Love this bar, definitely my favorite in Boulder. We come here most every Friday to take advantage of their 5-8 happy hour, which includes an amazing $5 rosé brut that we can't get enough of. The vibe reminds me of what you would get if you added all the Interpol album art together: dark, red mood lighting, with wood and some taxidermy. The bartenders are really nice, interesting people that may forget your name but will remember your face. They all really know their liquors (this is a great place for a bespoke drink) and make mean cocktails. The fact that hay have cocktails on tap is a real selling point, and they are delicious and interesting. Drink suggestions: Rosé brut, Birds and the Bees, Kiss the Sky read more

My homie Anjali introduced me this is fab spot in Boulder. Good drinks, nice vibe, and banging tunes. I'll be sure to head back when I rerun. read more

Super cool bar with lounge vibes! Appreciated that it draws a more mature crowd, as opposed to primarily college kids. Drinks were very creative and well made, and service was fantastic. My girlfriends and I had a fabulous time here for two different Fridays, and will definitely return! read more

Worst service I've ever been privy to in Boulder.(2/10/19) Greeted on entry by what I'm imagining was a bartender, though I never once saw him mix a drink. He was stiff, dry, and lived up to this establishment's name. We sat at a table, he came over with menus and we explained we had never been. He recommended his fave cocktail which we vetoed on the basis of not drinking gin. He left to give us a few more minutes. 3 later he returned and once again told us his favorite drink, despite our prior protest. Still reading our menus, he hovered at our table for a minute or two, then left. Upon leaving he dropped a water bottle and shattered it on the ground. He came back around to clean it up and over the next 15 minutes proceeded to do everything but serve drinks or make eye contact of any sort, including chat with every customer at the bar, the other bartender, and even to himself...indeed we were forgotten. Left this bar with a Bitter taste in my mouth and won't be coming back. For the price of their drinks there are many places I can visit who actually want my business there, but this bar isn't one of them. read more

I fell in love with the Bitter Bar. I didn't even realize it existed until last night. What a great find, just off the main path. It's located on 9th and Walnut. They specialize in quality cocktails at a very reasonable price. We tried their signature cocktail first, it's called the Blue Velvet. It's a fantastic mixture of lavender liquor and vodka with a splash of almond. Wow!! I really loved the flavor of this cocktail. Normally I am more of a wine drinker but this was amazing!! Next, we tried the Old Fashioned. What a great drink made with a mixture of rum, bitters and citrus. It was a heavy drink that didn't taste to heavy. I loved it!! We will be back for a specialty cocktail in the near future. The idea of a bar that just focuses on great drinks and not food is exceptional. The atmosphere is romantic with a spin of uptown urban. It has a great feel and unbelievable drinks. You have to try the Bitter Bar. You won't be disappointed. read more

The Bitter Bar - Blue Velvet! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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Made a trip from Denver and decided to try this place. Friendly place and bartender made some Really good suggestions. They make a great Alabama slammer. Highly recommend and this is a sober review. read more

I had hoped not to write this review. The Happy Noodle House and Bitter Bar had been home to many fond memories. I was there celebrating Mark Stoddard's 42 Below win. I managed to get a cocktail request into a black book. I even shared rare European liqueurs with certain bartenders. Well, I need to shut the door on The Bitter Bar. It's not the same. I haven't been there in about 18 months and my return visit last Friday was a poor experience. I arrived sometime before 6pm and was surprised to hear happy hour was happening. The patio was full and I'm always more a bar guy, so I headed there. It was dead inside and the bartenders were hanging around. Poor guys looked bored. I wasn't feeling like cocktails (where's the old drink book??), so I ordered brussel sprouts and the deviled egg with lobster. I thoroughly enjoyed the brussel sprouts with their sea salt and togarashi flavors. The mustard in the deviled egg was great, but the lobster didn't add much. All told, it was a great food experience. That was fast attentive service. Then I finally asked for my bill. The one guy headed to the register surrounded by 2-3 guys. I thought my bill was submitted, because he went to his bar station to the right of the kitchen. I waited and continued waiting. Two tickets were given and paid for near me. That first guy passed me by one more time. New guests' drink orders were handled. Still no bill. Finally, I asked again. I received my bill and promptly had my credit card out. No service. I waited more. Keep in mind, the Bitter Bar is still overstaffed inside. Very few, if any, drink orders are being processed. Then they got slammed by this faux Frenchie group at 6:25pm. They started working them and I started gathering my things. Nothing. I walked to the hostess stand and asked to pay my bill. She rang me up, I wrote $0 tip and left. I've waited 6 days for a response after submitting feedback on the Bitter Bar website. I trust, by their food, they're still serving quality food and beverages, but their customer service is greatly lacking. Edited to add: The manager did respond to me. I replied and haven't heard back from him in 3 weeks. I thought this was going in a positive direction. Clearly, it's going nowhere. read more

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Danny was the greatest!! Very personable, super friendly & gave great recommendations. We'll be coming back because of him! If you're at the bar, ask for Danny! You won't be disappointed :) read more

I love this place for happy hour! Cocktails are $6, draft beers are $4, and wine are $5. And the best part is, happy hour goes until 8pm during the week! I find it hard finding a happy hour in Boulder past 5 or 6. So this was a great find. When it is nice outside, I prefer sitting out on the patio because the interior has dim lighting. Though I like the decor, I think it is a tad too dark for my liking. However, the dark lighting matches the chill, relaxed, yet posh ambience. read more

The Bitter Bar made me fall in love with the city of Boulder. It was exactly what I was looking for to complete my experience during my two-day visit to Boulder. It's classy, dimly lit, perfect for dates or general catch ups or hanging with friends, there's a bar and lots of different types of seating, there's options to sit outside. The atmosphere is fully there. Likewise, the service was also amazing. The perfect balance of asking us how we're doing on drinks but not borderline annoying and interrupting conversation. The suggestions and answers were spot on. If you're not sure of what cocktail to order, tell them what you like/don't like, and they'll take care of you. I ordered a whiskey cocktail with a ginger beer ice cube so as it melted, it became a little less whiskey potent and a little sweeter (but nothing too sweet). I loved it. One of my favorite cocktails I've had. The location is perfect. You can grab a meal beforehand at a nearby local restaurant and head over afterwards to enjoy a crafty cocktail. All in all, one of my favorite stops during my Colorado vacation. Also, can we mention how cute all of the bartenders are dressed :) read more

This place is one of the more upscale places in this college town. The dark interior is well decored and the cocktails strong. They specialize in cocktails and their concoctions are creative and decently priced. The service is good and if you are a liquor connoisseur, this place is a must! It is a place to start your night, not end it. read more

Sleek setting, great music, amazing cocktails. Date of Visit: 2/7/15 Found myself in Boulder looking for a fun craft cocktail joint, and gave Bitter Bar a shot on a local recommendation. Long story short, it was one of the better cocktail bars I've ever been to. Tucked away a bit off the beaten path, Bitter Bar gives off a speakeasy-ish vibe, which a fun setting to enjoy a stiff drink. I decided to go off-menu via Bartender's choice and have them make something based off my preferences - which was a win. All drinks the bartender made were outstanding, and that little bit of extra personalizing made it easier to shell out $10-15 for a drink. The service was outstanding, the bartenders knowledgeable, and the background music was solid. Add all that up, and Bitter Bar was an easy 5*. read more

Walking into the Bitter Bar, one is unavoidably greeted with an artistic list of how to say "cheers" it many different languages. I love this kind of thing, except in this case it manages to be inaccurate and offensive: it lists L'Chaim twice, as both Hebrew and Palestinian. Well, it is a Hebrew word, and given the hippie atmosphere of Boulder, one can imagine the intentions of the artist who put it up there. Posting a pic of this on Facebook, I managed to get people of all persuasions laughing at the sheer absurdity of it. Other than that, this place rocks. We managed to get Becherovka, an obscure Easten European bitters. So if esoteric liquors is your thing, come to Bitter Bar. read more

The Bitter Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

I am more than 9 months late leaving this review - but it is specifically for the owner and the quality of drink(s) he makes. On multiple occasions he has dropped what he's been doing to make a requested manhattan that was not on the menu and it was by far the best manhattan I have ever had. That along with the tequila / Mezcal drink on the menu are my favorites. By far my favorite spot to get a GREAT cocktail in Boulder - prices are reasonable, ambiance is great and the owners attention to detail is fantastic. GO HERE :)! read more

Cute place with a great happy hour menu. Staff was great and the patio was perfect for the summer!

Great little bar. Cool ambiance, great place to grab a quality craft cocktail before having dinner somewhere in town.

The classiest joint in Boulder. This is the optimal date night spot and their happy hour is kick ass. All the drinks are delicious and the bartenders are seasoned mixologists. We eventually wandered off the menu to have a wonderfully balanced Manhattan as well as some on the spot original creations. I asked for something less sweet and it's exactly what I got. The garnishments are beautiful and only the best looking peels and maraschino cherries make it into your glass. I'll definitely be back. Get there early or you may be waiting for a seat. read more

I had a delicious drink called the "pink drink". Was very refreshing and qualified for happy hour. Our mattress was very attentive and the ambience was unique. I recommend stopping here for a drink or two! read more

So it's hands down the best bar in Boulder. Staff are dope as f**k. It's got a great chill vibe and is usually busy everyday of the week. read more

The Bitter Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Quaint during the week - crowded AF during the weekend. The craft cocktails are ok but overpriced for what little you get. Their food selections are not ideal. "Cabin Fever" during the winter are a pleasant change of scenery. read more

Oh, Bitter Bar.. how I love you so. Classy with delicious drinks, it's certainly a top happy-hour spot for our group. Favorites: The Tin Man + Silver Coin. However, all those drinks are super tasty... and I'm not even a cocktail girl (beer please!). I do hope that the HH prices remain steady - I know prices had increased by a smidge since when I first started coming - but with that said, happy hour until 8pm? On Fridays too? CanNOT beat that. read more

I had a vrrry good time here. Oh, a sleeping drunkard Up in Central Park, And a lion-hunter In the jungle dark, And a Chinese dentist, And a British queen-- All fit together In the same machine. Nice, nice, very nice; Nice, nice, very nice; Nice, nice, very nice-- So many different people In the same device. comes to mind. If someone told me these folks had come up with ice-9, I'd believe them. read more

Awesome awesome place! Beautiful comfortable ambient decor, tons of seating in booths tables and theater seats! Stuffed animals on the wall, large patio and couches around a pig iron stove. Only reason I give 4 stars is because they should throw a few more items on the menu. They give you free popcorn to snack on while you drink. By the way the drinks are great. They have select happy hour cocktails for $5, most containing gin. They have a full bar as well appealing to unique taste. Started off with Silver coin which included tequila 100% agave tripe sec. Ended up getting absenthe with water tower and brown sugar cube. We ordered the Nouvelle Orleans for $13, most expensive on the menu. We ended up getting hungry so we ordered the Salmon paste $8 and Bronuts donuts ball 3 for $4.00 which are like donut holes filled with cream and tossed in crumbs. Banana monkey balls, chocolate, bleau cheese and others. read more

The Bitter Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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Always love it here! I also like a reason to come here. Mezcal drinks are to die for. I like tequila so I usually go that way but I do think their other cocktails are great even the ones on tap. read more

Andy is amazing, thank you Andy! You are the best and I'll be back. Thanks for dealing with a predatory male. Drinks are also hella tasty!

Bitter Bar. Take two. After writing a very honest, forthright review on my experience at the Bitter Bar several months ago, I was contacted by a Bitter Bar employee who generously offered a complementary meal for myself and a guest, as a means to rectify the situation of my less than satisfactory meal. I was excited to give this place another try and responded to the benevolent offer with open arms. The manager and I emailed back and forth a few times and he seemed extremely personable and very eager to redeem himself and the restaurant alike. We made a reservation for a Friday night, and I brought my food loving friend, Kylie, because I knew she would appreciate the tastes of the evening. When we arrived we were promptly seated at our table, and a waitress came over. She took our drink orders and left. No mention of the review, meals being comped, etc. No big deal, I'm sure it will come up later. Now onto the food. We ordered the crispy brussels sprouts to start, which were delicious as always. Next we ordered the special which was a watermelon salad with pork belly. It was absolutely delicious. An interesting combo, indeed, but the flavors all went perfectly together. Next we moved onto the duck confit gnocchi and a shortrib ragout for the entrees - both were fabulous. The food overall was great - it's really the service that was in question here. As the evening went on, we continued to wonder whether or not the waitress was even aware of the situation at hand. I wasn't expecting anything more than an acknowledgement, but she made no mention of our meals being comped or the review that was supposedly being "rectified", and I am starting to really think that she has no idea altogether. Now I am not a timid person, but I personally do not like confrontation, and often try to avoid it, so having to speak up and inquire about whether or not she is aware that the evening is supposed to be comped is something I'd rather not do. It's just awkward. But I go ahead and do so anyway, asking if the manager I spoke with is available, and she says that he is not working tonight. I then ask if there are any other managers available, because he offered to comp our meals for the evening and I just want to make sure everything is squared away. She responds, in a very nonchalant tone, "Yes, we're aware of it." Well, that was sufficiently awkward. But at least we have it figured out now - she did know all along, but just didn't feel the need to say anything. Kind of bizarre to me, if you're really trying to "rectify" a previous sub-par experience, but not a big deal. Now onto the real kicker: the martini fiasco. I ordered a dirty vodka martini in the beginning of the night. It was good - dry and delicious - and I was happy, so I ordered another. Upon tasting the second martini, I was convinced there was something different about it. It tasted weird and nothing like the first, and after passing it around the table, we came to the conclusion that it must be gin instead of vodka. I politely let the waitress know that this martini tasted a bit weird, and how we thought it might be gin - she explained how the brand I was drinking has both a gin and a vodka so that must be the issue - the bartender just switched it accidentally. Sounds like an easy mistake, fair enough. Five minutes later, the waitress comes back, same drink in hand, and says that the bartender tasted it and said that I was wrong, it actually is vodka. Here you go. And she gave the drink back to me. So not only does she come back to tell me that A) I was wrong but B) the bartender also sipped my drink and I have to deal with it. I was appalled. I'm personally not a germophobe or the type of person who would be disgusted by the thought of someone else drinking my drink - that doesn't really bother me, it's the principle of it all. I worked in the restaurant industry for most of my teenage life, and the number one rule that was always enforced is that the customer is always right. Even if someone is being totally outlandish and rude (which I wasn't at all) if a customer says that their drink tastes weird and they'd like a new one, you don't have the bartender sip it himself and then give it back to them. It's just bizarre to me. SO, after my little rendezvous with the bartender, I was done. I couldn't take much more and wanted to get out of that place ASAP. The waitress had been rather cold the entire evening, and this was the straw - or lack thereof - that broke the camel's back. Overall I'll be the first to admit that the food was delicious. I will give them that, 100%. But the aloofness of the waitress, weirdness of the martini situation, and awkwardness of the entire meal really turned me off. The whole evening was just plain weird, and I really don't understand why they would comp an entire meal if there was no intention to redeem the situation. Just seems like a waste to me, and indeed, a waste it was. read more

It's hard to imagine giving this place less than 5 stars. The Bitter Bar is critical in the Boulder scene because it makes those of us who like to travel and have a penchant for lively urban culture, feel as if we are at an exclusive secret spot that might be found in a larger city like Portland, SF or NYC. Boulder may be small, but we are still on it! Thank GOD/dess for the BB to give us young professionals in our late 20's and 30's, the reassurance that we are not crazy, overlooked & forgotten while residing in a college town that gears a large part of the nightlife towards the college students. The Bitter Bar doesn't fuck around & affirms that Boulder IS an edgy hotspot with a lot going on and has a restaurant scene with some serious street cred. Come here for all your favorite cocktails and one of the BEST happy hours in Boulder. Their happy hour runs till 7 p.m. and wow- this puts them in a league all of their own. Most of the downtown happy hours end at 5:30 which is really pathetic so if you work till 5:30 or 6 your out of luck & no happy hour fun for you. Again, you have till 7 p.m. for HH! No excuses AND they feature several signature cocktails during happy hr that are the real deal & at a significant discount given that most of their cocktails go for $9-$12. A few of my favorites are the Aviation, Old Forrest, & the coin margarita. Highest quality for your happy hour dollars. FYI- I don't ever eat here. I typically just think to drink here because the menu has never appealed to me. Would love it if they worked on their food menu. read more

My boyfriend and I decided to try a new spot and we read good things about The Bitter Bar. Unfortunately, we left disappointed. Our bartender never came over and said hi or even acknowledged us. In fact, I think if we had peeled over and died he wouldn't have even said anything to us. A little dramatic but you get the point. There is nothing that ruins my experience more than feeling like I am ruining the bartenders night by sitting at his bar. The food was decent. The Brussel sprouts were so incredibly salty they hurt the insides of my mouth. The gnocchi sauce was awesome but the actual gnocchi's were a tad bland. The meatballs were good but were completely overpriced. I'm still deciding if I'll give it a second chance but poor service tends to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. read more

If you are the vieux carre fan, then definitely ask for the yellow square at the bitter bar: a phenomenal classic cocktail with an awesome twist. This was my first time visiting the bitter bar, but definitely won't be the last. I am very impressed with BB's cocktail repertoire (on and off the menu), the complexity of its concoctions, and the very knowledgable and well-trained bartenders. read more

For a girls day out, I attended a cocktail mixing class at the Bitter Bar, lead by the acclaimed mixologist James Lee. So so so much fun! We learned how to make tasty and authentic cocktails and even got behind the bar for a hands on experience. This bar is serious about their cocktails but the bartenders were not at all pretencions. I already signed up for the my next class 4 months away! We also ate lunch before the class started. The Hot and Happy Soup was yummy, perfect for a cold day. The soup was a little on the greasy side but it wasnt tasty enough to keep my slurping for more. Overall, great experience at the Happy Noodle House! read more

Dear Bitter Bar, I love you. You complete me. You make the most yummy, delicious treats and then BAM! surpass it with even better cocktails. The staff there is incredibly knowledgable, gracious, and always friendly. I am a recent transfer from NYC, and was having serious issues finding a regular bar that felt like home. And then, TADA! James (Manager) and the Bitter Bar stepped into my life. Do yourself a favor, go ask anyone of their bartenders to make you something delicious, name your favorite spirit, watch magic happen, sit back and sip on heaven. Xo read more

The BEST bar in Boulder! My wife and I ordered a few drinks and enjoyed the quality and the speed in which they were served. I ordered one drink that I honestly hated and the bar keep took it back and gave me another for free. We ordered the charcuterie board and it was a little average as far as meats go. But the fresh arugula and grapes made up for the presentation. Overall the service made up for any failure in quality. But the drinks we had were amazing. Will definitely be back and recommend!!! read more

If you liked the Bitter Bar, you may be disappointed by its most recent incarnation. We swung by on a Sunday evening expecting our favorite hipster hangout with killer ambiance and pricy drinks. Things had changed. There was a case of plastic wrapped sandwiches at the entrance, and a new popcorn machine's smell was strangely overpowering. We sat down, looked around for a few minutes, then left. The ambiance was just off. Maybe the sandwiches, popcorn and drinks are totally killer. I don't know. Bitter Bar used to be my favorite bar in Boulder! I wish the new management every success. I was disappointed when the Noodle House gave way to the Bitter Bar, so maybe it'll find it's groove and maybe I'll come around too. I plan to come back in a couple months with an open mind. Good luck. (Original review edited for accuracy and tone.) read more

I never visited here prior to the recent change in ownership. This review is based on my experience with zero strings attached to ways of the past: My first impression was that it's welcoming to everyone, whether you're craving that obscure cocktail to a refreshing draft beer; they're happy to serve you, and have no intention of burning a hole in your pocket. The Bitter Bar is just that, a bar, and though they currently offer just a limited/casual selection of food from a deli case, this aspect is supposedly going to expand in the near future with influences by chef Hosea Rosenberg. The Happy hour is nothing to pout about! 5-EIGHT everyday $5 select cocktails $3 draft beer $4 red or white wine Overall, the atmosphere suggests this is a place to just enjoy yourself and company. The fun, dynamic music definitely adds to the good vibes! read more

One one of coolest spots in Boulder. The atmosphere is great, with varietal seating and a cool lounge area. Cocktails are award winning and creative. I personally love the castelvetrano olives (also on happy hour!) If you love the Bitter Bar you should check out this event 2/20/13: dishcrawl.com/pearlstreet1 read more

This review is only for the The Bitter Bar, which is in Happy Noodle House toward the back of the establishment. The space is done quite tastefully with fun swiveling wood bar stools with small backrests. The bar itself may look just a bit light on bottles, but they have a full range of spirits and brands. Fresh mint and fruits line the bar top and are a good sign of serious bartending. There's also a lounge area with tables and sofa-like benches. While the lighting is low, it's still possible to see and while there's piped-in music, it's still possible to have a conversation. I found this location from an article in some magazine and was a bit suspicious about whether they would have great cocktails. The cocktail menu trend may be ubiquitous, but quality cocktails certainly are not. But Bitter Bar did not disappoint. The bartenders know their stuff and show a real respect for the process--measured pours and fresh-squeezed juices. They're also quite friendly and willing to chat. I was also glad to see that they start patrons out with a nice glass of water. I especially enjoyed the Basil and Basil, which is a Manhattan with muddled basil. They use Vaya vermouth and homemade bitters. I also had a Kiss the Sky. A bit too sweet for me, but the idea of combining ginger and lavender was quite interesting. Their process for making sazeracs is quite good too. Although, I prefer mine with one cube not two and with just a dash of water when muddling the sugar and bitters--it helps both dissolve the sugar as well as cut the fire on the drink just a bit more. The place wasn't mobbed as I had expected it to be. But I hope they do well and I encourage people to go out of their way to have a drink here. read more

Went back recently for HH and had some great food and great service! We all had the house white wine and there was also one margarita among the group, which was a tad too sweet for the person drinking it. Yay! -- Pretzel with mustard, Cap'n Crunch chicken wings with maple honey mustard (other sauce was way too spicy), homemade focaccia bread, smoked mozzarella tortellini One tweak away from Yay! -- Tater tots (the sauce was kind of mayo-y), deep fried greens (they could be a little less oily), mussels (red sauce was a little too spicy) Meh: Coconut shrimp eggroll was not distinctive, would not order again. read more

Probably my favorite cocktail bar in Boulder. Spacious, chill vibe, and has a large selection.

We stopped in and we were impressed with the cocktails, the service was the best I have ever experienced and loved the decor. We loved it so much we came back the next night and then told others at the hotel all about this place. I will be back read more

This is one of those tough Yelp reviews- because the Bitter Bar at Happy really deserves 5 stars (I wish I could review it separately somehow)...but the food only deserves maybe 3. So it's a toss up. I will start with the cocktails which are reason enough to visit this establishment. The mixologists are amazing- sit at the bar, take your time, tell them what you like and they will concoct some amazing beverages for you. My absolute FAVORITE cocktail EVER is the Bee Keeper- not always on the menu, but something I will return for time after time. I was really hoping for an awesome noodle joint in Boulder when we moved back into town- but unfortunately this is not that. It's Asian Fusion that just doesn't quite execute on any of it's chosen flavors. After numerous meals here I've decided that I like to come here and have drinks and apps- the flash fried brussel sprouts are one of my most favorites of all time. I could eat this, and drink their cocktails and be happy all night (and way too drunk). The noodle dishes are just all OK...I wish the pork banh mi was more spectacular....everything SOUNDS so good when you order it but never comes out to meet my expectations. So come for drinks and apps pre dinner somewhere else OR come for late night drinks- that's how this spot scores 5 stars in my book. read more