This was my second time at Bar Bantam and I think this place is going to be my go-to spot for a "quick drink and catch up" with friends. The location is really nice with the bar situated on the first floor of Metropolitan building in the heart of downtown. The first time I came to this bar, I really didn't know what I wanted to drink except that I was craving a really sweet cocktail, so the bartender offered to make something off the menu. I was really pleased with the drink he came up with - a sweet cocktail with alcohol that you can barely taste, but you notice its effects after a couple of minutes. :D The second time I came to Bar Bantam, I decided to get something from the menu, so I ordered Summer Fringe. Again, a really sweet and strong cocktail. Because of the current regulations, we had to order some food to be served alcoholic beverages. Neither my friend or I were hungry so the bartender was kind to suggest a really small appetizer (a plate of sautéed snap peas) which cost $4. There was a plenty of it for two people and it was a tasty thing to snack on while catching up. I look forward to coming back! read more

Bar Bantam - Bar Bantam - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

The food and cocktails were really good. The only issue was the service. We went for a birthday party of 15 people and after ordering food and drinks no one checked on us at all. No one ever came back to ask if we wanted more food or drinks or even to get dessert and sing happy birthday. We had to find someone to bring us the check because we had been waiting for a while after we got done eating for someone to come ask if we needed anything. Great location and vibe the service was just not the best. read more

Went here for lunch and it was just okay. I got the Feel Good wrap to go, so didn't know until I got back to the office that it was missing a key ingredient - the pickled onions. The wrap was pretty bland without them. I would give this place another try, but would get something else and check my food before leaving the restaurant next time. read more

Bar Bantam - Feel Good wrap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Great simple menu done well. Fresh, whole ingredients prepped well and cooked properly. Sounds like the basics but really results in a great fresh meal. No sad limp shredded lettuce. The salmon burger had dill blended throughout as well as in the sauce (it seemed), which brought a great unique flavor. Crisp fresh vegetables complemented the soft burger. The chicken in the bantam wrap was well-cooked. Fries were the perfect kind everyone loves, and chips had a great homemade crunch and texture to them. Check out the menu before you go, if you're looking for this kind of food, you will enjoy it. Service was kind. Plenty of parking right out front when not visiting during a rush. read more

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Went here for a work Christmas party and everything was great. Family style meal was flavorful and our service was excellent.

I ordered Bar Bantam for pickup via GrubHub and had a great experience. The food was ready right at the scheduled time and everything was delicious. I ordered the Korean Arancini, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Crispy Potatoes. I was most excited to try the arancini. I'm Korean and I also love Italian food, so I thought they'd be a great fusion mix, and they were. The outside was perfectly crispy with lots of rice inside. The outside was drizzled with gochujang (korean red pepper hot sauce) and green onions and also came with a modern take on oi (cucumber) kimchi and a fried egg. I loved the flavors and appreciate that they actually used gochujang, a traditional korean sauce, instead of sriracha. I do wish there was more of it though, and maybe some mixed inside with the rice. The chicken sandwich was also fantastic. Perfectly fried and juicy inside. I really liked the house dill relish. It gave a nice flavor complement to the hot sauce. The crispy potatoes were also great, the sando came with a small side but I also ordered the small plate version because they came with aioli. They're cut fingerling potatoes and were a good level of crispy. I loved everything I ordered and I will certainly be visiting again! read more

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Stopped in for a drink, they had multiple cocktail options (most around $15) as well as beers and wine. Food menu had a decent selection. The servers were friendly but service was slow. We went on a weeknight and it was very quiet, only a couple tables of people. They have both tables and casual lounge seating as well as seating at the bar. read more

Made a stop into Bar Bantam for Rochester Cocktail Revival after a long stretch of time without a visit - very foolish on my part! I was reminded of all the reasons why Bar Bantam is so awesome: the friendliest staff, a curated (un-overwhelming) drink menu, and fresh/delicious/healthy comfort foods. This is all in addition to the gorgeous space, which boasts one of the most unique bar/kitchen setups in town. Given the wide variety of menus and the fact that it is open all day, Bar Bantam can really be a catch all for whatever purpose you need. Meeting over coffee, pre-festival dinner date, remote work session (hellllllo full pot of french press coffee!), or happy hour networking. The heart of DT location makes it workable for most people, and there is always ample street parking during the day that I tend to utilize as opposed to the garage. Although garage parking is free after 5pm Weds - Sat. I am so thrilled we have a spot like Bar Bantam that is thriving in the heart of Midtown. Having such a wonderful space is a huge part of the reason that the building itself is gaining such awesome corporate residents, and will keep folks downtown for a long time to come. read more

Bar Bantam - Aperol Spritz at the bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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A friend suggested here mainly because of the chick n out pop-up cuz I know she usually doesn't go to a place like this: more trendy, kinda fancy, business-y, etc. FYI this review is about Bar Bantam, not the chicken. I went into this building once a few years back. It's a cool building by the appearance. Bar Bantam is located on the left hand side. I like how bright and open the space is. There are seats on the patio with umbrellas. But it was a muggy day so we stayed inside. It's a Thursday around 6 pm and there weren't many people there - mostly, people come for the chicken popup. I think they used to serve food but they were not doing that at the moment. The bar looks well-stocked. And we got our drinks right away. The bartender was friendly. I got a Paloma-type of drink but with some fine tweaks, including a very smoky tequila. I usually opt for refreshing lightly flavored drinks and I enjoyed it. My friend got a banana-y drink and had two. Price-wise, around 10 bucks is pretty standard to me. The only thing I want to point out is the chairs. Their arms are extremely low and the seat is pretty deep. It wasn't that comfortable. I'll have to sit at the bar or outside next time. read more

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I have been meaning to stop in here again, but I haven't been able to, so I'm posting this review now and will update it if I go back. I was surprised to see how nice this is inside. It was much nicer than I was expecting, and they have a very nice bar area. I was the only person at the bar when I was there. I got a White Ferrari, which is on their drink menu. I really didn't like this drink, and to me, it didn't taste like anything the menu listed was in it. I'm not sure if it was made incorrectly or I just didn't like it, but I wouldn't get it again. If I go back, I'd get a spritz or just a typical bar drink, like a martini or something. They have a limited food menu for lunch, which is one reason I haven't made my way back over yet. It's so nice inside, that I'd like to try lunch there sometime though. They also have an outdoor patio if you're coming when it's warm outside. read more

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Perfect venue for an engagement party. Servers were the absolute greatest providing top quality drinks and had the best time! 10/10 service and atmosphere. read more

They have a limited menu, but nice atmosphere and located in the lobby of a former major bank. Cool mid-century vibe to it. Parking can be tricky, but free after 6pm. read more

After hearing so many good things about the cocktails and food here, my wife and I decided to order takeout. Obviously the pandemic prevents us from having the full indoor dining experience here, but that did not make the food any less enjoyable. So. Good. The Korean arancini balls were a must from what we heard and they did not disappoint. The maple bourbon boneless wings were also delectable, especially with the dipping sauce. The pork lettuce wraps were also phenomenal. The pork was more salty than I expected, but that did not make it bad by any means. We will definitely be ordering from here again, and hopefully eating here in person when this COVID-19 business is over read more

Bar Bantam - Maple bourbon boneless wings, Korean arancini balls, Pork Bibb lettuce wraps - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Unique spot located in the heart of downtown. Went on a Thursday night when they had a pop-up shop of Chick-n-out and holy smokes the food was delicious. Got chicken tenders and loaded garlic fries. You MUST get the awesome sauce. Location was cool and the drinks were decent, just thought the prices were a bit much for what you got. The cocktails were about 12 dollars a piece and were smaller than your average bar. Again, cool location but the only thing keeping me from giving this place 5 stars is the prices. Definitely recommend for a hip trendy spot on a night out. read more

Bar Bantam - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Bar Bantam is an excellent lunch spot in the heart of downtown Rochester. You will find Bar Bantom in the atrium of the Chase tower downtown. Bar Bantam offered friendly service and delicious lunch food at a reasonable price. Sandwich dishes were $7. For lunch I enjoyed the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and split an avocado toast (hilariously called the "Millennial Mortgage") with my dining partner. To me, the mark of a good sandwich is in the bread. And for these two dishes, the bread was a 10/10. The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich bread was fluffy and chewy like a proper brioche bun, while the avocado toast was served on a single thick cut slice of dense and chewy nut bread that had hints of pumpernickel. I could go into further detail about these sandwiches, but will stop here. They were simply well put together. On a chilly autumn day, it was lovely to pair these dishes with a ginger lemon tea, recommended by the server. If I lived in town this would be a regular lunch spot. 5/5 for a flawless lunch I'd recommend to everyone. read more

Bar Bantam - Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Waited 20 minutes before receiving our cocktails. Waited even longer to order food and the delivery of them. It wouldn't have mattered but we mentioned we had to be at a concert. Disappointing...service, food was not on par with their sister restaurant Good Luck and parking was a. Bit difficult. Cocktails were good! I doubt we'd be back at all, as all four of us were disappointed. read more

Bar Bantam - Entry to Bar Bantam - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I've been wanting to try Bar Bantam for awhile and just never find myself downtown! I went after Midtown Eats to take advantage of a drink offer for Yelp Elites. The drink menu is creative and extensive. There are some nights where I want to be extra pretentious and drink things made of ingredients I've never heard of. I don't remember what I ordered, but I remember it was good. For my entree I ordered the hangar steak which came plated with a smoked yogurt, asparagus, leeks, and marble potatoes. The steak was perfectly cooked at the medium rare I asked for. Although the dish was good, it was slightly room temperature and needed a sprinkling of salt to enhance the flavor. We followed up our dinner with drinks on their patio and had a great night surrounded by downtown scenery. Overall, Bar Bantam has a super creative menu and a fun vibe perfect for a girl's night out or date night. read more

Bar Bantam - Hangar Steak - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Fun date night location with a neat view of the city. Staff was friendly & chick'n out pop up is delicious! read more

Bar Bantam - aperol spritz - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I have had several meals here and all have been perfect!! From the Breakfast Sandwiches to the Goat cheese toast to the Salmon entree'...all very well done. So yummy!! The atmosphere feels very big city metro like a nyc restaurant. The staf is super cool friendly and easy to talk to. A++ read more

Bar Bantam - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Stopped in here last night for a drink after dinner. Such a unique spot as it's located in the metropolitan building and you wouldn't expect it! This time of year the building is lit up entirely green on the outside, which was festive! It was early, maybe around 6:30-7pm so it was very quiet at the bar, which my boyfriend and I appreciated to allow us to talk to each other while there. There were two bartenders working who were very conversational and answered all of our questions about the drinks! We landed on the MORENITA for him (he loved it), and LAKE EFFECT for me (loved it too). You could tell the bartenders truly care about making cocktails and elevating the experience in whatever way is possible for the customer. We'd definitely stop back in for another drink! read more

This chic little spot opened up recently, and I got to experience it with another fellow Yelp homie for a little lunch date. Parking was harder to find, so we opted for the garage near the library. We bellied up to the bar, but if it was a smidge cooler, they have a really nice patio space. I would really recommend Bar Bantam for a Happy Hour, because it is smack dab in the city and has that "post meeting, I need a bevvy and a snack" flair. Not to put it in the happy hour box, they seem to have a knack for the coffee movement with an array of breakfast nibbles. Bantam gets their baked goods from our very own Village Bakery. Also, they do a lot of to go orders. I enjoyed the Disco Bowl: quinoa, brown rice, black beans, radish, pickled jalapenos, onion, tortilla strips, and baja sauce (per the menu). The textures went well together, and I almost couldn't finish it because it was pretty filling. You can add meat/eggs/avocado for an upcharge, but I honestly didn't even need to. The beer I had probably helped me fill up too :P $4 for a midday Urquell Pilsner is fair. The bartender made a fun cocktail for my friend with ginger beer in it, and I would be curious to come back for some fancier drinks in the future. read more

Bar Bantam - Disco Bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Ordered my first Togo from there today. Food was excellent! Was able to order and pick up quickly. Staff was so warm and friendly. Can't wait to come back. read more

Definitely one of my favorite bars in Rochester now, this place embodies the new school approach but with serious flair and grandiosity that is lacking in much of the rest of contemporary downtown nightlife. When I visited, it was a Friday night and I visited to hear an acquaintance DJ, which was fantastic by the way. The people at the bar were animated by the space, the music and the ambience. Aesthetically, this place is insane and the way the seating, views of the lobby, outdoor space and everything work together is truly transformative. It nicely represents the vestiges of old 90s corporate Rochester (the lobby of the old Chase Building) being liberated from their privatized and wack function in order to serve a new generation as a more public yet still attractive and desirable space. I enjoyed both the "Yes Way" cocktail (local gin, campari, dry vermouth, rosé syrup and soda) and the Sake Awa Yuki from Hatkutsuru, a sparkling bottled sake that was served cold and tasted incredibly sweet. It was like a better version of a cider, honestly. I'm not sure if I've ever enjoyed a bottled alcoholic beverage more, as hyperbolic as that sounds, and the bartenders were friendly and willing to talk about the drinks, so all that puts Bar Bantam really high up there in my ranking. Honestly, I would be hard-pressed to name any Rochester establishments I am more into than Bar Bantam. The only competition it has in my view is Good Luck (same co-founder), and maybe Locals Only and Red Fern but from very different perspectives, as far as being the place with the "it" factor in town. I think Bar Bantam really has what it takes to go the distance as a place that really takes Rochester's new wave of culture to the next level, from the curation to the space to the location to the fantastic menu. I am already looking forward to going for lunch tomorrow. My only complaint (having not had dinner there, but just seeing the menu) is that the dinner menu is substantially less accommodating to gluten-free and vegan diets (such as my own) than the lunch menu is. read more

Honestly, I am here way too often during the work week. My regular is the lunch Disco Bowl ($7) which is made up of brown rice & quinoa, black beans, sliced radish, pickled jalapeno & red onion, tortilla chips and baja sauce & cilantro. To that I add fried tofu (+$3) and avocado (+$2). The avocado is more of a spread than solid cubes or slices. This is kind of expensive for lunch downtown with all the seasonal options. But I do splurge because of the farm to table approach and how yummy it all tastes. Their breakfast sammies are comparable to Village Bakery...but not because they use their bread rolls. Same for their lunch options. Although I prefer DiPisa's turkey and bacon over Bar Bantam's Catalan Club. My boss loves the Cousin Vinny so maybe I will try that someday. But it will be hard to break the Disco Bowl habit. read more

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Limited menu and underwhelming taste. Pork sandwich was very salty and the rice/quinoa bowl was very basic for the price.

Thank you Bar Bantam for coming to Midtown! In the lobby of the Metropolitan building, Bar Bantam brings class and fast fresh food to the business district as well as drinks for after work. I stopped down with several co-workers right around 12:00 on a week day. There was a decent sized line but it moved very quickly. I am dieting and was able to get a healthy veggie bowl with tofu for $10 and it came out quickly. My co-workers had sandwiches on huge crusty rolls. One of the side choices is a giant triangle hash brown that my colleague really enjoyed. We had five lunches, ate them and were back to work in 45 minutes. The bar area and the surroundings are beautiful. Some of the tables sit in the main lobby area which is a bit open and sparse for my taste but we found a table near the bar that was very cozy. I'm headed to Bar Bantam for cocktails very soon and will update after, I was checking the whiskey selection and am excited to see what this all star restaurant team has to offer! read more

Bar Bantam - Okale bowl with sauce on the side. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I adore the location and the space and the light and outdoor eating. The lunch fare was also quite good, reasonable, decent portions and a wide variety. I'm stoked that dinner is now an option. The Catalan club and Beastn' cheddar were both well made, great Village Bakery bread to boot. The hummus was smooth and the plate chuck full o veg for dipping. read more

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Awesome little spot for lunch downtown! They also seemed to have an extensive bottle collection for a good happy hour, too. I tried their club sandwich and the bread was insane! Crispy outside but super fluffy inside made it simple to squish down to take a decent bite out of it. Fresh turkey, bacon, caramelized onions, Baja sauce, gooey gouda cheese and a small arugula salad was really filling. The OKale Player salad and Grains Pacific bowl was enjoyed by my colleagues and both were just as impressed with their food as I was with mine. Check it out & keep Bar Bantum busy! We are lucky to have a place like this in such a great location for downtown workers like me! read more

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Light, bright, and fresh flavors! A fulfilling lunch spot that won't put you into a food coma for the rest of the day. My colleague and I went to Bar Bantam for a workday lunch. Nestled in the atrium of the Chase building, the big open windows and high ceilings make the place fill with natural light. You order at the bar, take your number, and then take a seat at one of their tables. When your food is ready they bring it right out to your table for you to enjoy. I ordered the Al Broccoli Bowl with chicken. The bowl was fresh and bright with a great balance of flavors. The golden raisins added bursts of sweetness and the puffed quinoa added a crunchy textural element. It was all brought together with the ginger vinaigrette. Personally I could have done with a little less of the vinaigrette, but the bowl was still delicious. I washed down my order with their fresh brewed unsweetened iced tea, a perfect compliment to a flavorful meal. I'm excited to go back to Bar Bantam and try out more things on their menu. read more

Bar Bantam - Al Broccoli Bowl with additional chicken - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I came here for the first time recently and I was so impressed! This bar aesthetic is beautiful and honestly makes you feel like you are in a larger city such as NYC. The cocktails were amazing and are reasonably priced, ranging from $8-10. They have a really nice outdoor patio right out front of the metropolitan building. There's about 8 parking spots out front, or you can park on the street. They also had a delicious food and dessert menu - my friend ordered the calamari and raved about it. I will definitely be returning, maybe for dinner as well next time. Excellent drinks and food at good prices for the atmosphere! read more

My boyfriend and I desperately needed breakfast while in town for a wedding. Our hotel had already stopped serving by the time we got down there so we popped a block over to this bar. It was dead around 11 AM on a Friday - located in the lobby of a commercial building. (There was some sort of fire drill or something as we finished our meal and people came streaming out - but up to that point it was silent.) The sandwiches we got were fine. I wished the bread on mine were less firm or dense, preferring a more brioche-style for my breakfast sandwiches. But the bacon was abundant, the egg cooked well, and the harissa and grilled onions a nice compliment to both. read more

Bar Bantam - breakfast sandwich with harissa, grilled onions and arugula. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Bartender took order & then decided to make and take shots and left the original customer waiting for over 20 minutes. Spoke with the manager Austin who decided to ridicule & dismiss the situation. As a former bartender, this service was embarrassing at best, lacking of minimal effort at worst. Do yourself a favor & go somewhere that cares about their customers... even the littlest bit. I was embarrassed for them at the level of service that was offered. read more

Conveniently located close to our hotel - this place is pretty chill to enjoy quick, but leisurely breakfast on the way to the Strong Museum. I do recommend their breakfast sandwiches and their "Millennial Mortgage" for a satisfying breakfast. I especially love the bread they have chosen to pair their breakfast sandwiches with. My LO devoured their classic breakfast sandwich with sausage, along with their pain au chocolat. Service is friendly and accommodating. I, also, like the fact that they source their products from local businesses in the area. Their breads are from a local bakery/cafe chain called The Village bakery and cafe. The set up is bright and friendly since it is located on the main floor of a business building. When we went for breakfast - it was very quiet, but it was, also, during the Christmas Break. I would suggest if you are with a group that requires caffeine to function; grab a pot of their French Press; it is more cost effective. read more

Amazing and innovative food every time I eat here! Lots of vegan and vegetarian options as well.

I love this place! The bartender was so nice and made my friends and I special custom drinks. I did get their friend calamari and they were soo delicious. The location of the bar is nice and has a nice vibe. read more

Bar Bantam - Crispy Calamari - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I typically don't go through the effort to write a review, so this is surprising me that I'm even writing this. I just enjoy the home-made ginger ice cream. I felt like a was eating "luxury". That is the word that describes every delicious bite. I love Ice cream, but I never tasted anything so decadent. read more

I spent a Wednesday night here with a co-worker for Eat Up Roc. We got delicious spritzers and split two appetizers. We prdered the goat cheese bread and lettuce wraps. The bread was amazing. So much flavor and beautifully plated. The lettuce wraps were so juicy! Sometimes you get lettuce wraps that are too dry but I prefer letting juicy drip everywhere. I told my fiancé about this restaurant and it is on our date night list for sure. read more

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What a wonderful experience in downtown Rochester. The staff was wonderful, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was sheik. Great that they support local farmers. Thank you. read more

Well, well I was in the area and finally stopped in.. you should too. Just a word to you all.. you order, get a number and a seat and they bring it to you. This is inside of The Metropolitan Building (they have outdoor seating) the inside where the restaurant is; is shared with the buildings large entrance/atrium. It's light, white and bright. This concept is brought to you from the group behind Good Luck, Cure, Radio Social and the like. Staff is friendly and unobtrusive. They have a large stocked bar, honestly I'd come here to have a cocktail or two if someone asked. You should too.. they seem to be known for their breakfast sandwiches and the like I can't say anything about that. I will have to try on another trip. I came for lunch around 1:30 or so. I ordered the New Bird Chicken Sandwich, On Local bread with a sweet heat from honey and a chili glaze. It had sautéed kale and fried onion on it.. tasty my only criticism on this was the huge dollop of bitter green salad on the plate (see photo) since the greens were of an odd shape it was kind of hard to eat them without looking like a heathen. Also I think it had a vinaigrette on it? Than I got the Crispy Potato Rosti that was well done and I enjoyed that with the greed goddess like creama on it. I than got an iced tea.. maybe I should have gotten a Negroni but that's on me... my lunch was not inexpensive my sandwich, drink and side were $16. Was it worth it yes and no.. I wanted to try this place, the food is good, but maybe I need another visit during dinner/cocktail hour. Give them a shot you can post cool photos to your Insta! They have street parking, or take you an Uber. It's modern and cool. Cheers! read more

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We went at night for cocktails. Nice atmosphere. More upscale than a bar or club. It is located in the lobby of a large office building. good mix of different types of drinks. Not a huge bar selection though. I would go again if i was in the area but its not worth a trip on its own. read more