Bridgerton fans fuming over flop event with pole dancer and cold food

By Ben Barry via SWNS

Bridgerton fans are fuming after an unofficial ball based on the Netflix series was more "dollar store" than country manor.

Ashlyn Cook, 31, booked birthday tickets for the Bridgerton-themed ball in Detroit, Michigan, in April 2024 for $150.

She said that the tickets included a carriage ride, a professional dance lesson, dinner and a chance to be the diamond of the ball.

Instead, Ashlyn said attendees were served raw chicken, and instead of an end-of-season ball, there was a pole dancer.

The event was originally supposed to go ahead on Aug. 25 but was postponed until Sept. 22, 2024.

Ashlyn, a stay-at-home mom, from Howell, Michigan, said: "When I got outside the venue looked time period accurate.

"When I got into the main hall it was very cheaply decorated - some of the decorations looked like they came from a dollar store.

"The event still showed some promise - everyone was beautifully dressed.

"But everything soon went downhill. Dinner was served and half of us there were not able to get anything to eat.

"The chicken was raw and the food was cold.

"Around 9pm people were leaving and going to a bar across the road.

"I was very angry and sad - I feel cheated."

As a huge Bridgerton fan, Ashlyn was "excited" for the ball and to celebrate her birthday.

She said: "I went with my friend Hannah, we bought the highest level ticket you could buy.

"The Lord and Lady ticket for $150. IT was supposed to include an open bar, a professional picture, a carriage ride, a dance lesson and dinner.

"It also said we would get the chance to be the diamond of the ball."

Ashlyn and Hannah traveled an hour from their home to Detroit and were immediately disappointed when they entered the venue.

She said: "When I got there, they were still setting up the event.

"It was very cheaply decorated, some of the decorations looked like they came from a dollar store.

"I was still hopeful as everyone was beautifully dressed."

She said there were only four trays of food for hundreds of guests and the food was cold and raw.

Ashlyn said: "Each table had cheap plastic plates on with no cups of cutlery.

"There were four service carts for a few hundred people, they announced dinner and there was chaos of hundreds of people trying to get up to these silver platters.

"I noticed that the people who did bring food to the table didn't finish it.

"There was raw chicken and cold food. I didn't manage to get food myself - it had all run out."

She tried to leave around 9:30pm but her lift couldn't pick her up till midnight.

Ashly said: "There was a tonne of angry guests saying that the third floor was horrible and there was a pole dancer.

"There were quite a few 16/17 year olds there and it wasn't appropriate for them.

"I noticed a mass influx of people leaving by 9pm, people were heading across the road to go to the bar."

Ashlyn said the event was a "total disaster" and she feels cheated by the organizers.

She said: "I was embarrassed that I was so excited.

"With the amount of money I spent, I feel cheated and taken advantage of.

"It was a disaster, this was my birthday gift and it was ruined - another couple there were celebrating their wedding."

In a statement to WXYZ-TV, event organizers Uncle & Me LLC said: "We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our most recent event Sunday night at The Harmonie Club, and for that, we sincerely apologize.

"Our intention was to provide a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges affected the enjoyment of some guests. We take full responsibility and accountability for these shortcomings."

The company said it was working to address all concerns raised by guests, adding: "We are reviewing resolution options, which will be communicated shortly."