They need some time. The place is off gasing some pretty toxic fumes at the moment due to th new construction and decision to wrap everything in red vinyl (looks? Like leather) and put it in a basement. While the drinks were ok, they we not done very well -- I can make higher quality drinks at home. Our bench was pretty rickety, kinda shoddy construction and the "brick" walls are hollow and thin. Also very loud. Very loud. Aside from that, it's their first week. They are no Bourbon and Branch in SF or Little Branch in NYC, but a kind of thrown together version of either of those. They need time, more training for the staff and time to find their groove. That and give that new construction smell of varnish and formaldehyde (from the vast amounts of plywood faking it as old fashioned wood trim) time to breathe and calm down. read more

I had high hopes for Saloon since we've enjoyed Foundry in the past. However, we ultimately were let down.... Lets discuss the high points for our evening. - Decor: you really feel like its prohbition era. The look and feel of the place is really warm, and an interesting space. -The drink menu: really inventive and some great drinks. Taking a page from Foundry they have a lot of "modern spins" on classic drinks. A lot of whiskey and bourbon drinks-- bitters and great flavors. Try the drink with the Wheat Grass and Cucumber (trust me) its amazing! - Bar Staff: really friendly, knowledgeable about mixing, and willing to make really well informed suggestions. - Classic Menu: The menu SEEMS like it could be well done, hearty, and warm... but in execution, they failed miserably. (Details later) Those traits alone I would give the pace 4/5 however, not the case for our evening. Now onto the major low points... Despite our reservation, we wound up waiting 20 minutes for our table. Which wasn't too bad so we went to the bar for a drink. (see highlight above). However, the hostess... instead of finding us at the bar (feet away from her) she called our cell phone and asked us to 'come to the host desk'. Odd... you couldn't find the two men over 6 feet tall standing at the bar from you who checked in with you 20 minutes ago? Ooookay.... Saloon has a bit of an identity problem. It doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a bar, or is it a restaurant? (similar issue I think Foundry has, but seems to straddle it a bit better). First off the size of the place is fairly small... as a result they wind up overlapping the dining and the bar areas. The layout of the tables around the bar become really cramped as the night goes on. The bar area literally overflows into the dining area... no one likes someone's backside that close to your face and dinner plates. Our table wound up being literally at the entrance, so we wound up getting quite cold, as well as crowded while we ate dinner. Brief note, the tables for 2 are shamefully small. It clearly is in effort to try to maximize the number of seats and tables they have in the very limited space they have.. but if you have a water, bar drink, and main course plates you simply run out of room at the table. I write this off to Saloon being a bit unsure of what it wants to become and the limited space it has. Saloon is struggling, like most new restaurants do, with execution. We wound up waiting for 45 minutes between our appetizer and our main course. My SO and I had the Bubble and Squeak and the Fish and Chips. The Bubble & Squeak was ... okay. Not an exceptional amount of flavor, and didnt feel like what my Gramps used to make. (He's English)... it really just lacked depth and had really no flavor profile (which can be challenging for root vegetables... but the sausage fell short, as well). The Fish and Chips is served in a classic head-nod to traditional style... in a paper bag. (Great touch). I took a bite of the fish, and noticed it seemed... off. I went to take a second bite and looked more closely this time: the fish was completely raw. When I say, raw.. I don't mean slightly undercooked-- I mean cool to the touch, still-somewhat-translucent-raw. Since we were so close to the door, the bouncer (?) saw me spit the fish out into my napkin, and got the manager to come over. The manager was really apologetic. She took the fish away immediately and brought me a new one (which I really didn't eat as my appetite for fish was shot). She comped us our appetizer (which really should have been my main course since it was raw!). However any accommodation was nice... however, raw haddock is completely unacceptable. (not to mention potentially illness inducing!) We finished our meals (I didnt eat half my plate as my appetite was shot after eating raw haddock), tipped our waitress heavily (it wasnt her fault the kitchen was slow, and couldn't fry fish correctly) and called it a night. Saloon is new, and very green. If they can figure out what they want to be good at and stick to it... it could be a good addition to Davis. Between the layout, proximity to the crowded bar, food execution, and overall experience: I would go here for pre-dinner drinks, and be at the bar... but it would take nothing short of a miracle to subject myself to eating dinner here again. TLDR: Drinks and bar: 4/5 Dining Area and Dinner: 1/5 Overall: 2/5 read more

Saloon has quickly become one of my new favorite Davis Square haunts. I love the vibe of the place, the bartenders and wait staff are dressed to play the part, but it falls just short (thankfully) of kitschy. I like that the crowd seems a little older and more laid back than in other places in the area. It's to take a break from being stepped on by drunk college students at the Burren and Joshua Tree. The cocktails are delicious. There hasn't been one that I haven't loved. Drinks here aren't cheap, but they're interesting and complex - and mostly involve some sort of bourbon - so it lets me slow down and enjoy it. I do think that the food is a little on the pricey side for what you get - the devils on horseback are DELICIOUS but are $12 for just four! The flat-iron steak was melt-in-my-mouth amazing. they really should give more bread (never enough carbs!!) with the charcuterie board and one great artisan cheese - but both were pretty delicious. The menu is extremely limited, and I wish they would expand it to include a few more smaller bites. read more

If you like being punched in the face by someones eyes immediately upon entering a place, then you will love it here. I adore their non nonchalant-ness of making your drink and hopefully snapping their suspenders on the way. Get whiskey, for the love of Zeus, get a whiskey drink. The amount of leather in this place calls for it. I have not ordered food here yet, but have come here on multiple occasions to get sloppy and wearing hats, which you're not supposed to wear. The Nay Sayer was good (I think, it was quite far into the night...) But you absolutely can't go wrong with anything these guys make (make sure to order from the surly bartender with the mustache, assuming there's only one with a mustache). Don't complain about the line, or the crowd, or that they stared at you for 10 seconds after you said "Apple-tini". You get the hint this ain't quite Joshua Tree, and that's exactly my kinda place. read more

I have frequented this bar for a while because of their whiskey selection and atmosphere, but have never felt compelled to leave a review. However, when it came to me to plan a friend's birthday party, I thought we'd try Saloon. Everyone from the event contact to the hostess to the waitress and bar staff was 100% on top of everything, professional, and completely communicative. They took a lot of the stress out of planning, and were able to work with me on last-minute changes, without any fuss or attitude. This wasn't like we were looking to book out the entire place, we were just bringing a large group into the bar, but they really helped make it special even though we weren't a huge paycheck for them. So - thank you, Saloon, for making me look like an awesome friend. Also, if anyone from there is reading this, sorry we got a litttttle rowdy around hour 4. At least you know we had fun? read more

No, I'm sorry, I won't be coming back. Hostess was RUDE, the restaurant was freezing cold and the food was ridiculously overpriced, though delicious. Portions were tiny, and though I'm sure this is a sign of fancy-schmancyness, it wasn't propped up by the atmosphere and service, which were deplorable. I can spend a ton of money somewhere else and get a smile at the least. Hard as hell to find as well. It's a door next to the Foundry, then you walk down a flight of stairs. read more

Going to The Saloon Restaurant in Davis Square. made me realize what is wrong with most new Davis square restaurants they are superficial. Like a kid dressing in it's mothers best clothes: the idea of being a grownup is there, but still something is missing. They try too hard and not enough at the same time. We went on Saturday walked through the door and noticed there were a lot of stairs to go down, with my Ma's bum knee we not happy to see this, then we noticed a few hand made signs pointing to the elevator "yay!" we labyrinth down to the hostess stand and a man starts yelling at us!? THIS IS NO WAY TO GREET YOUR CUSTOMERS! He yells that this is not an entrance and we are trying to sneak in. We were are all adults all over 35 we made reservations. Who at our age makes reservations and "sneaks" in a restaurant? The decor conveys an old timey English gentleman's club with lovely wood and leather if they turned down the music a bit kicked everyone out added a fireplace, books and good scotch we would have been in our fancy uncles library. Oh, did I mention they also had an out of place disco ball. The spirt menu looked very promising (to the drinkers in the group) until we noticed the "Hipster Beer" category where they were charging almost 6$ for a can of what ever crappy beer they stole from a hobo grandpa about 10 years ago. Our service was off and on. Our waitress tried to impress us by memorizing all the specials, this would have been more impressive if we were not sitting in font of the special board. Our appetizer of short ribs were delicious, but cold we sent them back to get reheated and they came back room temperature. When our plates were cleared after the appetizer the bus boy placed our dirty forks and knifes on our napkins leaving the napkins dirty and useless. I was told the minute steaks were delicious, and the fries were too salty. My gnocchi was tasteless when the waitress cleared the table she asked if I wanted to keep the leftovers I told her that the food did not taste good and nothing was done we were not comped nor any apologies were given. If the Saloon just wants to be a bar/club (It does look like a great bar and from other reviews I may return for just drinks) they should remove their dinner menu. If they also want to be a fancy type restaurant, they should train their staff better. Have some more pride in your food and service. As a cook I was trained to taste and temp any foods that left my station. As a server I was trained to give attentive service and if things do not go as plan(mistakes happen) I was told to make it right. -- read more

I love Saloon, it definitely gets busy but it's well worth it for their drinks. I haven't eaten though the food I've seen always looks delicious. My absolute favorite drink ever is the Solaris, I get it every time I go now (even though they have a lot of cool options that I should try). The bartenders definitely seem to know what they're talking about, and though I've never thought so some of my friends said they seem pretentious. The service is usually pretty efficient. Pro tip: they share an entrance with the Davis square theater which has some cool shows sometimes! I usually come for a drink or two before I go to the theater. :) read more

Atmosphere, artistry, ambiturners... this joint has it all. Upon my first foray I overshot the Saloon lamp, as I suspect most of us have, which made spotting the staircase all the more satisfying. I love the grandness of descending to the host podium, turning left and seeing the gleaming expanse of bar, glowing liquor bottles and cushy booths. The loss of cell service makes for a perfect escape from outside interference. The bartender who served me on my virginal visit was named Patrick. My second encounter was also with a Patrick (no mustache or suspenders this time). Apparently all the bartenders are named Patrick, except for a Tom. I love it. I got drink suggestions galore, all on point; the Ward 44 was delightfully smoky and smooth, while the Naysayer came out Hulk-green and went down like a freshly-mown lawn (diagnosis: delicious). I have designs on the beer-battered pickled peppers and flatironed steak. I will not rest until Tom and the Patricks know me by name. You've been warned. read more

Someone said to me that they read a review about Saloon online that referenced Quantum Leap, like, maybe you Quantum Leaped back into the pre-prohibition days and found yourself at Saloon. That's total bullshit. Everyone knows that Quantum Leapers can only time travel within their own lifetime, which means that you'd have to be like 80 years old in order to pull that off. Logistics aside, Saloon was great. Oaky, Oldey-Timey, a CRAZY selection of brown liquors, the food portions look huge, the quality was up there, even though the bar is underground. The atmosphere could easily bait me into trying a 22 dollar whiskey, "just because", and if i started taking notes, i could use the knowledge I gain to become the world's first Don Draper impersonator. Temperance be damned. read more

I absolutely love this joint. Between the suspenders, the amazing beer battered peppers, and that kick-ass Ward 44 drink, this place knocked my socks off. I've been here on a Laid Back Wednesday and a Jam Packed Friday. Both times my ladies friends and I had a great time. The Friday night was crazy busy but the staff seem to handle it well. I do recommend making reservations if you plan on going for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night, otherwise you will definitely wait. The hostesses are helpful, the bartenders are sassy, and the servers are courteous. I highly recommend the Ward 44. Do not let the pork belly whiskey scare you. It is an absolute delight right down to the sweet cherry that sits at the bottom of the drink. In addition to the previously mentioned beer battered peppers, the cheese plate is fantastic as well. Their dinner menu tends to change with the season (or the day?) and everything I've had has been wonderful. For those interested, they are a nut-free facility so those with allergies can dine here without any fear. The atmosphere is laid back- hip without being pretentious. It can get a little loud but its a great social scene. If your in the Davis Square area and you're looking for something a little different, this is a solid choice. read more

Why did I move from Davis Square? If only Saloon had come in sooner! Who wouldn't like going to an awesome underground bar free of TV and cell phone reception where you can sit in the ambiance of an old fashioned saloon from corner to corner?? Ya that's what I thought. This new bar in Davis Square (long awaited!!) is underneath Foundry and owned by the same owners who own Foundry and The Precinct but this one has to be my favorite, hands down. First if you like bourbon, this will be your watering hole. But be careful, not only can the bar tenders teach you anything you want to know about all of the 150 types of bourbon that they have, it will also drain your wallet pretty quickly too! Yup, those prices start jumping up all over that classy menu of theirs, so just watch out in which one you are ordering! And if bourbon isn't your thing, they have pretty cheap liters of house wine and standard mixed drinks are only $6 each!! For a place as classy as this Saloon is, I was in shock to see that $6 price tag on our bill. Maybe they are still using real saloon prices from back in the day by mistake?? ha ha And food wise, definitely not a vegetarian friendly spot. They have maybe two appetizers and a salad and that's it. Their red pepper bites are pretty darn tasty though (more so than their deviled eggs) and Matt J. and I split one of their steak entrees that was served with this creamed spinach that was out of this world! If spinach was always served the way they make it here, not only would I be overweight, but I would be a pretty happy female version of Popeye it is that good. The steak was also pretty delicious too. Oh but watch out for your credit cards getting charged correctly at the end of your night out--there was a little confusion with our group's ha Saloon, I hope you and I can become best friends very soon, even though I recently moved to Cambridge. Maybe you will be my excuse to go out in Davis more often!!! read more

Having made my way through a number of speakeasies so far, I've sometimes wondered what it would've been like living in the Prohibition era. Last night allowed my imagination to take a break as I had a chance to imbibe expertly crafted drinks in the presence of mahogany, brass, a bartender rocking a serious 'stache and one amazing group of friends. Saloon's collection of bespoke cocktails is outstanding with each drink offering its own array of flavors while still letting the base liquor shine through. The T.W. Negroni has an intriguing mix of spiced flavors reminiscent of licorice while a Corpse Reviver No. 2 makes its way onto my shortlist of favorite drinks with its melding of gin and citrus rounded out by notes of anise. On the lighter side, I discovered that black currant jives unbelievably well with whiskey in the Daisey. As for the popular Ward 44 that's been mentioned by numerous Yelpers, the pork belly is evident on the nose but then takes a backseat to the whisky before returning on the finish. Don't fear the awesomeness of pork lipids, it won't overpower and will serve only to broaden one's perspective on the endless number of ways that whisky can be heightened. The bourbon list is extensive to say the least and I'm digging the presentation of rates for Standard Pour, Old Fashioned (Sazerac for Ryes) and Manhattan for each selection. I'd recommend the 1792 Ridgemount for those looking for toffee and spice while the Hirsch will bring rich notes of caramel and maple to the table. Now for the food! The claims of the Beer Battered Pickled Peppers exploding in your mouth, unleashing wonderfully herby creaminess? Yeah, they're all true and I'll add that the pickled spiciness they leave on your tongue make them even more mouthgasmic. Get them! Or even better, get them and then order another round after you're done with your entrees like we did. Though these fried trinkets of joy totally stole the thunder of the Deviled Eggs, the latter were also delicious. So those entrees I alluded to earlier...how could I leave the establishment without feasting on some Maple Braised Pork Belly? Though not nearly as mind-blowing as that at Deep Ellum, the meat was quite tender and balanced nicely with the sweetness of the maple. My friend's Bubble & Squeak was very good and my bro had nothing but praise for the Fish & Chips - light batter breaking away to deliciously flaky haddock. The recent menu update also included a Trio of Grass Fed Sliders - earthy with lovely texture. Our meal concluded with a couple of Valrhona Brownie Sundaes split amongst our group which were full of dark chocolatey goodness. I'll wrap up by adding that the service was courteous and attentive even with a beyond full house on a Friday night. It's unfortunate that some others have had less than stellar experiences with the bartenders because they did a great job despite an absolutely jam-packed bar. Cheers to Saloon for fantastic food & drink and a ridiculously awesome birthday celebration! read more

I'm updating this review because I think I wrote my original two star review when I was cranky or hungover. This place rocks. The ambience is great, the drinks are strong and creative and the french fries are fabulous. Like mouth wateringly good. The staff also knows me at this point, mostly because I once fell down the stairs here. That's the only negative thing about Saloon. Those goddamn stairs. read more

Do you often imagine yourself as a character on Mad Men? Do you call pool halls "billiard rooms"? Do you like the idea of a cigar bar but without all the smoking? Do you forget your date's name but remember every variety of whiskey you drank the night you brought her home? Right this way, sir. Saloon, you are everything I want you to be. You have a list of whiskeys with three price categories: Standard Pour, Old-Fashioned, and Manhattan. Unlike your sister restaurant above, televisions are not on your menu. You even added Parisian Gnocchi to your menu since the first time my vegetarian self walked in your dimly-lit eatery. You are doing everything right. read more

If you like dark liquors and beers, you're in the right place. God, can I talk about how sexy this bar is? It makes me want to sip my drink slowly and stare at my date (??) all night. It's just that kind of atmosphere (or if you have that kind of date..); there is that speakeasy, dangerously sexy feel.. The dark furnishing, the hostess and waitresses in garters, and the decor to match the era. I only came here for drinks, but it was perfect. The right amount of attention from servers and recommendation for drinks. The drinks are creative, delicious, and they'll punch your liver (drink easy). Bottoms up! Hey girl hey, Saloon - you so fine.. can I buy you a draank? read more

Came here for dinner and drinks on a Friday night. They serve food until 11. We shared the fried pickles which was not really a sharing amount. They were more breaded than I'm used to for fried pickles, which left them not being very pickely. One person in our group doesn't like pickles and he gave them a try when we said they weren't pickely but they were still too much for him. The sauce with them was great, but when we asked for more (to go with the fries with the sliders my friends got) we got a different sauce. My friends enjoyed their sliders, saying all were cooked perfectly. The fries were average, but there was a lot of them! I don't remember what drink I got (and their menu on their website is in a word document and isn't the same as what they have in the bar now) but it was terrible. I'm not one to send something back (it was probably my fault for not knowing the ingredients) so I powered though it. We all kind of felt that way about the menu though--not sure about what half the ingredients were (and we drink a lot). Having a description of the drinks would be great. While they do have a large selection of whiskeys, most were American, and I'm a fan of Irish, so I was a bit disappointed. They also run out of a lot of things. When we arrived we were told they were out of one cocktail, and then we tried to order another and they were out. Also only had one menu of drinks for a party of 4 so finding what drinks we wanted was hard enough having to pass the menu around. We had to flag down our server a few times and she seemed to not want to put in drinks that were not on the menu (like when I ordered Jamie and ginger). I felt a bit bad for the servers as a whole because the crowd around the bar seems to be blocking their way from the dining room to the kitchen. read more

What a disappointing night! I was so excited to try this place, and at least drinks didn't disappoint. If you don't like whiskey or bourbon, you're SOL. Our DD ordered a cider, but our waitress never brought it. We couldn't get her attention quickly enough to correct the situation. The apps were hit or miss. The devils on horse back and the fried pickles were both good. There were only 4 of the little devils to go around, which seemed a little meager. The wing sauce was ho-hum, but edible. We also had a cheese plate, on which the grapes were the most plentiful element. The portions of cheese were comically small along with the ultra thin slices of baguette. Chic perhaps, but I wanted a little more food for ~$12.00. Dinner was another story all together. The gentlemen who got steaks didn't get much steak, but what they did get was cooked beautifully! The scallops were covered in super strong Chinese five spice powder, which totally overshadows their unique and delicate flavor. The sliders were quite good and the fries too. It was NYE, and I didn't want to kill my buzz with a ton of food. The duck was an interesting option as was the boar, but I couldn't commit to a whole plate of either. I saw the petite panini on the apps menu and thought my problems were solved. Duck and cheese, grilled! What could go wrong? Well, remember those ultra thin slices of baguette from the cheese plate? They cut the rest on a bias, slathered it in butter, thought about grilling it, but maybe forgot. The rest of the Brie that didn't make the tiny portion on the cheese plate was between the tiny slices of baguette along with a paper thin slice of duck. That was it. There was also a strange cranberry sauce to dip or spread. I tasted mostly melted butter, a little more unmelted Brie, and absolutely no duck. I really expected more for ~$12.00. The overall experience was expensive and ultimately disappointing. The ambiance is nice, the drinks are good, but the food needs some work. read more

First of several reviews I'm sure as I only got to try one appetizer and a few glasses of wine but I LOVE that this place is dark, secluded (almost secret) and a throwback to the Prohibition era. No TVs, old music, waiters in suspenders and the bar is the focal point of the room. Like the Beehive but less eccentric and in DAVIS. College kids begone. Food is a bit limited (small bar menu) but I am eager to head back with a group of friends and try out the "real" drinks. I do have one major gripe: This place could be REALLY cool if a dress code was enforced, and people (boys) weren't allowed to arrive in tattered jeans, hoodies and sneakers. Gross. read more

This place is fascinating and I am going to come back here as soon as I can. A friend of mine suggested that we meet here for a mid-week drink and I found no reason to say no. I did try to do a little internet-ing of this place prior to my visit and they NEED to update their website, but luckily there were enough articles about this place to give me a good idea of what to expect. I also looked it up in Yelp, of course. Saloon is very discrete; if you don't know it is there the chances of you noticing it are very slim. In fact I was looking for it and it took me a good 6 minutes of just staring at the wall to see the "sign". I personally love this detail, but I can see how this would be incredibly annoying for others. You go down the stairs, turn to your left, and BOOM; it's a room of awesome. The room is covered in dark-stained wood paneling (classy wood paneling, not 70s wood paneling), there are amazing over head lights, and non-cliché Johnny Cash playing from somewhere in the ceiling. I, being a former art-school kid, was drooling at the design of the menus; you can just tell that they went for classy designers, not so&so's nephew that knows what the special Alt characters are. I will fully admit that I only had a beer and a boring Stella Artois at that. I know that the waitress judged this, but I had plans in an hour and didn't feel like showing up to them smelling like Green Chartreuse. My friend however, had no problem with doing just that and ordered one of their fancy cocktails, so as a "party" we were not judged too harshly. The atmosphere was great and the waitresses were not hover-y; always a plus in my book. I have to say I have never been more eager to revisit a place to find out what their fish & chips taste like. I also have to say that I never thought I would write a sentence like that and be serious about it, but it is 100% true. Update to follow, eventually. In the meantime, go show this place some love, you won't regret it. read more

When I first started to get into whiskey, most bars offered only a handful - there was Jack, Jameson, Dewar's and maybe Maker's if you were lucky. But just as we emerged out of the craft beer dark ages in the 1990's, my favorite brown elixir has diversified exponentially on the shelves behind the barkeep. I was immediately impressed by the menu itself - whiskeys divided by style and origin, with separate prices for a standard pour, a Manhattan and one other cocktail (old fashioned?) - no more surprises when my Manhattan turns out to be several dollars more than the list price. On my first visit I was a little worried at first - I ordered a rye Manhattan on the rocks, with a twist and instead got one up with a cherry. Not the way I ordered it, but hey, I'm not going to send back a large glass of wonderfully blended and chilled boozeahol. Imagine my pleasant surprise when the waitress returns a few minutes later with a second cocktail - prepared as I ordered, and informed me that the "up" one that I was nursing was on the house. Great catch on their part, and always wonderful to have your first cocktail at a new bar be on the house. Around the time I came around to whiskey, I also decided that I preferred drinking beer, whether it be yellow or imported or craft, out of cans - and Saloon also has a respectable list of beer served in cans, from retro choices like Schlitz to Brit favorite Boddington's. They've probably corrected this problem that seems to strike every new drinking establishment by now, but on my first visit (a Sunday night before a Monday holiday) the place was mobbed and under-staffed. Like I said, nearly every bar/restaurant makes this mistake once and usually just once. read more

Great place to have the first few drinks of the night. Can be a very romantic scene at one of their tables away from the bar (it will still be a bit loud though) or a wonderful casual atmosphere up at the bar (where I always rather be). The drinks here are a bit more expensive though and I do not know if they really warrant the cost (12 for vodka cocktail). Either way, still worth the visit as they offer drink mixes and attention you WILL NOT get in 90% of the bars out there. Please note that this is primarily a whiskey bar and thus have many more options for whiskey drinks. The atmosphere is a very cool speak easy and you can imagine stepping back in time. Start your night off here, bring a nicer outfit and jump into the atmosphere. read more

I was hoping for more... I love cocktails, I love hard-to-find bars, and I love Prohibition-style bars...but I did not love Saloon. Sigh. It was really really loud, service was friendly but painfully slow, and the cocktails were good, but not good enough to put up with the noise and the service. It seems like a good place to go with a group, but maybe not a first choice. I would give it another shot. Hopefully my experience wasn't the usual. read more

I have been here several times. Yup. It's good. PRO: -The food and cocktails are pretty good. Eh, yeah, you know, it's fine or whatever. No complaints usually. Menu frequently changes, which is nice. -The decor is prohibition inspired... and amazingly not hokey. CON: -Too loud -Too crowded -It's so loud -There is always one extremely obnoxious party. Last night, there was a girl who was having too much fun. Her drunken cachinnations were annoying. I hated it. Another time, a couple made out at the bar for hours... HOURS. They were there when we arrived and their tongues were still down each other's throats when we left. Young love is stupid. read more

Do not drive if it can be avoided. The space itself is very inviting. Descend the almost hidden stairs and enter a world where the cocktail is king. Talk to the bartenders. Ask questions. Make a decision. The drink makers are polite, friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely accurate. The food is excellent. I want to return. read more

This place is definitely better than the 3.5 stars it's currently at. Solid 4+. I was here just recently for a birthday. I have walked past it many times, without the slightest clue there was a bar there. It really has the feel of a speakeasy. There is no sign outside (that I saw), and you take a staircase downstairs. When you get down there you really feel like you were transported into a 1920's Prohibition era joint, the drinks fit the theme as well. Apparently they have food, but we were there just for drinks. The place also had an interesting mix of hipsters, yuppies and bros - makes for interesting people watching. VERY cool place. 'Nuff said. read more

This place is pretty fun with its incognito sign, speakeasy vibe, and fancy drinks. Service was good and the atmosphere was not overwhelming or too loud or anything when we came last Friday at 6pm. Not too crowded, either. The food, however, was just...not great. Not worth the money. We sampled the devils on horseback (the best thing we had, but still not A+), the short rib pot pie (mehhhh) and the chicken-fried rabbit (SO TOUGH! kinda greasy, biscuit != biscuit). SO. Come here. But. Don't order entrees. read more

I love Saloon! I booked a dinner here with my parents and my boyfriend a few weeks ago. Even though they were busy, the wait staff was attentive and the wait for our food was absolutely worth it. The chicken was juicy and the dessert popcorn was surprising and delicious. The entire atmosphere of the bar is cool too. You can really tell that they pay attention to the look and feel of the restaurant on top of the taste of their meals. We were so happy with the place that we even stayed for drinks at the bar afterwards. read more

My first time coming to Saloon, I walked past the place probably six times before finally working up the nerve to call them and say "OK, I give up, where the F*CK are you guys hiding!?" Speakeasy style means you gotta know where it is to go there. Yes, you have to go through the door to the Somerville Theater, and at the bottom of the stairs, take a left. So. Inside, you're greeted by the underground spacious, yet cozy brick-facade room with soft lighting, brass fixtures and a lovely wooden bar. Tables are tucked into niches, and booths are situated in corners to make you feel like you're commanding the room. The room just oozes Rat Pack-era charm with a 2013 vibe that makes you feel positively post-hip. High Quality Cocktails are, of course, de jure at Saloon, as the name would imply. Order a city-best sidecar, with a trace of a sugared rim on the up glass. 120 whiskies, a cocktail menu longer than some tax codes, and a wine list replete with quality selections by the glass make this a destination for drinkers. Turning to the food, the house made charcuterie is on par with other restaurants that have discovered a new audience for offal. Order the platter and don't think twice. The Devils on Horseback - bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with feta - are pure angel tears. A great appetizer to share. The $5.00 bread and butter is good, but not worth adding as a menu item. Your entree selection is really what it's all about here. The duo of duck is excellent, a lovely, well-prepared breast and confit croquette with red cabbage and black lentils. You can't miss with the minute steak, which comes out tender and amazingly flavorful. The pot-a-feu is somewhat disappointing - underseasoned, and tasting a bit like it came from mom's crock-pot. The dessert menu changes daily, so listen up after dinner for all you sweet tooths. Sadly, the one regular complaint I have at Saloon is with the service. They're creating an atmosphere of chill, laid-back, relaxed - I get it. But even on (rare) nights when the room isn't packed to the rafters, service is slow, glasses stay empty on tables for long stretches, and the overly-involved monologues each server delivers at the table all add up to a real E-ticket wait time. However, don't let the few bumps dissuade you from the great time that is a trip to Saloon! Make a reservation for the dinner hour, or pop in late night; you won't regret it. read more

This place seems to be very confused about what it wants to be. That's the feeling I was left with - here are some further thoughts on why: -Not a contributing factor, but information for all those out there - the door is next to the entrance for the Davis Sq. Theatre, across the sidewalk from a lamppost with a globe and "Saloon" written on it. -One of the hostesses didn't know where the bathroom was. For reals? -It's extremely loud. It's also very dark, and very pretty/comforting/saloon-y. -I think they want to be a cocktail bar, but their drinks seem less inspired than the better cocktail bars in the Boston area, and the majority of their space is taken up by dinner tables (note - in order to sit at a table you have to order food). I didn't drink, but the folks I was with liked the drinks they got, FYI. -The food is the most confusing part. Their menu presents a restaurant that is excited about serving good, high quality food. Their prices are on the higher side for a local joint, indicating their food is going to be delicious, well-thought-out, and inspired. The rundown: -The fried peppers stuffed with boursin. These were quite good! Not too covered in batter (although that did mean that most of it fell off in transport from the dish to my plate), stuffed with deliciousness, and nicely spicy. The sauce on the side was weird, though. -They had a special app for $15 that was BBQ lamb neck for two. It was really good, and plenty of food for the price point. I was impressed! -The salmon entree - the salmon was really good and a nice portion. The sauce was phenomenally salty. The dish came with potatoes and brussels sprouts. There were approximately 4 baby potatoes on the plate, and quite literally a brussels sprout and a half. WTF? -Same problem with the Short Rib entree - the meat portion was quite large and well done, what I would expect for the price point. It sat on top of an 1/8 of a cup of cauliflower puree, two baby carrots sliced in half, and next to it were 3 turnips. Again, I ask, WTF? -I also noticed that a lot of the accompaniments to their entrees, and especially those listed on the specials board, were in common amongst many dishes. This leads me to believe they pick a few veggies here and there, and figure out how to pair them all semi-differently amongst the meats. This doesn't seem particularly well-thought-out, or like food is the focus here. So, short story long, this is not a place I would come to eat dinner. Drinks - sure, check it out, but beware that as of about 7:30/8pm on a weekend night this place is absolutely packed, loud, and relatively hipstery. read more

Tried this place last night after a friend raved about the crispy mushrooms that come w/ the strip steak. Overall, I left with a so-so impression and there were some high's and low's: Food: Cheese Plate: it's hard to mess up a cheese plate, so I say this one was pretty good.. 3 cheeses, thinly sliced granny smith apples, bread (not enough!) & a jelly, which was tasty but had some kind of allspice-like flavor which I didn't personally care for. Caesar Salad: the best thing I ate here, it was well dressed and the dressing/cheese was really great. Nice tang. Salmon: w/ Israeli couscous, micro-greens & kale. Not enough kale, just 4-5 pieces, and the couscous didn't have all too much flavor (just a light, buttery taste) but was cooked well. The salmon was very fresh and good, though no special seasoning or anything, just simple, clean food. Strip steak: came on a board w/ crispy fried mushrooms, baby greens (I think watercress?) & 2 sweet potato croquettes. The steak looked great to me but my dining companion said it was just alright. They were topped with a nice sweet butter. The mushrooms were INSANELY good until you got past the top layer and then they were so salty we couldn't really eat them. The croquettes had too much of a smokey flavor (not in a good way), so we barely touched them. Drinks: I ordered a chardonnay and was kinda weirded out it came in a small juice glass instead of a wine glass. My dining companion ordered the Bro Me, which was indeed very rummy (2 kinds) but quite tasty. Thumbs up for their use of luxardo cherries! Service: This is where my mixed emotions enter. The manager came up to our table to check in and clear some plates when he noticed we hadn't touched the blue cheese, which we don't really care for. He said he'd take it off the tab, which I thought was really nice! Also, when I ordered the salmon, our server returned to tell me they didn't have any left. I don't eat meat, so it was either the salmon or the risotto as options (they have a very small menu), and I really didn't want the risotto so she went back and managed to get a piece of salmon from their sister restaurant (Foundry). I thought that was exceptional service on their end. Our food took FOREVER to come out though, and when it finally did arrive, we had to wait another ten minutes or so for them to bring us UTENSILS! yikes... that didn't leave a very good impression. In the end, I say, give it a shot if you're in the area- people seem to like it, but as for me, I don't see any reason to return. read more

Came in here on Sunday night around 10PM. As with any place trying the hip nouveau speakeasy thing, the entrance door was unsigned and I had to ask the bartender at Foundry how to find the place (for the uninitiated, the door is under the theater marquee). I liked the space - dark, lots of wood, big bar but lots of little tables. Drink menu was as expected - lots of good craft beers, lots of whiskey based drinks. Since I had been drinking rum earlier in the night, I ordered their version of a Brown Derby, which was sort of a rum based Old Fashioned (dark rum, maraschino, orange) and it was very good. The wifey ordered her classic Old Cuban which she had to explain to the waitress but ultimately the bartender got it pretty close. Unfortunately they had already stopped serving food by the time we arrived, so I can't comment there. This place is very nearly 4-star worthy except for two details - the waitresses' flapper costumes and the blaring jazz music. I get it, prohibition-era speakeasy, what every new bar is trying to be these days. But I don't need to be slapped in the face with it. The waitresses can be in a clean, all black outfit without it looking ridiculous. And the volume of the music could be dramatically reduced and changed to more contemporary jazzy tunes like Ellie Goulding, Ingrid Michaelson, etc. Change these two way way way over-the-top items, and you'll earn a little more respect from a lot more people. read more

I've been to Saloon four or five times now. Great atmosphere and who can snub the bourbon selection? It's possibly the best selection in Boston. But they only serve two kinds of gin. I ask you, what kind of a saloon only has two kinds of gin?? Delicious drinks aside, I'm giving this place 3-stars because it fails to live up to expectations. The menu is limited...only about 8-9 entree items, nearly all of which are beef or pork. I ordered the fish 'n' chips, but they were already out by 7:45 p.m, so I had the roast chicken instead...a dietary compromise on my part. The chicken was delicious, although the presentation was mixed. It's served as a whole chicken on a cutting board with a carving fork sticking straight out of the top. (A little overkill if you ask me. I prefer that you carve up the bird. That's why I'm eating out.) The server didn't bother to see if we had enough plates to serve ourselves (we didn't), and the kitchen went skimpy on the sides--perhaps they were running low on carrots too? I also think they could serve a little bread with dinner. Bread is cheap. (So are carrots.) Vegetarians beware: There is only one option for you--a grilled cheese sandwich. read more

In all honesty, I really want to like this place. I have been several times now in hopes that it was just a fluke, but I leave each time feeling a little more disappointed. In one recent visit, my date and I showed to the bar up on a Thursday night (not very busy) after dinner for a drink, and were immediately met with a "Hi, what do you guys want?" from the bartender. The older gentleman with a long beard proceeded to make me a bourbon cocktail with pork belly fat after I tried to explain to him that I just needed a minute to read over the menu, as I had never seen it before. I'll admit I was a little put off from the interaction, but I decided to give the drink a shot since it was his recommendation (mind you, without asking anything about my taste.) I'm not sure if the cocktail was supposed to taste like I was drinking a glass of melted lard, or if the measurements were off, but I was only able to take two or three sips of the oily mixture before my stomach become very heavy and upset. When he returned, he tried to make another random cocktail to replace the one I sent back. I said no thanks and instead asked for the menu again because I just wanted a neat bourbon. Instead of bringing me a menu, the bartender poured me a shot of what I later found out to be one of their more pricier single barrels. I work in the food service industry myself, and so I try to be forgiving and understanding when trying new places, especially on a busy/full night. I enjoyed the atmosphere and look of the place, but was let down by my interactions with the staff, and also by the drinks themselves. I'm very hesitant to give this place such a low review because I know how much some people enjoy Saloon, but I was just put off in a way that makes me not want to come back. read more

I came here on a Friday night to meet a group of friends. The bar is really not laid out very well to handle a crowd; it was very difficult to maneuver, and you could tell that the servers were getting frustrated trying to move through the huge crowds of people. The service was, honestly, pretty bad. It took about 15 minutes for me to get my drink once I'd ordered it, and it was horrible when I did get it. I ordered a martini, and I tried my friend's vodka martini (to make sure that it wasn't just the gin that was awful). Both drinks were truly abysmal - I couldn't even finish mine (and I like martinis). I wish I had sent my drink back to the bar for a refund. I do not plan on going here again. read more

If i could give less than 1 star I would. The bar has a good vibe and the drinks are pretty good. But the service and bartenders are the worst. No reason to ever come here for a drink or food. Go down the street to Painted Burro where they have true pro Bartenders with good attitudes and want to be nice to the customers. The bar tenders at The Saloon are more worried about there hipster mustahces and suspenders than having good customer servive. I will never spend a cent at this place again. Trust me find another place to get a cocktail read more

Proper Name: Saloon 1. If you're gentrifying Somerville, you drink here. 2. Bartender's have best mustache's in Davis Square. 3. Great place to bring a date if you're white. 4. Not a beer place, get a cocktail, them shits are nice. 5. The entrance is not the theatre, its down the stairs. Real Talk There's no actual regulars here. End Result Buzzed. Rating Davis Square Cocktail Smart read more

Whenever my friends and I want a spur-of-the-moment night out, we head to Saloon. The entrance itself makes an impression right away with the long staircase leading down to the host station. We typically sit at the bar, but there's lots of table seating and some cozy round booths as well. Despite the name, the overall atmosphere is more of a 1920s speakeasy than an old west saloon. If you want a table, you should definitely make a reservation. But honestly? Just sit at the bar. The bar stools are pretty comfortable, even for someone with back problems (which I have), and it's well worth limited "table" space to get to watch the bartenders at work. It's like watching ballet dancers--who also happen to be expert mixologists-- juggling full bottles of liquor while in a choreographed cage fight. It's incredible. The fact that they do all this while also being friendly and hospitable to all their customers just blows my mind. The drinks themselves are fantastic, and if you're friendly and talk to the bartenders and let them make recommendations based on your tastes, they're amazing at mixing up things that suit your palate. The bar apps are good, especially the bacon-wrapped figs and their fries. Their steak is wonderful too, seasoned and grilled to perfection. Just a warning though: it's huge! You probably will not be able to eat it all in one sitting. read more

If you're in the mood for someplace a little different, look no further.... Actually, you may have to do a little looking because we definitely passed this place a couple times and even made a pit stop at their sister restaurant, Foundry on Elm, before finally finding it. HINT: Look out for the small lit up globe with the word "Saloon" etched in red. One step inside Saloon and you're transported to another time. It definitely has that old time speakeasy feel and almost reminded me of a place where Vampires would hang out in an episode of True Blood.... this is getting a little off track, but what I'm trying to say is - It's a really cool place! The bar is beautiful and the interior is really nice with it's dark wood, leather back seats, and dim lighting. The menu comes on a tattered folded up piece of parchment, almost like a treasure map and you can actually order the House Punch in a flask!!! Definitely order something brown off the liquor menu, because that's the type of place this is, but if brown liquor is not your thing, give Mrs. Robinson a try. She's a great choice for summer! read more

I really wanted to like this place after hearing so much buzz about it. I've been here three times and had the same experience each time No matter what time we go, there's no room at the bar. I agree with another poster that this has has an identity problem -- the bar is small, the dining area is too close to the bar and unfortunately, they haven't done a good job at making it better one way or the other I have no problem standing at a bar, but there's not really an area to "hang out" at without being in someone's food that is dining. Why not take out the already too small tables that are in the back right hand corner (if you walked in main entrance) and put in another one of those large shared bar tables (if you've been in there, it's on the left hand side as you walk in the front door) -- Foundry has something similar right behind hostess stands This allows people that are there for drinks to grab a seat or at least a few inches of tabletop to rest a drink and several people that do not know each other can easily share the space I've yet to eat here, as the food didn't look too appetizing -- I was hoping for something that more on the comfort food side, since it is a "saloon", not a foo-foo bistro After three visits and not a pleasant experience yet, I'll opt for places like Five Horses (which has gotten much better since I first reviewed), Posto or even Foundry over this place I really hope they change the layout -- it doesn't work... read more