This is that shady-looking place on 13th Street you probably walk by every week but may not notice. If you haven't yet, I recommend you give it a shot. It's tucked into this alleyway, and then you have to go into this inconspicuous red door, so it's got kinda like a 1930s speakeasy feel to it. The inside's really nice. Spacious but intimate at the same time. There's the bar, scattered tables and some booths. Most of the furnishings are black, and the light's kept low to set the mood. Which I guess is true of most bars, but it works especially well here. Their alcohol selection is decently vast, with everything from your generic cheap beers to Gray Goose vodka. They also carried my all-time favorite "beer," Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider, so props to them. I know, I know, it's not really beer, but haters gonna hate (it's 5% abv anyway). Anyway, their mixed drinks are a little on the pricier side, but they're great. I had the British Bulldog, which was on point. I wish I could remember what all was in it, but whatever it was, the end result was delicious. Don't worry, you won't get mugged walking the few feet into the alley, so go ahead and check them out. read more

Stopped in Barrymore's while in Lincoln per the suggestion of a friend, and so glad he told me about this place! This bar is tucked behind an old theater so you feel like you're behind the movie screen while drinking. The space is restored beautifully, the drinks are good and keep coming, and the bar staff is very friendly. Will definitely be back when in town read more

I think it's the best happy hour in Lincoln, a very cool vibe and last night we had Cassidy who really took care of us. Moscow mule five dollars a great old-fashioned six dollars. I'm in. Thank you Cassidy for a great night will be back. read more

See all

Honestly such a chill spot!! It's cozy, the drinks are really good, and our bartender was super friendly, she made great recommendations. I loved the Coco Chanel Martini! It's the kind of place where you can actually talk and still have a great time. read more

A hidden gem in Lincoln, the drinks are crafted so well and the ambiance is so romantic! This place is great because of the high ceilings and friendly service they have a wide range of creative cocktails. I got an espresso martini and it was strong. Definitely check this place out next time! read more

A fine bar for cocktails and sports watching. Barrymore's is in the back of a theater, so the ceiling is high and the bar has visible theater equipment and posters from different productions. It was empty on a Saturday night, so perhaps the bar may not last for much longer, but I thought the cocktails were reasonably priced and the ambiance was comfortable. The music was a mix of pop music and classic rock when I would have expected orchestral compositions complementing into the theater scenery of the bar, but I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't much demand for that type of music. Overall, Barrymore's is a fine place to grab a drink. read more

This place has gone down hill. Once a cool hip vibe is now nothing but a downer. Horrible staff. Very rude. They act like your a burden on them. No wait staff, just a bartender and your lucky if they get around to your table. Stay away. There are better places downtown. read more

Barrymore's - A very rude bartender at Barrymore's. Didn't even say one word. We had to go to her to place our drink order. - Sports Bars Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

This is a hidden gem in Lincoln. Located in the back of an old theater, This would be perfect for catching up with an old friend, or a chill 3rd date. It's a little too quiet for a first date and everyone would totally be able to tell you are awkward and don't know each other. They have a wide range of liquor and wine, as well as fun signature cocktails priced 7-10 dollars. read more

Barrymore's - Coco Chanel Martini - Sports Bars Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

See all

Found it randomly walking around late at night. Cool venue, relaxed vibe with good drinks and a friendly bartender

Almost every year I was in Lincoln, Nebraska I stopped here at Barrymore's. It has a rich history as it is a theater as well as a bar/lounge that exists within the Rococo Theatre. When you walk in you can see some of the lighting and sound switches as well as when you look up in the bar you can see the lighting rigs. It's a very cool experience. They are known for their classic cocktails. The first time I ever went there, I had the greatest experience because one of the managers took us to the actual theater and showed us around. She was cool and let us take pictures and everything. It was definitely not where we thought we would end up we were grateful for the tour. The second time I went we stayed for a few drinks and the same lady took us on the same tour. The most recent time we went, that did not happen - sadly but we did enjoy a few classic cocktails. One of my coworkers ordered a an old-fashioned and it was served with soda water. We weren't sure if that was a classic way of serving it, or if it was a mistake. She didn't really want it that way but we got through it. Overall, I've never had a bad time here and if I go to Lincoln Nebraska again, I will be there! read more

Barrymore's - Cheers to classic cocktails - Sports Bars Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

See all

Barrymore's has lost something over the years. This was a cool cocktail bar years ago, and used to have a great ambience behind the theater coupled with classic cocktails. Today, there are better options in downtown Lincoln for cocktails. When we were at Barrymore's with a party of six, the staff consisted of two very overworked bartenders, no servers. The cocktail menu on the table was "well loved" to say the least. I had to order our drinks from the bar and take them to our table. And the drink quality was average, if I am being kind. Not what it once was. read more

This almost feels like a love letter. I don't think I expressed my feelings for Barrymore's enough back in the day. And I regret it. I remember coming here when I was 21. 22. 23... on and on. This place is as tied to my college days in Lincoln as the university itself. It is charming, classy, hidden, quaint and nostalgic for a time that is long gone. I feel like I might need to hide or chug my drink if the Untouchables barged in. I remember having a few here before seeing The Phantom Menace, running into an acquaintance on the way over, and subsequently not even remembering the movie. I remember having drinks here while Titanic was playing next door (the bar is right behind a huge - former - movie theater) and each time a shot of the ship sinking was played, it was clearly audible in the bar. I've still never seen that movie, preferring this memory. It's been the same for years, it doesn't change, and that's a great thing. B'More's is one of my last bits of "home". I could probably write 5 times as much, but I should leave it at this - it might not be apparent, but this place is special. If you don't think so after your first drink, have another. If you still don't think so, have yet another. If even then you don't think so, then go ahead and have ano - just kidding. Well, maybe I am not. read more

I was excited to bring my friend here for her 21st birthday for a nice drink, however we were misled by the fact that it is NOT wheelchair accessible even though it is clearly listed on their website that they are. This is not ADA compliant and very frustrating to me that my friend cannot equally enjoy this space. I hope that this can be fixed in the future so that my friend and many others are able to enjoy the space. read more

Barrymore's feels a little like a legitimate speakeasy when you walk in, having to make your way from off a main street into a side alley to find the entrance. When you get in however, the bar's entryway contains an interesting non-sequitur of a massive array of switches and levers, most of which look like they're connected to something replete with flashing lights and all, but which do nothing if pulled. Anyway, the bar itself is a nice enough spot, if a little small for the level of crowdedness likely to ensue on a weekend night. The service is friendly, the bartenders are smokin' hot, and the drinks are pretty stiff. Also of note is that the room itself is about the tallest interior space I could ever imagine. I mean you look upwards and you can't see the ceiling. 4-5 stories of brick walls loom above you until blackness at the top. Crazy times.. read more

I'm not a Nebraska native and have only been in Lincoln for a year, but as far as classy joints go here in LNK, Barrymore's is about as good as it gets. The ceiling is high and it's kind of a smaller space so on weekend nights it gets pretty loud. They always have TV on some sports station - I have yet to find a bar that doesn't have TV, but it has really cool exposed brick walls, huge french wine posters on the walls, a reasonable bar with an OK happy hour. Similar scene at the nearby Zen Lounge. I like it. read more

NE underground. Places like this need to be recognized as gems of Lincoln. I was highly impressed with it's side stage structure. I was told it was once part of the Rococo Theater. In terms of atmosphere, I was highly impressed. read more

Barrymore's - Sweet controls on the way in. - Sports Bars Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

Very interesting place for a drink if you are ever around Lincoln, Nebraska and don't let the walk down the ally scare you off...

I wish that Barrymore's drink quality, prices and service matched the beauty and atmosphere of the space where it is contained. This is such a cool space. It's behind an old theatre and has the old light board and other artifacts from days gone by. The ambiance is very urban, but also retro. Unfortunately the drinks aren't up to snuff and the service is snotty and not attentive. The gem in the collection of drinks is their moscow mule, so if you're going to get anything go for that. I would suggest other urban, retro cocktail lounges in town before this one-The Starlite Lounge, The Marz Bar or Zens. read more

I love this place! Proposed to my wife 30 years ago, waitress was super nice and attentive. Hasn't changed.Every time we go back I'm treated like a king. I get the feeling that if I was a king I'd be treated like a nutty cuckoo super king. It's a cool backstage place that you need to experience. Only suggestion is I'd get some college students in there to provide jazz, flamenco or whatever kind of music. read more

Waited 20 minutes for waitress to come back to take our drink order. Waitress too busy taking pictures and posing with her Husker tickets. Staff annoyed that we ordered our drinks at the bar. Never came back to check on us. The one star is for the beautiful building. read more

I was completely drunk when I walked in one evening with my new boss. We were out celebrating my on-boarding, so we had our final drink here before walking back to the hotel. I only had one beer, and it was cold and delicious, but that one is hard to screw up. It was quiet in the bar, maybe only a half dozen patrons sitting around, and everyone was watching football. The decor, however, was remarkable. It felt like I was getting drunk backstage at a performing arts center (which I've done before, twice, but that's a whole different story). I didn't watch a moment of football as I was busy staring into the rafters. If the football wasn't on, and some quiet jazz was playing, it could have been an incredibly swank evening. If you're looking for a unique and out of the way location to have some drinks in downtown Lincoln, be sure to stop at Barrymore's. read more

I don't know if any of you have ever done this, but there is a game called the Downtown Lincoln Parking Game. You go from where your car is safely parked in downtown Lincoln, and at a busy time you try and park even closer (on the street) to the next bar or restaurant you want to go to. You've got less than a 1 in 60 chance of finding a spot, but it COULD happen, and thus the game. I get tired of the game pretty soon, so I just pull into a parking ramp from the 60's (we're talking Bob Devaney as coach time), only $1 an hour. btw Bob was a cool athletic director, I remember as a kid my dad would just walk me into his office in the South Stadium, and he had his own Coke machine. Well anyways since I was spending a whole dolla on parking I felt pretty high falutin' and Barrymore's was just half a block away and never took dates there or nuthin ever so I said to myself I had to go check it out. Unless you are a "theatre darling" (and I'm talking to You with your Red polyester sweater made in China, what do you think of Mao now Walmart shopper?) you may not like it, but that's its niche. Part martini bar, part Scotch hang-out (better than Cliff's) and a wide range of imported beers. You can dress up, but don't dress down. Just a cool place for a drink or two, that's it. read more

Not what it used to be. The old eclectic vintage style is lacking. The general vibe and quality of the drinks are cheap. The lighting and ambiance feel junky and forgotten. Just a little cozying and jewel toned sprucing with some consistency and upgrading of the bartenders skills, and this place could become one of Lincoln's best bars again. read more

My favorite bar in Lincoln. Order the Moscow Mule [served in a copper cup], interesting and very different drink. read more

Barrymore's - Enter on the alley - Sports Bars Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

Good service but because we were laughing and being silly they asked us to leave! Guess we weren't the clientele they wanted

I used to love coming here while I went to school in the area. I was there this week and two of the rudest bartenders were working. One of the bartenders accidentally broke the corner of the tip jar (check it out next time you're in, if it's still there) on top of my friend's glass when moving it to the side. We didn't think it actually broke. We just saw her smash it on top of the glass where it let out a loud clang, but it wasn't until he spit out a 2 1/2" piece of glass that we knew it broke. I immediately ran up and matched it to the tip jar. The two girl bartenders met us with a "sorry we can't give you your money back" and "we're too new to know how to take money out of the register". As I left one of the girls threw a glass in the trash and broke it in anger. In summary: service sucks and the drinks aren't anything to write home about. Don't give them your money, but check out that cool theatrical fly system and cracked tip jar next time your touring Lincoln, Nebraska! read more

Been going here for years. As of lately the service and the drinks have been lacking. My drink was made incorrectly and the server never stopped by again to check on our party. read more

This place is really hit or miss. Sometimes the servers are friendly and attentive, and other times they're borderline rude. Overall, it's okay. Their cocktail list could use a revamp and their wait staff could use some customer service training. read more

Great place to grab a drink in Lincoln. Elizabeth is a very knowledgeable bartender and just a great person. Ask about the interesting history around the bar. read more

One of my favorite places to have a few cocktails in Lincoln. Great atmophere wheter its busy in there or not. Order the Moscow Mule.

I love this bar mostly because it's not the typical bar. There's nothing casual or trashy about this place. It is, as many others have said, Charming and classy. The decor is amazing. When you first walk in you see a massive switch board and the old ropes and stage cables from the theater next door. The ceilings are vaulted and the atmosphere is relaxed. I spent the better part of my week nights at this bar while I was staying in Lincoln for a couple months this past summer. I love the semi-private entrance, just off O St. in a well lit alley. I feel like it's Lincoln's best kept secret. However, what makes this place great is not just it's amazing selection on Martinis and mixed drinks (I'm a particular fan of the J-2 and the Espresso Martini), but the people. You'll find yourself among a higher class of individuals here. People who enjoy real conversation, gin, and soccer. If you get on their good side you might just end up spending after hours on the roof (which for Lincoln is pretty high up there) chilling under the stars and drinking a beer with people you feel like you've known forever. read more

Been sitting here now for well Over 30 minutes with an empty glass. 5 guys sitting at bar. Bartender guy, glasses, balding, is not paying attention to anything but his smart phone and people at bar. read more

Really unique spot with good happy hour drinks. We only came in for an early drink before dinner so it was us, another couple, and a 3 family hat came in later so it was pretty quiet. We had 2 glasses of wine an IPA and a margarita for about 15$ so not a bad way to start the night! read more

You are going to be hard pressed to find a cooler space in Lincoln, NE than Barrymore's. The backstage vibe - complete with an old decommissioned switchboard, ropes and an open ceiling reaching as high as the eye can see - is reminiscent of upscale bars in Chicago or NYC. The atmosphere is very laid back, dressed up a bit and quiet enough for relaxed conversation. Drink prices are a bit higher than some of their O Street counterparts but this tends to keep the obnoxious drunk kiddos from campus out, which is really nice. Although the drink menu is on the slim side, the pours are quality and the service professional. If you are a bit of a drink snob, you may find yourself a bit disappointed with the selection - probably want to go for their Moscow Mule. read more

The atmosphere is great, and the drinks are superb. Service can be slow at times, but not enough to ruin one's experience.

Walk down that dark alley behind the Rococo theater...you wouldn't regret it. Barrymore's is by far one of my favorite Lincoln bars when I want to go out and have a nice night with friends. If you're going out bar hopping, or looking to get trashed, you've got much better choices. Barrymore's comes off very classy in a town full of beer joints. It is the back stage area of an amazing old theater, and therefore the ceiling is stories high. You walk past the bank of lighting switches as you enter, and the turn to find a wall of flights and ropes that would run the workings of the stage. There are a few TVs (this is Lincoln, after-all) and the music selection can be sketchy and depends on the bar tenders' whims. The alcohol selection is great, but the servers can be jerks, so just keep your fingers crossed. On weeknights the place can be full of 30somethings and on weekends the crowd can be made up of anyone. During big concerts in the Rococo theater the bar is often closed. Tip: Bathrooms are upstairs! Pros: Great atmosphere, good booze selection, different from 'normal' Lincoln bars. Cons: Not cheap. Can be busy. Service has been sketchy. read more

Stumbled into this place looking for food and was bummed that I was starving and couldn't stay. Next time I'm in town I have got to come back, what a great space! read more

I had no idea what I was getting into when I came to this bar but it was a lot of fun! Great atmosphere and music. The drafts were okay, but I really enjoyed the holiday cocktails. Would definitely come back! read more

Definitely one of the better and more classier drinking establishments in Lincoln. I love how it is resembles the backstage of the theatre. I've never been disappointed here. read more

Its a nice chill place where you can take a date or just to go yourself. Good mix of students and professionals. I do wish it was a little bigger. read more