the staff are nice enough, and the $1 oyster happy hour is nice. However, this place needs a makeover- bad. All the upholstery and decor is tattered and ugly. There's a great darkness overall in the bar area... rather dank. The place turns into a hip-hop club on the weekends as well. This has proven to dissuade my friends from wanting to check the place out. Also- do not go into the bathroom. Real, real bad. Worse than any nightclub or concert venue I've ever been in.
(2)
Ike C.
Very disappointed in my visit to "Opal". I asked the server for a drink menu and he replied vaguely that they don't have one, only some drink called "saki". Then, after a long pause, the server reluctantly stated that there was a "full bar," implying some sort of "bar standard." Not even halfway through my meal and I was astounded by the poor quality of the rolls. We started with a round of "hand rolls." They were bland and the seaweed was hard to chew through. All the ingredients tasted like they came from no less than the local supermarket. We were next served two "rolls" containing what appeared to be King Soopers cocktail shrimp wrapped in warm, mealy, Chinese-takeout-esque rice. When the "shrimp tempura" roll was served, the crunchiest part of the roll was the cucumber. The rolls were wrapped so loosely that the "fried cocktail shrimp" actually fell out of the roll, leaving a gaping hole in the flabby shell of what once was rather inappropriately labelled a "sushi roll." The only redeeming factor of the experience was the excellent choice in music. There was a good range of house to down tempo mellow electronic music, all following a cohesive jazzy theme. I might add as well that the potency of the wasabi was on par. The server made great conversation about crackers and wasabi. Would come back for that.
(1)
Peter M.
Opal seems to be getting a rash of unfavorable reviews, which may or may not be fair. The reality is that their happy hour is really pretty good. Big Kirin beers for $3 bucks and 2 for 1 on a variety of sushi make it a great place to do some eating and drinking either after work or late night. The bartender, KJ, is cool as the come, and remembered my name after one visit. The sushi tasted fresh and was well prepared. All in all, A-OK.
(3)
Megan W.
What the hell happened to this place.
(2)
CO G.
I've gone to this place numerous times for the early happy hour. They have great happy hour prices (I mean come on you can't beat $1.50 Coronas). The food is meh, I have ordered the happy hour sushi, it was ok but I have my doubts it's very fresh. I won't eat it again. Also, the bathrooms aren't the cleanest and they need to update the seating and tables in the bar area, they are old and tore up. Dive bar fo sho! 1st UPDATE: Ok I was surprised when I went in to find the bar and restaurant has been remolded. No more torn seating and jenky tables. The bathrooms are soon to be remolded, I've been told by the staff. 2nd UPDATE: Be sure to check your receipt against your credit card statement. I found out they have been adding additional tip to my credit card on at least 3 occasions. Ummm can someone say ILLEGAL? Pay in cash only. I've lowered my rating due to this.
(1)
Robbie L.
What a toilet.this place is so fowl, I hope I didn't catch anything while eating there. I heard it was bad. But this bad! Unreal. Never again.
(1)
Matt D.
I usually come here on a weekly basis. Great happy hour, however, this past experience was not the best! One of the worst! The server was inattentive and when I closed out she mentioned that somebody in my party did not tip her! Coming from someone who is in the restaurant industry, you do not tell guests that they failed to tip! Very big turn off! I will come back when I know my regular server is here. No longer will I be served by ally!
(2)
Frank L.
Here's a one star review updated for 2014. Do not go here ever! Listen to the Yelp reviews. The service was atrocious. A group of us went to Opal for a salsa dancing night. After awhile on the dance floor I went to to the bar to order three waters, one for myself, and two for my friends. I waited several minutes which wasn't surprising because the place was so busy. The bartender working , a fairly tall male, six footish with short blonde hair, did not even acknowledge me until I made eye contact several times he attended to the neighboring patrons at the bar, even the ones who arrived after me. He said, "Let me guess you want water? " I confirmed with a yes and put up three fingers to indicate I wanted three waters for my friends and he simply nodded his head side to side rolling his eyes and went on with whatever else he was doing and completely ignored me after that. He completely blew me off. I had no idea why either. Another employee who was also waiting tables and occasionally bartending approached me and stated that there was a "water station" down by where the salsa dancing was. So I went down to the "water station" after explaining to him the unacceptable "service" I got from the first bartender whose name I believe is, Eric actually but I'm not one hundred percent sure. I went down to the water station and the pitchers were all empty so I reapproached "Eric" at the bar explained to him very nicely that he was disrespectful and when someone requests waters he should do his job and honor the request and that he had no right to blow off a customer like that. He questioned me saying things like, "are you trying to tell me how to bartend?" I told him, "No I'm trying to tell you how to be a nice person and you're a bartender and you need to do job and you have no reason to treat me the way you're treating me." He then complained that all people want on salsa nights is water and how much he hates salsa nights and I explained that salsa dancing breaks a sweat and sometimes all people want is some water and maybe if they received real service from the bartender that they may come back and order a drink or leave a tip. The individual then ended the conversation and walked away to "serve" other customers at the bar. I went back to my group, explained what happened and one of my friends went up to Eric, ordered a water and he actually complied without problems or attitude. Completely unacceptable. Of course there was no manager on duty (or at least that was what I was told when I asked a third bartender) I'd say to the management of Opal that this man should be fired but after seeing all of the other poor reviews, especially pertaining to the poor service that this place should not even be in business. It seems there's a culture of this poor service at Opal. This place has received poor reviews for years and years now. It's a miracle they're still in business. I'm sure glad we didn't eat the food there because it did not appear to be appetizing at all, not like we would have ever gotten service anyways. Many of the Yelp reviewers also note poor food and a hilarious menu full of spelling errors. And yes to confirm what other reviewers have been saying, the decor and the restrooms are absolutely horrid. The men's bathroom is even missing a urinal and appears to have been heavily vandalized. The City and County of Denver, please shut these jerks down and never issue them another food license. Whoever put this venue down as an acceptable salsa location should really consider somewhere else. The restaurant and some of its employees evidently do not approve of the extra business.
(1)
Krystal M.
The bf convinced me to try this place and try sushi... it was 'meh' on both accounts. When you walk into the restaurant area it feels very vacant and open, we walked back to the lounge area and as many others have stated, it was dark and dingy and we couldn't find a place to sit anyways... which I think was a good thing so I could actually see my food. The happy hour specials were really good, anything outside of those specials was a little expensive, but whatever. The food was okay, nothing was awful, nothing was great. It was just okay. The cheap beers were a plus. However, apparently weed smoking on the patio is a-okay since many others were doing it... it wasn't pleasant to walk through when we were leaving. I didn't really feel like smelling like weed. But it seemed like the people working there had no problem with it. Probably won't be back.
(3)
Aly G.
Gross. Gross. Gross. I don't like the vibe. I had to return my sushi because it was THAT BAD. I felt like everyone was on drugs and the place was dirty. Just stay away! Oh and my waitress didn't know how to open a bottle of wine so I had to open my own haaaaaaa.
(1)
Allison P.
This is my go-to place for me and several of my friends when we want to meet up for happy hour. They have great prices on Corona and also Saki. The happy hour sushi is a pretty good deal as well but I usually order full rolls instead of the happy hour specials. The atmosphere is a little dark but that is the point since it's more of a lounge setting. The male server Christian is amazing and always has a great attitude. I have eaten the sushi here multiple times and have never had bad food or gotten sick from it. Not sure what the other reviews on here are talking about. I have been going here for years and my friends and I will keep going as long as it's open!
(4)
Jacqueline E.
This place smelled horrible. The club soda was flat. The atmosphere was not what I was expecting at all. I will never go back. I could here the music in the other room! Having two rooms with a DJ in each is fine but not when you hear both at the same time. Train wreck.
(1)
Nicole S.
The smell that hits you when you walk in is enough to make you not want to eat here.. $1.50 coronas though if you're looking for a quick cheap drink..
(1)
Amanda G.
This place made me a little sad. Granted, we were there at 8p on a Tuesday night which probably isn't their busiest time but the place just felt a little sad and empty. I will say the server was very nice but I think he may have been the loan employee that night. There were 3 other groups in the oddly furnished and oddly lit place and it all just felt a bit forlorn. The sushi was basic and just ok. The whole experience might be better at happy hour and the dance lessons might be worth checking out but I'm not sure we'll be back for a weeknight dinner.
(2)
Sturm B.
While I am famously patient with servers, a person's natural reaction to bad service is a certain level of irritation. However, sometimes its so bad you just have to laugh. I've been to Opal many times. Their happy hour is generous, and the service is consistently competent if not spectacular. On this particular night, we sat down in a nearly empty restaurant. There were two other tables in our server's section, and they were clearly friends of hers. I don't mind a server catching up with friends; its a social job. However, after walking past us no less than six times, she disappeared behind the bar and literally putzed around (not making drinks), and STILL didn't greet us or bring us menus. She made eye contact with us multiple times, and just couldn't be bothered. After 15 minutes of this, we got up and left. When she passed us on our way out the door, she sneered "sorry," and let us go; I think I would have offered us a free appetizer, or at least a real apology and attempt to keep us in the building. Bigger, rather lumbering girl with black hair. I might try Opal again, but not if she's there.
(1)
Tracy B.
Not sure why the reviews are so low here! Me and my boyfriend came by here for late night happy hour Wednesday night around midnight. The only reason I'm rating it three stars and not four, is the place was totally deserted, and really dark outside. We weren't even sure it was open until we walked in! There was a guy that greeted us upon entering, and he was friendly and told us to sit anywhere. We got 2 for 1 hand rolls and $3 22 ounce beers. The sushi was a smaller portion, but since you got two for one during happy hour, it made it a decent deal. The sushi was tasty and the beer was cold. No complaints there! The bathroom was in a darkened hallway, so that was also a little strange, so again this factored into the lower rating. Overall, this was a good deal and a nice enough place. Don't let the lower ratings keep you away from giving it a shot!
(3)
Kendall T.
Really if you are even thinking of going; stop. Don't let the supposed happy hours fool you. The sake is 2-1 but you get half of the regular sake size. The place needs major work--parts of the wall are literally coming off. But for the fact that the people I was with wanted to eat, I would never consider buying sushi from this place. If their basic restaurant is in such disrepair, you can only imagine what is going on with the fish and sushi. Needless to say, they did order some nigiri and the one I tried was both tasteless and flat. The texture was all wrong. I think I have has better at Costco. But hey--with such bad food, the service must have been decent, right? Wrong. The server was seemingly bored and irritated that he has to serve us at all. The bottom line is simple: I will not recommend nor elect to ever go to this place again. Dirty, broken and bad across the board. The fact that they have stayed open at all is a testament to how much people will stand in order to get a cheap drink. Avoid!!!!
(1)
Raquel G.
How does this place get away with being so dirty? I think the they keep it so dark so you cant see the condition of the place. I have eaten here about three times and never gotten sick but that will no longer be my standard for dinning.
(1)
Vita G.
I work retail and been in the restaurant business before and I believe customers come first, the prices are great here. I been to opal couple years ago and it was great but this time my friends and I weren't greeted. The bar tender took our first drink then the waitress name alley never took our orders until we addressed her, when ordering she looked away and was laughing at her co workers. We played pool and she hardly came by and asked us if we needed drinks so we went up to the bar a couple of times and to order our own drinks. We closed our tab at the bar and the bar tender asked us why, and we told him because she wasn't taking our drink orders and she said she was 5 weeks pregnant. The bartender even said "she used that excuse already" she also complain that my friend didn't tip her when another friend got two more drinks. Thats unacceptable It was horrible service from alley and we had to close our tab at the bar. We won't be back until this is remedied.
(1)
Angela A.
If you love reggae music Opal is the place to be on Saturdays! The vibe is great the DJ is amazing and the drinks are cheap.
(5)
Brittany V.
OPAL! This place is cool at first! I love the happy hour specials they have to offer and the 2 for 1 sake. The staff is friendly! The downside of this place: The furniture is tore up, the lighting is way to dark, it smells horrible, the restrooms are disgusting! The sushi is meh. I would never come here again to eat again~ I took my leftovers home with me, the next day I went to go eat it and there were a few chin hairs in my sushi rolls! It totally disgusts me to think I did not realize this because how dark it was in the restaurant!
(2)
Dave P.
Halloween night at Opal! Costumes and Specials galore! Margaritas and Sushi pair well together (especially when they are discounted!). First time there, but not the last time. Good food, good service, nice seating areas (like a lounge, comfy and relaxing). I would give it 5 starts, but service was slow at times, but nothing outrageous.
(4)
Emilee D.
This is the place to be for happy hour booze specials. You can't go wrong with $1.00 margaritas and cheap beer. The staff is really cool and the regulars are a bit weird. Fun, but weird. ;) As for the sushi, it's not fantastic, but I've had worse. I suggest you stick with the drink happy hour specials as the pricing for the sushi happy hour isn't that much of a deal. The bar area really does need to be spruced up. It's a bit run down and the bathrooms are a tad sketchy. I really, really hate that mirror in the hallway. I've walked into it a few times as the reflection makes it look like part of the doorway. Add booze on top of that and I'm surprised it hasn't been shattered into a million pieces by us drunkards constantly walking into it. There is a parking lot in the back, but you need to get there early to get a spot.
(4)
Mandy B.
I had a gift certificate I needed to use to here and could not even eat all of the food. The entire restaurant smelled like bad/frozen fish and cleaning supplies and the seats were dirty. This should have been our first sign to turn around and leave. We decided to go ahead and give it a chance though because one person with a bad experience is more likely to review a place than a person with a good experience. We had the coconut shrimp appetizer. It was small and edible since it was fried. We also ordered the sashimi sampler which was where it really started to go wrong. The sushi smelled frozen/dethawed and everything was small portions. A couple of the sashimi pieces were not cut properly and there were still bits of the scale meat. The next part of our dinner came out and the rolls were awful. I tried one of each kind and then stopped and said I couldn't do it anymore. I let the server know the food was awful and we left. It is the first time I have ever had to leave a restaurant from the food being bad. The server was great. Its too bad he works at a place where the food is barely edible.
(1)
Andrew F.
I have seen reviews on the restaurant part but not the dance part so I decided to write a review on that. I have gone to the Friday nights (Latin night ) & Saturday nights (Reggae night) after 9pm for both. I love coming to opal on those days but both have a completely different atmosthere, so depending on what your into its up to you. If you like salsa, Bachata , cha cha , merengue then Friday nights are for you. No cover at the door The young crowd 21-30age comes out on Friday it's the younger crowd of la rumba. They teach you how to dance too if you dont. I loved it, everyone was having a good time. On reggae night 5 dollar cover to the dance it's all out dance but the crowd is more laid back but can get down right crazy fun more of a mix of ages on that night more older crowd 25-40ish . I enjoyed reggae night too. Drinks a are cheap and the people are fun. Got a few numbers at this place so I can't complain so if you have the moves it shouldn't be no problems getting any!
(4)
Tanya V.
This place used to be one of my favorites couple of years ago but now it turned into something crazy.. Now even though the prices on sushi and drinks are decent..the sushi isn't so good anymore. The staff are great and it's nice to see same people still working there for years. Now the public that attends the place isn't very pleasant ... And the music choice is pretty bad. Nonetheless had a great time celebration my friends birthday although we most likely will not be going back.
(4)
Dani S.
Crappy food, over priced, HH is a scam! As usual, I was craving sushi again - wanted big chucks of raw fish in my mouth. My friend searched for late night happy hour on his phone and found this place. Since my ph was died, I couldn't look it up on Yelp. Huge Mistake! Parking was a bitch! Steet parking in non-existent. Got the 2 for 1 sushi deal. The hand rolls were skinny like a toothpick, and the sushi's had a paper thin slice of fish on a small piece of rice. Fish was stiff and bad quality! When our bill came, we were told that the 2 for 1 means u get 4 piece of "crap" instead of 2 pieces of "crap". Lovely!
(1)
Lauren T.
Why oh why didn't I listen to yelp!? WORST dining experience of my life! Against my better judgement I took my boyfriend here for a date night because I had a coupon. I was extremely embarrassed that we wasted our time and money here. It took 50 minutes to get our appetizers, and 1 hr 20 minutes to got our entrees. Several times we wanted to walk out, but stuck it out because, by that time I was starving. The food, we eventually got, was disgusting. I had the ahi tuna (per waiters suggestion) it was the toughest, chewiest, overcooked fish I've ever had. The menu was hilarious. Everything was misspelled. See the photos.... The decor was so run down, sleazy and made me wonder how the kitchen was cared for. The waiter was never around, and he never asked how everything tasted; he probably knew the answer. If you want to laugh, look at the picture I posted. I counted 7 mistakes.
(1)
ElizabethAnn B.
EH!.... great drinks specials for happy hour... the food is just average though and for sushi is think tokyo joe's is way better!
(3)
Shana H.
A couple of coworkers and I went here for happy hour. We had a good time. I spent $20, to include a decent tip, and purchased three Coronas, a buy one get one free Shrimp Tempura sushi roll, and an order of California roll at regular price. And...we got several items for free to include food and drink. Our server was fine. It gets busy so I am not one who really looks for the overemphasized cordiality and attention. I just need what I order to be right and received in a timely manner. She succeeded. We were there from 5 to 8p and the place was packed when we left which was two hours before the Salsa dancing started. The only criticism I would have is how the place is sectioned off. It could be a much more spacious place if it weren't for the sectioning. I mean, the corner entry opens up into a restaurant-style area. As you journey left in the establishment, you get to the bar area which is surrounded by two separate lounge areas with the farthest one being the one where all the debauchery must happen due to the barely detectable lighting. The lounge areas really take away from the bar area. Lastly, mirrors and drunk people do not go together because I found myself almost attempting to walk through a mirror to get to the bathroom more than once. I would go back. I actually plan to check out how Opal does Salsa in the near future.
(3)
Louie G.
This place is great. Great service from KJ and the best late night sushi in town by far. Thanks for being there.
(5)
Justin A.
As I write this two days after my visit, my mouth begins to water because of how absolutely delicious the sushi was. I'll be sure to go to Happy Hour next time as the prices they offer are incredible. There is a very competitive market for sushi palces in Denver and this one should go on your list to try sometime too. It may not be #1 of all the contenders but it's on the short list of sushi places I'll recommend to my friends and family.
(4)
Laura E.
Words can't really express how much I never want to go back to this "restaurant". I was meeting a couple of friends to celebrate a birthday for my best friend, so I was apprehensive going - as I had read all the reviews prior to going - but didn't have any choice in the matter. I strolled in at 7:30, and entered the vacant restaurant side of the establishment. And I mean that there wasn't even staff to point me in the right direction, so I just kind of wandered around till I found the very small lounge section my friends were at..... which is where the disappointment all began. The whole lounge is brown. Poop-colored walls, and carpets, and cracked leather sofas -- oh, and let's not forget the grimy ceiling-high mirrors. Yikes. But hey, maybe I shouldn't judge a book by its cover? No, so maybe I'll judge it by the fact that the whole lounge smells like HUMAN URINE. I kept thinking the smell would go away, but it just kept coming in waves. The tables were so sticky with old soy sauce that my chopstick sleeve stuck to the wood. And the sushi? I couldn't really care less about how reasonably priced it was, because I was lying on the sofa for about a half an hour, thinking for sure I had just been given food poisoning and was on the brink of finding religion. Instead, I found the dingy bathroom. I wasn't alone, though, it seems a family of gnats and flies had ALSO found the bathroom! Ugh... Bottom line: I will never go back. Ever.
(1)
Ian S.
I would not recommend this place for the food what so ever. My wife and I decided to try Opal because we were given a half off coupon. We obviously didn't do any research because if we had read the reviews we never would have stepped foot in there. My initial impression of the place was a dance club that happened to sell food. After looking over the menu, I was a bit weirded out by the Asian / Italian / American selection. We gave it a try anyways and were both disgusted with our meals. I ended up eating my wife's steak because she was going to vomit had she eaten any more of it, it was pretty awful but I was hungry. I ordered the chicken teriyaki skewers, they tasted like something you'd get from McDonald's. We had to order desert to get our bill up to $50 to use the coupon. The brownie was terrible as well. Overall the food was far below our expectations. I ended up with an upset stomach later that evening and the next morning. Save yourself and your money for some place that knows what they're doing in the kitchen.
(1)
Nolan B.
The foods here were mediocre. Nothing blew me to pieces. They have what seems like a good happy hour special that includes $1 oysters. (These are also conveniently on a huge sign out front on their building.) But hold it there cheapskate. $1 oysters at a minimum of 6. Th' Fuck? I only want 4 or 5. Get real. Put that bullshit on your sign. Be honest with people. Why is that hard to do? People don't like being tricked. It's ultimately lame. Y'all'll (the restaurant) probably turn around and say in your defense something like, "if $6 is out of your price range for oysters, than you aren't who we are targeting." That's not the point! Again, get real you wieners. Be honest and then I won't waste my time in your establishment that is trying too hard to be something that it isn't. Reupholster your seating too, you filthy amateurs.
(1)
Alisa K.
Went here for reggae night. The owner is a DICK! They have a big aquarium in which once I looked at the fish I realized they were all beat up and unhealthy, like they were dying. I saw a big, beautiful lyon fish which was trapped and dying, it could hardly breath. I went to tell he owner so he could help him get utnrapped and he laughed at me!! He mocked me and said "What do you want me to do? Fill a bucket with water and put him in there? hahahaa"....Um YAH. I DO! if it would save them?! He said if I didn't like it, I didn't have to look at it. Don't have creatures that you don't care for, jerk! Terrible business owner! I've never been treated so rudely, especially when I was trying to help.
(1)
Kenneth P.
This is me advocating for the LOUNGE portion of Opal. Their reverse happy hour (10:30-1:30) is awesome. They have incredibly cheap sake bombs and some half priced sushi. While the sushi is always the typical california roll and what-not, it's not so bad for the price when you're throwing down super cheap sake bombs. It's perfect for a group of 8 or so, to go to a place and socialize and just enjoy the atmosphere. A downfall is that there's no real dance area and it's not huge and kicking through the night. But it's a good spot to kick back with your buddies. If you're there, definitely try out the hand rolls, they'll fill you up a lot more for half price.
(4)
Su Y.
The short: the happy hour deal sucks, the facility is run-down, and the ambiance is nothing special. The long: So, I receive an exciting text from a fellow sushi-deprived tomodachi: "OPAL. 2 FOR 1 SUSHI AND HAND ROLLS." My response: "I ' M T H E R E ." After our party sits and mingles, a waiter runs over. He's smiling and excited, yet his energy translates more into "hurry, I'm in a rush" than "hey, how can I help you?" As it turns out, he's the only server. The only server of the night, waiting about ten tables. Confused at the unclear menu (sorry, I'm a customer. It's my job to be stupid, and your job to make my life easy) I ask the waiter, "what exactly is Opal's happy hour deal?" He lets me know that the deal includes only the first three items on the list. The first three items on the list are as follows: California roll, spicy tuna and yellowtail. ... I repeat: CALIFORNIA ROLL, SPICY TUNA AND YELLOWTAIL. That's like hearing McDonald's is having a 2 for 1 burger night but finding out that the only item applicable for the deal is the hamburger. Not the Big Mac, not the Quarter Pounder, not even the cheeseburger, but the HAMBURGER. When I get my food, it was all over. My yellowtail roll? The size of it? The diameter of a dime. A DIME! I'm fully aware that one sushi roll isn't supposed to fulfill anyone's stomach... but a half-assed ball of 90% rice and 10% yellowtail in the diameter of a DIME? Fuzakenaideyo! This was supposed to be my last meal before a month-long wallet-fast experiment. Thanks for betsuni, Opal.
(2)
Erin T.
I usually come here with groups as it really has a lounge atmosphere and is good for gatherings. They have a nice happy hour that also includes late night. Daily 4:30-7:30 and Late Night 10:30-1:30AM * 2 for 1 Sushi * 2 for 1 Hand Rolls * 2 for 1 Hot Sake * $2.50 22oz Kirin Bottles * $3.00 Imported Champagne * $4.00 Premium Martinis * $1.00 Corona (4:30-7:30 Only) I agree the service is a little poor as I had to go find our server a bunch of times to order more drinks and sushi. The food is good and for the 2 for 1 deal, worth it.
(3)
Rman F.
This place sure has gone DOWN hill. Now I know why they keep it so dark in this place. Restrooms are disgusting...NYC subway is cleaner.
(1)
Alicia K.
First off, let me tell you that the happy hour drink special is pretty great! $1.50 margaritas, $4.00 martinis? Yes, please! However, service is absolutely sllllllooooowwww. We had to flag down our waiter several times, and half the time he didn't even notice my friend waving her arms and flailing about to order a drink. Also, the bathrooms are GHETTO! One of the stalls in the graffiti-covered restroom had toilet paper stuffed and held in place with scotch tape in the place where the lock once was. I'm also pretty sure the bathrooms had never been cleaned...ever. Yuck! Although the happy hour specials are good, the clientle is disgusting, bathrooms are horrendous and service sub-par. Opal, you have received one star.
(1)
Jack M.
Two Words. Dark & Dirty... Someone needs to turn the lights on and clean this place up. The bathrooms are always the indications of the cleanliness of a restaurant.
(1)
Sara W.
The prices are good for drinks and our food would have been great if we got it in under an hour. The server came by our table twice in three hours, rubbing his nose with his eyes blood shot. We waited for our check for an hour! Then when we asked for it from the manager he couldnt find it or the waiter. So they asked us what we had! We replied we had been sitting there too long to remember! So we ended up getting a bad meal comped because our waiter was too busy to notice he had to work! NEVER GO HERE!
(1)
Shelly R.
I was pretty excited to take a friend from California here to show him that sushi in CO can be good and affordable. WRONG! Just like Fontana, the sushi grade and cut size has gone WAY down. I was embarrassed! Our server complained for 10 minutes that it was her 21st B-Day and she should be out drinking with her friends instead of working. Wow! Maybe she should have just said, " I wish I didn't have to wait on you and can you leave me an extra BIG tip because it's my B-day!" It does completely suck to have to work on your 21st B-day... No doubt about it. However, I've had to work many B-Days and other holidays. Unfortunately that's one of the not so fun parts of becoming an adult. We left a decent tip. I admit, her drama worked and we felt really guity. Even though the disgusting sushi and ambience were straight out of hell, we can fold with the best of them. $80 later, plus %15 tip... May as well have poked us both with a pitchfork! I wish I would have taken a picture of the beyond wimpy plate we shared for this amount! All the sushi looked wrong on every level from color, to texture. How is that even possible? To present sushi that is that wrong, is a mad skill. The rolls were the thinnest I've ever seen. Cigar size and NO we didn't even dine during the happy hour special. So be prepared to spend major mulla for skimpy, gross sushi. It's not just the happy hour peeps who are getting ripped off! We ate some of it anyhow. Ya, I know.... Call us risk takers who live on the fringe. Maybe therapy will help. Second note to owner... Why are you so CHEAP?! Are you trying to win a metal for cheapness? Or are you blind? Change your disgusting carpet! No matter how dimly you light the place, your now x-patrons can still see the rankness. I think your carpet might just crawl off one day soon and save you the money to rip it out. Considering how obviously cheap you are... I'll assume this is what you're waiting for. Note to potential soon to be x-patrons.... If you do happen to risk food poisoning and go to this place... Be sure not to look down. I'm serious. Can anyone say charcoal pills?
(1)
Christina H.
This place has really lost its luster. What was apparently a once fairly hip upscale joint is now a sad dingy dump. The carpet/rugs are hideous and filthy and in need of not only cleaning but replacing. The tables are arranged in a haphazard manner and the plush seating is stained and ripped. The happy hour is completely deceiving. The 2 for 1 sushi deal is very very selective, essentially 5 items are on the happy hour option. The sushi is not fresh and is to date the worst sushi I've ever eaten. I didn't even try the seared tuna I ordered because it just looked like tuna left out to dry around the edges. The service was awful. The waitress was neglectful to the point of rudeness, though it was not busy at all. I wonder if she purposefully neglected to ask if the food was okay or if we needed anything else, because she already knew the answer. No. I can't think of one reason, really, to come here. The service is horrendous, the food is terrible, the atmosphere sucks, and the place is dirty. Not even the one dollar corona deal can make up for all that.
(1)
A J.
1 star for the edamame and that's it. Sushi SUCKS - not fresh at all!! The place is dingy and dirty and the womens bathroom is horrendous. The attire the servers wear is trashy. Save yourself the trouble and head up Broadway to "Go Fish". But go early as the place gets packed. I've been there about 5 times and I've never, ever been disappointed.
(1)
Soupany S.
We came here because they participate in the restaurant.com and I've got a certificate. I have got to say I was embarrassed to take my friend there. Who runs this place!?!?? !!!! -Our certificates had MANY restrictions on them, that's fine that's expected, but we can't order sushi?!?! Isn't this place known for that??? -Service was very poor, our waitress just doesn't seem to care or know what she was doing. She was slow, and at one point, we waited for 15 minutes for her to come back, I saw her just combing her hair in the dressing room. Looking good is important, but it isn't going to get you more tip if you suck at serving. -Then they start playing such loud music even though we were sitting at the dinner section of the restaurant and NOT the lounge portion. That's fine, but this was 8pm- we are still eating, don't turn it to a club just yet! -Food is ok, but not really for the price you pay... Miso soup had cold tofu cubes in it! WTF!!?!? Will not go back.
(1)
Mark G.
Took a friend to Opal last night because of restaurant week. This place should be shut down! First, the place was empty...after eating there I know why. The place was filthy, bathroom was disgusting. The waiter didn't have a clue. I think they asked the dishwasher to wait tables. We ordered the Sea Bass with risotto. The risotto looked like a bad version of mashed potatoes (one large pasty scoop of congealed nastiness). This sea bass was only okay. I asked the waiter to make a recommendation on the dessert. the choice was "New York Cheese Cake" or "Chocolate Lava Cake". He strongly recommended the cheese cake so we ordered it. When dessert arrived, we had two chocolate lava cakes. At that point I asked for the check, paid the bill and got the hell out of there. Advice to anyone considering going to Opal, DON'T!
(1)
Sharla H.
The food here is eehh... They drink specials are good. This place is close to my house and I like sushi, so I break down and eat there sometimes. The bartender is nice. The entire place smells like roach spray though. Every time I go in here I tell myself I won't go back, but yet I still have.
(3)
Banjo G.
I guess Opal does a funk soul music night and this is what brought me here. The happy hour drink specials were pretty good and the place seemed a bit run down.There must have been a problem with the pipes because the restaurant smelled like a bathroom. The smell killed our appetites and we were in disbelief as we watched fellow customers eat sushi (hah, no thanks!). One star for soul and funk and another star for cheap Coronas. Three star deduction for unappetizing sewer smell, ambiance, and no motivation to eat off menu.
(2)
Bradley L.
Not a bad happy hour spot, but It is not appealing for lunch or dinner. Had good $1 oysters & $1 coronas. It was unfortunate that they only had one bottle of tabasco that I had to wait 12 minutes to get since another table was already using it. We also tried some of the sushi happy hour special and they were not bad, but nothing good enough to write up. I will be taking my own tabasco with me from now on! By the way, if anyone else likes tabasco, you can buy travel size at World Market! Provecho!!!
(3)
Maha K.
I have a love-hate relationship with Opal. Don't bother with the dining area, it's not really up to par although you can find a few good dishes once in a while. Eric is one of my favorite bartenders, hands down. If you do not tip him well, I will personally seek you out and make you feel like you're in a present-day Inquisition of the service industry. That being said, the bar area is fun for a low-key weekend night. So be kind, eat lots of sushi, and enjoy the DJ sets...especially on Thursdays.
(3)
David S.
I've been to Opal several times over the years. Last night was probably my last. Let me start by saying the dinner I had was pretty good - lettuce wraps and shrimp tempura were delicious, and the Chilean sea bass was fairly good too. My review is based on what a dump this place has become over the years...years and years of deferred maintenance. When I walked in the doors on the restaurant side, I thought for a minute the place was being remodeled or closed for renovation - the first room was rather empty looking with a couple chairs strewn about the space like it was not intended as a seating area. The waitress pointed us toward the dining area, a dated, circa-1980 decor that was far worse for the wear. The carpet looks like it doesn't get vacuumed and there was a mis-matched runner running the length of the aisle, presumably covering worn spots. I asked the waitress if they were remodeling and she asked why I asked that. "Well it looks kind of messy, not very nice." She didn't seem to get it. You'd think working in that dump every night she'd be sick of it, not immune to it. The final filth was the restroom - loud fans that sound like they'll fall out of the ceiling at any minute and filthy grime all over the white door. Just gross. In the end, I was really embarrassed that I had suggested Opal to my friend for our dinner.
(1)
Alan W.
Opal claims to be an American and Sushi restaurant, it should be classified as an American restaurant with sushi/Asian appetizers. I don't really care for their steaks and pasta dishes, which happens to be rather mediocre, but what really disappoints me is their sushi. You can't improve a mediocre Amercian restaurant by slapping sushi on the menu. The cuts of sushi, sashimi and rolls were very small and very amateur, lacks proper seasoning, and was very lack luster. You could seriously find better sushi from the supermarket. Opal claims to have the best happy hour and sushi, but that was a title they received from Westward over 7 years ago. I will give it a star for their back lounge area, which could be reserved for private parties with no fee. I had my birthday back there and it was a great spot (we only ordered drinks). Opal really needs to revamp their restaurant and menu to keep up with what's out there, or else they will suffer the same fate of the number of restaurants that closed down in the nearby Beauvallon building. This is a place to drink and hang out, but not for eating, unfortunately.
(1)
Jessica H.
Call me a food snob but I'll never order food at a restaurant/lounge that smells like sweat. Yeah, I said it - sweat. Why would you have a kitchen/sushi bar adjacent to the dance floor and deejay area - with no partition or wall??? Disgusting. I come to Opal for Reggae on Saturday nights and to chill at the bar - very cheap drinks. I almost want to give it three-stars but I don't want anyone to be confused by the rating. :-) Come, dance and chill on the patio. Drink the cheap Coronas and Kirin's...sample the food at your own risk.
(2)
Stephanie S.
Let me say first that the rolls were FANTASTIC. Could not have tasted better! HOWEVER, The waiter was clearly in over his head with all the happy hour business. He barely heard our drink orders, he snatched up the sushi order without even glancing at it (or speaking to us), and ended up doubling our order. Turns out that this is standard procedure for their happy hour (i.e. 2 for 1, not half-price). This makes sense if you think about it, but he didn't even let us know how much fish we would end up with. Luckily it was delish. The atmosphere was awful as the room was near pitch black, the marginal electronic music was at 11, and the clientele seemed to be less than savory members of the community in general. Was that a coke deal I just saw go down? Tsk tsk. Won't be back.
(1)
Lindsey D.
Pretty place with posh decor. I arrived first and an attentive server gave me a nice table that would accommodate 8 and there were only 2-4 of us. Yes, there are only, like, 4 rolls with Happy Hour pricing. But the menu is reasonably priced overall. And my $4 dirty martini was excellent. I didn't experience any of the horrendous service or problems with cleanliness that others have mentioned. I won't run back, but I would certainly go again if someone suggested it.
(3)
Deryck M.
How hard is your job? We were one of two tables that actually bothered to show up to your place you call a restaurant, and we still had to endure your shitty sushi after having to wait over an hour for it and then our order still wasn't complete. If it had been remotely busy, we could've understood, but when there's 7 people in there and the reason you went there was for the drink specials (the only good part of this place), and then we don't even get a happy hour priced refill because you didn't come to ask us if we needed anything for half an hour and by that point it was 7:31 and you 'couldn't' get happy hour prices anymore when the world knows its not hard to put it in to your touchscreen computer as such. And then after telling us our order wasn't on our order sheet, the waitress brought us the check FROM THE OTHER TABLE. The sushi was warm and crappy and probably old, and it was tiny (that's what she said). DON'T GET THE HANDROLLS unless you want more emphasis on the dried seaweedwrap and less emphasis on any sort of sushi in there. Go here for some of their $1 coronas for $2.50 huge japanese beers or their martini specials. But don't expect to get more than one or two in the 2 hours you're there without getting up and getting it yourself.
(1)
Sasha V.
Dear Opal, to make your restaurant worth coming to you will... 1. Properly train your staff to sell your products with a smile on their face... oh wait.. the sushi sucks, so you must first improve the quality of the sushi.... 2. You will improve the weird loungey decor and stop trying to pretend to be exclusive... If exclusive means no one shows up I think you've done a great job at excluding without discrimating... 3. Stop seating your customers right next to a REALLY gross bathroom, when just about every single other table is open... until these improvements come about.. to you i say good bye....
(1)
Jason J.
I've been here a few times, and I wish it would choose if it's a restaurant or a bar. Both the Selection and Quality of sushi are subpar, but the drinks are alright. It's a little overpriced for what you get. The two times I've sat in the dining room the service has been terrible. The first time I went, it was a first date, we were one of two couples in the dining room. The other couple arrived after we did, had their drinks, and had given their sushi order before anyone came to even take our drink order. I politely but firmly asked if we could have some service, we were there to eat as well. From then on it was okay, but not great. Another time we were the only couple in the restaurant side and had waited 15 minutes before anyone came to help us. I had to get the bartender from the bar section to get someone for us. We got a free drink out of the deal, but they sure as hell didn't get a free tip out of me. If you're gonna stop in for a drink, go for it. If you're planning on Opal being the focal point to your evening, skip it and go to Hapa. The prices are equivalent and Hapa will afford you an experience so much better than Opal.
(2)
Mark S.
Things you must know about Opal: 1. Sushi is mid grade. 2 to 3 days old. For the price the quality is poor. 2. Sushi is expensive and the rolls are TINY. These are the smallest sushi rolls I have ever seen. 3. Atmosphere is extremely trendy. I liked it actually. 4. Service sucks plain and simple. The lady at the next table caught are attention in order to actually tell us she also thought the service sucked. 5. Rolls, Special Rolls, and sushi are TINY....did I already say that? 6. Only reason to come here (and the two stars) at all is to get $1 Coronas from 5-7:30. I would never order any food here again. 7. How do people like this place? For midgrade sushi I strongly suggest Hapa instead. 8. Will not be going back.
(2)
Sarah M.
man... our server/bartender "ghost" was just blah. I just wanted to apologize for making you serve us... your attitude was horrible, and would it kill you to smile? We waited 5 minutes and had to approach you for service... you and I had eye contact upon entry... No water refill, tables were deffinently not wiped down... and maybe that is why it is so dark in here. I will never return to Opal to eat... that is a promise... Our sushi was warm... ??? and measley The Dumplings were horrible. The Only thing Opal had was 1 buck Coronas... thats cheap Skip this and pay a little more somewhere else for good Sushi and Better service.
(1)
Sulema M.
It's ok only because the spirits are cheap during happy hour and our server was halfway decent although she looked a little on the "high" side. Pros 2 for 1 sake, $2.50 japanese beer and 2 for 1 sushi (select items only) during happy hour. $1 coronas peeps! Can't beat that, but make sure you have a DD. Cons Bathroom is N-A-S-T-Y. No tp, smelly, dirty, and dirty. Wait did I forget to mention D-I-R-T-Y? Eww. If you can grab a place to sit that's great, otherwise, expect to stand with your happy hour drinks and food. Best time to go is between 530p and 730p, otherwise their late night HH sucks. BTW, they have salsa dancing after 9pm in their main dining area.
(3)
Lisa C.
I used to love going to this place with my friends because of the sushi happy hour. But ever since the Aqua/Opal merge it has really gone downhill. We found a bug in our food the last time we were there. I am not the person who gets really upset about that kind of the thing, but the place just feels dirty so it didn't help. The wait staff are terrible which is amazing since it's sushi and they don't even have to remember an order. I had a 50$ gift certificate but I wasn't able to order ANYTHING off the happy hour menu, not even at full price. And I had to get 50$ worth of sushi to actually get the discount. Also, alcohol didn't apply (which I didn't assume it would) so in the end I spent more then I needed to in order to get the 50$ off. Sadly, I will never go there again.
(1)
Sam C.
They really need to rename this place "opaling" because I'm appalled this place exists. My last experience was disgusting food, terrible service, and the oh-so-friendly manager making a crude homophobic remark to me and my friend. How this place still exists, is really, honestly, a mystery to me. Especially considering I see great restaurants closing all the time.
(1)
Crista H.
Upside, our waiter was awesome, nice, knew the menu, knew everything about sushi, on the ball. Down side, I read some of the reviews about this place, and someone said that it was dead and it smelt funny. Well, I completely agree with both comments. But I also believe it was dead because of the time we went, we went at about 5, before dinner traffic which is a always around 630-7pm. But the smell, is mainly in the 'lounge' area. It smells like a musty type smell, like, mildew. And we did notice water damage on the ceiling. And as we were looking around, the floors are dirty and nasty, not vacuumed, the couches were dirty. It looks like nothing has been wiped down, vacuumed or swept up in months. But the table tops, plates and etc were clean, THANK YOU GOD. I'm on the fence about coming back here or not. They said they had run out of a few things from the rush last night, but yet they don't open till 430pm, which you have more than half the day to re-stock. But they waited till we ordered something they had run out of, THEN left to go to the store to buy it. Seriously? That's bad management. So, again, on the fence.
(3)
Christine A.
late night happy hour is great (2 for 1 on some sushi but not great quality). cheap beer ($2.50 for a huge kirin). gross bathrooms. friendly but "fine" service (had to ask for a beer I paid for twice and the check 3 times). kitchen is open until 1 am. weird ambiance (awkward girls dancing by themselves in the back). hand roll was awful. nigiri was pretty good but a fellow patron warned me of a couple fish because they were not good (clearly I didn't order them). I'd go back for some nigiri (salmon, yellow tail, and maybe the eel) and cheap beer anytime but wouldn't truly recommend it..
(3)
noam s.
If you want to eat sushi from Opal an get great service, you are better off going out back and digging for old, shitty, sushi from their dumpster. The homeless guy begging for money there will treat you much better than the flamer walking around inside. 2-4-1 is not 2-4-1, it is extremely misleading. The food was nothing special, and this is the kicker...my girlfriend and I split the bill, she put a 20 in and i put my credit card down, the waiter(ess) took the booklet and charged my card for the full amount and kept the 20 as his "tip" for his great service......NEVER GO HERE!!!!!! the place deserves to get burned to the ground.
(1)
Stephanie L.
Disclaimer: This review is for happy hour only We decided to check out Opal for happy hour as they had 2 for 1 sushi advertised. The place was a ghost town, there was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, which seems a bit odd for a Saturday evening. We sit down and look at the menu for happy hour. There are NO ROLLS in their sushi special. They had a couple hand rolls and some nigiri, but no regular rolls are included in happy hour. How can you advertise a sushi special and then have such an incredibly limited scope? We left and went to Hapa's happy hour, which was fantastic as always!
(1)
julie n.
Good happy hour that ends at 7:30pm...$1 Coronas, $1 Oyster, very limted 2-1 sushi, and 2-1 saki. Sushi is decent, service was good (plenty of staff available),
(3)
Griff O.
First time in my life I've not given a tip. One star is generous for the type of service we had.
(1)
susan g.
Opal, Opal, Opal...It's partially my fault, I suppose. I should've known better. When I saw your website and it said "Italian Bistro and Sushi"....really, I should've known. Just the idea of Italian and sushi on the same dinner menu? Weird. I have a policy to NOT eat my sushi at any restaurant that does any cuisine other than Japanese or maaayyybe Chinese. That said, we had a coupon for Opal. I looked on the menu online to see what they had. When we arrived at the restaurant, the menu was not the same. No true Italian items to be found. Strange, but okay. We weren't interested in Italian anyhow. Just a strange thing, to not have your online menu match your in-house menu. First impression upon entering..."gross". It looked as though the facility had not been cleaned since the 70's. The carpets were old and noticeable dirty. The room looked as though someone had just moved in, and hadn't had time to decorate or clean. There seemed to be no thought whatsoever for decor. When we sat down at our table, I literally tipped over my water glass to get some water on the table, and used my cloth napkin to wipe off the film of something that coated the table. The sidetable that was next to our dining table was covered in wine stains and dirt. If we hadn't of been very hungry, we would have left. Our coupon required us to order $50 in food. So, between two people, we ordered: shrimp and veggie tempura, shrimp and chicken dumplings, a house salad, veggie fried rice, Prime Rib steak dinner and a Prime Rib French Dip. here's what I can say about the food. It was just okay. The tempura, while delicious to eat, had way too much oil and made both of us feel sick not an hour later. The dumplings were tasty. The salad was decent. The "Prime Rib" on both the meat dishes was definitely not Prime Rib, but was in fact NY Strip steak, a fact which strangely enough, was written on the computer-produced receipt. We chose not to say anything, as we were just ready to eat and fast forward through our Opal experience. The French Dip was actually rather tasty, although the Au Jus was very salty. The one bright light in our experience was the fact that our Server, Lucas, was very sweet and efficient and had a nice smile on his face while serving us. he was most pleasant and I think his talents could better be served at a different restaurant. As we were leaving, Lucas said "Thanks so much. We'll see you next time!" I muttered under my breath "There won't BE a next time, sorry." That pretty much sums it up for Opal. Oh well.
(1)
KAB C.
Scary, icky and quite filthy - service is bad, the place is dirty, restroom nasty. Won't be back.
(1)
David B.
The status quo seems to be 2 stars so I will align with the masses. I can care less cause I'm from out of town. Ok, so if you want to get drunk and kinda eat sushi, the happy hour alky specials are pretty damn good. Dollar Coronas, BOMB. But, BUT, insert massive bold face text BBBUUUUUTTTT, If you walk inside and semi-gander at the trendy decor and expect parallel service, boy, just drop your standards. I'd love to give the benefit of the doubt and say it was an isolated incident but that's NOT what she said (or typed on here). Slow service and the server (she was hot but unfortunately not well rounded) forgot part of the order. Then we got the wrong bill; Go figure. Oh, and I've pissed in better bathrooms in Tijuana Mexico. Seriously, WTF? You expect clientele to dress to impress and then the bathroom looks like a cesspool of STD? FFS. Fail. PS - I liked the sushi. Too bad.
(2)
Julie A.
I went here the other day for a happy hour boasting 2-for-1 Sushi. I've been to quite a few sushi happy hours lately and I guess I just wasn't very impressed. The sushi that qualified was very limited and there weren't any vegetarian options included in this selection. The $1 Coronas were the bright and shining part of this trip. My friend who ordered a bunch of hand rolls that should have been 2-for-1 didn't get the happy hour deal because A. nobody told him that you have to buy 2 of the same and B. he only ordered 1 of each and nobody filled him in or brought him 2 (even though we were asking questions which made it obvious we were there BECAUSE of Happy Hour). He was pretty bummed that the waiter didn't bother to explain this beforehand. Oh well. Better luck next time. I guess that explains why we went on a Friday during Happy Hour and there was hardly anybody there.
(2)
Christina W.
I had a terrible experience here. I don't know if it was an off night, but I will never return. The only good part was the edamame--which was basically steamed and salted. The service was terrible which is probably why the sushi did not taste fresh. We sat for about 45 minutes between the starter and the main course. It took forever to get a check and get out of there. I never want to step foot in there again!
(1)
Ashton D.
I'm never coming here again. The happy hour special is a bait-and-switch gimmick, and the people who work here don't provide good customer service. I used to go to Opal a lot in college with my friends because they had a great decor, good happy hour specials, and a friendly staff. But a lot has changed over the years. Last week, I stopped by during the late night happy hour with some friends. The service was horrible-- our server didn't ask us what we wanted, we had to walk up to her every time we wanted to order. It also took forever for the food to come out. We were really shocked at how rude and unprofessional our server was throughout the evening. When we asked her about happy hour specials, she tricked us into thinking that certain sections of the menu were fair game, but then presented us a check and told us nothing we ordered was part of the happy hour special. The waitress never once thanked us as patrons, even before we called her out on her sloppiness. The next day, we tried to call Opal and speak to management about our unsatisfactory experience. Whoever picked up the phone (a man) refused to give us the name of the manager, or his own name, and then hung up on us. I was so shocked. My last gripe with this place is the lack of maintenance. The bathroom was disgusting, the main seating area looks run down and outdated. I noticed that several of the cushions had large rips and holes in them! You can't pretend to be an upscale and sophisticated lounge with such poor upkeep. This place used to be cool, but now it's an embarrassing and poorly managed dump.
(1)
Elizabeth W.
Had an early dinner on a Sat night, and I will go back sometime. For all the veggies out there this may not be the place for you. They still have a bunch of veggies rolls on the menu, but they actually only carry avocado and cucumber rolls. Which are like everywhere else, good but nothing exciting. We had a great server, she was super attentive and was a pleasure to chat with. The drink specials are great. My experience was pleasant. From the sound of the other reviews I think I went at the best time...early happy hour, before the shenanigans start and the bathrooms turn into brothels.
(3)
Annie B.
We went to Opal last night to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was sitting in the bar with a couple of friends and had just ordered sushi. The waiter, up until this point, has been super nice and fun. A friend of mine joined us and asked the waiter for a menu and the waiter gave him such a hard time that it was beyond ridiculous! All my friend did was ask for a menu and the waiter accused him of being a jerk because he (the waiter) is gay, hands flailing in the air, going off about how my friend does not appreciate his service and how rude it is. I was blown away by this as again, my friend did not do anything to provoke this. The next few trips this waiter made to the table, he would still be super sweet to me, and my other friend that was sitting with me before the "offensive" friend joined us. When the waiter turned to my "offensive" friend, the attitude instantly changed and he was a jerk again. This was completely un-called for! We hung out most of the night since my crew was DJing for the evening. I was hanging out by the DJ booth later in the night and that same waiter came up to me and started apologizing for how he acted but also tried to put blame on my friend. I then told the waiter "but he didn't do anything to you" and then he went off about how people need to understand his stressful job and they need to be nice to him and blah blah blah... I again said "but he didn't do anything to you" and he started to go off about himself again. I stopped him and said I really don't want to have this conversation and he threw a hissy fit and walked off. I can't believe an establishment would hire a server like that! I'm still somewhat blown away by what happened as it was too weird and ridiculous to be real. We enjoyed our sushi and otherwise had a good time, but the service was fucking ridiculous!
(2)
Laura P.
This place is sketchy! Am amazed anyone would go there! Walked in because we were looking for a place in the vicinity and walked right out. Had gone when it first opened years ago and it was fine - now it is divey and NOT in a good way.
(1)
Mike M.
Very below average sushi with horrible service. It took our server 15-20 minutes to greet us, another 15 to take our order, and we got our sushi in other 20 minutes....Upon receiving our food, I asked for some wasabi which wasn't on the plate; it never came. After 10 minutes, I walked over to the chefs and got the wasabi from them. When I initially ordered our Coronas, I stated no lime in mine because I am allergic to it. It came with a lime. The sushi is below average as well. Very small pieces without a lot of flavor. Besides the fact that you can get $1 Coronas, this place blows!!!!
(2)
Joe Y.
Good happy hour, and sushi is ok.
(3)
Rick A.
Salsa lessons/dancing was fun, but while we were eating a nasty cockroach started crawling on our table after we were just given our sushi! IT WAS SO GROSS! Needless to say, we didn't eat the sushi. We told the waitress and she seemed appalled and said she'd talk to the manager. She was gone for 10-15 minutes. During that time, the cockroach reemerged and we caught it this time. We then gave it to our waitress. She was gone for another 15 minutes or so. We told her we wanted to leave and she gave us our bill for the full amount. Absolutely ridiculous. I will never go here again. STAY AWAY! If there is one cockroach, there are probably a hundred plus hiding elsewhere.
(1)
Marissa M.
I went to Opal last night for my cousins 35th birthday. Since it is $52.80 week, I wasn't expecting exceptional quality or service due to the usual high demand. Anyways, we walked into Opal at about 6:15 for our 6:30 reservation. Not including the separate bar/lounge area, there was only one other group of people in the restaurant. We sat down right away, at a cozy table tucked in the corner. The decor was rather plain, and the lighting was very dim, but I didn't come for the ambiance. It only took us about 5 minutes to choose what we wanted off the pre-fixed menu, but it took the waiter about 15 minutes to take our order. The 2-4-1 sushi we ordered in addition to our entree came out within 5 minutes and before the appetizers. We were all starving so it was pretty great. Once we finished, the waiter repeatedly walked by our table completely unaware of the finished sushi or me obnoxiously slurping up the remaining drops of water in my cup. Fifteen minutes pass and you can tell we're getting hungry. Finally the appetizers come out, Spring Rolls and the Salad. All very delicious. Once we finish the apps, we patiently await our entrees. Fifteen minutes....We're pretty patient people...Another 15 minutes. "Sir, is the food going to be out soon or do we have time to smoke a cigarette?" He tells us they are plating the food now and it will be out in just a moment. Another 15 minutes. The other three go out and smoke a cigarette while I wait for the food. They come back about 5 minutes later and still no food. My cousin says they have 10 minutes before she makes a scene. I silently pray the food comes before those 10 minutes. Only a few minutes later the food arrives. I got the sushi platter and everyone else got the chilean sea bass. My platter was huge, but the sea bass was just a tiny little slab. Since I wasn't as hungry as when I first got there I took my time to taste the sushi. It was clearly stiff and not fresh and the eel tasted unusually fishy. I am addicted to sushi so for me, sub-par sushi is better than no sushi. I ate the whole thing, but for those of you who only eat the best of the best, you might want to steer clear of this place. My family said their sea bass was alright though slightly overcooked and soaked in butter. After dinner, we all got the chocolate lava cake. After waiting for again, 15 minutes, the dessert came out. It look more like a tart than a cake and at first I was disappointed by it's size but it was so rich I couldn't finish it. Honestly the best part of the meal. SO DELICIOUS AND CHOCOLATEY! When the bill came my aunt of course complained about the poor service and the waiter happily took the extra sushi off the bill. All in all, it was extremely mediocre and I won't be returning for anything other than happy hour with 2+ hours of my day to spend.
(2)
Stephanie L.
I like this place. Many other folks don't seem to. I have to admit the $25 coupon they send out might help..... I always get edamame, miso soup and various sushi. I haven't been disappointed. It's certainly not the best sushi I've ever had, but it definitely hits the spot for me. Just my two cents.
(4)
Heather P.
Service in the bar area is horrible!! I have been there twice and both times the service was some of the worst I've experienced, and I have been told these servers have been there for years, so service is not going to change. New management is what this place needs, badly. The service in the dining area is better, but there are no TVs which is why most people deal with the bad service and sit in the bar area for happy hour. Our food took forever...and we only ordered Sushi. We were still hungry so we ordered more food, but the waitress messed up our order and it took twice as long. She also didn't rush the order eventhough she messed up the order in the first place. So we were waiting 45 mins for Shrimp Tempura. I would give this place one star if it wasn't for the $1 Corona's and the price for sushi. The sushi isn't the best but when your there drinking Corona's, you eventually want to order some food. The Shrimp Tempura is not real Shrimp Tempura, it was fried in something I could have done at home, and it was squishy. Like one reviewer said it was like eating a Twinkie. The only reason I would go back is for the $1 Corona's and the hang out environment. Make sure you get there early for a good seat or they'll make you sit in a corner that doesn't have a real table!
(2)
Jayme B.
Amazing happy hour and super friendly staff. If you can, ask for Monica, she's super sweet and who could beat $1.50 Coronas, $2.50 Kirins and plenty of yummy rolls at super good prices!
(4)
Mo C.
Fun atmosphere, average sushi, cheap beer. Went with a group of about 20 people from MeetIn.org for Happy Hour and dinner. Sat in the cute area behind the bar. Fun ambiance. Music was VERY eclectic (everything from Barry White to Contemporary Christian). 2-for-1 sushi is a pretty good deal, but you definitely got what you paid for. Maybe because we went with such a large group and all the sushi was made at once, it was quite dry when it got to our table. And, even though we asked for separate checks for the 4 tables we had, they still showed up with one massive bill. So, annoying, but cheap. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
(3)
Robert A.
I heard through the proverbial grapevine that this place was good--excellent happy hour, said Grapevine. But, it turned out, whichever grapevine it was in particular that had told me that was mistaken. oh, so mistaken. The lounge/bar part of the place has every wall mirrored. Really mirrored. With big ones. Long ones, or, maybe, just one big, long mirror. I prefer not to watch myself and every other diner eat their food; especially when the food is inedible. Granted, Grapevine, everything is cheaper ($2 coronas, 2 for one hand rolls & sushi & hot sake), but i'm resigned to the fact that i have to pay more for quality. And if yall want to charge an extra dollar on the sushi to afford dry Norri, then, well, do it. The Norri (the seaweed shell) was...The Norri was...wet? Yes, wet. Undry. Uncrisp. Thus, Untasty, unsavory, unscrumptous, and unwhatever-have-you else. As i tried to eat it, I felt like some jaguar goin' to town on a recent kill. And, perhaps worst of all, i had to watch myself--what, with the gobs of mirrored walls they have in the place--tear at it. Other than the inability to prepare some sushi, the place is decent. The 2-fer-1 sake is nice in the winter, but Hapa does that too and their sushi is actually (i never thought i see these words fall from my fingers) closer to authentic...
(1)
Sherri K.
Opal is typical of any downtown establishment that is lucky enough to know real estate - location location location - without this it would be closed by now. The service is consistently terrible and the food is average, when you finally get it. The atmosphere is cool, and the patrons are usually easy going, when they haven't been overserved. Great music and fun with a group, but usually someplace you go to kick off your night with a few $1 coronas or end your night with a few $1 coronas. Best happy hour for sure. 2 for 1 sake, 2 for 1 sushi and did I mention the $1 coronas? That being said, the regular bartenders are cool, and know their stuff, (and kinda hot too) but since they have a high turnover, there is always a floating bartender, so roll the dice and good luck.
(3)
Dylan S.
I'm going to have to disagree early happy hours is awesome, cheap food, cheap booze. Timing is everything people!
(4)
Marisa M.
Opal gets two stars for the effort our waiter put into his service as the food left something to be desired. Our waiter spilled an entire carafe of sake in our direction (which, luckily, just missed my lap) and made up for it by bringing us a new carafe and three additional carafes on the house. While the gesture was appreciated, there is no reason that two people need four carafes of sake. As for the sushi, they were out of the two items on the menu that we were most interested in trying- the fatty tuna maki and the natto maki. We ordered a variety of sushi and was disappointed across the board. I will not be back to Opal as there are plenty of better sushi options in Denver.
(2)
Michael S.
There are three faces to this Denver establishment: The swanky lounge, the bright white dining room and the smokey party patio. Our group of friends gathered at Opal for a Friday happy hour, looking forward to Oysters and sushi. During the first round of ordering, one of our friends ordered a mojito. When the drinks came, the waiter (a tall, clean-cut, young man, who seemed as if he were tripping on hallucinogenics) set a beer in front of her. When our friend told him she didn't order a beer, but rather a mojito, he replied, "but we don't have those." It took a couple of flag-downs, but eventually our friend was able to order a drink she ACTUALLY wanted. Apparently, waiter's choice is acceptable for drinks here. We dressed the table with several orders of oysters, and a few different sushi items. We sat in the dining room, where I was entertained by a couple on their first date seating near us. I swear the young lady was doing Keagle exercises under the table, based on the vibrations of her thighs. Our klutzy waiter continued to mess up a few more drink orders. Still, we were with friends, and though the sushi was sub-par and not very fresh, the oysters were good, and we tried to order a few dozen more. "We're all out," the waiter told us, before allowing every other table around us to order them, before he delivered them to their tables. Apparently, they were only all out for us. I couldn't take any more of this paying good money to be treated like crap, so threw some money at my friends and hailed a cab. I won't be back.
(2)
Dominica H.
Terrible service. My boyfriend and I walked out after waiting forever for someone to come and take our order.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mark A.
I'm honestly shocked to find the reviews here. An elite yelpers entire review was: "What the hell happened to this place." a statement, not even a question. Lol. But anyway, this place is fun, affordable and delicious... We lived off of 6th and Broadway for years and this was and still is our sport. I think it's just been targeted by the powers at be, truly unfair reviews.
(4)D G.
Smelt like an ashtray, bartender was super awkward. I tried to cancel my order after waiting 20 min for two rolls( we were the only customers) he said they were almost done. But we waited another 15 and only got half out order. It was disgusting we didn't even eat half. He said he felt bad but did nothing. Save yourself unless it's for the coronas
(1)Katie S.
Very disappointed in this restaurant. Several years ago, this place used to offer amazing sushi. Currently, it is a very run-down, unkept place with outdated decor, unclean counters, and a menu that lacks imagination. Fish was not fresh and rice was not appetizing. I would never recommend anyone to come to this place for sushi.
(1)Jess M.
A friend and I went into Opal on a Sunday evening for sushi. At first we weren't sure if they were open as the place was empty but that could have been due to the snow. We were seated in a dark corner in the not most comfortable chairs. However, the service was great. Our server was very attentive and friendly and treated us great even though we had a Groupon. The sushi was really good too. We went out on a limb and tried some stuff we hadn't had before, try the Broadway Roll. The wine selection left a little to be desired but at least they had some!
(3)Megyn W.
I'll start this review with one word: wow. My fiancée of 6 years (and counting!) and I came to Opal "Sushi"on a Sunday night, hoping for a relaxing meal consisting of Coors Light and Fish and Chips. We were pleasantly surprised to find that "sushi" is actually a traditional dining ritual buried deep within ancient Japanese culture. I'll have you know beforehand that this place comes fully loaded with two pool tables, 12 TVs, and a full sized fish pool. Unprepared for this ancient Japanese ritual, my fiancée and I unfortunately forgot to come equipped with proper bathing attire (unbelievable, I know). Thankfully, the staff was so kind as to allow us to use the fish pool completely naked, where we were allowed to actually catch our "sushi" fish by hand, on sight. I went for a healthy salmon and a yellowtail, while my fiancée dove straight for the shrimp tempura laying docile at the bottom of the pool. The fish were relatively easy to catch because most of them were asleep, laying comfortably on their backs at the surface of the water, ready for the taking. Keep in mind, folks, "sushi" is an old practice, and the food is a delicacy, so it took around 30 minutes for the chef to actually prepare the food. Luckily, the wonderfully friendly staff kept us entertained the whole way through. The pleasant African-American-Asian(?) waiter took our drink orders promptly. My fiancée and I both ordered Coors Lights to start off, but the ever-so-accommodating server instead invited us to play an old Chinese drinking game, colloquially known as "socky." It consists (depending on the region) of heating "sushi" alcohol until it boils, at which point you pour into pretend tea cups and drink as if you were in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. It was a great way to warm up after the cool dip in the fish pool. The "sushi," once finally served, was more than satisfactory and very fresh! This comes as no surprise because, as our charming ethnic server explained, they keep the fish pool properly sanitized with a daily dose of chlorine. The "sushi" was served with a tasteful side salad of Japanese-style guacamole and thinly sliced "ginger fish." The Japanese-style guacamole, seasoned with a healthy spoonful of what I can only assume was sriracha hot sauce, packed quite the spicy punch! The server made great conversation, recommending to my fiancée and I a niche snack from his homeland, known as "wasabi peas," as he called it. The bluesy disco soundtrack was a perfect audio accompaniment to an exiting, exotic, and invigorating foreign food experience. Two thumbs up! After this outing, my fiancée and I will be sure to try more ancient Asian dining rituals and traditions. Next stop: Panda Express!
(5)Monica T.
Ever wonder what a tire wrapped in rice would taste like? Well, if you have this is the place that'll cure that. Seriously, the sushi was pretty bad. The happy hour specials are pretty much the only reason to go. That and the salsa nights which I think are Thursdays? I could be wrong.
(2)Jonathan R.
This is going to be a totally hypocrytical review... That you must read to the very end of to grasp the stunning hypocrisy of it. Opal Sucks... Ok sorry I'm being far to nondiscriptive here I enter the bar with my friends, its not very busy at all, some loungy house music permeats the atmosphere. After passing a dirty table, we find out seats, our conversation ensues. We are 20-something young professionals, our conversation revolves around which of our friends are sleeping with eachother, ect... 10 minutes later our waiter approaches, takes our drink & sushi order & disapears. after another 10 minutes our drinks find themselves at our table. Our conversation turns to which trendy clubs or bars are going to be the recipients of our hard earned skrilla during the night upcoming debauchery. After another 20 minutes our sushi finally puts in its much anticipated appearance. Now I'm not going to act like I'm the world fore most sushi-oligist but I'm not terrible impressed by their selection. Why two stars... Because for some damn reason I go to this damn place all the damn time & if heaven forbid people in Denver actaully start using Yelp & the staff Opal actually found this review... Well I'm pretty sure they know who I am
(2)Mara B.
I haven't actually eaten at Opal, but I have to mark them down merely for dealing with them on a professional level. When I asked to speak to a manager on the phone I was hurriedly dismissed and even sworn at. If that's how people are going to behave just over the phone, how are they going to behave in person?
(1)Steven S.
Cheap drinks, if you have enough of them (which might be hard to do) might get you sauced enough to eat what can best be described as Costco quality sushi.
(1)peter s.
Yep, this place is as gross as they say it is. Too bad.
(1)Megan Y.
This is by far the worst restaurant I have been to. Ever. The waitress was for the most part nonexistent; when she did come by she was downright rude. The food was terrible. I ordered the sea bass and what came out, after close to 45 minutes, was rubber. I have never tasted anything quite like it. One bite and I set my fork down and waited another 30 minutes for the waitress to come back. She asked me if I needed a box and, when I said no, sort of shrugged and took my plate. She never even asked why I hadn't touched it! I never write online reviews (this is my first), but after the horrible service and food that I had at Opal, I felt compelled to tell anyone and everyone that it is the worst restaurant in Denver. If I could have given it no stars I would have...
(1)A P.
While this place may look like a hole in the wall in a random spot, it's pretty awesome. Is the service always the best? No, but their happy hour is pretty amazing. You can't beat $1 Corona's and 2 for 1 sushi, and even better, they have happy hour twice a day every day- not bad!! I've been frequenting this place for the past 5 years and it's a favorite summer happy hour spot for me and my friends. You gotta check it out!
(4)X X.
My review is based solely on the happy hour. $1 coronas, $1 oysters....what could be wrong with that? Service was "OK"...not phenomenal, but seriously, who cares as long as you bring/refill my drink? The oysters were decent, didn't try the sushi, and the beers were cold...which made a very happy me. The place sort of reminds me of a run-down-diva....aka, something that once had shine and glitz, but now looks a little on the cheap side.. the interior is trying a bit too hard, especially with the freakin' "chain-mail" curtains. With that being said, not a terrible place to get your evening jump started with a cheap happy hour....just don't stay there all night as there are definitely better places to shuffle off to after $1 coronas.
(3)Ryan F.
Horrible service, had to ask 3 times to one server to have water. Had to waive my menu to have an order taken. I roll better sushi. Decent ambiance.
(1)Viviene W.
I have update my review because I had a great time with my friends the last times that I've gone. They have great sushi and affordable prices. Even a happy hour for their Japanese beers if you're a fan! The waitress we had was wonderful and very informative. She alerted us on the 2-for-1 specials, last call, etc. I'll probably be going back more now. :) A great place just to chill, relax, and enjoy the company of your friends!
(4)Yuki D.
Good for happy hour drinks; sushi is good portions. (Not great, but good). Eric is a good bartender.
(4)Erin M.
First time there was last night, the happy hour special was terrible the sushi was even worse and the beer was warm. The shrimp Tempura was deep fried in basic batter not tempura I felt like I was eating a deep fried twinky...gross.
(1)whitney m.
Haven't been here in years and decided to check out that late night sushi happy hour--Stars are for $3 champagne that wasn't bottom of the barrel, delicious 2-4-1 sushi deals and crazy bar patrons kept it entertaining. no stars for crummy miso soup, way too loud gay dance club music with a shirtless dancer too boot!
(3)Shannon B.
my boyfriend and i went there last night... bummer. we wanted to venture away from our standard sushi place - go fish - and we always see the big happy hour sign so we stopped in. the first thing i noticed was the cool decor, but on second look, i noticed all of the furniture was stained. gross. there was one couple to our left that seemed to be having a leisurely dinner. we ordered our sushi right away with our drinks. we both ordered diet coke, and got regular coke the entire night. not that big of a deal, but come on. the couple next to us got their salad after what seemed like a very long time. during this time, 3 other parties sat down (one of 7 people) and we noticed there was only one server and one semi-busboy. maybe he didn't even work there... after 45 minutes, we finally got our "sushi." like others, i have to put sushi in quotes because it was the saddest looking pile of fish i've ever seen. all of our nigiri was about the size of a cockroach. plus, the slices of fish were so thin i thought we were for sure being gypped. especially because the cost of the meal was up there ($50 for 2 people). ugh. after not seeing our server again for 20 minutes, we finally threw our credit cards at him and got our bill before the couple next to us even got their dinner! they had been waiting 45 minutes. not cool dude! our server finally came back with our bill and gave us a meager "someone quit today," but the damage had been done. no more opal for me sir. and i doubt their happy hour is worth it.
(1)Lauren R.
I dont care what anybody says about this place - it is by far the most miserable dining experience I have ever had. Im stupid enough to have gone to sushi happy hour here multiple times, and each time has been worse than the last. Sure, the sushi is ok. Yeah, its cheap. But is it worth being subjected to the hellish service and rude bartenders for two hours of your life that you will never get back? I have a deep seeded loathing for this place - the stress alone is enough to send me into a cold sweat for the remainder of the night after going here.
(1)angela P.
The worst place I have eaten or had drinks at in Denver! I meet some friends there around 11pm and do so for the happy hour. The waiter was clearly "high" and actually sat down in the booth to take the order. I'm all for people taking a hit BUT if it delays my drinking and I'm a paying customer then it needs to wait till they are off the clock! He forgot my order TWICE and when people joined us I told them to go straight to the bar...they got drinks before I did. I would never tip poorly but his guy was not working so clearly he didn't care about his tip. The food was not good! I WILL never go back to this place.
(1)Angie K.
I see tons of bad reviews but I love this place. I have never had a bad experience & believe me I have gone there about a thousand times for drinks and sushi. I love the relaxed atmosphere and friendly people. I have never had slow service either. Yes this place is never real crowded but who wants to be in a sea of people? I love the hand rolls and happy hour specials. Its a good date place, you can actually hear what the other person is saying. I wouldn't go off all the bad reviews go and try it out for yourself. : )
(4)Sandi D.
When the BF and I like a place, we hammer it, and that's exactly how we felt -past tense- about Opal. Sure it's sketchy looking, dirtier then I would like my food establishment to be, but we overlooked all the bad points since we liked the $1.95 Coronas, and the $20 Rib Eyes WERE -again past tense large, good quality, properly cooked steaks. Since Merging with Aqua, the food has gone down, way, way down. Each week it got worse. The 1st week, we waited an hour for food, the server got the order wrong, and treated us like garbage. The 2nd week, the portion was so small it was laughable. The only reason we didn't complain, is that it tasted so bad, we didn't want any more. Last night was our 3rd, and last visit to the New Opal. The BF ordered the rib eye, I went for fillet as the rib eye was inedible the previous time. An hour later, our usual, and forever flustered and obnoxious server threw down hockey pucks. Yes, we waited an hour for dried out past well done meat. Mind you, we were 1 of 2 tables and ordered our meat rare +, which is under medium rare. Now everyone has an off night, but what happened next is why we will NEVER, EVER set foot inside this restaurant again. We almost never send food back. In the almost 3 years I've been in Denver, I remember doing it 2 times, 3 if you count the time the server grabbed the food and told me not to eat it, they could do better, and I believe that was at a Q's bar, or someplace like that. We cut into the meat. Black and stringy -- so over cooked. Hey Chris ( the worst "server" in Denver) this isn't rare + or even medium rare. "So what do you want me to do about it" -- says he With a flounce, and a huff and a puff he begrudgingly takes my plate to the chef...quote, unquote, The BF is starving, and will eat the sole of his shoe if he has to, so he tells Chris although it sucks the big one, or small one in this case, he'll eat it. According to our Chris, the aforementioned Chef refuses to cook another, or anything else for that matter. What???? So I sat there sans food --- like a kid being punished. How stupid is that. Treating regular customers who order several rounds of drinks ( my cab is $9 a glass, never discounted, even on HH), usually an appy, 2 entrees, and once in a while desert, and who tip between 20-25% like that. No wonder they're down to 2 tables for dinner -- I'm sure they're just getting rid of the food in the freezer, and whatever has been already ordered from Sysco --and will fire the few cooks they have left, and only keep the bar part open. If I was a betting Woman, I would say Opal will either close entirely after the Holidays, or at best, be a bar who doesn't serve food. Either way, go up the street to Dazzle, or head down to S Broadway, where all the restaurants are on an upswing--I'd stay away from this place until they get their act together, or more likely -- close down. NEVER AGAIN
(1)Elizabeth H.
I didn't like Opal in the past due to subpar sushi, but after giving it another shot after a long hiadius, I've found their sushi has improved vastly. Plus the fact that they have $1 coronas, bogo sushi and saki, and $1 oysters for happy hour everyday makes me give them a pity extra star (although they only deserve 3 1/2 honestly)
(4)David B.
I'll say this for Opal, if you want sushi after 10 pm you'd be hard pressed to find a place for shushi except Opal....or maybe your local supermarket. It isn't a stand out but a good spot for late night sushi. Oh and theres a homeless guy who was hanging out front bumming cigarettes, very classy.
(2)Rod W.
I tried Opal because I found a coupon in the Entertainment book. Even with the savings this place was not worth the trip. I ordered sushi, and I don't know if it had been sitting out or something, but it was warm. Maybe that's some cool way of eating it now, but it grossed me out. I have not been back since, and don't plan on returning.
(1)Jenny S.
I've been here a few times and it has never been busy. The service and food is ok but I like the atmosphere in the bar area. I like the fact it is never very busy because you can sit back and have a casual conversation. The bathroom needs to be remodeled!
(3)John W.
Went over for the first time for happy hour recently. Was very disappointed with the service and happy hour menu. Waited over 15 minutes to get service after being seated and we were the only ones in the dining room. Won't be back, too many other sushi places in town that are a much better value. I wouldn't recommend!
(1)Rachel M.
Opal is hands down the worst "sushi" restaurant I have ever been to. I use quotes because I don't even think it can qualify as a sushi restaurant. It does not have a sushi bar. For some strange reason I have frequented Opal more than a few times, every subsequent time hoping for better service and better sushi. First of all, it is DIRTY. Note to owners: watch out for the health department. They WILL be paying you a visit and it will not be a pleasant experience. The hodge-podge of furniture is torn and cheap. The music is ok, but too loud. The only redeeming quality is the cheap sake. After about four bottles of it you'll forget you've had the worst quality sushi in denver, leave drunk, forget your experience, and maybe come again. But don't make my mistake: STAY AWAY!
(1)Christine P.
My husband and I tried this restaurant after we read about it for the umpteenth time in Westword. The first thing I noticed was how dirty the place is, the carpet should be ripped up and thrown out. I could get over that if the food was good. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. We tried a selection of sushi and a house salad. While the salad was fine, the sushi was not. Meager portions of fish sat on top of a huge mound of rice. I literally had to remove half the rice before I could eat the sushi. It was not inexpensive, and it certainly was not good. I wouldn't recommend Opal to anyone.
(1)Rebecca C.
I used to love Opal, I loved the cheep sushi and the great happy hour deals. My boyfriend and I used to go there at least once a week for dinner and drinks despite the usually lackluster service, but after the experience I had last week I will never go there again. Just moments after finishing up a less that dazzling dinner (oysters were small and sushi was put together poorly) a woman at the table next to us looked down to see a dead mouse lying on the floor beneath her table. She and her date jumped up and left without eating. While waiting for our check and trying not to become ill we watched the waitress throw and cloth napkin over the mouse, pick it up and carry it out a back door. I was willing to put up with the bad service for the good food but I won't put up with a dead mouse under my table. I wont be back and wouldn't suggest anyone else go either.
(1)Dale P.
Wow, the place does not get any good reviews. As probably deserved. We went tonight not knowing anything about it. Partner had a thing downtown until after 6:30, so I just said we would meet at Opal. The place has a grubby feel. It may or may not be dirty, but I do not want to see it in the daylight. A coat of fresh paint and a good scrubbing would make all of that go away. The bartender was friendly and accommodating. We got a table and the server was good. I would not really order sushi or sashimi in a place that was not really more clean. We had the shaved prime rim sandwiches. They were good, the au jus was good, the fries were good. The place was pretty busy with a bar crowd for a Tuesday night. It really has a good potential and a good location. It just needs a little kick in the butt. DP
(2)Jessica C.
I venture to Opal because of the setting sun and sushie, and well, $1 coronas at happy hour, but that is besides the point. I dig Opal. The wait staff will accommodate those who choose to hang out on the patio and smoke. One of the staff even explained the owners are going to pull out the summer patio furniture soon, which is even more inviting. Don't let them forget your edamame though!
(4)Jennifer H.
We came here on Thanksgiving Sunday, so service was not great. Besides never being around, the waiter was training someone during a very short-handed period. Still, the food made up for it. Order the sea bass! Ohhhh yeahhhhh. My hosts mentioned that the happy hour here is excellent. Too bad b/c there are some promising dishes on the dinner menu.
(3)Jeska R.
I go to the happy hour here all the time and have had no issues. I don't go there expecting it to be all glitsy and glamorous. I love the sushi and the prices. $1 coronas are a plus. Staff is friendly. Will continue to go there for my sushi fix :)
(4)Candice L.
Opal is a stones throw away from my house and I don't really enjoy a warm Corona on a hot summers day. Opal used to be quite good but, there has been a slow deterioration of the place. I have heard some urban legends about the refrigeration so, I stay clear of the sushi and the warm Coronas!!!
(1)Carrie R.
How is this place still open??? What's wrong with everyone?? Please stop giving this place your money, go somewhere good for god's sake. I don't care if you got a coupon, it isn't worth it. Bad food, bad service, and the decor looks like it was slapped together by junior high drama students for an episode of Trading Spaces.
(1)Shiho F.
This could be the worst place to enjoy Happy Hour, period. So the decor is cool and the lounge area is quite stylish... the food is no good... they serve Miso Soup with a Big Silver Spoon...who does that? You are supposed to enjoy Miso Soup by sipping it while holding the wooden bowl. Their menu is confusing...Japanese food or Chinese food I don't think they know the difference. Our server was sweet but the bartenders were making her look bad. I ordered a Manhattan and I got a Cosmo in a broken cocktail glass. My friend ordered a Dirty Martini and it came out looking like one but it tasted sweet. We had them redo ours beverages and I got another broken glass ( a different one) and after than I just gave up. I love crab filled wontons and these didn't have cream cheese in them, um hello, that is the best part.
(1)B W.
I really want to like this place- I really do, but I can't. So the bartender and the staff are nice enough, and the $1 oyster happy hour is nice. However, this place needs a makeover- bad. All the upholstery and decor is tattered and ugly. There's a great darkness overall in the bar area... rather dank. The place turns into a hip-hop club on the weekends as well. This has proven to dissuade my friends from wanting to check the place out. Also- do not go into the bathroom. Real, real bad. Worse than any nightclub or concert venue I've ever been in.
(2)Ike C.
Very disappointed in my visit to "Opal". I asked the server for a drink menu and he replied vaguely that they don't have one, only some drink called "saki". Then, after a long pause, the server reluctantly stated that there was a "full bar," implying some sort of "bar standard." Not even halfway through my meal and I was astounded by the poor quality of the rolls. We started with a round of "hand rolls." They were bland and the seaweed was hard to chew through. All the ingredients tasted like they came from no less than the local supermarket. We were next served two "rolls" containing what appeared to be King Soopers cocktail shrimp wrapped in warm, mealy, Chinese-takeout-esque rice. When the "shrimp tempura" roll was served, the crunchiest part of the roll was the cucumber. The rolls were wrapped so loosely that the "fried cocktail shrimp" actually fell out of the roll, leaving a gaping hole in the flabby shell of what once was rather inappropriately labelled a "sushi roll." The only redeeming factor of the experience was the excellent choice in music. There was a good range of house to down tempo mellow electronic music, all following a cohesive jazzy theme. I might add as well that the potency of the wasabi was on par. The server made great conversation about crackers and wasabi. Would come back for that.
(1)Peter M.
Opal seems to be getting a rash of unfavorable reviews, which may or may not be fair. The reality is that their happy hour is really pretty good. Big Kirin beers for $3 bucks and 2 for 1 on a variety of sushi make it a great place to do some eating and drinking either after work or late night. The bartender, KJ, is cool as the come, and remembered my name after one visit. The sushi tasted fresh and was well prepared. All in all, A-OK.
(3)Megan W.
What the hell happened to this place.
(2)CO G.
I've gone to this place numerous times for the early happy hour. They have great happy hour prices (I mean come on you can't beat $1.50 Coronas). The food is meh, I have ordered the happy hour sushi, it was ok but I have my doubts it's very fresh. I won't eat it again. Also, the bathrooms aren't the cleanest and they need to update the seating and tables in the bar area, they are old and tore up. Dive bar fo sho! 1st UPDATE: Ok I was surprised when I went in to find the bar and restaurant has been remolded. No more torn seating and jenky tables. The bathrooms are soon to be remolded, I've been told by the staff. 2nd UPDATE: Be sure to check your receipt against your credit card statement. I found out they have been adding additional tip to my credit card on at least 3 occasions. Ummm can someone say ILLEGAL? Pay in cash only. I've lowered my rating due to this.
(1)Robbie L.
What a toilet.this place is so fowl, I hope I didn't catch anything while eating there. I heard it was bad. But this bad! Unreal. Never again.
(1)Matt D.
I usually come here on a weekly basis. Great happy hour, however, this past experience was not the best! One of the worst! The server was inattentive and when I closed out she mentioned that somebody in my party did not tip her! Coming from someone who is in the restaurant industry, you do not tell guests that they failed to tip! Very big turn off! I will come back when I know my regular server is here. No longer will I be served by ally!
(2)Frank L.
Here's a one star review updated for 2014. Do not go here ever! Listen to the Yelp reviews. The service was atrocious. A group of us went to Opal for a salsa dancing night. After awhile on the dance floor I went to to the bar to order three waters, one for myself, and two for my friends. I waited several minutes which wasn't surprising because the place was so busy. The bartender working , a fairly tall male, six footish with short blonde hair, did not even acknowledge me until I made eye contact several times he attended to the neighboring patrons at the bar, even the ones who arrived after me. He said, "Let me guess you want water? " I confirmed with a yes and put up three fingers to indicate I wanted three waters for my friends and he simply nodded his head side to side rolling his eyes and went on with whatever else he was doing and completely ignored me after that. He completely blew me off. I had no idea why either. Another employee who was also waiting tables and occasionally bartending approached me and stated that there was a "water station" down by where the salsa dancing was. So I went down to the "water station" after explaining to him the unacceptable "service" I got from the first bartender whose name I believe is, Eric actually but I'm not one hundred percent sure. I went down to the water station and the pitchers were all empty so I reapproached "Eric" at the bar explained to him very nicely that he was disrespectful and when someone requests waters he should do his job and honor the request and that he had no right to blow off a customer like that. He questioned me saying things like, "are you trying to tell me how to bartend?" I told him, "No I'm trying to tell you how to be a nice person and you're a bartender and you need to do job and you have no reason to treat me the way you're treating me." He then complained that all people want on salsa nights is water and how much he hates salsa nights and I explained that salsa dancing breaks a sweat and sometimes all people want is some water and maybe if they received real service from the bartender that they may come back and order a drink or leave a tip. The individual then ended the conversation and walked away to "serve" other customers at the bar. I went back to my group, explained what happened and one of my friends went up to Eric, ordered a water and he actually complied without problems or attitude. Completely unacceptable. Of course there was no manager on duty (or at least that was what I was told when I asked a third bartender) I'd say to the management of Opal that this man should be fired but after seeing all of the other poor reviews, especially pertaining to the poor service that this place should not even be in business. It seems there's a culture of this poor service at Opal. This place has received poor reviews for years and years now. It's a miracle they're still in business. I'm sure glad we didn't eat the food there because it did not appear to be appetizing at all, not like we would have ever gotten service anyways. Many of the Yelp reviewers also note poor food and a hilarious menu full of spelling errors. And yes to confirm what other reviewers have been saying, the decor and the restrooms are absolutely horrid. The men's bathroom is even missing a urinal and appears to have been heavily vandalized. The City and County of Denver, please shut these jerks down and never issue them another food license. Whoever put this venue down as an acceptable salsa location should really consider somewhere else. The restaurant and some of its employees evidently do not approve of the extra business.
(1)Krystal M.
The bf convinced me to try this place and try sushi... it was 'meh' on both accounts. When you walk into the restaurant area it feels very vacant and open, we walked back to the lounge area and as many others have stated, it was dark and dingy and we couldn't find a place to sit anyways... which I think was a good thing so I could actually see my food. The happy hour specials were really good, anything outside of those specials was a little expensive, but whatever. The food was okay, nothing was awful, nothing was great. It was just okay. The cheap beers were a plus. However, apparently weed smoking on the patio is a-okay since many others were doing it... it wasn't pleasant to walk through when we were leaving. I didn't really feel like smelling like weed. But it seemed like the people working there had no problem with it. Probably won't be back.
(3)Aly G.
Gross. Gross. Gross. I don't like the vibe. I had to return my sushi because it was THAT BAD. I felt like everyone was on drugs and the place was dirty. Just stay away! Oh and my waitress didn't know how to open a bottle of wine so I had to open my own haaaaaaa.
(1)Allison P.
This is my go-to place for me and several of my friends when we want to meet up for happy hour. They have great prices on Corona and also Saki. The happy hour sushi is a pretty good deal as well but I usually order full rolls instead of the happy hour specials. The atmosphere is a little dark but that is the point since it's more of a lounge setting. The male server Christian is amazing and always has a great attitude. I have eaten the sushi here multiple times and have never had bad food or gotten sick from it. Not sure what the other reviews on here are talking about. I have been going here for years and my friends and I will keep going as long as it's open!
(4)Jacqueline E.
This place smelled horrible. The club soda was flat. The atmosphere was not what I was expecting at all. I will never go back. I could here the music in the other room! Having two rooms with a DJ in each is fine but not when you hear both at the same time. Train wreck.
(1)Nicole S.
The smell that hits you when you walk in is enough to make you not want to eat here.. $1.50 coronas though if you're looking for a quick cheap drink..
(1)Amanda G.
This place made me a little sad. Granted, we were there at 8p on a Tuesday night which probably isn't their busiest time but the place just felt a little sad and empty. I will say the server was very nice but I think he may have been the loan employee that night. There were 3 other groups in the oddly furnished and oddly lit place and it all just felt a bit forlorn. The sushi was basic and just ok. The whole experience might be better at happy hour and the dance lessons might be worth checking out but I'm not sure we'll be back for a weeknight dinner.
(2)Sturm B.
While I am famously patient with servers, a person's natural reaction to bad service is a certain level of irritation. However, sometimes its so bad you just have to laugh. I've been to Opal many times. Their happy hour is generous, and the service is consistently competent if not spectacular. On this particular night, we sat down in a nearly empty restaurant. There were two other tables in our server's section, and they were clearly friends of hers. I don't mind a server catching up with friends; its a social job. However, after walking past us no less than six times, she disappeared behind the bar and literally putzed around (not making drinks), and STILL didn't greet us or bring us menus. She made eye contact with us multiple times, and just couldn't be bothered. After 15 minutes of this, we got up and left. When she passed us on our way out the door, she sneered "sorry," and let us go; I think I would have offered us a free appetizer, or at least a real apology and attempt to keep us in the building. Bigger, rather lumbering girl with black hair. I might try Opal again, but not if she's there.
(1)Tracy B.
Not sure why the reviews are so low here! Me and my boyfriend came by here for late night happy hour Wednesday night around midnight. The only reason I'm rating it three stars and not four, is the place was totally deserted, and really dark outside. We weren't even sure it was open until we walked in! There was a guy that greeted us upon entering, and he was friendly and told us to sit anywhere. We got 2 for 1 hand rolls and $3 22 ounce beers. The sushi was a smaller portion, but since you got two for one during happy hour, it made it a decent deal. The sushi was tasty and the beer was cold. No complaints there! The bathroom was in a darkened hallway, so that was also a little strange, so again this factored into the lower rating. Overall, this was a good deal and a nice enough place. Don't let the lower ratings keep you away from giving it a shot!
(3)Kendall T.
Really if you are even thinking of going; stop. Don't let the supposed happy hours fool you. The sake is 2-1 but you get half of the regular sake size. The place needs major work--parts of the wall are literally coming off. But for the fact that the people I was with wanted to eat, I would never consider buying sushi from this place. If their basic restaurant is in such disrepair, you can only imagine what is going on with the fish and sushi. Needless to say, they did order some nigiri and the one I tried was both tasteless and flat. The texture was all wrong. I think I have has better at Costco. But hey--with such bad food, the service must have been decent, right? Wrong. The server was seemingly bored and irritated that he has to serve us at all. The bottom line is simple: I will not recommend nor elect to ever go to this place again. Dirty, broken and bad across the board. The fact that they have stayed open at all is a testament to how much people will stand in order to get a cheap drink. Avoid!!!!
(1)Raquel G.
How does this place get away with being so dirty? I think the they keep it so dark so you cant see the condition of the place. I have eaten here about three times and never gotten sick but that will no longer be my standard for dinning.
(1)Vita G.
I work retail and been in the restaurant business before and I believe customers come first, the prices are great here. I been to opal couple years ago and it was great but this time my friends and I weren't greeted. The bar tender took our first drink then the waitress name alley never took our orders until we addressed her, when ordering she looked away and was laughing at her co workers. We played pool and she hardly came by and asked us if we needed drinks so we went up to the bar a couple of times and to order our own drinks. We closed our tab at the bar and the bar tender asked us why, and we told him because she wasn't taking our drink orders and she said she was 5 weeks pregnant. The bartender even said "she used that excuse already" she also complain that my friend didn't tip her when another friend got two more drinks. Thats unacceptable It was horrible service from alley and we had to close our tab at the bar. We won't be back until this is remedied.
(1)Angela A.
If you love reggae music Opal is the place to be on Saturdays! The vibe is great the DJ is amazing and the drinks are cheap.
(5)Brittany V.
OPAL! This place is cool at first! I love the happy hour specials they have to offer and the 2 for 1 sake. The staff is friendly! The downside of this place: The furniture is tore up, the lighting is way to dark, it smells horrible, the restrooms are disgusting! The sushi is meh. I would never come here again to eat again~ I took my leftovers home with me, the next day I went to go eat it and there were a few chin hairs in my sushi rolls! It totally disgusts me to think I did not realize this because how dark it was in the restaurant!
(2)Dave P.
Halloween night at Opal! Costumes and Specials galore! Margaritas and Sushi pair well together (especially when they are discounted!). First time there, but not the last time. Good food, good service, nice seating areas (like a lounge, comfy and relaxing). I would give it 5 starts, but service was slow at times, but nothing outrageous.
(4)Emilee D.
This is the place to be for happy hour booze specials. You can't go wrong with $1.00 margaritas and cheap beer. The staff is really cool and the regulars are a bit weird. Fun, but weird. ;) As for the sushi, it's not fantastic, but I've had worse. I suggest you stick with the drink happy hour specials as the pricing for the sushi happy hour isn't that much of a deal. The bar area really does need to be spruced up. It's a bit run down and the bathrooms are a tad sketchy. I really, really hate that mirror in the hallway. I've walked into it a few times as the reflection makes it look like part of the doorway. Add booze on top of that and I'm surprised it hasn't been shattered into a million pieces by us drunkards constantly walking into it. There is a parking lot in the back, but you need to get there early to get a spot.
(4)Mandy B.
I had a gift certificate I needed to use to here and could not even eat all of the food. The entire restaurant smelled like bad/frozen fish and cleaning supplies and the seats were dirty. This should have been our first sign to turn around and leave. We decided to go ahead and give it a chance though because one person with a bad experience is more likely to review a place than a person with a good experience. We had the coconut shrimp appetizer. It was small and edible since it was fried. We also ordered the sashimi sampler which was where it really started to go wrong. The sushi smelled frozen/dethawed and everything was small portions. A couple of the sashimi pieces were not cut properly and there were still bits of the scale meat. The next part of our dinner came out and the rolls were awful. I tried one of each kind and then stopped and said I couldn't do it anymore. I let the server know the food was awful and we left. It is the first time I have ever had to leave a restaurant from the food being bad. The server was great. Its too bad he works at a place where the food is barely edible.
(1)Andrew F.
I have seen reviews on the restaurant part but not the dance part so I decided to write a review on that. I have gone to the Friday nights (Latin night ) & Saturday nights (Reggae night) after 9pm for both. I love coming to opal on those days but both have a completely different atmosthere, so depending on what your into its up to you. If you like salsa, Bachata , cha cha , merengue then Friday nights are for you. No cover at the door The young crowd 21-30age comes out on Friday it's the younger crowd of la rumba. They teach you how to dance too if you dont. I loved it, everyone was having a good time. On reggae night 5 dollar cover to the dance it's all out dance but the crowd is more laid back but can get down right crazy fun more of a mix of ages on that night more older crowd 25-40ish . I enjoyed reggae night too. Drinks a are cheap and the people are fun. Got a few numbers at this place so I can't complain so if you have the moves it shouldn't be no problems getting any!
(4)Tanya V.
This place used to be one of my favorites couple of years ago but now it turned into something crazy.. Now even though the prices on sushi and drinks are decent..the sushi isn't so good anymore. The staff are great and it's nice to see same people still working there for years. Now the public that attends the place isn't very pleasant ... And the music choice is pretty bad. Nonetheless had a great time celebration my friends birthday although we most likely will not be going back.
(4)Dani S.
Crappy food, over priced, HH is a scam! As usual, I was craving sushi again - wanted big chucks of raw fish in my mouth. My friend searched for late night happy hour on his phone and found this place. Since my ph was died, I couldn't look it up on Yelp. Huge Mistake! Parking was a bitch! Steet parking in non-existent. Got the 2 for 1 sushi deal. The hand rolls were skinny like a toothpick, and the sushi's had a paper thin slice of fish on a small piece of rice. Fish was stiff and bad quality! When our bill came, we were told that the 2 for 1 means u get 4 piece of "crap" instead of 2 pieces of "crap". Lovely!
(1)Lauren T.
Why oh why didn't I listen to yelp!? WORST dining experience of my life! Against my better judgement I took my boyfriend here for a date night because I had a coupon. I was extremely embarrassed that we wasted our time and money here. It took 50 minutes to get our appetizers, and 1 hr 20 minutes to got our entrees. Several times we wanted to walk out, but stuck it out because, by that time I was starving. The food, we eventually got, was disgusting. I had the ahi tuna (per waiters suggestion) it was the toughest, chewiest, overcooked fish I've ever had. The menu was hilarious. Everything was misspelled. See the photos.... The decor was so run down, sleazy and made me wonder how the kitchen was cared for. The waiter was never around, and he never asked how everything tasted; he probably knew the answer. If you want to laugh, look at the picture I posted. I counted 7 mistakes.
(1)ElizabethAnn B.
EH!.... great drinks specials for happy hour... the food is just average though and for sushi is think tokyo joe's is way better!
(3)Shana H.
A couple of coworkers and I went here for happy hour. We had a good time. I spent $20, to include a decent tip, and purchased three Coronas, a buy one get one free Shrimp Tempura sushi roll, and an order of California roll at regular price. And...we got several items for free to include food and drink. Our server was fine. It gets busy so I am not one who really looks for the overemphasized cordiality and attention. I just need what I order to be right and received in a timely manner. She succeeded. We were there from 5 to 8p and the place was packed when we left which was two hours before the Salsa dancing started. The only criticism I would have is how the place is sectioned off. It could be a much more spacious place if it weren't for the sectioning. I mean, the corner entry opens up into a restaurant-style area. As you journey left in the establishment, you get to the bar area which is surrounded by two separate lounge areas with the farthest one being the one where all the debauchery must happen due to the barely detectable lighting. The lounge areas really take away from the bar area. Lastly, mirrors and drunk people do not go together because I found myself almost attempting to walk through a mirror to get to the bathroom more than once. I would go back. I actually plan to check out how Opal does Salsa in the near future.
(3)Louie G.
This place is great. Great service from KJ and the best late night sushi in town by far. Thanks for being there.
(5)Justin A.
As I write this two days after my visit, my mouth begins to water because of how absolutely delicious the sushi was. I'll be sure to go to Happy Hour next time as the prices they offer are incredible. There is a very competitive market for sushi palces in Denver and this one should go on your list to try sometime too. It may not be #1 of all the contenders but it's on the short list of sushi places I'll recommend to my friends and family.
(4)Laura E.
Words can't really express how much I never want to go back to this "restaurant". I was meeting a couple of friends to celebrate a birthday for my best friend, so I was apprehensive going - as I had read all the reviews prior to going - but didn't have any choice in the matter. I strolled in at 7:30, and entered the vacant restaurant side of the establishment. And I mean that there wasn't even staff to point me in the right direction, so I just kind of wandered around till I found the very small lounge section my friends were at..... which is where the disappointment all began. The whole lounge is brown. Poop-colored walls, and carpets, and cracked leather sofas -- oh, and let's not forget the grimy ceiling-high mirrors. Yikes. But hey, maybe I shouldn't judge a book by its cover? No, so maybe I'll judge it by the fact that the whole lounge smells like HUMAN URINE. I kept thinking the smell would go away, but it just kept coming in waves. The tables were so sticky with old soy sauce that my chopstick sleeve stuck to the wood. And the sushi? I couldn't really care less about how reasonably priced it was, because I was lying on the sofa for about a half an hour, thinking for sure I had just been given food poisoning and was on the brink of finding religion. Instead, I found the dingy bathroom. I wasn't alone, though, it seems a family of gnats and flies had ALSO found the bathroom! Ugh... Bottom line: I will never go back. Ever.
(1)Ian S.
I would not recommend this place for the food what so ever. My wife and I decided to try Opal because we were given a half off coupon. We obviously didn't do any research because if we had read the reviews we never would have stepped foot in there. My initial impression of the place was a dance club that happened to sell food. After looking over the menu, I was a bit weirded out by the Asian / Italian / American selection. We gave it a try anyways and were both disgusted with our meals. I ended up eating my wife's steak because she was going to vomit had she eaten any more of it, it was pretty awful but I was hungry. I ordered the chicken teriyaki skewers, they tasted like something you'd get from McDonald's. We had to order desert to get our bill up to $50 to use the coupon. The brownie was terrible as well. Overall the food was far below our expectations. I ended up with an upset stomach later that evening and the next morning. Save yourself and your money for some place that knows what they're doing in the kitchen.
(1)Nolan B.
The foods here were mediocre. Nothing blew me to pieces. They have what seems like a good happy hour special that includes $1 oysters. (These are also conveniently on a huge sign out front on their building.) But hold it there cheapskate. $1 oysters at a minimum of 6. Th' Fuck? I only want 4 or 5. Get real. Put that bullshit on your sign. Be honest with people. Why is that hard to do? People don't like being tricked. It's ultimately lame. Y'all'll (the restaurant) probably turn around and say in your defense something like, "if $6 is out of your price range for oysters, than you aren't who we are targeting." That's not the point! Again, get real you wieners. Be honest and then I won't waste my time in your establishment that is trying too hard to be something that it isn't. Reupholster your seating too, you filthy amateurs.
(1)Alisa K.
Went here for reggae night. The owner is a DICK! They have a big aquarium in which once I looked at the fish I realized they were all beat up and unhealthy, like they were dying. I saw a big, beautiful lyon fish which was trapped and dying, it could hardly breath. I went to tell he owner so he could help him get utnrapped and he laughed at me!! He mocked me and said "What do you want me to do? Fill a bucket with water and put him in there? hahahaa"....Um YAH. I DO! if it would save them?! He said if I didn't like it, I didn't have to look at it. Don't have creatures that you don't care for, jerk! Terrible business owner! I've never been treated so rudely, especially when I was trying to help.
(1)Kenneth P.
This is me advocating for the LOUNGE portion of Opal. Their reverse happy hour (10:30-1:30) is awesome. They have incredibly cheap sake bombs and some half priced sushi. While the sushi is always the typical california roll and what-not, it's not so bad for the price when you're throwing down super cheap sake bombs. It's perfect for a group of 8 or so, to go to a place and socialize and just enjoy the atmosphere. A downfall is that there's no real dance area and it's not huge and kicking through the night. But it's a good spot to kick back with your buddies. If you're there, definitely try out the hand rolls, they'll fill you up a lot more for half price.
(4)Su Y.
The short: the happy hour deal sucks, the facility is run-down, and the ambiance is nothing special. The long: So, I receive an exciting text from a fellow sushi-deprived tomodachi: "OPAL. 2 FOR 1 SUSHI AND HAND ROLLS." My response: "I ' M T H E R E ." After our party sits and mingles, a waiter runs over. He's smiling and excited, yet his energy translates more into "hurry, I'm in a rush" than "hey, how can I help you?" As it turns out, he's the only server. The only server of the night, waiting about ten tables. Confused at the unclear menu (sorry, I'm a customer. It's my job to be stupid, and your job to make my life easy) I ask the waiter, "what exactly is Opal's happy hour deal?" He lets me know that the deal includes only the first three items on the list. The first three items on the list are as follows: California roll, spicy tuna and yellowtail. ... I repeat: CALIFORNIA ROLL, SPICY TUNA AND YELLOWTAIL. That's like hearing McDonald's is having a 2 for 1 burger night but finding out that the only item applicable for the deal is the hamburger. Not the Big Mac, not the Quarter Pounder, not even the cheeseburger, but the HAMBURGER. When I get my food, it was all over. My yellowtail roll? The size of it? The diameter of a dime. A DIME! I'm fully aware that one sushi roll isn't supposed to fulfill anyone's stomach... but a half-assed ball of 90% rice and 10% yellowtail in the diameter of a DIME? Fuzakenaideyo! This was supposed to be my last meal before a month-long wallet-fast experiment. Thanks for betsuni, Opal.
(2)Erin T.
I usually come here with groups as it really has a lounge atmosphere and is good for gatherings. They have a nice happy hour that also includes late night. Daily 4:30-7:30 and Late Night 10:30-1:30AM * 2 for 1 Sushi * 2 for 1 Hand Rolls * 2 for 1 Hot Sake * $2.50 22oz Kirin Bottles * $3.00 Imported Champagne * $4.00 Premium Martinis * $1.00 Corona (4:30-7:30 Only) I agree the service is a little poor as I had to go find our server a bunch of times to order more drinks and sushi. The food is good and for the 2 for 1 deal, worth it.
(3)Rman F.
This place sure has gone DOWN hill. Now I know why they keep it so dark in this place. Restrooms are disgusting...NYC subway is cleaner.
(1)Alicia K.
First off, let me tell you that the happy hour drink special is pretty great! $1.50 margaritas, $4.00 martinis? Yes, please! However, service is absolutely sllllllooooowwww. We had to flag down our waiter several times, and half the time he didn't even notice my friend waving her arms and flailing about to order a drink. Also, the bathrooms are GHETTO! One of the stalls in the graffiti-covered restroom had toilet paper stuffed and held in place with scotch tape in the place where the lock once was. I'm also pretty sure the bathrooms had never been cleaned...ever. Yuck! Although the happy hour specials are good, the clientle is disgusting, bathrooms are horrendous and service sub-par. Opal, you have received one star.
(1)Jack M.
Two Words. Dark & Dirty... Someone needs to turn the lights on and clean this place up. The bathrooms are always the indications of the cleanliness of a restaurant.
(1)Sara W.
The prices are good for drinks and our food would have been great if we got it in under an hour. The server came by our table twice in three hours, rubbing his nose with his eyes blood shot. We waited for our check for an hour! Then when we asked for it from the manager he couldnt find it or the waiter. So they asked us what we had! We replied we had been sitting there too long to remember! So we ended up getting a bad meal comped because our waiter was too busy to notice he had to work! NEVER GO HERE!
(1)Shelly R.
I was pretty excited to take a friend from California here to show him that sushi in CO can be good and affordable. WRONG! Just like Fontana, the sushi grade and cut size has gone WAY down. I was embarrassed! Our server complained for 10 minutes that it was her 21st B-Day and she should be out drinking with her friends instead of working. Wow! Maybe she should have just said, " I wish I didn't have to wait on you and can you leave me an extra BIG tip because it's my B-day!" It does completely suck to have to work on your 21st B-day... No doubt about it. However, I've had to work many B-Days and other holidays. Unfortunately that's one of the not so fun parts of becoming an adult. We left a decent tip. I admit, her drama worked and we felt really guity. Even though the disgusting sushi and ambience were straight out of hell, we can fold with the best of them. $80 later, plus %15 tip... May as well have poked us both with a pitchfork! I wish I would have taken a picture of the beyond wimpy plate we shared for this amount! All the sushi looked wrong on every level from color, to texture. How is that even possible? To present sushi that is that wrong, is a mad skill. The rolls were the thinnest I've ever seen. Cigar size and NO we didn't even dine during the happy hour special. So be prepared to spend major mulla for skimpy, gross sushi. It's not just the happy hour peeps who are getting ripped off! We ate some of it anyhow. Ya, I know.... Call us risk takers who live on the fringe. Maybe therapy will help. Second note to owner... Why are you so CHEAP?! Are you trying to win a metal for cheapness? Or are you blind? Change your disgusting carpet! No matter how dimly you light the place, your now x-patrons can still see the rankness. I think your carpet might just crawl off one day soon and save you the money to rip it out. Considering how obviously cheap you are... I'll assume this is what you're waiting for. Note to potential soon to be x-patrons.... If you do happen to risk food poisoning and go to this place... Be sure not to look down. I'm serious. Can anyone say charcoal pills?
(1)Christina H.
This place has really lost its luster. What was apparently a once fairly hip upscale joint is now a sad dingy dump. The carpet/rugs are hideous and filthy and in need of not only cleaning but replacing. The tables are arranged in a haphazard manner and the plush seating is stained and ripped. The happy hour is completely deceiving. The 2 for 1 sushi deal is very very selective, essentially 5 items are on the happy hour option. The sushi is not fresh and is to date the worst sushi I've ever eaten. I didn't even try the seared tuna I ordered because it just looked like tuna left out to dry around the edges. The service was awful. The waitress was neglectful to the point of rudeness, though it was not busy at all. I wonder if she purposefully neglected to ask if the food was okay or if we needed anything else, because she already knew the answer. No. I can't think of one reason, really, to come here. The service is horrendous, the food is terrible, the atmosphere sucks, and the place is dirty. Not even the one dollar corona deal can make up for all that.
(1)A J.
1 star for the edamame and that's it. Sushi SUCKS - not fresh at all!! The place is dingy and dirty and the womens bathroom is horrendous. The attire the servers wear is trashy. Save yourself the trouble and head up Broadway to "Go Fish". But go early as the place gets packed. I've been there about 5 times and I've never, ever been disappointed.
(1)Soupany S.
We came here because they participate in the restaurant.com and I've got a certificate. I have got to say I was embarrassed to take my friend there. Who runs this place!?!?? !!!! -Our certificates had MANY restrictions on them, that's fine that's expected, but we can't order sushi?!?! Isn't this place known for that??? -Service was very poor, our waitress just doesn't seem to care or know what she was doing. She was slow, and at one point, we waited for 15 minutes for her to come back, I saw her just combing her hair in the dressing room. Looking good is important, but it isn't going to get you more tip if you suck at serving. -Then they start playing such loud music even though we were sitting at the dinner section of the restaurant and NOT the lounge portion. That's fine, but this was 8pm- we are still eating, don't turn it to a club just yet! -Food is ok, but not really for the price you pay... Miso soup had cold tofu cubes in it! WTF!!?!? Will not go back.
(1)Mark G.
Took a friend to Opal last night because of restaurant week. This place should be shut down! First, the place was empty...after eating there I know why. The place was filthy, bathroom was disgusting. The waiter didn't have a clue. I think they asked the dishwasher to wait tables. We ordered the Sea Bass with risotto. The risotto looked like a bad version of mashed potatoes (one large pasty scoop of congealed nastiness). This sea bass was only okay. I asked the waiter to make a recommendation on the dessert. the choice was "New York Cheese Cake" or "Chocolate Lava Cake". He strongly recommended the cheese cake so we ordered it. When dessert arrived, we had two chocolate lava cakes. At that point I asked for the check, paid the bill and got the hell out of there. Advice to anyone considering going to Opal, DON'T!
(1)Sharla H.
The food here is eehh... They drink specials are good. This place is close to my house and I like sushi, so I break down and eat there sometimes. The bartender is nice. The entire place smells like roach spray though. Every time I go in here I tell myself I won't go back, but yet I still have.
(3)Banjo G.
I guess Opal does a funk soul music night and this is what brought me here. The happy hour drink specials were pretty good and the place seemed a bit run down.There must have been a problem with the pipes because the restaurant smelled like a bathroom. The smell killed our appetites and we were in disbelief as we watched fellow customers eat sushi (hah, no thanks!). One star for soul and funk and another star for cheap Coronas. Three star deduction for unappetizing sewer smell, ambiance, and no motivation to eat off menu.
(2)Bradley L.
Not a bad happy hour spot, but It is not appealing for lunch or dinner. Had good $1 oysters & $1 coronas. It was unfortunate that they only had one bottle of tabasco that I had to wait 12 minutes to get since another table was already using it. We also tried some of the sushi happy hour special and they were not bad, but nothing good enough to write up. I will be taking my own tabasco with me from now on! By the way, if anyone else likes tabasco, you can buy travel size at World Market! Provecho!!!
(3)Maha K.
I have a love-hate relationship with Opal. Don't bother with the dining area, it's not really up to par although you can find a few good dishes once in a while. Eric is one of my favorite bartenders, hands down. If you do not tip him well, I will personally seek you out and make you feel like you're in a present-day Inquisition of the service industry. That being said, the bar area is fun for a low-key weekend night. So be kind, eat lots of sushi, and enjoy the DJ sets...especially on Thursdays.
(3)David S.
I've been to Opal several times over the years. Last night was probably my last. Let me start by saying the dinner I had was pretty good - lettuce wraps and shrimp tempura were delicious, and the Chilean sea bass was fairly good too. My review is based on what a dump this place has become over the years...years and years of deferred maintenance. When I walked in the doors on the restaurant side, I thought for a minute the place was being remodeled or closed for renovation - the first room was rather empty looking with a couple chairs strewn about the space like it was not intended as a seating area. The waitress pointed us toward the dining area, a dated, circa-1980 decor that was far worse for the wear. The carpet looks like it doesn't get vacuumed and there was a mis-matched runner running the length of the aisle, presumably covering worn spots. I asked the waitress if they were remodeling and she asked why I asked that. "Well it looks kind of messy, not very nice." She didn't seem to get it. You'd think working in that dump every night she'd be sick of it, not immune to it. The final filth was the restroom - loud fans that sound like they'll fall out of the ceiling at any minute and filthy grime all over the white door. Just gross. In the end, I was really embarrassed that I had suggested Opal to my friend for our dinner.
(1)Alan W.
Opal claims to be an American and Sushi restaurant, it should be classified as an American restaurant with sushi/Asian appetizers. I don't really care for their steaks and pasta dishes, which happens to be rather mediocre, but what really disappoints me is their sushi. You can't improve a mediocre Amercian restaurant by slapping sushi on the menu. The cuts of sushi, sashimi and rolls were very small and very amateur, lacks proper seasoning, and was very lack luster. You could seriously find better sushi from the supermarket. Opal claims to have the best happy hour and sushi, but that was a title they received from Westward over 7 years ago. I will give it a star for their back lounge area, which could be reserved for private parties with no fee. I had my birthday back there and it was a great spot (we only ordered drinks). Opal really needs to revamp their restaurant and menu to keep up with what's out there, or else they will suffer the same fate of the number of restaurants that closed down in the nearby Beauvallon building. This is a place to drink and hang out, but not for eating, unfortunately.
(1)Jessica H.
Call me a food snob but I'll never order food at a restaurant/lounge that smells like sweat. Yeah, I said it - sweat. Why would you have a kitchen/sushi bar adjacent to the dance floor and deejay area - with no partition or wall??? Disgusting. I come to Opal for Reggae on Saturday nights and to chill at the bar - very cheap drinks. I almost want to give it three-stars but I don't want anyone to be confused by the rating. :-) Come, dance and chill on the patio. Drink the cheap Coronas and Kirin's...sample the food at your own risk.
(2)Stephanie S.
Let me say first that the rolls were FANTASTIC. Could not have tasted better! HOWEVER, The waiter was clearly in over his head with all the happy hour business. He barely heard our drink orders, he snatched up the sushi order without even glancing at it (or speaking to us), and ended up doubling our order. Turns out that this is standard procedure for their happy hour (i.e. 2 for 1, not half-price). This makes sense if you think about it, but he didn't even let us know how much fish we would end up with. Luckily it was delish. The atmosphere was awful as the room was near pitch black, the marginal electronic music was at 11, and the clientele seemed to be less than savory members of the community in general. Was that a coke deal I just saw go down? Tsk tsk. Won't be back.
(1)Lindsey D.
Pretty place with posh decor. I arrived first and an attentive server gave me a nice table that would accommodate 8 and there were only 2-4 of us. Yes, there are only, like, 4 rolls with Happy Hour pricing. But the menu is reasonably priced overall. And my $4 dirty martini was excellent. I didn't experience any of the horrendous service or problems with cleanliness that others have mentioned. I won't run back, but I would certainly go again if someone suggested it.
(3)Deryck M.
How hard is your job? We were one of two tables that actually bothered to show up to your place you call a restaurant, and we still had to endure your shitty sushi after having to wait over an hour for it and then our order still wasn't complete. If it had been remotely busy, we could've understood, but when there's 7 people in there and the reason you went there was for the drink specials (the only good part of this place), and then we don't even get a happy hour priced refill because you didn't come to ask us if we needed anything for half an hour and by that point it was 7:31 and you 'couldn't' get happy hour prices anymore when the world knows its not hard to put it in to your touchscreen computer as such. And then after telling us our order wasn't on our order sheet, the waitress brought us the check FROM THE OTHER TABLE. The sushi was warm and crappy and probably old, and it was tiny (that's what she said). DON'T GET THE HANDROLLS unless you want more emphasis on the dried seaweedwrap and less emphasis on any sort of sushi in there. Go here for some of their $1 coronas for $2.50 huge japanese beers or their martini specials. But don't expect to get more than one or two in the 2 hours you're there without getting up and getting it yourself.
(1)Sasha V.
Dear Opal, to make your restaurant worth coming to you will... 1. Properly train your staff to sell your products with a smile on their face... oh wait.. the sushi sucks, so you must first improve the quality of the sushi.... 2. You will improve the weird loungey decor and stop trying to pretend to be exclusive... If exclusive means no one shows up I think you've done a great job at excluding without discrimating... 3. Stop seating your customers right next to a REALLY gross bathroom, when just about every single other table is open... until these improvements come about.. to you i say good bye....
(1)Jason J.
I've been here a few times, and I wish it would choose if it's a restaurant or a bar. Both the Selection and Quality of sushi are subpar, but the drinks are alright. It's a little overpriced for what you get. The two times I've sat in the dining room the service has been terrible. The first time I went, it was a first date, we were one of two couples in the dining room. The other couple arrived after we did, had their drinks, and had given their sushi order before anyone came to even take our drink order. I politely but firmly asked if we could have some service, we were there to eat as well. From then on it was okay, but not great. Another time we were the only couple in the restaurant side and had waited 15 minutes before anyone came to help us. I had to get the bartender from the bar section to get someone for us. We got a free drink out of the deal, but they sure as hell didn't get a free tip out of me. If you're gonna stop in for a drink, go for it. If you're planning on Opal being the focal point to your evening, skip it and go to Hapa. The prices are equivalent and Hapa will afford you an experience so much better than Opal.
(2)Mark S.
Things you must know about Opal: 1. Sushi is mid grade. 2 to 3 days old. For the price the quality is poor. 2. Sushi is expensive and the rolls are TINY. These are the smallest sushi rolls I have ever seen. 3. Atmosphere is extremely trendy. I liked it actually. 4. Service sucks plain and simple. The lady at the next table caught are attention in order to actually tell us she also thought the service sucked. 5. Rolls, Special Rolls, and sushi are TINY....did I already say that? 6. Only reason to come here (and the two stars) at all is to get $1 Coronas from 5-7:30. I would never order any food here again. 7. How do people like this place? For midgrade sushi I strongly suggest Hapa instead. 8. Will not be going back.
(2)Sarah M.
man... our server/bartender "ghost" was just blah. I just wanted to apologize for making you serve us... your attitude was horrible, and would it kill you to smile? We waited 5 minutes and had to approach you for service... you and I had eye contact upon entry... No water refill, tables were deffinently not wiped down... and maybe that is why it is so dark in here. I will never return to Opal to eat... that is a promise... Our sushi was warm... ??? and measley The Dumplings were horrible. The Only thing Opal had was 1 buck Coronas... thats cheap Skip this and pay a little more somewhere else for good Sushi and Better service.
(1)Sulema M.
It's ok only because the spirits are cheap during happy hour and our server was halfway decent although she looked a little on the "high" side. Pros 2 for 1 sake, $2.50 japanese beer and 2 for 1 sushi (select items only) during happy hour. $1 coronas peeps! Can't beat that, but make sure you have a DD. Cons Bathroom is N-A-S-T-Y. No tp, smelly, dirty, and dirty. Wait did I forget to mention D-I-R-T-Y? Eww. If you can grab a place to sit that's great, otherwise, expect to stand with your happy hour drinks and food. Best time to go is between 530p and 730p, otherwise their late night HH sucks. BTW, they have salsa dancing after 9pm in their main dining area.
(3)Lisa C.
I used to love going to this place with my friends because of the sushi happy hour. But ever since the Aqua/Opal merge it has really gone downhill. We found a bug in our food the last time we were there. I am not the person who gets really upset about that kind of the thing, but the place just feels dirty so it didn't help. The wait staff are terrible which is amazing since it's sushi and they don't even have to remember an order. I had a 50$ gift certificate but I wasn't able to order ANYTHING off the happy hour menu, not even at full price. And I had to get 50$ worth of sushi to actually get the discount. Also, alcohol didn't apply (which I didn't assume it would) so in the end I spent more then I needed to in order to get the 50$ off. Sadly, I will never go there again.
(1)Sam C.
They really need to rename this place "opaling" because I'm appalled this place exists. My last experience was disgusting food, terrible service, and the oh-so-friendly manager making a crude homophobic remark to me and my friend. How this place still exists, is really, honestly, a mystery to me. Especially considering I see great restaurants closing all the time.
(1)Crista H.
Upside, our waiter was awesome, nice, knew the menu, knew everything about sushi, on the ball. Down side, I read some of the reviews about this place, and someone said that it was dead and it smelt funny. Well, I completely agree with both comments. But I also believe it was dead because of the time we went, we went at about 5, before dinner traffic which is a always around 630-7pm. But the smell, is mainly in the 'lounge' area. It smells like a musty type smell, like, mildew. And we did notice water damage on the ceiling. And as we were looking around, the floors are dirty and nasty, not vacuumed, the couches were dirty. It looks like nothing has been wiped down, vacuumed or swept up in months. But the table tops, plates and etc were clean, THANK YOU GOD. I'm on the fence about coming back here or not. They said they had run out of a few things from the rush last night, but yet they don't open till 430pm, which you have more than half the day to re-stock. But they waited till we ordered something they had run out of, THEN left to go to the store to buy it. Seriously? That's bad management. So, again, on the fence.
(3)Christine A.
late night happy hour is great (2 for 1 on some sushi but not great quality). cheap beer ($2.50 for a huge kirin). gross bathrooms. friendly but "fine" service (had to ask for a beer I paid for twice and the check 3 times). kitchen is open until 1 am. weird ambiance (awkward girls dancing by themselves in the back). hand roll was awful. nigiri was pretty good but a fellow patron warned me of a couple fish because they were not good (clearly I didn't order them). I'd go back for some nigiri (salmon, yellow tail, and maybe the eel) and cheap beer anytime but wouldn't truly recommend it..
(3)noam s.
If you want to eat sushi from Opal an get great service, you are better off going out back and digging for old, shitty, sushi from their dumpster. The homeless guy begging for money there will treat you much better than the flamer walking around inside. 2-4-1 is not 2-4-1, it is extremely misleading. The food was nothing special, and this is the kicker...my girlfriend and I split the bill, she put a 20 in and i put my credit card down, the waiter(ess) took the booklet and charged my card for the full amount and kept the 20 as his "tip" for his great service......NEVER GO HERE!!!!!! the place deserves to get burned to the ground.
(1)Stephanie L.
Disclaimer: This review is for happy hour only We decided to check out Opal for happy hour as they had 2 for 1 sushi advertised. The place was a ghost town, there was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, which seems a bit odd for a Saturday evening. We sit down and look at the menu for happy hour. There are NO ROLLS in their sushi special. They had a couple hand rolls and some nigiri, but no regular rolls are included in happy hour. How can you advertise a sushi special and then have such an incredibly limited scope? We left and went to Hapa's happy hour, which was fantastic as always!
(1)julie n.
Good happy hour that ends at 7:30pm...$1 Coronas, $1 Oyster, very limted 2-1 sushi, and 2-1 saki. Sushi is decent, service was good (plenty of staff available),
(3)Griff O.
First time in my life I've not given a tip. One star is generous for the type of service we had.
(1)susan g.
Opal, Opal, Opal...It's partially my fault, I suppose. I should've known better. When I saw your website and it said "Italian Bistro and Sushi"....really, I should've known. Just the idea of Italian and sushi on the same dinner menu? Weird. I have a policy to NOT eat my sushi at any restaurant that does any cuisine other than Japanese or maaayyybe Chinese. That said, we had a coupon for Opal. I looked on the menu online to see what they had. When we arrived at the restaurant, the menu was not the same. No true Italian items to be found. Strange, but okay. We weren't interested in Italian anyhow. Just a strange thing, to not have your online menu match your in-house menu. First impression upon entering..."gross". It looked as though the facility had not been cleaned since the 70's. The carpets were old and noticeable dirty. The room looked as though someone had just moved in, and hadn't had time to decorate or clean. There seemed to be no thought whatsoever for decor. When we sat down at our table, I literally tipped over my water glass to get some water on the table, and used my cloth napkin to wipe off the film of something that coated the table. The sidetable that was next to our dining table was covered in wine stains and dirt. If we hadn't of been very hungry, we would have left. Our coupon required us to order $50 in food. So, between two people, we ordered: shrimp and veggie tempura, shrimp and chicken dumplings, a house salad, veggie fried rice, Prime Rib steak dinner and a Prime Rib French Dip. here's what I can say about the food. It was just okay. The tempura, while delicious to eat, had way too much oil and made both of us feel sick not an hour later. The dumplings were tasty. The salad was decent. The "Prime Rib" on both the meat dishes was definitely not Prime Rib, but was in fact NY Strip steak, a fact which strangely enough, was written on the computer-produced receipt. We chose not to say anything, as we were just ready to eat and fast forward through our Opal experience. The French Dip was actually rather tasty, although the Au Jus was very salty. The one bright light in our experience was the fact that our Server, Lucas, was very sweet and efficient and had a nice smile on his face while serving us. he was most pleasant and I think his talents could better be served at a different restaurant. As we were leaving, Lucas said "Thanks so much. We'll see you next time!" I muttered under my breath "There won't BE a next time, sorry." That pretty much sums it up for Opal. Oh well.
(1)KAB C.
Scary, icky and quite filthy - service is bad, the place is dirty, restroom nasty. Won't be back.
(1)David B.
The status quo seems to be 2 stars so I will align with the masses. I can care less cause I'm from out of town. Ok, so if you want to get drunk and kinda eat sushi, the happy hour alky specials are pretty damn good. Dollar Coronas, BOMB. But, BUT, insert massive bold face text BBBUUUUUTTTT, If you walk inside and semi-gander at the trendy decor and expect parallel service, boy, just drop your standards. I'd love to give the benefit of the doubt and say it was an isolated incident but that's NOT what she said (or typed on here). Slow service and the server (she was hot but unfortunately not well rounded) forgot part of the order. Then we got the wrong bill; Go figure. Oh, and I've pissed in better bathrooms in Tijuana Mexico. Seriously, WTF? You expect clientele to dress to impress and then the bathroom looks like a cesspool of STD? FFS. Fail. PS - I liked the sushi. Too bad.
(2)Julie A.
I went here the other day for a happy hour boasting 2-for-1 Sushi. I've been to quite a few sushi happy hours lately and I guess I just wasn't very impressed. The sushi that qualified was very limited and there weren't any vegetarian options included in this selection. The $1 Coronas were the bright and shining part of this trip. My friend who ordered a bunch of hand rolls that should have been 2-for-1 didn't get the happy hour deal because A. nobody told him that you have to buy 2 of the same and B. he only ordered 1 of each and nobody filled him in or brought him 2 (even though we were asking questions which made it obvious we were there BECAUSE of Happy Hour). He was pretty bummed that the waiter didn't bother to explain this beforehand. Oh well. Better luck next time. I guess that explains why we went on a Friday during Happy Hour and there was hardly anybody there.
(2)Christina W.
I had a terrible experience here. I don't know if it was an off night, but I will never return. The only good part was the edamame--which was basically steamed and salted. The service was terrible which is probably why the sushi did not taste fresh. We sat for about 45 minutes between the starter and the main course. It took forever to get a check and get out of there. I never want to step foot in there again!
(1)Ashton D.
I'm never coming here again. The happy hour special is a bait-and-switch gimmick, and the people who work here don't provide good customer service. I used to go to Opal a lot in college with my friends because they had a great decor, good happy hour specials, and a friendly staff. But a lot has changed over the years. Last week, I stopped by during the late night happy hour with some friends. The service was horrible-- our server didn't ask us what we wanted, we had to walk up to her every time we wanted to order. It also took forever for the food to come out. We were really shocked at how rude and unprofessional our server was throughout the evening. When we asked her about happy hour specials, she tricked us into thinking that certain sections of the menu were fair game, but then presented us a check and told us nothing we ordered was part of the happy hour special. The waitress never once thanked us as patrons, even before we called her out on her sloppiness. The next day, we tried to call Opal and speak to management about our unsatisfactory experience. Whoever picked up the phone (a man) refused to give us the name of the manager, or his own name, and then hung up on us. I was so shocked. My last gripe with this place is the lack of maintenance. The bathroom was disgusting, the main seating area looks run down and outdated. I noticed that several of the cushions had large rips and holes in them! You can't pretend to be an upscale and sophisticated lounge with such poor upkeep. This place used to be cool, but now it's an embarrassing and poorly managed dump.
(1)Elizabeth W.
Had an early dinner on a Sat night, and I will go back sometime. For all the veggies out there this may not be the place for you. They still have a bunch of veggies rolls on the menu, but they actually only carry avocado and cucumber rolls. Which are like everywhere else, good but nothing exciting. We had a great server, she was super attentive and was a pleasure to chat with. The drink specials are great. My experience was pleasant. From the sound of the other reviews I think I went at the best time...early happy hour, before the shenanigans start and the bathrooms turn into brothels.
(3)Annie B.
We went to Opal last night to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was sitting in the bar with a couple of friends and had just ordered sushi. The waiter, up until this point, has been super nice and fun. A friend of mine joined us and asked the waiter for a menu and the waiter gave him such a hard time that it was beyond ridiculous! All my friend did was ask for a menu and the waiter accused him of being a jerk because he (the waiter) is gay, hands flailing in the air, going off about how my friend does not appreciate his service and how rude it is. I was blown away by this as again, my friend did not do anything to provoke this. The next few trips this waiter made to the table, he would still be super sweet to me, and my other friend that was sitting with me before the "offensive" friend joined us. When the waiter turned to my "offensive" friend, the attitude instantly changed and he was a jerk again. This was completely un-called for! We hung out most of the night since my crew was DJing for the evening. I was hanging out by the DJ booth later in the night and that same waiter came up to me and started apologizing for how he acted but also tried to put blame on my friend. I then told the waiter "but he didn't do anything to you" and then he went off about how people need to understand his stressful job and they need to be nice to him and blah blah blah... I again said "but he didn't do anything to you" and he started to go off about himself again. I stopped him and said I really don't want to have this conversation and he threw a hissy fit and walked off. I can't believe an establishment would hire a server like that! I'm still somewhat blown away by what happened as it was too weird and ridiculous to be real. We enjoyed our sushi and otherwise had a good time, but the service was fucking ridiculous!
(2)Laura P.
This place is sketchy! Am amazed anyone would go there! Walked in because we were looking for a place in the vicinity and walked right out. Had gone when it first opened years ago and it was fine - now it is divey and NOT in a good way.
(1)Mike M.
Very below average sushi with horrible service. It took our server 15-20 minutes to greet us, another 15 to take our order, and we got our sushi in other 20 minutes....Upon receiving our food, I asked for some wasabi which wasn't on the plate; it never came. After 10 minutes, I walked over to the chefs and got the wasabi from them. When I initially ordered our Coronas, I stated no lime in mine because I am allergic to it. It came with a lime. The sushi is below average as well. Very small pieces without a lot of flavor. Besides the fact that you can get $1 Coronas, this place blows!!!!
(2)Joe Y.
Good happy hour, and sushi is ok.
(3)Rick A.
Salsa lessons/dancing was fun, but while we were eating a nasty cockroach started crawling on our table after we were just given our sushi! IT WAS SO GROSS! Needless to say, we didn't eat the sushi. We told the waitress and she seemed appalled and said she'd talk to the manager. She was gone for 10-15 minutes. During that time, the cockroach reemerged and we caught it this time. We then gave it to our waitress. She was gone for another 15 minutes or so. We told her we wanted to leave and she gave us our bill for the full amount. Absolutely ridiculous. I will never go here again. STAY AWAY! If there is one cockroach, there are probably a hundred plus hiding elsewhere.
(1)Marissa M.
I went to Opal last night for my cousins 35th birthday. Since it is $52.80 week, I wasn't expecting exceptional quality or service due to the usual high demand. Anyways, we walked into Opal at about 6:15 for our 6:30 reservation. Not including the separate bar/lounge area, there was only one other group of people in the restaurant. We sat down right away, at a cozy table tucked in the corner. The decor was rather plain, and the lighting was very dim, but I didn't come for the ambiance. It only took us about 5 minutes to choose what we wanted off the pre-fixed menu, but it took the waiter about 15 minutes to take our order. The 2-4-1 sushi we ordered in addition to our entree came out within 5 minutes and before the appetizers. We were all starving so it was pretty great. Once we finished, the waiter repeatedly walked by our table completely unaware of the finished sushi or me obnoxiously slurping up the remaining drops of water in my cup. Fifteen minutes pass and you can tell we're getting hungry. Finally the appetizers come out, Spring Rolls and the Salad. All very delicious. Once we finish the apps, we patiently await our entrees. Fifteen minutes....We're pretty patient people...Another 15 minutes. "Sir, is the food going to be out soon or do we have time to smoke a cigarette?" He tells us they are plating the food now and it will be out in just a moment. Another 15 minutes. The other three go out and smoke a cigarette while I wait for the food. They come back about 5 minutes later and still no food. My cousin says they have 10 minutes before she makes a scene. I silently pray the food comes before those 10 minutes. Only a few minutes later the food arrives. I got the sushi platter and everyone else got the chilean sea bass. My platter was huge, but the sea bass was just a tiny little slab. Since I wasn't as hungry as when I first got there I took my time to taste the sushi. It was clearly stiff and not fresh and the eel tasted unusually fishy. I am addicted to sushi so for me, sub-par sushi is better than no sushi. I ate the whole thing, but for those of you who only eat the best of the best, you might want to steer clear of this place. My family said their sea bass was alright though slightly overcooked and soaked in butter. After dinner, we all got the chocolate lava cake. After waiting for again, 15 minutes, the dessert came out. It look more like a tart than a cake and at first I was disappointed by it's size but it was so rich I couldn't finish it. Honestly the best part of the meal. SO DELICIOUS AND CHOCOLATEY! When the bill came my aunt of course complained about the poor service and the waiter happily took the extra sushi off the bill. All in all, it was extremely mediocre and I won't be returning for anything other than happy hour with 2+ hours of my day to spend.
(2)Stephanie L.
I like this place. Many other folks don't seem to. I have to admit the $25 coupon they send out might help..... I always get edamame, miso soup and various sushi. I haven't been disappointed. It's certainly not the best sushi I've ever had, but it definitely hits the spot for me. Just my two cents.
(4)Heather P.
Service in the bar area is horrible!! I have been there twice and both times the service was some of the worst I've experienced, and I have been told these servers have been there for years, so service is not going to change. New management is what this place needs, badly. The service in the dining area is better, but there are no TVs which is why most people deal with the bad service and sit in the bar area for happy hour. Our food took forever...and we only ordered Sushi. We were still hungry so we ordered more food, but the waitress messed up our order and it took twice as long. She also didn't rush the order eventhough she messed up the order in the first place. So we were waiting 45 mins for Shrimp Tempura. I would give this place one star if it wasn't for the $1 Corona's and the price for sushi. The sushi isn't the best but when your there drinking Corona's, you eventually want to order some food. The Shrimp Tempura is not real Shrimp Tempura, it was fried in something I could have done at home, and it was squishy. Like one reviewer said it was like eating a Twinkie. The only reason I would go back is for the $1 Corona's and the hang out environment. Make sure you get there early for a good seat or they'll make you sit in a corner that doesn't have a real table!
(2)Jayme B.
Amazing happy hour and super friendly staff. If you can, ask for Monica, she's super sweet and who could beat $1.50 Coronas, $2.50 Kirins and plenty of yummy rolls at super good prices!
(4)Mo C.
Fun atmosphere, average sushi, cheap beer. Went with a group of about 20 people from MeetIn.org for Happy Hour and dinner. Sat in the cute area behind the bar. Fun ambiance. Music was VERY eclectic (everything from Barry White to Contemporary Christian). 2-for-1 sushi is a pretty good deal, but you definitely got what you paid for. Maybe because we went with such a large group and all the sushi was made at once, it was quite dry when it got to our table. And, even though we asked for separate checks for the 4 tables we had, they still showed up with one massive bill. So, annoying, but cheap. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
(3)Robert A.
I heard through the proverbial grapevine that this place was good--excellent happy hour, said Grapevine. But, it turned out, whichever grapevine it was in particular that had told me that was mistaken. oh, so mistaken. The lounge/bar part of the place has every wall mirrored. Really mirrored. With big ones. Long ones, or, maybe, just one big, long mirror. I prefer not to watch myself and every other diner eat their food; especially when the food is inedible. Granted, Grapevine, everything is cheaper ($2 coronas, 2 for one hand rolls & sushi & hot sake), but i'm resigned to the fact that i have to pay more for quality. And if yall want to charge an extra dollar on the sushi to afford dry Norri, then, well, do it. The Norri (the seaweed shell) was...The Norri was...wet? Yes, wet. Undry. Uncrisp. Thus, Untasty, unsavory, unscrumptous, and unwhatever-have-you else. As i tried to eat it, I felt like some jaguar goin' to town on a recent kill. And, perhaps worst of all, i had to watch myself--what, with the gobs of mirrored walls they have in the place--tear at it. Other than the inability to prepare some sushi, the place is decent. The 2-fer-1 sake is nice in the winter, but Hapa does that too and their sushi is actually (i never thought i see these words fall from my fingers) closer to authentic...
(1)Sherri K.
Opal is typical of any downtown establishment that is lucky enough to know real estate - location location location - without this it would be closed by now. The service is consistently terrible and the food is average, when you finally get it. The atmosphere is cool, and the patrons are usually easy going, when they haven't been overserved. Great music and fun with a group, but usually someplace you go to kick off your night with a few $1 coronas or end your night with a few $1 coronas. Best happy hour for sure. 2 for 1 sake, 2 for 1 sushi and did I mention the $1 coronas? That being said, the regular bartenders are cool, and know their stuff, (and kinda hot too) but since they have a high turnover, there is always a floating bartender, so roll the dice and good luck.
(3)Dylan S.
I'm going to have to disagree early happy hours is awesome, cheap food, cheap booze. Timing is everything people!
(4)Marisa M.
Opal gets two stars for the effort our waiter put into his service as the food left something to be desired. Our waiter spilled an entire carafe of sake in our direction (which, luckily, just missed my lap) and made up for it by bringing us a new carafe and three additional carafes on the house. While the gesture was appreciated, there is no reason that two people need four carafes of sake. As for the sushi, they were out of the two items on the menu that we were most interested in trying- the fatty tuna maki and the natto maki. We ordered a variety of sushi and was disappointed across the board. I will not be back to Opal as there are plenty of better sushi options in Denver.
(2)Michael S.
There are three faces to this Denver establishment: The swanky lounge, the bright white dining room and the smokey party patio. Our group of friends gathered at Opal for a Friday happy hour, looking forward to Oysters and sushi. During the first round of ordering, one of our friends ordered a mojito. When the drinks came, the waiter (a tall, clean-cut, young man, who seemed as if he were tripping on hallucinogenics) set a beer in front of her. When our friend told him she didn't order a beer, but rather a mojito, he replied, "but we don't have those." It took a couple of flag-downs, but eventually our friend was able to order a drink she ACTUALLY wanted. Apparently, waiter's choice is acceptable for drinks here. We dressed the table with several orders of oysters, and a few different sushi items. We sat in the dining room, where I was entertained by a couple on their first date seating near us. I swear the young lady was doing Keagle exercises under the table, based on the vibrations of her thighs. Our klutzy waiter continued to mess up a few more drink orders. Still, we were with friends, and though the sushi was sub-par and not very fresh, the oysters were good, and we tried to order a few dozen more. "We're all out," the waiter told us, before allowing every other table around us to order them, before he delivered them to their tables. Apparently, they were only all out for us. I couldn't take any more of this paying good money to be treated like crap, so threw some money at my friends and hailed a cab. I won't be back.
(2)Dominica H.
Terrible service. My boyfriend and I walked out after waiting forever for someone to come and take our order.
(1)