Great bar! I've never had something I didn't like and all the bartenders are masters of their craft. The owner, James, really sells the experience. Seeing someone so involved in their business is truly a joy and makes this place that much more special. I can't begin to recommend the Bitter Bar highly enough! read more

Talk about expensive drinks! And I live in NYC now, so the pricing was quite unexpected. I guess a new wave is sweeping Boulder and if people are paying then why not? Our bartender looked like a character from Madmen, but I won't hold it against him... he made a good drink. All in all, it was spacious, had a good atmosphere, and had good drinks, but I'm ducking stars for cost. It's not THAT good. read more

If you want to have to take a loan out to buy a drink that tastes like boogers and gasoline, look no further and go here.over priced and straight out of a scene in portlandia, bring your unicycle and mustache, vests are optional. read more

Great bar. Really tasty and interesting drinks, a nice and unpretentious staff, and a cool atmosphere. I'd recommend going earlier or on a weekday, otherwise all the seats may be taken, and often there's not even much standing room. The drinks aren't cheap, but they are high quality and not unreasonable for what is in them. All in all a great place to check out! read more

Great variety of rare drinks & mixes as well as the only place in Boulder where you can jam out to some great House musicFriendly & compassionate bar tenders as well. read more

I am so grateful to have stumbled across Bitter Bar. And when I say "stumble" I mean a friend with really great taste recommended it. My initial reaction was "love at first sight" and now that I find myself there about 4 times a week, I'm still enamored. It's good to know there is at least one bar in Downtown Boulder that is not highly populated by beer-pong-playing, Fireball guzzling college students. On the contrary, Bitter Bar is a swanky little spot who's patrons, for the most part are professionals who enjoy a chill atmosphere with unique yet noteworthy cocktails that won't break the bank. Also, Abby is the best bartender in Boulder! read more

They apparently have done a makeover since last I visited in March. This includes the menus, which no longer include the Blue Velvet. They'll still make it for you if you ask. The happy hour menu no longer includes the Old Forrest, although the closest thing, the Horse's Neck (minus the bitters), was an OK replacement. Thumbs up on the addition of brussel sprouts, but I will have to bring my own togarashi lest they forget it again next time. read more

On an adventurous Boulder night out, we scoped Yelp and found Bitter Bar. The drinks looked awesome and not insanely over priced. We got there about 10, it was busy but not overwhelming! Found a couple of seats at a community table. Shelby, greeted us almost immediately and was extremely friendly and personable!! At a seemingly trendy local spot, we felt right and home! We were sticking with the L whiskey bases to went with a Fire & Ice and Tin cup! Both were unique and delicious but complemented each other well. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a loud bar but the crowd was sophisticated and friendly! Enjoyed people watching and chatting up a storm with my date. Shelby recommended another drink (can't recall the name, but had bourbon and blackberry). Again so yummy, plus secret they have popcorn if you ask nicely for it!! Will definitely recommend and be back for drinks!! read more

Get there right at 5 for happy hour and prime seating on the outdoor patio. Cocktails are super tasty and happy hour prices are reasonable. Tin Man is my favorite - highly recommend. read more

Wow! Surprised ourselves and re-visited due to a friends request to meet there. EVERYTHING WAS EXCELLENT! Management (James) was roaming, & visiting with guests. He was clearly concerned and passionate about creating a positive atmosphere. My wife's salmon entree and my pork sandwich were delicious. Overall it was a great value. Tried new fantastic Tesoro cucumber margarita recipe designed by James. Would have given this 5 stars, but compelled to average it out with my previous 2 start review. read more

The Bitter Bar for sure has to be the most hip neighborhood bar in Boulder! It's stylish, artistic, classy, and they play good music. Some music days are better than others however-tonight they played a bit out dated songs so my friends wanted to leave-That's the only reason why I'm rating this 4 out of 5 stars. The drinks are well made, they have some tasty snacks, the environment has a nice vibe and if you're looking for "hip" this is the place! read more

When I travel I always try to find a "mixology" type bar. The Bitter Bar is probably one of my favorites! I went with a classic old fashioned and it was absolutely amazing! I could have stayed there all night. The owner was also our bartender and he gave us some great restaurant/ bar recommendations for the rest of our trip. Will absolutely return if I am ever back in Boulder! read more

I would have loved to give this place four stars but now that they are owned under some corporate conglomerate there has been some not-so-nice changes. I used to love coming here for the best cocktails in boulder. They have a great selection of liquor, bitters (some made in-house!), and a lovely menu of small plates. Although the cocktails were expensive ($10+), they were well worth the price and happy hour was always good. Fast forward to now, and you walk in on a tuesday and its fairly empty. This place was always packed, so I knew something had changed. The drinks are still great, don't get me wrong. But the menu has changed; There are less cocktail choices. The food is not as unique and exciting as it once was. The bartender was snobby and seemed annoyed to answer my questions about the liquor. Really unfortunate that this had to get gobbled up my some corporation, and I hope they decide to put some effort back into the menu. read more

Awesome vibes, tasty cocktails, and such a great Happy Hour! Especially for those who work a little later at night, this is one of the few places I've found in Boulder that has their happy hour go until 8PM. Walk into The Bitter Bar and you find yourself in a dimly-lit room with comfy couches, small tables, and red accent lights. I went on a Monday and it had a comfortable amount of people spread around. The server was very friendly and willing to answer any questions I had about the drink menu. Beware! Their drinks are decently strong - I had the tin man which was oh-so-tasty and not overly sweet like many cocktails, and that was enough to get me very much tipsy. They don't have much for snacks on their menu so definitely eat somewhere else before coming here! Especially on week days, there is also easy street/2-hour parking nearby on the cross streets of Walnut. I'll definitely be back for more HH! read more

Not a huge selection of specialized happy hour cocktails but I really enjoyed their mezcal drink. I think a lot of their cocktail menu was limited in some way compared to other hip spots but was good. It's a bit crowded for its very popular cheap cocktails. The lighting is very well planned in there- very chic. The bartender was great. read more

I really enjoy the ambiance and warm welcome of this place. They serve eclectic cocktails at affordable prices, especially during the happiest hours . I say hours because you can actually enjoy happy hour without having to skip out on work early. Makes for a wonderful date night; some tasty cocktails and then dinner is within walking distance. read more

I've been here for happy hours. It's a great place to go to get drinks at happy hour prices. Their outdoor seating is fun during the summer. They are off the main pearl street area, so if you are lucky you can find free street parking nearby, though they are also rather close to a parking garage. They don't serve food except for light bites and free popcorn. The popcorn is rather spicy, which you should note if you have allergies. I enjoyed their O.G. and Kiss the Sky. read more

I love this place. If you want AMAZING service ask for Taylor. He whipped up a special cocktail for me and my friend that was absolutely the best I've had in Boulder. Coming from San Francisco, It's not easy finding a good drink in this town. Taylor is your man, and bitter bar is the place! read more

Easily the best bar in Boulder. Best cocktails, super intimate, hipster music, great patio, and the best vibes. James, who I think is the owner?, is awesome. He's very personable and easy to talk to. Clearly knows what he's doing. They have cocktails on draft that are a great price at happy hour. Personal fav is kiss the sky because of the lavender. It's so good I can't stop drinking it. Kind of dangerous. And all the cocktails are that way. There isn't one I haven't enjoyed. James has seriously perfected them all. There's also free popcorn!! A huge benefit. Just ask! Such a classy, yet happy and chill vibe. Sit on the patio if you can! Happy hour is nice and long: 5-8 (except on Saturdays and Sundays). And always sit at the bar cuz the bartenders are the best. Just beware! Fridays and Saturdays are PACKED. Not my scene but for some it is. Always great music! read more

Wonderfully sophisticated drinks with out the snobby attitude. Bartenders were very helpful in explaining unknown ingredients and offering recommendations. only had one night in boulder and I'm very happy we spent it here! read more

Great martini bar with excellent food. The food portions are small, but delicious. The bartenders are friendly and informative about the various "spirits." Interestingly enough, the bartenders all look alike, sort of the Stepford Wives of Boulder with their hipster pants and black framed glasses. Everything is homemade in the kitchen, and a Templeton Rye cocktail paired with the Smore dessert (homemade graham crackers, bitter chocolate, and a homeamade marshmellow) is worth my return trip alone. read more

This place became a nightly ritual for my friend and I last semester. The staff is incredibly friendly, the drinks are delicious, and the decor/ambiance is intimate and cozy. It's a really chill place, so don't bring your loud and annoying friends if you have them. read more

Solid vodka martini. Great cocktails. Standard hipster service.

Annnnndddd they're back! Yes! My experience last night was demonstrative of the five star experience I am accustomed to at Happy. First great piece of news: The aioli is back in the green sriracha sauce for both the griddled pork bun and pork banh mi. A necessary and celebrated return. Second great piece of news: The Tuesday happy time tacos are better than ever! They are packing in tasty layers of pickled veges and some type of aioli sauce to go along with their always delicious pulled pork. This item really needs to become a staple on the menu. Third great piece of news: The happy sling drinks are in bigger glasses! This is my favorite drink of theirs and I'm always *happy* to see more of it. Why else do they get five stars? The people. Jesse, the sous-chef, is always making rounds to tables and the bar area to make sure everyone is having a tasty experience. He's a favorite and so appreciated. After he found out about my formerly bad experience at Happy (when he was out of town, btw) he went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of. Also, most of the bar staff is jokey-jokey and happy to oblige fanciful drink requests. They are fun. All and all, I am back to butterflies with excitement when I take a trip to Happy. read more

Fried brussel sprouts, pork bun, chicken wings and duck confit sope!!! Reminiscent of Linger or Root Down in a smaller Boulder space. LOVED finding this lounge with fun, interesting and DELICIOUS food! We shared everything, had mixology cocktails and enjoyed all for happy hour pricing! I can't wait to go back! read more

Specialty drinks are amazing. Johnny's journey: old grandad 114, curaçao, lemon, craft brewed pilsner and orgeat. Yessir! Prices are a little steep, but this is quality folks. read more

We've come to happy noodle and the bitter bar on a regular basis and always liked it. The new Bitter bar is pretty nice, if they let you in! The last two times we came, the bar was pretty full but not crazy full and we were told that they cannot accommodate us at the moment. This is Boulder, not SF or NYC. We've been loyal customers until now and being sent away twice in a row is simply poor service and not acceptable. read more

There is really only one word I can use to describe this bar: pretentious. The last time I was there I asked our waiter what IPA he recommended he brought me a bomber. It was a decent beer, but the total for that single beverage came to $25. I was expecting something in the $5-$6 range which is expensive but standard for Boulder. The rest of the drink menu is littered with cocktails that surely come with almost 1000% markup, all in the name of being "new" or "trendy". Even the basic margarita delivers just a few sips for close to $10. The food comes with the same experience, ridiculously overpriced and entirely underwhelming. Two or three nibbles of food are just not worth the price. I recommend saving your money and going somewhere that delivers a little more value and takes itself a little less seriously. read more

If you are looking for thoughtful service, outstanding cocktails, beverage selection the Bitter Bar is second to none. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and very approachable. The cocktail list is very value driven and all delicious. Look for Dusty, Trox, or James behind the bar to guide you on your spirit adventure. Their recent change in ownership is a refreshing and ground breaking change in cocktail culture. Value, quality, knowledge, and superb service. I cant think of anywhere else doing the same thing as well. read more

Easily the best mezcal cocktail I've ever had. Amazing atmosphere, and our server Mike was so knowledgeable and confident without coming off as the pretentious craft cocktail snob. Such a highlight of my trip in Boulder, would go again. read more

I thought I'd reviewed the Bitter Bar, but I must've done it through the Happy Noodle House listing. We were back here for a 3rd visit over the holiday weekend and I was happy to find some new small plate items on the menu, however it seemed that they no longer had an Asian influence to them. You will find a variety of cheese, meat, or veggie plates as well as terrines and some pastas. I don't remember there being as an extensive of a dessert menu either, and although I did not try a dessert, the Noosa yogurt cloud sounds intriguing. You can still find the handful of classic cocktails or a willing bartender to make whatever you would like. I enjoy going with the whiskey served with a frozen apple ice cube. As it slowly melts it infuses the apple flavor. Always delicious. This place gets busy, so arrive early or be prepared to stand around and sip your drink while you wait for a seat. While it's dark and rather intimate inside, like any other bar in Boulder, it's casual and down to earth atmosphere makes it comfortable. and appealing. read more

We found this place on our last night in Boulder, which was a Sunday so it was a little quiet. The specialty cocktails were amazing and the bartender Heather was very knowledgeable about the cocktails and the area. She gave us plenty of recommendations for restaurants locally and also things to do the next day in Denver. I also spoke with the owner and he was one of the nicest proprietors i've ever met. He spent a lot of time telling us the history of the bar and how it came to be. I wish we would have found it on Saturday night as he said that it was a lot of fun with DJs and a good crowd. I will definitely come back to visit on my next trip to Boulder and recommend to friends who live in town. Great job and thanks again for being such gracious hosts!! read more

Great drinks (especially during happy hour!), great atmosphere, great service. $5 for a very nice cocktail during happy hour. We tried almost all of their HH cocktails and I can't name one I liked more than the others. They were all equally tasty. In terms of food, their selection is limited to olives and cheeses. There is a food truck outside on certain days. We planned to eat there for dinner, but it wasn't there the night we went. The waitress brought us popcorn to snack on though! If you haven't been here and you enjoy a nice cocktail, do yourself a favor and try this place! read more

Upscale atmosphere, unlike anywhere else in Boulder. Their cocktails are creative and their food is delicious. Enjoy sitting in the front patio area on a warm summer day or relax in their sofa seating. read more

This bar was a great find, thanks to the bartender (the one from Michigan) from Absinthe House's recommendation. My boyfriend and I were completely new to the Denver and Boulder area and walked into this place knowing only that the bartenders were great mixologists. We were pleasantly surprised to see a dimly lit, cozy, yet modern bar serving up a massive selection of classic and new whiskey drinks. The bartender was very knowledgeable and was happy to answer any of our questions. The Aztec chocolate dessert was amazing. We met a couple new friends sitting at this bar. In my opinion, that's the sign of a great find! read more

I can only review the cocktails, but god they are good. The cocktail menu covers a nice broad range, and the bartenders are top-notch - they'll happily whip up anything you can think of. This place gets crowded, so go early and stake out a spot on the patio if the weather is good. read more

Happy Hour here rocks! but service is often lacking. But if you are a fan of interesting cocktails and fun gastro-pub-ish small plates, hit this place up! read more

My friends and I have been long time fans of this place. We have always gotten along with the staff, and brought large groups of people, spent lots of money, and tipped well. However, after our experience on Monday night, out for a friends birthday, I don't think we'll be returning. We came in at last call, and our waitress let us order 2 drinks each which was great. During payment, there was some confusion. We tried to split the bill 3 ways, between 2 cards and a $50 bill. They misunderstood, and split it 2 ways, taking the 50 as a tip. Being a $94 bill, we went back and asked for the 50 back so we could tip a reasonable amount on the cards. They gave it back, and we proceeded to tip ~$18, which is about 19%. One of the people decided to take on most of the tip, so one card had a $3 tip and one had a $15 tip. Our waitress then stormed over to our table, and proceeded to yell at us that this was an unacceptable tip especially for last call. I believe that she may have seen only the $3 tip at first, but even after informing her that we had compensated with the other card, she didn't change her tune. She proceeded to lecture us that 20% is the BARE MINIMUM that you can tip at a bar. She even eluded to us not being welcome back because of this. She then stormed away and didn't return to our table. Naturally, our group was fairly unhappy about this, and we eventually approached the bar to clear things up. Even after talking through the situation with our waitress and the bar tender, they completely refused to admit that what we did was reasonable (19% ??? seems pretty reasonable to me....). It feels like they backed themselves into a corner, and didn't have the ability to admit that they made a mistake. They also refused to accept us offering more money, and stayed upset at us. The waitress then came over and gave us an aggressive 5 minute warning, essentially kicking us out. This is a completely unacceptable way to treat your customers, and I highly recommend that management identify these individuals and consider removing them from the establishment. Being able to manage your emotions and admit when you're wrong is a critical skill in the service industry, and these two are clearly lacking in that department. read more

This joint has sadly gone downhill. It used to be a go-to stop on all our nights out. I am not sure what changed, but the staff seems less friendly and the price vs. quality ratio no longer works. Service-wise, they have started making you give them a credit card right when you order. Our server asked us how many rounds we were planning to do (we didn't know). Then, after the first round, the bills were brought without having been requested. It all felt very cold and formal. As for drinks, I used to be sure whatever I ordered would be amazing. In the last month, I've been here twice. The first time, I sent a drink back (which I never do) because it was literally undrinkable. This past weekend, multiple people in our party of 8 had drinks they contemplated sending back, but didn't. I had a silver coin to start, which was delicious, but there was probably only 4 ounces of actual drink once you took all of the ice into account. Particularly bad were the mint juleps, which, being Derby Day, the server was saying were a "special." I don't think they were price-reduced at all, and they tasted like the bartender was sick of making them. Way too sweet, not enough mint or bourbon - we left a full one of these sitting on the table and the server did not seem to notice. At the end of the day, we spent $60 on mediocre drinks. We should have sent them back or asked for a price break on our bill, but the service did not make us feel like these types of inquiries would be welcome. Next time we'll skip it and head straight for Arcana, where the prices are equally high, but each cocktail seems to be made with more attention to detail. read more

Despite the signs clearly displaying "happy hour all day Sunday"... I was denied happy hour priced drinks at 12:45am early Sunday morning. very misleading. We were greeted with contempt and disgust when requesting a happy hour-priced Blue Velvet as well as a Pink Drink, I then had to pay an additional, albeit UNWARRANTED, 3 US Dollars. While these drinks were objectively delicious, these unimaginative Starbucks imposters obviously do not want their customers to enjoy their products. P.S. My friend, who was already upset about the non-happy hour priced drinks, almost choked on a piece of rosemary in her drink. read more