Securing a stool at Order of the Ace requires advance planning. Seating capacity remains low by design to prevent overcrowding. Bartenders take their time with each build; a five-ingredient cocktail with flame-expressed oils cannot be rushed for a standing crowd three rows deep. Peak hours on Friday and Saturday typically require booking table reservations several days to two weeks ahead through primary reservation portals.
The establishment maintains an explicit upscale dress code. Athletic wear, graphic tees, baseball caps, and distressed casual attire are turned away at the door. Collared shirts, tailored jackets, and evening wear dominate the room. Some visitors criticize strict door standards as anachronistic. For regular patrons, the dress guidelines preserve a vintage atmosphere rarely found in casual harbor pubs.
