Don't be fooled by the rating this place is a 1 star at best. I was pulled in by the uniqueness but was woefully disappointed by the food. It is a great bar I am sure but the food has a lot of catching up to do. My buddy got a burger that was no where close to being cooked. I got the black bean burger after reading several reviews and thought I couldn't go wrong. The cook should have just gone gone to the Pioneer Woman's website and stole her recipe. If this thing was a 1/4 inch thick it's being generous. There was was more bread than black bean so I can't even comment on the flavor. I also got the sweet potato fries which left me scratching my head. They were too big which left the outside smoking hot and and the inside tough. Don't make the same mistake I did. read more

Sidebar Grill - Back on the road. - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

What! The best burger In recent memory. Likely top ten all time? You gotta visit this place! Small and intimate. Watch the Chef cook your food right in front of you. Come early-limited access. read more

I need to update my review... I used to come here very often... but have been venturing to other places in Lexington I have never tried... but my fiance and I came back here about a week and a half ago... it had been about six months since our last visit and it was awesome... We had the burger special, a half pound with cheese,mushrooms,onions,tomato,and a spring mix of greens... not just boring ol' romaine or ice burg lettuce... I love it... their sweet potato fries are the best in Lexington, and their food really taste like they love making it... I love their food and drink prices... two meals and six drinks (we did go during happy hour) for around $35... hell yeah... I love the decor and how cozy it is, plus the mixture of people never makes me feel out of place... It is totally hip... Love it! read more

My wife and I hit up sidebar for a quick bite and some drinks before a concert at Rupp Arena. They did their best to accommodate our schedule and the food was really good - surprisingly really fresh and standout ingredients. The food was much better than I expected. And the eclectic decor and environment really fit our tastes. I will be visiting again if given another opportunity. read more

This place has the best ice. Would give 6 stars but they don't allow cats. Koreys dainty hands whip up the best grub from Timbuktu to Portland Oregon. Portland Maine, for that matter. read more

I had the fish and chips. It may have been an off night for the chef. My dish was bland and dark from old oil, almost burnt. Service was also slow. If you sit outside at night don't be surprised if numerous homeless people beg during your whole meal. There were no lights from the restaurant for the outside table. Best part of the night was the friendly waitress and cole slaw. read more

No frills atmosphere, but if you sit at the bar you watch the cook make your very own burger with fresh ingredients. At peak times, there may be a wait due to the small kitchen area, but well worth the wait. read more

Sidebar Grill - The Fool's Gold Burger (for April Fool's Day). So good. Made fresh right in front of me at the bar. - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

This is the place to go to if you are in downtown Lex and want a burger. I love this place. It is quite dive-y but the food is top notch. It's a quirk that works! Everytime! read more

Stopped in for lunch while driving back to Ohio from Tennessee. I was greeted/seated promptly and ordered a sirloin burger with fries. In just a few minutes, my food arrived and looked/tasted fantastic. The fries were thinner than I usually like, but they tasted great. My server was pleasant and efficient with no issues whatsoever. I'll definitely come back again in the future when in Lexington. read more

My FAVORITE dive bar. I go for the chili cheese fries. And awesome burgers. Great for lunch or dinner. Friendly and fun staff. Not a ton of seating so I don't suggest for large groups wanting to eat. read more

Not a bad place to eat. Service was kinda slow but the food was good. Not going to say that it was a 4star as posted, but a solid 3 star.

I'll tell you what - I wasn't expecting much when we first walked in the door. But the burger was really good! The fries were okay - I wished they had been a little crisper. But they seemed to be freshly made. Service was quick and friendly. This is a great lunch spot if you are looking for something casual downtown! read more

Atmosphere was very chill. The food was good. The service was excellent. I will definitely be heading there again if I find my self out that way sometime in the future. read more

I came here after a long road trip from Atlanta. I was really hungry and since I tend to avoid the typical fast food nonsense, I sought out an interesting local place that was open and currently serving food. I drove from my hotel, parked and walked in. I was VERY pleased to find live music playing (on a Wednesday night), hipsters sitting around drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon, various ladies appreciating my arrival and a bartender with a most excellent beard behind the bar (so far so good). I perused the menu and started salivating... the food sounded great. I made my selection, went to the bar because, well, no table service. I was thus informed that the kitchen was closed, given a 'surely you must be joking' look and told there was absolutely no food being served (it was 10:10 pm). They had stopped serving food at 10 pm. I was hoping they would show a slight glimmer of mercy and some exceptional customer service by saying something like, 'but let me see if I can get a little something put together for you'... but nope, no such luck. ((Sigh)) So I left because I was not drinking that night and my main goal was to grab a bite. I would've liked to have eaten here. Oh well... maybe next time. This place is definitely a dive bar that seems to be popular with the locals. Apparently a great place to come get some cheap drinks. read more

Excellent service. Great food. Eclectic environment. Definitely on my list to return when I am back next week.

I love the decor and the cool photographs on the wall, it's a small but good menu, and they play good punk music. My chicken salad sandwich was the bomb, good beer selection, super cool vibes. read more

One of the best places to eat in lexington. Super vegetarian friendly and their sweet potato fries are amazing. They are a good bar to go for inexpensive drinks but not if you're looking for a large tap selection. read more

First time at the Sidebar. The burger was great. It had a nice flavor. The fries were a little cold. We did also get the fried pickles which were delicious. Our Server was nice and attentive. I will come back if I'm in the mood for a good burger or fried pickles. read more

They have the best black bean burgers I've ever tried. Service is pretty good, except a little slow.

Sidebar grill is a nice place to chill out with friends but the food is kind of underwhelming. The drinks are all right too, but if you want to go out on a saturday night there are more social gatherings in other bars around this area. Parking is very difficult to find. read more

Very solid burgers, excellent french fries and sweet potato fries. One of the better burgers in all of Lexington.

Decently priced and very yummy! This is an awesome dive a great place for my family. I was surprised they had a highchair and crayons! Everything we have had so far was great and decent portions. We usually try to share an entrée but that doesn't quite fill us up so we get and app or soup with it and its just enough. House made chips are yummy and I recommend their fried pickles! read more

I would have like to have given a review but after waiting close to an hour for my food I cancelled my order.

Burgers to fish and chips. Everything is fresh and homemade. No pretense. The staff is friendly. I've never had a bad meal or service.

This place is an awesome lil gem, Decorated with vintage/music decor. Me and my boyfriend were trying to find something that me as a veggie and him as a meat eater could both enjoy without spending too much. Sidebar definitely hit the spot! I had the portobello sandwich with homemade dill potato chips and he had the BBQ pork sandwich with homemade fries. Both our meals were absolutely perfect, he even stated that it was the best pork sandwich he's ever had. Also there was more than 4+ things for me to eat besides just salad, which is exciting for a vegetarian :) server was so nice. overall I love this place and can't wait to visit again !! A must of looking for an awesome bar that happens to have wonderful food. read more

Love the atmosphere of this place but that's about it. Very, very unimpressed with the food here. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch, I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and fries. The chicken salad had no taste except for onion and mayo, and the fries were soggy with no flavor. My boyfriend got a very average burger and we had to ask our server for pickles (it was supposed to come with our food). We were also really looking forward to ordering fried pickles but they refused to serve until 5. (Can you tell we like pickles??) We were super hungry and sad that the food was so blah. read more

Finally a place that puts some seasoning on their burgers!!! Man what a great burger. I actually ordered another one after I finished my first one. Great hole in the wall. I would recommend it to anyone. read more

Cool little place. Great burger and the fried pickles were excellent (hand breaded!).

Great little place for a good burger and cheap stiff drink. $4 well drinks were large, service was very helpful and friendly, food was awesome! Other than the burgers, the bbq is tasty and the sweet potato fries with the dipping sauce is so yummy. Beer selection is iffy. Small, eccentric place, and a must go back. read more

Best hamburger and house-made chips in town. Very small so it gets crowded fast. Excellent service usually as well.

It's one of the chillest bars I've ever been to good people,great food..3 pbr tall boys.

Nice place for a quick bite, couple brews. Had the steak sandwich, au jus was great. Fresh potato chips are a must order!

I've never had a bad meal here! The food, service and drinks rock! The owners are the nicest people around and they deserve the good business that they always seem to have. Well done Side Bar! read more

Small, but good bar food/ pub fair. Burgers are their specialty. Waitress was friendly. Clientele is mostly the artsy hipster crowd, many of whom will be sitting on the sidewalk smoking and drinking 'alfresco' style. read more

Was in town for work, and wanted some really good pub grub. This place did not disappoint. The chips were pretty good, but the chili was so good. I wish I had ordered a double helping of it. I swear there is an addictive chemical in it that makes you crave it. I am now back in LA and I am still craving their chili. read more

Best fried pickles around! Also the burgers are amazing. They also make homemade chips.

A literal "side bar." Narrow inside. One waitress to the place. Pretty good burger grilled behind the bar. Pretty decent fries. Five terrible taps. But don't worry: They carry West Sixth in cans. Replace the Sam Adams and Blue Moon with Against the Grain and New Albanian and you would surely have a "local" hangout. read more

Great burger and great sweet potato fries! The price is cheap and it's about the right portion. Don't open on Sunday night though. Always craving for their burgers on Sunday. Don't know why.... read more

Great atmosphere and great food. Loved the barbecue pork sandwich with house made chips. Dining companion had the portobello mushroom sandwich with fries and that was good, too. We will definitely visit again. read more

Some of my favorite food in Lexington. Limited bar, but they try hard with seasonal beers. Sweet potato fries are a must.