Always a favorite place to go when visiting the Haymarket…read more Drinks are great and the ambiance is old fashioned. Order your drinks at the bar and find a nice comfy chair to relax and enjoy the crafted cocktail.

Everything about this place is fantastic! First off, it's got such a great speakeasy vibe because…read moreof its nondescript front. Only initials on the front door and a little neon sign that says vacancy. We came very early (probably right after it opened) and it was dark and cozy inside. Only one couple was at the bar and my friend and I sat first at the bar to look at cocktail options. I love that all they're cocktails are named after historic people or places. Very cool. The service was terrific! Bartender let us take our time to decide. I ordered a "Willa Cather", which was a cocktail with St Germain,prosecco and hibiscus! So tasty! My friend ordered the "Kate Martin" which was whiskey and ginger. Loved the vibe and will definitely return next time I'm in town!

From the moment I knocked to the moment I left, it was nothing but five star service. Incredible…read moredrinks and a wonderful bartender. Great ambience. Might be Lincoln's best kept secret. Thanks Krill!

Phenomenal experience! Bring cash…read more. This place is decorated so well it will feel like you are stepping into another time and place. The bartender makes an experience out of your visit by making unique, custom crafted cocktails.

If you want bourbon variety and also a place you can feel welcome, this is the place…read more Walked in and had an hour and a half coco with a regular about life. Sampled four great bourbons I've never tried before and chatted with staff. Normally I resist high marks but I have nothing bad to say. Great music and atmosphere.

Very cool decorated bar. When we went in, the drinks all had a theme based on Game of Thrones…read more Prices were 15+ per drink. I don't love alcohol and asked for the sweetest drink available & it was not that sweet LOL but for the bourbon/whiskey drinkers, this seems to be quite a great option. Also, they definitely take cards & are not cash only.

Vinyl is such a cute cocktail lounge in the Haymarket! Definitely a small bar but it has nice…read moreintimate lighting and seating with great service and drinks. This would be an awesome spot for a first date or to just catch up with friends. Overall I definitely recommend!

What a great place for cocktails and a fun vibe!! Try the Rare Hearts. It was so delicious!read more

We went to a rehearsal dinner at Venue, and it was fantastic. The private rooms in the back are…read moreperfect for events. Not only was the food phenomenal, but the service was as well. This definitely made me want to return for dinner!

Just flew home from a trip and didnt feel like cooking…read more Husband brought me there for dinner. We made a reservation at 630 for 7 pm and we made it there in time We were seated promptly after glases were placed at the table we were to be seated at. Ambiance was upscale. Dimmed dining room- suitable for a romantic night. But we also noticed a lot of families as well. In the middle of the dining room I noticed a little tree-like ornament. It looked very pretty and added to the ambiance. Hubby ordered a beer whilst I ordered a rainbow sherbet margarita. Drinks came pretty quickly. My drink looked very pretty- Its more tart than expected and im ok with that. There was also a strong raspberry taste though no raspberries in sight. So if you're not comfortable with tart drinks please avoid this drink. I ordered duck on the specials menu that came with green beans and sweet potato mash and my hubby ordered steak with onion strings and mac and cheese. Food took some time to come. Presentation was beautiful for my duck. Flavour was good for the duck. But even the pictures I attached showed that one part of the duck was undercooked. The other side was a tad overcooked but edible. The undercooked part cannot be cut even with a steak knife. The beans and the sweet potato mash was cooked well. Otherwise. It was good. They took it off our overall bill though. That was really nice of them. We then ordered desserts. I got a berry tiramisu, and hubby got the chocolate cherry manhattan. My tiramisu was good. Could be a little less sweet- as mentioned earlier i like tart-ish stuff. But it was still light and fluffy. Hubby's chocolate cherry manhattan was a little strong. But could be improved with a better balanced taste profile. We had a wonderful experience despite the slightly undercooked duck. Appreciate our young server very much. She was an absolute delight. And apologies to her- we forgot her name. She made a potentially bad experience a good one. We will be back.

I don't get out often but when I do I love a good martini! Cliff's Martini Lounge did not…read moredisappoint. My colleagues and I showed up around 4 p.m. on a Friday for a farewell soiree! I instantly fell in love with the eclectic, old man charm of the place. I adore the overstuffed leather furniture, coffee tables, a leg lamp tugged in the corner, the dim lighting, books and wall decor, and the expansive list of martini options. I really wanted a pickle martini which wasn't on the menu, but the bartender happily obliged (though it wasn't quite as tasty as the one from Leadbelly). If it's beer you're after, look elsewhere. I think there was maybe a couple of options. And an even bigger perk was that they had snacks catered in from Parthenon for happy hour. Win, win, win! The crowd was a mix of youngish professionals and what appeared to be older, retired folks. I also really like the south side location, versus having to drive downtown for a chill drinking experience. I'll for sure be returning.

Definitely depends on the bartender. Yesterday the bartender was amazing. So friendly and knew her…read morestuff! Tonight the bartender seemed completely bothered that we were here. Oh the the dishwasher was broken so we were served martinis in plastic cups! Maybe it was an off night but last time I checked you can wash dishes by hand. Less then 10 people in the bar.

Love Carmela's for lunch or dinner. The date night menu on Monday and Tuesdays that changes monthly…read moreis one of our favorites. Have a choice of select appetizers & dessert to share plus your own entree and a bottle of wine is a wonderful dinner at a fixed price-$70 dinner for two! So good!!!

I've enjoyed dining at Carmela's Bistro & Wine Bar in the past. The food is delicious, thoughtfully…read moreprepared, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. However, during my most recent visit, the arrival experience was very disappointing. After entering, the host did not acknowledge me at all, and another family who arrived after me was immediately helped first. Several staff members were nearby and could have assisted or at least offered a greeting, but no one did. After waiting without acknowledgment, we ultimately decided to leave and go to another restaurant. Being ignored at the door made us feel unwelcome, and it completely changed our plans for the evening. Good service starts the moment guests walk in, and unfortunately this experience fell far below expectations.

Great date night spot in downtown Lincoln! We called ahead for reservations and really enjoyed the…read moresmaller, more intimate atmosphere--it was perfect for conversation and a relaxing night out. They do require a credit card to hold the reservation, which was easy enough. The waitstaff was excellent--very attentive, pleasant, and helpful throughout the evening. We went with the tasting menu, which made dinner feel like more of an experience rather than just a meal. It was a fun way to enjoy several different dishes throughout the evening, and the food was excellent. The wine list was also sufficient with some very good options. Overall, a great experience and a really enjoyable date night downtown. We'll definitely be back!

Four Visits, Four Disappointments -- The Value Simply Isn't There…read more We've given Aragon Tavern three separate opportunities, and unfortunately, all three visits have left us severely disappointed. We understand the concept. We appreciate ambition, creativity, and a restaurant trying to offer something beyond the ordinary. But ambition and execution are two very different things, and Aragon consistently falls short where it matters most: the actual dining experience and the value for the money. The pricing suggests an elevated, almost Michelin-inspired experience in a tavern setting. There's nothing wrong with that concept. In fact, it could be fantastic. The problem is that the food and overall experience simply don't justify the prices being charged. When you position yourself at that price point, the execution needs to be consistent, the experience needs to feel intentional, and the customer should leave feeling that the meal was worth what they paid. That hasn't been our experience on any of our three visits. During one visit, we asked the bartender a straightforward question: How would you describe this restaurant, and what lasting impression should guests walk away with? The response was that they were still trying to figure that out, despite having been open for several years. That answer was telling. A restaurant can evolve, experiment, and refine its identity, but after several years, you would expect a clear vision of what it wants to be and what makes it worth seeking out. Aragon seems to be charging for the experience it aspires to deliver rather than consistently delivering an experience that earns those prices. Lincoln has plenty of dining options, and at this price point, there are restaurants that deliver a far more compelling combination of food quality, hospitality, atmosphere, and value. We've tried Aragon three times because we wanted to like it. Unfortunately, we've walked away disappointed three times. The concept has potential. The execution and value just aren't there. Until those two things catch up with the pricing, we can't justify returning.

Deb's Place is a cozy, welcoming spot with a great atmosphere. The martinis are excellent, and…read morethere's always something interesting on the seasonal drink menu. Deb stands out -- she clearly knows her craft and makes the drink experience feel personal and well-curated. The connection with the staff adds to the charm and makes the place feel warm and familiar rather than just another bar. Overall, it's a great neighborhood spot for well-made drinks and a relaxed, friendly vibe.

Upscale martini options in a sports bar atmosphere. It's an odd concept! The place was packed when…read morewe went, and super noisy. The martinis were absolutely delicious (I had three) so it is worth going for the drinks but be prepared to feel like you are in a sports bar instead of a martini bar. Our server was friendly but very busy.

My wife and I were walking through the Haymarket, saw that vintage sign with the couple in the…read moreorange cocktail attire, and immediately knew we had to go downstairs. Best impulse decision of the night. The Starlite Lounge does not feel like 2026 Lincoln. It feels like you stepped into a 1960s lounge that somehow never closed. The lighting, the furniture, the whole atomic-era look--it all works. Smooth jazz was playing, the room had that intimate, slightly smoky-club energy without being loud or chaotic, and the cocktails were the real deal. Not just pretty drinks. Properly made, balanced, and clearly built by people who care. We weren't there for a photo op. We were there for the feel, the music, and a couple of well-made drinks. It delivered on every count. Romantic without being stuffy. Cool without trying too hard. If you're in downtown Lincoln and you want something that actually transports you instead of another generic bar, walk down the stairs. Highly recommended. We'll be back.

What a step back in time and a great nostalgic bar!…read more The pricing for the drinks seemed great and even some of the bourbon selection pours were worth it. I am definitely particular about my martinis. They crushed it on a gin martini - stirred, not shaken & vermouth rinsed - with a twist. Was perfectly done! We also tried a vodka one...was a 4 out of 5. Overall: great place to go and get drink with some friends! Will definitely be back.