1. Bar Underdog

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Palo Alto, CA

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Bar Underdog

4.3 (60 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

Bar Underdog Photos

Business Info

BAR UNDERDOG ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Upscale
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Bar Underdog

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HH drink
Judy M.

Bar Underdog is first come first serve, they don't take reservations. Lots of seats at the u shaped bar, but can also get pretty packed. We tried to get here before the end of happy hour which is kinda early, at 5:30pm. Drinks are interesting and different, everything on the menu from the bites to drinks have a little Japanese fusion or influence going on. We pretty much tried every small plate on the menu. Most of it was delicious, a couple were just meh (katsu was not anything special, not was the duck meatball). Other than that, and over all, would highly recommend this spot in general. Btw the bar is from the same proprietor as the restaurant Protégé (across the street). Fun little bar for some music and drinks, they even have a disco ball.

No34
Meltem O.

Loved the cocktails ,they were seriously amazing and definitely strong in the best way. We tried the Pickle Juice and the No34, and No34 was my favorite. The mochiko chicken was sooo good, just wish the portion was a little bigger. The tables are extremely close together, to the point where it almost feels like you're sitting with the people next to you But honestly, if they spaced them out more, there would barely be any seating and the wait would probably be much longer. We were able to sit without waiting, so I get it. Overall, really enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back!

Tostones, Shrimp Things, Tuna Hand Rolls
Wendi K.

This is a stylish and buzzing bar near downtown Palo Alto that plays cool tunes. Drinks - Pickle Juice & Has Been ($18) Snacks - These were all A+ and nice light bites to pair with the drinks. Tuna Hand Rolls ($18) Tostones ($9?) Shrimp Skewer Things (I can't find them on the menu anymore) We came around 7 pm and closed the place down! The drinks are excellent/craft and bites are high quality, unique and yummy! The staff are cool and attentive :)

Joseph Y.

was at the Taiwan hub event last night and after the event, a group of us stopped by downstairs at Bar Underdog. always tough serving a last minute group of people outside with people coming and going, so i appreciate the two servers that tool care of our table as well as the courtesy tasting of the kombucha type drink. the happy hour bites worked, especially at the later hours on a Thursday

Number 34 and CPR
Neeta M.

This place was buzzing - awesome vibe - people come coming to hang out - maybe grab a small bite. We only had the cookie, which was warmed to perfection. The cocktails were out of this world! The ingredients just worked! We were 8 friends and tried almost all the cocktails. The staff seemed like there weren't enough of them - it was hard to make eye contact and get the menu for our round 2 of orders. But despite all that chaos and noise, they were managing the priorities and tables for the guests. There was an owner / supervisor that was around as well. Small and cozy place - noisy, as it's a bar - so don't go if you want to have a deep conversation:) but go if you want to try some unique cocktails. My fav were, number 34, has been, xxx and CPR.

Maddie W.

This spot is lovely and the drinks are solid. Only downside is there's no reservations so expect to wait in line to get seated. The servers are more hands off so we were a little confused at first. It'd be more helpful if they checked in more, especially if the line is decently long. The drinks are super unique and phenomenal. You can taste each flavor one after another, and the after taste is clean. We will definitely be back to try more drinks! Servers are very attentive with constant water refills and just pleasant overall. You may want to come earlier on the weekend!

Tequila HI-Ball
Sohrob H.

Decent spot that works out for after work drinks or casual spot before going out for dinner. The service was good throughout our visit, attentive staff. They have creative drinks on the menu, though the pricing is a bit of a mixed bag as some are overpriced and some are good value imo. Definitely worth a look for happy hour.

Cocktails, tuna tartare, off menu salt and pepper tostones
Veronica L.

New hidden treasure of a speakeasy bar with tasty food bites in Palo Alto on the corner of California and Birch. Food: fave were the wood ear mushrooms with burrata followed by the tuna tartare and amberjack tostada. The wood ear mushrooms were really bright and refreshing with the Meyer lemon and cilantro- unexpected combo that works well. Love the crispy balls and citrus in the tartare. Just the right balance of citrus with cream. The mochiko chicken was fresh and tasty with the lime wedge and spicy kewpie mayo. Spirit free Alibi and Salty & Sober were both very refreshing and unique. Cocktails: No. 34 was a favorite as well as off menu Lychee Citrus cocktail (Angela's special). If you like tequila, Not Your Grandmother's is your cocktail. The XXX with champagne pearls is a unique drink - like boba but champagne! Very cool bar with great music. Sophia was a very attentive server. Fabulous place for a date or drinks and some small bites with friends or colleagues. Two unisex bathrooms that were clean is a plus!

Matcha Brownie and Chilly Wonka
Elie M.

Big city vibes in a Palo Alto setting. Such a great bar to visit for a night cap. It's actually feels like less of a bar and more of a speakeasy or cocktail lounge. The service is always on point and makes potent drinks. Shoutout to Jordan who makes great drinks and is always composed under pressure. The atmosphere is great for dates, small group of friends, social events, and team gatherings. You cannot go wrong here. This is truly the best addition to Palo Alto in a while. No need to go to SF or SJ anymore because these guys have brought such a great atmosphere, drink quality, and world class staff to your backyard.

Lisa N.

Note: I believe the menu has changed since my last visit. Stopped by Bar Underdog for a quick drink and was recommended their take on a martini from the "Traditional" section. It came out quickly, crisp, and as cold as it gets. I also tried a shrimp dish from the "Steamed" section, and it was delicious. Their chicken was also larger than I expected, making it a good bang for your buck, especially if you plan on grabbing a few drinks. Excited to come back and try more of their cocktails!

Dark Chocolate Pudding/ Hojicha
Kerry R.

From the outside, the place is a bit underwhelming, almost mysterious, and you can't quite tell if it's an old bank or a shuttered corporate building. But step inside, and it turns out to be a surprisingly vibey little spot. We stopped in on a Friday evening and we're sat immediately at a cozy two top next to the bar. Our server was incredibly friendly, drinks were delicious. My fiancée enjoyed the menu and variety of offerings. I had a delicious spirit-free cocktail called the alibi and we ended our evening by sharing a dark chocolate pudding/hojicha. We both wished the hojicha flavor came through a bit more. Overall a wonderful experience.

I've been to this bar twice. The first time, we were seated at a table, and the drinks and service were on point, so we decided to come back. Yesterday, however, all the tables were full, so we walked up to the bar since there was a chair available at the end. I sat down, and my boyfriend stood next to me because there was plenty of space for another person to sit. We noticed there was an empty chair nearby and asked if we could move it next to me. The bartender said no, which was fine. A little later, the bartender placed a cocktail directly in front of me. I assumed it was my drink and picked it up. A blonde woman then yelled at me, saying that I had taken another customer's drink. Apparently, that area was the pickup area for completed drinks, and they also didn't want us moving the chair because it would interfere with that area. She claimed that I moved my chair, and BTW I didn't move the chair to save a space for my bf. She did not do her job well keeping the area clean and tidy. But how are customers supposed to know how your bar operates if none of this is clearly communicated? There was no sign or explanation indicating that the area was a pickup zone. Instead of yelling at a customer for an honest mistake, the bartender could have simply explained it politely. The experience was completely different from my first visit, and unfortunately, the service this time left a very bad impression. We won't visit anymore.

Has Been
Jonah B.

Fun drinks and great vibes. We didn't get any food but they had some good looking dishes pass by so we'll need to come back to try them out! The decor really leans into the underdog theme and the servers were great. We look forward to coming back!

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29 days ago

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3 months ago

Overcrowded, overpriced, and overrated. A gin and tonic with one cucumber slice was charged as a "specialty drink."

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Love this place. Intimate atmosphere, friendly service and the one drink I had with egg white was on point. Very well executed!

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Sekoya - mini cookies

Sekoya

4.3(196 reviews)
0.1 mi

Sekoya is fantastic. I've been here 3 times and the food has always been stellar. When you go, ask…read moreto be seated with Marley or Kim. They are excellent servers. They helped guide us through the menu and we're really knowledgeable about the dishes. I also had the pleasure of meeting the new chef on my most recent visit, he is passionate and energetic, I look forward to returning to sees what he comes up with next. Highlights: The Beef Tongue skewer, my sister said it was the best she'd ever had. The Embered Scallops, presented beautifully in the shell with a dreamy chili cognac butter A Tie between the Chocolate Tart and the Bread Pudding. Save room for dessert! Honorable: Housemade Parker Rolls ( get the whipped ricotta and mascarpone) Cons: The music can be a little loud in the back room for conversation. (Request the front room or outside for a more mellow experienced) The plastic chairs in the from dining room, they look great, they feel like I'm at a company picnic. (I like to be balanced, no one is perfect) Overall Sekoya is one of my favorite new spots in Palo Alto and I can't wait to keep bringing friends and family there. ( and bugging the chef until he brings back some variation of the Tempura Mushrooms they used to have!)

Came here with a friend for dinner. The decor is simple but cozy, making it a nice spot for a…read moredinner out. However, we spent over $230 on a meal that, overall, was nothing particularly memorable. What Stood Out: - Service: The service was good. The staff checked on us regularly and promptly wiped down the table whenever it got messy during the meal. - Butterscotch Pudding: A nice way to end the meal. It was creamy and not overly sweet. What Fell Short: - Beef Tongue & Scallops: Both were overly salty, which was disappointing. - Crudo: I understand this is an upscale restaurant, and I wasn't expecting budget-friendly prices. However, $25 for just four pieces of crudo was still quite a surprise. - Steak: The steak was good, but nothing particularly special or memorable.

Photos
Sekoya - BAR

BAR

Sekoya - Citrus salad

Citrus salad

Sekoya - BEEF TONGUE

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Horsefeather - Fried Chicken & Three

Horsefeather

4.1(268 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

Very cute restaurant and aesthetically-presented food!! Our group came to celebrate a birthday and…read morethe service was very kind. They put us in a separate nook in the back which was nice for a big party. The food was pretty good and the drinks! The only thing was the dessert took what felt like 20-30 minutes, but the drinks and food came out quick. Will definitely be coming back!

Beautiful and classy-looking restaurant on the inside. This is a place to go to if you're looking…read moreto sit and have a conversation because the service is a bit unhurried. My family ordered a mix of items to share amongst the table. They were good, but nothing that really stands out. The fries were crispy, but kind of starchy. And then ketchup was mixed with curry so if you're not into that flavor profile, it might be off putting. Chilaquiles were super tasty, we didn't need to add anything else on top. Crispy Korean chicken sandwich was good; the meat was tender and the side salad had a nice, sweet, and refreshing dressing to it. +$3 for adding bacon The soft scramble was buttery and indeed was soft. The umami bacon was a whopping $8 extra and it tastes the same as the bacon on our chicken sandwich. That felt unnecessarily expensive. And the Brussels sprouts, while good for me, was too tough for my parents to chew through. Lastly, the loco moco also came with that nice salad as the sandwich. The dish itself was as expected - a burger patty over some rice with some sauce. It could've used some more sauce. So, overall, a solid place for brunch.

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Horsefeather - Dining area

Dining area

Horsefeather - Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs

Horsefeather - Umami Fries

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Sun of Wolf - brown butter pistachio hotcakes

Sun of Wolf

4.4(494 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

I have only been here for brunch (2x) ... I had no idea it was also open for dinner, I will have to…read morecome back. Went on a Sunday mid morning, while the farmers market was bustling. It wasn't busy inside, they have tables outside as well. The interior is cozy and trendy but still inviting. The service is great, I believe it's a family run business. Service started slow (seemed to take some time to get our order in) but once our order was taken, it was top notch from then on! We had the hardest time deciding what to get. The food is slightly different from your typical Mexican dishes (though they may be the same name), the ingredients are very old world inspired. The coffee is amazing!! (I'm not a coffee person typically) I can't wait to come back for dinner and explore the menu some more.

We had another amazing meal at Son of Wolf. I brought my boys for brunch today, and it was a little…read morecrazy because they had some noisy/smelly plumbing issue in the front. They were extremely apologetic and thoughtful, and they moved on to a table farther away from the noise as soon as it was available. They also brought us complimentary agua fresco and orange juice for the extra wait time. Our server was particularly gracious, and she helped make our meal even better. We got the Fried Egg Sandwich, Huevos Rancheros, Shrimp Quesadilla and Chilaquiles with extra chrizo. All were delicious, especially the potatoes with the Fried Egg Sandwich. The Shrimp Quesadilla was tasty,but it had more mushrooms than shrimp. We're definitely looking forward to coming back and trying more of their food, especially the French Toast...

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Sun of Wolf - Interior, narrow but deep, nicely designed

Interior, narrow but deep, nicely designed

Sun of Wolf - Chips and salsa

Chips and salsa

Sun of Wolf - Iced Mexican coffee

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Iced Mexican coffee

Zola + BarZola - Poulet Sous Brique

Zola + BarZola

4.2(635 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$$

LOVE the food, Parker Rolls!! Burrata salad, poulet Roti the…read moreambiance (like stepping into france) service was great. open LATE hidden gem

Originally my friend and I had plan to dine elsewhere. We couldn't help but stop as we passed by…read morethis restaurant. We thought it was cute so we decided to give it a try. The environment had a nice dim moody atmosphere. It was quite an intimate space and the interior was cozy. We decided to sit at the bar. The service was good. It's a first come first serve seating. Our server worked quickly to get us seated and we were handed menus. As soon as I saw the menu, I think it was right for this to be called a French Californian restaurant because I noticed not all the items on the menu were French. Some restaurants call it French when it's really French fushion. We decided to share poulet roti knowning that the portions were going to be American. It was perfect for 2 people. I don't know how 1 person could have devoured the entire plate themselves. What I really appreciated about this dish is that the chef didn't over dress the salad. I'm not sure why Americans like to drench their salad leaves in sauce to the point where the dressing is all you tasting leaving out the fresh ingredients. It was perfectly dress. Not too much not too little, just enough to lightly coat the salad leaves. The poulet was very well cooked and it was accompanied by a side of gravy. On top of that, the salad come with decent sized crutons and pork belly. I like how the chef made the crutons properly. Some restaurants thinly slice some bacon and sprinkle it over the salad; whereas, this restaurant had pork belly shaped the same size and shape as the crutons which added more texture and flavor to the salad. Both ingredients blended very well into the salad to the point where I didn't know if the bite I had taken had a cruton or a pork belly. Throughout our meal, our server made sure we were well accommodated asking for feedback and inviting us to have drinks/dessert. This is definitely worth it and I would return here again!

Photos
Zola + BarZola - Dining Room

Dining Room

Zola + BarZola - Meatballs

Meatballs

Zola + BarZola - Manhattan de luxe (left); Colette (right)

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Manhattan de luxe (left); Colette (right)

Protégé - Fancy Butter

Protégé

4.4(568 reviews)
0.0 mi
•$$$$

Wife brought me here for my birthday. The main entrees were…read morefantastic, but the real stars of the show were the crab caviar, the corn salad, and the apple crumble. Each of those dishes blew us away. I'm generally not a fan of corn or salad, but I could have that corn salad for days. Our server was really great as well. He was friendly and explained each of the menu items to us. He was able to accommodate my wife's lactose intolerance. And his recommendations were spot on too. Ambiance is nice.

We came here for my husband's birthday a little while ago and had an incredible time! We got the a…read morela carte menu, as recommended by many reviewers here. Our server was extremely knowledge and all his recs were a solid 10/10, and they were able to work around my lactose intolerance with ease as well. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend: - the corn salad, oh my god, so tasty. like i had never understood salads until then and probably never will again. I don't even know what was in it but the texture and flavor palette just went so well together. - the crab and caviar, their special!! And it's their special for a reason. Kind of reminds me of a fancy chawanmushi. - pork chop! so good, and also a very sizable portion. - apple crumble for dessert. our server said he introduces it last because it's his favorite the crumble on top is to die for all on all, the meal is definitely pricey but imo it's worth every penny, and you can't say that for all Michelin starred restaurants. also, the ambience was nice :) really enjoyed this place and will definitely be back one day!

Photos
Protégé - Dining Room

Dining Room

Protégé - Mango Cheesecake Chocolates

Mango Cheesecake Chocolates

Protégé - Crab and Caviar

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Crab and Caviar

The Grotto Speakeasy - Speakeasy Saturday!

The Grotto Speakeasy

4.5(12 reviews)
3.7 mi

Speakeasy in downtown Los Altos under Cetrella. 3.5 stars…read more Highlights: - Nightlife is Los Altos! - Open late - Can make reservations online - Low lighting in a standard dining room but fairly lively - Made me a nice vesper martini Note: have to ask to be escorted down in the elevator for the speakeasy vibe Midlights: - Drinks on menu were just ok - Clarified punch was a lot sweeter than I expected Lowlights: - Didn't get to try any food since just came from dinner

The ambiance banging…read more The drinks on point. The vibe, brilliant. The hidden speakeasy in Los Altos that I had no idea existed was such an pleasant surprise! I always said LA needed a speakeasy and I am so glad one opened up! The kicker? You need a reso so make sure you have one! We just happened to get lucky Check in at Cetrella and they will walk you back outside to an elevator where you need a code to access the elevator to the basement. Once the elevator doors open you walk down a long dark smoke filled corridor to the bar that awaits. Cool music playing BTW. Sat at the end of the bar instead of one of the many tables and was immediately handed a cocktail menu. Simple menu with carefully crafted cocktails that they do exceptionally well. - The Wolf noted as "milk punch" on the menu. The clarified refined version I am sure because the drink came with a light purplish hue instead of the milky concoction. Very well balanced and I can easily say one of the best milk punch cocktails I've ever had. - Smoked Old Fashioned. Again a very different technique than I am used to seeing. Instead of the entire cocktail being smoked, the glass was smoked before the spirits ever hit the glass. Again we'll balanced with a hint of orange essence. Bar food served if the kitchen is still open. And the service was good super attentative bar staff who carried a conversation with those close by. What a great addition to Los Altos and one I may bring my team back to after we dine at their restaurant Cetrella! So glad it popped up on my Yelp search because this place is definitely a hidden gem!!

Photos
The Grotto Speakeasy - Cool vibes

Cool vibes

The Grotto Speakeasy
The Grotto Speakeasy

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Bar Underdog - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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