We've been going to RL for about 20 years and have noticed subtle changes since change of ownership but this is a new one.
Last eve 4 of us went arriving before the crowd at 5 pm.
The place looked like a furniture store with less than half the tables occupied.
The girl at the desk told us we would have to wait 10 or 15 minutes before we could get a seat as all the wait staff was busy.
It seemed very odd since we could plainly see this was not true.
A couple came in after us and was told the same thing so they went to the bar and ordered drinks.
It then dawned on me that this is their new scam by telling people they'd have to wait and directing them to the bar to sell them drinks.
After 10 minutes of seeing this, we told the girl at the desk we were leaving.
She then told us that our table was now ready but we declined and left.
It felt like an insult to our intelligence and we decided never to return.