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    Alchemist & Barrister

    3.0 (466 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Alchemist & Barrister Photos

    ALCHEMIST & BARRISTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Alchemist & Barrister

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    Blackened salmon sandwich - excellent on soft pita
    Karly K.

    Delicious food and nice portion sizes. Friendly and attentive staff in the "outdoor" bar area. Two separate rooms to hang out. All of the sandwiches and burgers are solid and made with quality ingredients. Place has daily specials--loved the corn beef spring rolls for St. Patty's season. A popular spot for the actual holiday too. Nice cocktails, but did not feel strong. Peyton's petals was a perfect spring drink; not sweet with a floral lightness. Also recommend the spicy margarita (not pictured)--very fresh pepper flavor and not overly hot. Other happy hour drink specials on weekdays til 6pm.

    Veggie burger and fries
    Yasasvi T.

    Friendly staff and nice open air seating. The burger was great, very filling and nice addition of jalapeños for some spice, however I wish there was some sort of dressing in the burger. The fries were also a bit too chunky for my liking. Overall good vibes!

    Alex C.

    What a nice find! Heard a lot of great things and did not disappoint. The food was so delicious. The pictures do it no justice. The onion rigs were so good, loved the batter it was made in. Drinks were on point The servers were awesome and attentive. We had some questions on the menu items and they were knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended this spot if you're in the area.

    Beer menu
    Rob B.

    Me and my gf/bff stopped in recently after heading to Triumph Brewery only to discover it wasn't opened yet due to construction. Boo! Anyways, this place was across the street and it was raining so we stopped in here to grab a beer hoping there would be something good on tap and some happy people to look at while enjoying one another's company :) We ordered: - Lakefront Hazy Rabbit Hazy IPA for me(Good) - Downeast Peach/Mango Cider for my gf/bff(Decent) Tbh: Bar vibes are always so different than brewery vibes. It's like you can feel the negative energy as soon you walk into these places. A lot of uptight people with those I'm better than you vibes, but I have a lot of problems so I need to come to places like this to unwind. lol. The location is cool and the place is nice, but the bartenders weren't that friendly or welcoming, yet I left them a nice tip. I doubt I'll ever come back here because it's just not my kind of place, but it's not horrible. 2.5 stars

    Vincenzo S.

    Went here for lunch on a holiday Monday. The food itself was great, but unfortunately there were more flies than people in the restaurant, which made it uncomfortable. We found ourselves eating quickly just to leave. Staff was polite, though it felt like they were just going through the motions.

    Fish and chips
    Kim F.

    We were in town for the Art festival. We thought there would be some food vendors, but I guess given that there are so many options in Princeton there wasn't! We walked around a bit and decided on the Alchemist & Barrister, as we hadn't been in years and it was a nice day out and they have one area that is inside but all open to the outside, which was perfect, since it was a little chilly and breezy. We were seated somewhat promptly but sat for an awfully long time before we were greeted. She took our drink order first, even though we were ready to place our food order. After placing the drink order, we waited another 10 or so minutes before getting them. Our server looked like the only one on tables, so I get that, but for a day that was going to have a lot of people in town, I would have had more servers on (there were a ton of runners running around). I ordered the Vault Sweet Potato Ale...I thought it was an odd time of year to have it on the menu, but it is one that I have had at Vault and love. We also ordered Fish and Chips. Our food and drink came out all at once. The fish was way overly battered and probably left in the fryer a little to long. The fries were decent. We were just so hungry at this point we didn't care. I finally took a sip of my beer, and it was so sour. Either it was the wrong beer or it just went bad. We didn't see our server so I just ended up not drinking it. The table next to us was waiting for the server to come over to get their bill to leave. By the time she came over that way, we were done and just ready to leave. It's a shame because we used to enjoy stopping here time to time.

    Jose P.

    Stopped in for lunch and had an enjoyable meal. The restaurant is located in the busy area of Palmer Square, has a large seating section, a 360° bar area, and plenty of televisions to enjoy that day's game(s). Our server, Victoria, was exceptional and made us comfortable, from start to finish. My Blackened Salmon Sandwich was SO GOOD! The panini bread was soft and I really enjoyed the lemon dill spread. The Mac & Cheese was exceptional and large enough to ask for a take-home container. We enjoyed our meal with cappuccinos and they were delightful. The perfect temperature and thoroughly enjoyed. If you're ever in the Princeton, Palmer Square area, stop into Alchemist & Barrister. You'll enjoy a good meal and will be treated very well.

    Victory Berry Monkey
    Carrie B.

    Here for (yep) early drinks after diner for breakfast. Great beer selection with my seasonal favorite sours. Bartenders are attentive and talked to us while we hung out.

    mediterranean caesar salad
    Nicole A.

    I enjoyed the caesar salad, but my friend who isn't a fan of Mediterranean toppings (olives, feta, tomatoes) didn't enjoy it as much. The food is good for a quick lunch stop in and service was quick. The place is a bit quiet during the day, I'm sure it's busier at night. The burger was more on the rare side, so be sure to specify if you like it a bit more well-done.

    Turkey Burger with Fries
    Leena S.

    Alchemist and Barrister offers a nice open space plan for dining and meeting up with friends. There is a newer more modern bar in the front of the restaurant (the side facing Witherspoon Street) and the classic style bar in the back. I've been here various times on different days and it always seems to be packed for a place I consider to have mediocre food. With that said, I recently found myself here for dinner. As has been my past experience, the food was a-ok. We both ordered burgers - The Tiger Burger and Turkey Burger. The burgers came with the option of either a salad or french fries. I went with the fries, but my husbands salad looked much better. One of the draws for A&B is its prime location, in the middle of downtown Princeton. Our server was also good on this particular Saturday.

    Guinness for St. Paddy's Day!!!
    Jeremiah H.

    Went for St. Patty's Day and it was great!!! Service was very pleasant, they had tap dancing, and the food and drinks were awesome!!!

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    11 days ago

    Always has great food and waiters are always sweet!! Overall absolutely amazing and I recommend coming!

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    1 month ago

    Great food, attentive service, in the heart of Princeton. Try the cheesesteak egg rolls and the AB nachos as an appetizer.

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    7 months ago

    Food is awesome. Great options for drinks. Seating both inside and outside. Staff are helpful and friendly.

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    1 year ago

    Waited to be seated for 40 minutes while multiple tables were available. Horrible service.

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    1 year ago

    Great menu and service! Friendly staff, large menu, and delicious cocktails. Fun atmosphere and always a busy spot.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Alchemist & Barrister

    We are going tonight for happy hour - any suggestions? tips? Paul

    Cold beer and the spring rolls!

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    Winberie's Restaurant & Bar - Roasted brussel sprouts  | #intenselypassionatephotography

    Winberie's Restaurant & Bar

    3.7(462 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I went here on a recommendation from a friend of mine after going to a nearby street fair. Located…read morein the heart of Palmer Square in Princeton, Winberries is in the heart of the most walkable area in town. The outside has a distinct brick facade while the interior features a homey wooden motif. The alcohol selection had a good variety to what was available and I partook in a local peach cider. For my meal, I had the Wagyu burger. It was delicious and flavorful. The burger was cooked just about medium-rare as ordered and it was overall quite good. The server was polite and friendly. Overall, it's a very good option in what is a very competitive area in terms of restaurant choices.

    Got a chicken pot pie, french onion soup, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Steak Fries and Pasta Bolognese…read more They have a huge ambiance, alot of table to sit. The staff is quick, our food came in 10minutes. French onion soup was the highlight, The mains were not very good, steak was a big disappointment it was burned and had a very bad after taste, rest of the mains were fine nothing great. On reporting to the staff that something was up with the steak they were considerate enough to not include it on the final bill. We even had dessert there which was yum. Place give a nice vibe but when the food doesn't match the standards it doesn't matter how nice the vibe was.

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    Winberie's Restaurant & Bar - Truffle fries with Parmesan| #intenselypassionatephotography

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    Winberie's Restaurant & Bar - The front of the building at night!

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    The front of the building at night!

    Yankee Doodle Tap Room - Sale time

    Yankee Doodle Tap Room

    2.8(304 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Located in the historic Nassau Inn, The Yankee Doodle Tap Room has been a mainstay in Princeton's…read morePalmer Square for over half a century. Menus of yesteryear and photos of noticeable Princeton University alumni adorn the walls, creating a unique Ivy League ambiance (5/5) you don't find elsewhere in town. Behind the bar, there is a Norman Rockwell mural (The Yankee Doodle Mural) that adds to the charm of the place. I went with the Caesar salad, Nassau burger, and truffle fries (all 3.5/5). They were all a slight notch above average, but also nothing memorable that jumped out at me to set the food apart from other similar Princeton eateries serving up pub fare. Service (4/5) was warm and friendly. Overall, this was a decent meal, but the unique ambiance is the star of the show here, as it's a place that I'd bring people visiting from out of town to get some college town vibes you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Princeton. I really enjoyed perusing the alumni photos on the wall, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Yankee Doodle Tap Room to others visiting Princeton looking for an eatery with decent atmosphere.

    This was not my first visit to the Yankee Doodle Taproom, as I have been previously on other trips…read moreup to Princeton for various events. This time, I was in town for the graduation weekend, and visited the taproom on Memorial Day. The location, concept, and atmosphere of this bar is really cool. It is located on the first floor of the historic Nassau Inn. There is an entire wall of framed pictures of Princeton's notable alumni, which is neat to look through as you are walking in. It is a bar, but there is table seating for smaller or larger groups in addition to the bar seating. All of the times I have visited this place have been in the evening after or during a large event for the university. Specifically this time, I was there the Monday evening before the graduation ceremony took place. There was only one bartender working this evening, and he was fulfilling orders for both the bar and the tables. I came to the bar a few times during the night, and it was backed up each time. I do not understand how there was only one person scheduled, as this was during a very busy weekend for the university. I do not have an expectation to be immediately waited on, but having to wait 20+ minutes each time you want a drink is slightly outrageous. Also, they did not honor who was there first and would simply serve whoever they felt like serving. This is not the first time I have had this bar experience here, either. I know things happen and it could have been a one-off, but being that I have experienced this on multiple visits, I suspect this is how it always is. The staff here is not very friendly, either. In a past visit, we were told we could not have a table unless we were ordering food, when the restaurant was not even full. I have never been wowed or impressed with any kind of service I have received here. I want to like this place for the character and charm, but the service is severely lacking. If you are going to stop, I would do so during the day to avoid long, unnecessary waiting.

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    Yankee Doodle Tap Room - Interior

    Interior

    Yankee Doodle Tap Room - 2021 winner

    2021 winner

    Yankee Doodle Tap Room - Interior

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    The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Chicken Bao

    The Dinky Bar & Kitchen

    3.9(282 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Went there for the very first time. It was mid afternoon and the place was pretty busy. We ordered…read morethe food and sat on the outside since I did have my two little fur friends with me. It was nice eating on the outside, but it was a little chilly since it was still winter time can't wait to go during the summer and sit outside. Overall the experience was good and the food was very peaceful and seasoned quite well.

    If you're looking for a place located right on the campus of Princeton University then you should…read moretry Dinky's Bar and Kitchen. They have a wide range of wonderful Signature Cocktails using seasonal ingredients,,Mock Cocktails, Curated Wine list by the Glass or Bottle and Craft Beers on Tap and in Bottles. Dinky's Bar is located in the historic 1918 train station, featuring train station-themed, signature cocktails and locomotive themes to pay homage to the building's heritage. Dinky's has a Happy Hour: it's from 3 PM to 5 PM (Sunday - Thursday) and "Happier Hours" from 10 PM to close... Dinky's offers a Seasonal Menu of Small Plates, Burgers, Flatbreads, Limited Sushi, Pizza, Soup, and more. Everything is locally sourced. The also serve a limited Brunch. The vibe is fun and fits right in with the area.. It's located right on Princeton University and is walking distance to The Art Museum. This quaint restaurant has an outdoor patio with seating, and some tables and high tops inside with a full bar. and their menu is simple and delicious. Dinky's doesn't take reservations. They only accept walk-ins. We had a fun server named Conner. He made great suggestions, especially for cocktails and food choices. We both started with their Pear Paloma-tequila, pear, cardamom, lime, grapefruit soda. It was refreshing and good. It was the perfect drink to try. We were looking to get a quick bite just to tie us over. This place came recommended by a close friend. We ordered a few appetizers. Spicy Tuna Roll- tuna, spicy mayo, masago, scallion, sambal, eel sauce, sesame seeds add avocado + $1, add pickled mango + $1 I chose the mango for a twist. It was fresh and delicious. We also ordered a California Roll- kani, cucumber, avocado, nori, sushi rice, sesame seeds. You can add pickled mango + $1 or avocado for + $1. We added the mango for a twist. It was very good. Next time I come I want to try their Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bao Buns-sriracha slaw, house made pickled cucumber, micro cilantro, asian glaze. It looked so good. There was a couple sharing our high top and they ordered several orders of these and they told us it's a must try. I would've ordered more food, but we were going to another place and I didn't want to fill up. The staff is very nice here all very friendly and welcoming. There's no children's menu. This place is a bit small so I don't recommend it for young children and it would be difficult for handicapped unless you're able to get a table outside. We will definitely be back.

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    The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Dinky's Bar Area

    Dinky's Bar Area

    The Dinky Bar & Kitchen - Heirloom tomato abd burrata flatbread

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    Tommy’s Tavern Tap - Spicy  tuna roll

    Tommy’s Tavern Tap

    3.9(215 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I've been to several other Tommy's locations but never been to the Princeton one. It was easy to…read morefind but you have to search around for parking. We were a party of 4 adults and one child. The wait was only 20 minutes which wasn't bad considering it was super busy and we didn't have a reservation. The staff was very accommodating since we had a baby who needed a little booster chair. For appetizers we had the hot honey chicken bites and the spinach artichoke dip. It came out pretty fast considering how busy it was and of course it was delicious! Surprising the hot honey chicken was pretty spicy which was unexpected but it was good. For main we got the Donatello white pizza and I got the Bacon Swiss burger. The Donatello pizza was really good but the balsamic was a little too heavy I felt like I could only taste the balsamic and nothing else. The burger was really good it wasn't dry at all. The portion was really big I actually had to pack the other half for lunch the next day! Since my birthday was coming up we told our waiter and with our lava cake dessert we got some ice cream and a little candle which was a sweet surprise. Overall this was a great meal and overall experience. Since it was a Thursday night it was very packed and loud inside. I would probably come back on a different day during the week but def would come back.

    Came by during happy hour on a Monday and was blessed by having Emily as my bartender. She was…read morequick, pleasant and was able to carry a conversation. She recommended me a few drink options based on what I mentioned I liked and I ended up trying both the spicy mango margarita and the strawberry Coconut margarita. Both I would recommend.

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    Tommy’s Tavern Tap
    Tommy’s Tavern Tap - Tempura roll

    Tempura roll

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    Witherspoon Grill - Creamed spinach and Fries

    Witherspoon Grill

    3.8(652 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    When we are in the area this is our go to date night spot. We typically order the same thing but…read morelast night my bf switched from the ribeye to the strip steak. We are bar people so we sit there if it's just the 2 of us. Jackie the bartender is absolutely amazing! She makes a delicious dirty martini (and all drinks) Over the winter I did dry January and she made me a fun mocktail which was very nice of her! The filet is perfectly tender and the bernaise sauce is the best I've had out. Has a nice lemon tone, which I love the brightness of the acidity. The fries are like McDonald's but a step up, and creamed spinach is also a favorite. It is heavier on the cream and cheese side which we enjoy! This time around we did not get dessert but the Witherspoon Sundae is a MUST I also love the oyster sampler app which is nice to try different varieties!

    Pros: We loved the open concept and the natural light…read morepouring in through the windows--being on the corner really adds to the bright, inviting atmosphere. We started with cosmos, which were good (though not quite perfect). I ordered the turkey BLT, served with homemade potato chips that honestly stole the show. Our server, Noel, was attentive and thoughtful, even surprising us with complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. Cons: The Witherspoon Burger was ordered medium to medium-well but came out fully well done. It still had good flavor, but the doneness was off. The fries were underwhelming and nothing particularly memorable. We also ordered the toasted pound cake with strawberries and cream--while the toasted outer layer was delicious, the rest of the cake didn't quite live up to it, and we ended up leaving much of it uneaten. Overall: Between the lovely ambiance, great service, and solid food, we'd still consider coming back--though there's a bit of room for improvement when it comes to consistency.

    Photos
    Witherspoon Grill - Cozy atmosphere

    Cozy atmosphere

    Witherspoon Grill - Strip Steak with bernaise sauce

    Strip Steak with bernaise sauce

    Witherspoon Grill - Dirty martini and French Chardonnay

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    Dirty martini and French Chardonnay

    Alchemist & Barrister - pubs - Updated May 2026

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