The drinks here were solid. But the service started out terrible, so not sure I would return. I…read morewould more likely go to Tonic (reviewed separately) for cocktails. When I arrived, I originally wanted to visit the restaurant, which was closed for the week due to a family emergency. So I presented to the open seating bar. Was ignored a long time. Got up to go to the bar and someone else stole my table. Took a long time to be acknowledged by the bar tender and finally made an order. Took quite a while to get it. Things got better when a bar seat opened up and I moved to the bar. But keep in mind, a different bar tender pretty much took over and kept my drinks flowing. That first bar tender could not hang, demonstrating poor time management skills and appeared to be moving slowly. The second bar tender, I think his name is Hector, really turned things around for me. I visited Secreto (another hotel based outfit, in the Hotel St. Francis) because they are supposed to be a "cocktail experience," boasting "garden to glass" cocktails. Dark wood and southwestern palate for decor. I had: Smoked sage margarita: flagship drink, smoked washed premium margarita (super herbal) Ghost ranch reverie: Tequila with peach, apricot shrub, lemon, seltzer, smoked rosemary (light, not too sweet, an "homage to the passionate artists of the southwest) Madonna of the Mesa: tequila blanco, pomegranate, mouth herbs, lemon, rose water (soft and balanced) Secret garden: basil infused gin gimlet with lime and chomilre infused honey. "Botanical crispiness meets honeyed serenity." I liked the basil, but the honey wasn't my thing. But a good cocktail. Again, drinks were good. On a Thursday afternoon, it was initially crowded and the initial service was terrible. But Hector saved the day.

We thoroughly enjoyed spending an hour here prior to dinner…read more 'The cocktails were inventive (lots of smoke and infusions) and the surroundings were pleasant. We sat on the veranda out front and it was the perfect spot for watching the world go by. Recommended cocktails; Smoked Sage Margarita, Secret Garden and the Secreto Old Fashioned.

Charming Patio, Decent Food, Better for Drinks Than Dinner…read more The patio is lovely. Cool, shaded, and surrounded by greenery. It feels tucked away and cozy, with heaters for chillier evenings. This is definitely a mezcal focused bar, so keep that in mind. Margaritas lean smoky thanks to the mezcal preference, which might be unexpected if you're used to a more traditional flavor... The chips and guacamole were just okay. The guac was overly whipped, and the salsa lacked spice. I had the asada tacos. good, though a bit dry. Service was a bit hit or miss, took some effort to get the waitstaff's attention. If I came back, it would probably be for happy hour rather than a full dinner. The vibe is great for drinks and a light bite, but not a must-visit for the food.

Best bar person in Santa Fe this restaurant is a hidden diamond among restaurants…read more Great food great service and a bar that doesn't stop Marina is the one to know and Robert is The King

Absolutely a must go when in Santa Fe. It's slightly off the downtown plaza area, so maybe it's…read moreslightly hidden? Worth the tiny bit of extra work. If you can snag a seat in the armchairs beside the real fireplace, consider yourself lucky.

The live music was amazing. We arrived at the hotel late and needed to grab a bite before bed. The…read moreatmosphere was great with the music and fireplace. Our service was excellent and when we stopped in a few days later our server recognized us. Highly recommend for some live entertainment and delicious snacks.

I was in Santa Fe for a ridiculously niche lawyers conference and wandered into El Matador on a…read morerandom Thursday night. Then I came back Friday. And Saturday. Not because of the drinks. Not because of the atmosphere. Not because of the location. Because of Katya. Katya is not my favorite bartender. She is my favorite human being. I've spent enough time in bars to know when someone is good at their job. Katya operates on an entirely different level. She can take what feels like sixteen orders at once, remember every single one, deliver them with absolute precision, keep the entire room moving, somehow do the math in her head, and still make every customer feel like they're the only person sitting at the bar. The basement bar itself is exactly what a great dive should be; a shithole. Heavy hobo stab vibes upon entry, including Katya. Smell: multiple buttholes farting at once. Climate control: sweaty patron dependent. Lighting: liability. TV: playing a rotation of trash 80s DVDs . If business schools were smart, they'd study her. If hospitality groups were smart, they'd clone her. If Santa Fe has any sense at all, they'll do whatever it takes to keep her exactly where she is. Cash only, so come prepared. And bring plenty of it, because she deserves every penny. Katya must be protected at all costs.

Kind of a grungy, punk, divey vibe. Not exactly my thing, but where that feels unique to me this is…read morethe kind of place to remind yourself it takes all kinds. A busy setting and top candidate for beginning or ending your Santa Fe drunk parade. That is to say, it is fun. It is not refined. But it clearly does not want to be. :)

Nice hotel, good food, but service they failed on serving us. We seated first. 2 white ladies came…read moreand seated down. The waiter served them first before us. So I ask the other waiter who is going to serve us. The only problem with that server is doesn't trained well. He said sorry I'm not your server etc. So we waited again, but both of us are hungry. I ask the other girl waiter, but she sounds upset and irritated. They're not that busy, the problem is where is the manager. I work in the food service and I will not act like that to my customers. Then they keep messing our food. How many times they have to come ask us, what food we wanted. But luckily the front guy, decided to give us free food. I really hope they got trained for more. But kudos to that guy who wear pearls his amazing. Maybe they hire him as a food service manager.

After a full day of walking around Santa Fe, we decided to stop in for a quick drink. My bestie and…read moreI both ordered the Prickly Pear Margarita. It was very tasty. The bar was pretty crowded, but the servers were friendly and came by to check on us a couple of times. We didn't eat anything, so cannot comment on the food, but it was great for a cocktail.

I stumbled in on this place to get Santa Fe night life and I'm glad I came in! The bartender a very…read morechill gentlemen who is the definition of Santa Fe. The bar only accepts cash, so make sure it bring it in small bills if possible! I came in on a night where there is live music (there was a cover charge, so don't be surprised if you come on one of those nights.) If you are in Santa Fe looking for night life, this place is a blast!

Staple of Santa Fe everyone should stop in for a drink and enjoy the history. Service is prompt…read morebut not fancy, think of dive bar rather than cocktail lounge.

We enjoyed happy hour at the Agave lounge. We walked in five minutes before happy hour was over and…read morewe're still able to enjoy a few drinks. The staff were very kind and knowledgeable. We enjoyed speaking with Raschide, who was so kind and shared a map of the area, as well as hiking tips. Sky is the bartender who was very kind and attentive. Great happy hour prices, great service, kind folks who go above and beyond for customers. Lovely!

Service and food is very inconsistent. We stay at the El Dorado every year for a convention and I…read moreget breakfast vouchers to eat in the restaurant. But for that, I wouldn't eat here. Service is usually very slow, food served barely warm and quality so-so.

There are very few things in this world that can withstand the test of time while managing to get…read moreundisputedly better, but The Shed in Santa Fe is an absolute masterclass in doing exactly that. I have been coming here for thirty-five years, and it blows my mind that after more than three decades, it keeps reaching new heights while fiercely retaining everything that made it legendary in the first place: the unbeatable high quality, the remarkably affordable prices, and those effortlessly cool, historic vibes. It is a rare, beautiful gem that refuses to compromise its soul, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This visit was extra special because my fiancé was a first-timer, and he was instantly converted, falling just as madly in love with the magic of this place as I did decades ago. On this particular afternoon, the lines were wrapped around the courtyard and the energy was absolutely electric. It was hella busy, which is a testament to how beloved this institution remains. Rather than waiting for a table, we decided to grab our food to go--a move that turned out to be pure perfection. We took our feast over to the historic plaza square, found a spot to sit, and ate under the shade of the trees while listening to live music drift through the air. With a beautiful, cool mountain breeze rustling through the plaza, it was the most quintessential, magical Santa Fe experience you could ever ask for. As for the food, it remains an absolute revelation. I ordered my enchiladas "Christmas" style, split right down the middle with both their famous, deeply savory red chile and their bright, perfectly spiced green chile. The first bite instantly reminded me why no one else can touch what they do here. The blue corn tortillas were tender, the cheese was perfectly melted, and the chiles carried that robust, earthy, authentic New Mexico heat that warms you from the inside out. It is a flawless execution of culinary tradition. To be able to deliver that level of world-class, scratch-made perfection at a price point that still feels incredibly generous is nothing short of a miracle. Whether you sit in their enchanting, labyrinthine dining rooms or pack it up for a picnic on the square, The Shed is the absolute pinnacle of the Santa Fe spirit.

We were never able to eat at The Shed, but our experience is worth noting…read more We called there three times to make reservations on separate days and no human being ever picked up the phone. This morning, a few minutes before their scheduling opening time, we walked by; the door was open and a manager was sitting on a chair. My wife entered, said hello, tried to make eye contact, and was ignored. THAT'S the way to make sure diners find their way to other SF restaurants!