I would like to give this place more stars but can't because the bartender is so obnoxious. They only serve one kind of oyster per day - strange for an oyster bar. They were very good. The mignonette was fabulous and beer was good. The bartender was condescending and rude. My husband and I are avid oyster eaters and have even caught some of our own during our trips to maine. The bartender tried to tell us we didn't know what we were talking about and that we had probably found clams and mussels. Do these pictures look like all mussels or clams to you? read more

The Barnacle - Do these look like clams and mussels to you? - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Hands down Trevor the bartender and the owner work extremely hard to make sure their customers are happy. Definite must would be the old fashion and oysters. read more

Wow..loved this place. I was on the search for raw oysters and surprised there was not an abundance of choices. I was not disappointed with this choice. read more

Some of the best oysters I've had in New England! The mignonette paired PERFECTLY with the bar harbor blonde oysters! Those oysters were meaty and a little briny, so yummy. We also got the giant pretzel and clam chowder. All of it was so flavorful! I love that the pretzel was served with both chunky mustard and cheese sauce. The clam chowder was the right amount of thick and creamy for these chilly almost fall nights! read more

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We came during the off season where they are only a bar. The bar tender, Cosmo, is a great person. We really enj ourselves and the drinks were great! read more

The Barnacle - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Rude bartender approaches me and escorts me out the restaurant because I was waiting in line for the bathroom and shouts out "are you a patron"? I told her I was going to order a drink and she proceeds to show me public restrooms 2 blocks away. Perhaps this woman was not a fan of the color of my skin read more

Great bartender with great drinks - nothing else needed. Oysters looked amazing! Will try next time read more

The Barnacle - Nitro cold brew martini - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Adorable place to grab a cocktail and delicious oysters. Love the house made mignonette!

Don't go to Bar Har Barbor without going here. The service is off the charts. Zauna (sp?), the bartender was beyond great and is a great ambassador for Bar Harbor much less this bar/restaurant. Must go when in town. Oysters were perfect. Drinks were great. Service was even better read more

Drinks are dependable, general feeling of a classier bar harbor establishment with late night availability. Would maybe give a 5 star review except they are literally unreachable. Was trying to plan a trip itinerary and they ignore social media contacts, website contact channels, AND phone calls. Not a very customer forward way of making people feel welcome. read more

Stopped in off season, but open. Drinks and popcorn only. The bar is pretty, the drinks good and the service was quick and pleasant. I would love to come back when they are serving oysters! read more

Some of the freshest oysters on the island. The best part of the menu is that's all there is, and a pretzel. Don't go here if you're looking for a lobster roll or anything other than oysters. You won't find any. The beer and cocktail list is extensive. Great bartender. read more

The Barnacle - 12 Bar Harbor Blonde oysters - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

We stopped here on a whim for oysters during a little pub crawl down the main drag. Boy, we weren't disappointed. The Dark N Stormy was one of the best drinks I've ever had, and I'm not a huge fan of ginger beer. They use a local Maine root ginger brew with Goslings Black Seal Rum. It was so good I stopped at a liquor store and bought bottles of the ingredients since we can't get them in Michigan. The bartender was a great host and he engaged in conversation and even gave us some local history and guidance on where to go. The oysters were fantastic and exactly what the moment called for. The other drink was some type of blueberry kombucha drink, it was also very good but I stuck with the stormys. Stop here and have a drink and a dozen. You'll be glad you did. Oh, it's small and intimate, the decor is very cool. read more

The Barnacle - Dark N Stormy BEST DRINK IVE HAD - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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This is my favorite place in bar harbor . The bartenders are just the most pleasant I've ever dealt with . They know how to mix a drink perfect . This is a clean happy bar . I would highly recommend this place to anyone.. thrilled to have found this gem .. read more

Went there for the local Maine oysters and were not disappointed. Super cool and personable guy (Cosmo) gave us all the details about the oysters. The pretzel was great - soft and not overly salted - and the beer cheese and mustard were really good. Bet in a pre-COVID time it was a really fun, cozy, intimate environment. Appreciate what they've been able to do to accommodate social distancing and run an efficient, safe and delicious meal service. read more

The Barnacle - Oysters and Maine blueberry soda - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Their oyster is a must try. The owner has a family friend who have a boat and get the fresh oyster out of sea daily. It's so good!!!! Their home made red vinegar shallot dressing. Their clam chowder is also really good! It will warm you up in the October weather after a long ocean kayaking! read more

I love the barnacle! It is one of the few places in Bar Harbor that's actually open past 9 or 10 which is amazing. The service every time I've been here is great and they make a mean espresso martini! I can't comment on the food as I've only had the popcorn but the drinks and the vibes are great! read more

Absolutely awesome oysters, clam chowder and mussels. We enjoyed our late lunch and met some really great people. Trevor was a gem. read more

The Barnacle - Absolutely awesome oysters, clam chowder and mussels. We enjoyed our late lunch and met some really great people. Trevor was a gem. - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

A place that you shouldn't miss during Bar Harbor visit. As an Oyster lover, I personally think their oysters are top notch, 9.5 out of 10. The environment and ambiance is also great. The gentlemen who runs the bar is super friendly. read more

Great place Fun Clean Get a kombucha cocktail I asked for a bourbon one Good service They have good whiskey Prices are fair Very small Wendy is awesome read more

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Despite covid rules and a short menu this restaurant exceeded my expectations. The seafood was super fresh and I loved every bite of my meaty oysters. My friends also loved the cocktails (recommend the dark and stormy). It's on the pricey side but worth the experience! Don't forget to get the mussels (the bread for dipping is buttery and perfectly toasted). Can you tell I liked the place? read more

The Barnacle - Lobster roll - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Bartender/owner is rude and condescending. Seems to get off on it in some sadistic way. Might be some sort of theater, but certain people seem to be unwelcome. They have the right to refuse service, but it is discrimination if it appears to be based on prejudice. If you are masochist want to get insulted for recreation there are places that advertise that and will service you unconditionally. The are better oysters and drink elsewhere, so unless you want to roll the dice on the owners attitude that day, you should just avoid this place. read more

I did some research before our trip to Maine and saw this place had five stars on every social platform. I questioned it but on a quest for oysters and somewhere dog friendly we headed there. I didn't see any outdoor seating so I went and asked if dogs were allowed and the bartender said sure so we sat at the bar inside. Trevor was amazing and super helpful with drinks and recommendations. We had a dozen oysters, a clam chowder and the mussel pot. All three were great. He gave us popcorn to hold us over before any food came out and waters to drink. He also filled our Golden's water bowl for him. If you're in Bar Harbor I 100% recommend stopping by. read more

The Barnacle - Mussel pot - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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So happy to have stumbled into this place while visiting Bar Harbor and even happy to have spent 4 hours here with the coolest bartender ever --Trevor. The Barnacle has become by favorite place in the Bar Harbor area. A small unassuming hole in the wall bar. Its simple store front and clean interior with a classic wooden top bar and stools, this place is a gem. It offers a very simple drink menu and they even make their own Kombuccha! On top of that, they use the Kombuccha to make their cocktails, which led me to the Ghost pepper Kombuccha cocktail.. so good. Just the right amount of heat going down your throat. Pack with flavor this drink was made right. You can easily go throw 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 drinks here, which we did. They also offer a small menu for food (forgot to mention you get popcorn at the bar) consisting of simple items like some damn good clam chowder, a killer kielbasa, and a really really good pot of mussels (make sure you order extra bread to soak up that good sauce). Honestly, I can go on forever, raving about how great this place is. The food is great, the drinks are amazing, and the service was the greatest. Thanks Trevor for being a really awesome guy, great conversation, stellar cocktails, and thank you for introducing me to cold brew with lemonade I'm gonna be ordering that way more often, you were right, it grew on me! read more

Note the age of the reviews. This place is no longer the restaurant we enjoyed in September 2020 and appears to be only a bar that serves oysters. We were looking forward to going back to The Barnacle more than anywhere else on our recent vacation.. We tried to get in Wednesday night 7/7/21 and it was too crowded. Someone said they were only serving oysters and drinks that night. The next night, it was less crowded. When we went in 9/20, we had a wonderful host that seated us at a cozy terrace seat in the far back at the end of a long hallway. On 7/8, I couldn't quite see if that terrace was available so I navigated with my 10 year old through a few people for a better view. Apparently *looking* down that hallway is a capital offense because our formerly lovely host, now bartender, decided to embarrass the father trying to look for a table for his family. Out of the blue he yelled at me, "we're not sitting back there! There are no seats!" Everyone at the bar stopped and stared at me and my son. I stammered, "oh sorry, that's where sat last time we were here." He looked at me and said, playing to the patrons at the bar, "well *that* was COVID time." He paused to wave his arms around theatrically to the front of the bar, "what you see is what you get!" His tone to the bar patrons was "get a load of this schmuck." I was being humiliated in front of my son for the capital crime of looking down a hallway so he could entertain the people at the bar. Before I could move, a second patron walked in and asked if the back terrace was open. He gave her the same rant and added to the bar, "maybe I should put up a rope! Hahaha!!" The bar erupted in laughter. And I thought, "well, yeah, if you're so frustrated answering the same question over and over to the point you like humiliating people who even ask, maybe you should have a sign." And to clarify an earlier point, I didn't see anyone eating anything other than oysters. As someone who works in the client service field, and grew up in a family that ran a couple bars, the bartender behavior was beyond the pale. He took cheap shots at a couple patrons simply looking to find a way to give him business in order for a few moments of self-aggrandizement. We had been looking forward for weeks to going back to The Barnacle, and now we'll never go back. read more

While visiting downtown Bar Harbor we were lucky enough to come across this little gem. Small and unassuming with a friendly bar tender- Trevor who was also the server did a great job. Menu is limited oysters mussels chowder, turkey sandwich w fig hot dogs and kielbasa. I personally like this because then you know it's FRESH. We had the clam chowder mussels and lobster roll. DEFINITELY DELICIOUS! Best chowder! Mussels we great served in a light not to buttery broth. Lobster roll served full of lobster in a buttered roll. The patron next to us had the hot dog that also looked fantastic. Wide craft beer selection, wine was good and premium liquors. Highly recommended stopping at The Barnacle. read more

The Jury has spoken! As a group of gay men, we were made to feel unwelcome and asked to leave by "locals." However, we where the one's truly from Maine! #pride #respect read more

Such a cute stop downtown! Love the vibes in the restaurant and a nice place to stop for drinks and oysters! The blueberry martini is so good. Best oysters ever!!! read more

The Barnacle - Oysters! - Pubs Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Beautiful vintage atmosphere - also welcoming staff and dog-friendly policy. The IPA flows behind a fully stocked bar. The mussels and chowder were fresh and delightful. The place was full even though there was no cruise ship crowd. We'd come back if we were here longer. Best bar in town. read more

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went here the bartender was extremely unfriendly could tell she was unwelcoming the second we walked in and then proceeded to kick us out because our friend tripped over her dress. extremely bad experience would not recommend. read more

My husband and I thought we would pop in here for a drink and ended up staying for 3 more drinks! We loved the smaller atmosphere; our bartender was awesome. We met some great people to chat with at the bar. It was off the beaten path but worth it. read more

Server was dismissive of our friend who had forgotten his ID and then made remarks about him in front of other patrons sitting at the bar right in front of us... disappointing. However there are plenty of other spaces in Bar Harbor with more space and better music that people can go to! The places on Main Street were a blast (Mid Atlantic Brewing, Tipsy Whale, Fogtown)! read more

A stop in here will make you feel like a local. Good beer, good service, good conversation

We love this place because the bartender told people with a screaming baby to leave. Great food and great people.

Tiny little pub, limited menu food is nice, just find a place at the bar or ledge counter around the room. (There are no tables!). Bartender was great fun, super organized too. Even met some "locals" there, which was delightful! read more

Decent enough semi-local haunt at least during shoulder seasons. Good enough cocktails and popcorn at the bar. I didn't write home about it but am leaving an above average review here. read more

We got there late and the kitchen closed. But we had some nice buttery popcorn and kielbasa, along with plum sour beer and blueberry cider. Our bartender was great! Gave us advice on breakfast places, and I ended up liking the crusty blueberry pancake at Cafe This Way that he recommended! Would go back again! read more

Came here on a Monday... drinks were decent...... but...... the service was... offensive to say the least. My friend (who is not from the US) had a nicotine device . While it's understandable that the bar may have a no vaping policy, we felt the bartenders reaction was a bit harsh. He reprimanded my friend and said that his nicotine addiction was a "moral weakness" verbatim. Sheesh. Cool bar but won't be back here due to the unwelcoming vibes. read more

We stumbled on The Barnacle our first night in Bar Harbor when we saw the small sign "oysters & cocktails" and we went every single night for the rest of our stay. Oysters were delicious drinks were even better. I'm big fan of kombucha and there are a number of cocktails utilizing (Portland's) Urban Farms Kombucha and they are phenomenal. I stuck with the Gin Bucha most nights and had some local sour beers as well. The service was great, Patrick was awesome and gave us a lot of great suggestions for our stay AND he makes a mean cocktail. Great atmosphere and vibe, definitely a quieter scene from the rest of Main Street but that made it all the better. read more

Would leave 0 stars if I could. Bartender yelled at a family to "take the screaming baby outside". Extremely unprofessional and disrespectful. Never going back and I do not recommend. Horrible service. read more