really good savory pie/tart items on the menu. This had a german influence to it with the cured sausages.. the polenta entree dish was delicious with fresh garden veggies. Great place for an intimate date ... the walls are velvet! read more

The Temple Bar - two plates of food on a table - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Yet another place in Bellingham that's awesome in regards to drinks and atmosphere, but lacking in quality service. Admittedly, it's been much better the last couple of times I've been here, but I've had a few experiences where my group ordered things that literally never came. I've ordered food, and had the wrong item delivered. However, the food (if it ever shows up and is actually what you ordered) is fantastic. I recommend the stuffed dates! Definitely check it out, it's a great place...just don't go if you're in a hurry! read more

The food and drinks were superb but the service was not great. We were forgotten multiple times. No hustle either, Skip.

Love the Temple Bar Great atmosphere, kind and polite staff, great desserts...just a cool place to hang out! read more

This bar is great! The drinks are unique and delicious. It is cozy and the staff is extremely attentive and kind. There is an outside seating area that would be really nice on a warm summer evening. I will definitely be returning! read more

Temple bar is the quintessential Bellingham drink spot: contradictory and amazing. Cool and dare I say 'hip' yet casual and unassuming. Quality craft but not pretentious. Skilled bartenders and servers but friendly and welcoming. Riley is a wizard with the drinks to be sure and other bartenders are also amazing but I just dont know them by name. :-) The food is something you would expect to find in an upscale restaurant. The meatballs and cous cous is something you have to taste to actually believe it exists. read more

Funky, intimate, and eclectic. Mega props for atmosphere! Food is pretty good, although not cheap. More of a place for a lite snack if you want something to nibble on with your drink. If you're hungry, I would go somewhere else first. Would love to see some more affordable options for cocktails... read more

$15 for a bottle of tasty wine and a freakin' awesome little cheese plate? I love this place! Our cheese plate had some local gouda and a soft garlicky goat cheese, some pistachios, mixed olives, 5 slices of warm baguette, and I'd say about half a sliced, juicy apple. It was amazing. We also had the Little Italy panini with pesto, tomato, and fresh mozz which was very good (but next time I want something with that gouda!) Side salad was just whatever. It wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't memorable. Our server was SUPER nice and explained everything to us newcomers with the patience of a saint. Plus, the ambiance was soooo pretty. Just an all-around comfortable, friendly place to grab some good food and a nice drink. 5 stars, Temple Bar! [Edit: Went there again this past Tuesday and had a grumpy not-nice waitress but then the nice one came in by the end, which was good because grumpy waitress made me sad. Good company and good food/wine made it all okay, though! My tongue was in heaven~] read more

Solid food, good drink menu with inspired cocktails. The short haired waitress with tattoos KILLED it on a busy day. She was also kinda cute if you see this, you single???? read more

LOVE THE TEMPLE BAR. HATE IT WHEN I CAN'T GET A SEAT. If you haven't been...you should go...but not when I am trying to find a seat in this tightly cramped dark and cozy cafe. read more

Artsy, quiet atmosphere and tasty snacks await at Temple Bar. I went solo on a Sunday afternoon to do some reading, and found it quite lovely; I'll admit that it made me feel a little more bohemian and cool than I have recently in Bellingham (until it got dark, and they just lit a few candles, and it was too dark to read. Maybe it would be romantic... but FYI for spinsters/loners such as myself). I loved the roasted cauliflower wedge with sweet potato puree & jerk spice butter. Helpful, patient, genuinely friendly service. read more

A great place for a first date or late night rendezvous. Styley without pretension. Great selection of upscale munchies and potent potablesfor the discerning palatte. Waitstaff knows the food well and takes pride in their fare. Eclectic clientele, but friendly. read more

I love love love this place! It's one of my favorite corners of the world, and I'm constantly talking about it! Fancy cheese/meat platters with wine is a great girlfriends day! I STRONGLY encourage everyone to try the food with the recommended wine pairing... It's like sparkles in your mouth! They also offer great happy hour deals! read more

The Temple Bar - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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I am coming back to Bellingham after a bit of a sabbatical and I thought I'd stop by one of my old faves. This place is more wonderful than ever. I've always thought of it as that place where all the people you never knew existed come out of from their persian rugs and velvet smoking jackets and put on their fancy spectacles to enjoy a good drink and some good company. Where have they been hiding all that classy intelligence and panache? I'm glad this place exists to give them a platform for displaying their awesomeness. Notably, at my latest visit, we sat at the bar, and due to our inquisition on the art of bar tending, the bartender gave us a sample of his own version of the Seaworthy. In my opinion, it was an exceptionally well-made drink (which should replace the current recipe). It's fantastic to see that the people who work here actually take an interest in what they do. Bring me more craft cocktails! You're the craftiest in town... My only question...do they still do Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School? I'm desperately interested in that. read more

I wouldn't go here for food but their drinks are good. Be ready to drop some money though, it's probably one of the more expensive bars in town. read more

Temple bar is a great place for some nice cocktails and small plates. Nice relaxed vibe, great for a semi-romantic but I'm not trying to hard date! Live music is always a bonus too. Definitely try to time it and hear some fun local talent! read more

Temple bar has a great menu, great wine, and great ambiance. Parking can be a bear at times, and finding seating can be a challenge, but it is worth it when you want a nice evening out with friends. Prices are great for what you are getting, but this higher end dining than your average restaurant. Disability alert: At first glance, this isn't the most wheelchair friendly place in town, but I am sure the staff would be more than willing to accommodate you. read more

Love love love this place, they have a wonderful happy hour that goes until 7. The food is amazing and seems to change every so often to keep things interesting. The bacon wrapped dates are to die for. So amazing. Their panini sandwiches are all amazing. Their cheese boards are on the smaller side but a great price for happy hour with a bottle of wine. I like that they have two spaces you can choose to sit. One side is a little more intimate than the other. I love coming back to this place. read more

Nice! It's not ammaazing but it's a fun Bellingham joint. Pros? -food is pretty good -service is friendly and chill -relaxed atmosphere Cons? -drinks a bit pricey but not particularly amazing read more

This is a frequent stop for me around town. First and foremost, my partner is a non-drinker and the bartender is ALWAYS up for making a non-alcoholic cocktail. Second I have vegan friends with surprisingly few options in B-ham who also can find something to eat. Third, they have a good wine list. Forth, the staff is pretty much always friendly. They have main menu items plus a decent daily special - look out for the gratin of the day during winter months. The local band Bar Tabac plays here once a month on Saturdays, check out their facebook page for dates and GO! read more

Panini's are REALLY good. It's just a really small space and seating can be hard to come by, but all in all a really great place. read more

This place has a lot going for it. The atmosphere is close to perfect. Dark lighting with candles on the table, velvet wallpaper, cute mismatched vintage furniture, great happy hours specials (get the paloma!). The servers are always really nice. Also one time I got the dinner special that was a weird potato kale gratin and it was delicious. I wish they'd update their regular menu though. A lot of the food items seem kind of '90s (trio of chips with blue cheese dip, goat cheese and bread, etc.). Nothing that ever sounds like exactly what I'm in the mood for. I do have to applaud them for having vegetarian options and for keeping prices pretty reasonable. This is a great bar to have a conversation in: my favorite kind of bar! read more

This is always a great place to come if you want to drink some wine, have a few appetizers, and chat with friends. I always enjoy the atmosphere, service, and drinks. They have an amazing happy hour -- usually you can split a bottle of wine or champagne and get a cheese plate too! I came here for dinner once, and it was a little loud and cramped for not much more than the regular appetizers. I'll stick to drinks and appetizers from now on! Great place - love it. read more

My boyfriend and I had the best valentines day here! The staff was kind and the food was amazing. We even had leftovers to take home afterwards! This is my new favorite restaurant/bar in Bellingham. I have NO complaints. read more

The Temple Bar - The food was amazing! We had the Braised Short Rib Ragout, the everything platter, both kinds of hand pies, beer and cocktails. - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Cute little place. Music is a bit loud, which means conversations are louder. That said, it's a cosy vibe. Nice selections for charcuterie, and cheese plate. Also a nice selection of veg options that aren't salad. $6-10 for small plates, $9-14 for salads, large plates, and entrees. Small but thoughtful list of craft cocktails, wines by glass & bottle, beer & cider. Also decent selection for coffee and tea. They focus on locally sourced goods. I will be back to try dessert! read more

This place is a hidden gem. We had the cheese plate -- fantastic -- a sandwich and then went for the deserts and coffee. All of them extremely well done. The ambience is great, the music is not too loud, the lights not too bright, very relaxed and friendly. A must try. read more

Was seated quickly but then waited 25 mins for our drink order to be taken, drinks came out pretty quickly. We then waited another 30 mins for anyone to come check on us so we could get our check and leave. There were 8-10 tables and 3 servers, not sure what the issues/delays were about but I will take my money elsewhere. read more

Love this place! The atmosphere is so chill and laid back. It's the perfect place to go for a date night. The "everything plate" is great to get if your drinking wine. read more

Came in to kill some time during their happy hour. Their Fenrir paired with a prosciutto apple bleu cheese paired to be a lovely match. Finished off with a Deep South and another hand pie. read more

The Temple Bar - Prosciutto apple blue cheese hand pie little but huge on flavor - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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Wow. Happy hour runs until 7. Perfect to grab a bite before a show at The Baker. The polenta is beautiful AND delicious. It has mushroom raging, thinly sliced kuri squash, and whipped feta. Very filling. We combined that with the $20 bottle of red wine plus cheese plate. We will come here more often. read more

Solid go-to place for drinks. Appetizers and dessert menus could use a revamping. Service is always good. Staff is friendly.

This place has a great atmosphere. The staff is friendly. The food is pretty good most of the time. Really great drinks and awesome happy hour specials. Sweet little Bham place. read more

Amazing experience! Great atmosphere and service. But the absolute highlight was the food! EVERYTHING was so delicious. The four of us shared: Garlic chili pork ribs Greens and grains Some kind of beef sliders The Everything plate Hot stuffed dates Hot blue cheese dip We could not stop raving about the food. Everything was perfect and so flavorful. We also had a lemon drop (perfection in a glass) and a maitai and a glass of red wine, which was a nielluccio. Delicious. And The Temple Bar was a super easy walk to the Mt Baker Theater for the show we were seeing. Highly recommend this place. read more

Let me tell you something, you don't drink cocktails here, you experience them. Each sip was a wild ride for my tastebuds that left me unable to understand what just happened. When I first sipped my drink, I was like this is the nastiest sh*t I have ever tasted, but before I could commit to hatred, the drink shifted in my mouth and suddenly changed like the wind on the ocean, and I was suddenly thinking this isn't so terrible, but THEN it changed AGAIN, and I was left with this smooth cream that finished, and left an aftertaste like I'd just suckled from the teat of an alcoholic angel. Like a roller coaster that started out awful but by the end I wanted to ride again. I'll come back. read more

If you're in for a casual, relaxing bar, this is the place! My husband & I were walking around Bellingham Friday night & came across this quaint bar that seemed to be hopping with customers. We couldn't find a table, so we sat at the bar & had a drink. The bartender was the NICEST. Not your typical, has to be friendly because you're at his establishment, but nice..like he's a friend you haven't seen in awhile. He was quick with our drinks, bantering with the other customers at the bar(friends he knew) & even gave us a taste of a drink he was making. They had a few food items, which looked tempting & we'll try next time. I felt like the establishment was homey and relaxing. A mixture of age ranges from college to retirement customers. Was very nice! We will definitely return! read more

The drinks were culinary masterpieces. The Dylan had vodka, lemon, fresh sage, and a Peach something. They did not add the simple syrup that would have killed the delicate balance of savoury, sour, and sweet. It was one of the best drinks I ever had. My son ordered a drink that also was an absolute masterpiece. The description could have served us up pina colada type drink minus the Pina. Instead it was not overly sweet or cloyingly thick. It was one unique balancing act of a coconut liqueur, fresh rosemary, rum, lime and absinthe. Their lighthanded touch with simple syrup and cream and their talented mixing of unique flavors to create the perfect balance just blew me away. They have hard plywood wooden seats, which seems to be a horrid theme in a few Bellingham establishments. The service sucked but the waitress was very pleasant while I finished my drink as we were still waiting for Nick's for another 20 minutes. The $3 happy hour apps were great.... puff pastry with apple and Brie and puff pastry with blue cheese and some sort of meat. The service was killing us and it wasn't busy when we ordered. There was an extremely long delay for the risotto plate, but that was consumed before my sons drink arrived. By the time we left the place was filled with hipsters hanging with their oh so cool friends and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The drinks are so wonderful that you might want to order a simple drink to tide you over while waiting for the drink you really want. read more

The Temple Bar - The Dylan...fresh sage, lemon, peach bitters....yum - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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Love this place... the happy hour specials are fantastic.. service is amazing and atmosphere is fun. Don't miss out on this little gem

I love the Temple Bar, and go regularly with my girlfriends to 'worship' on a Sunday. ;-) Laid-back atmosphere with unique eats and original cocktails. The salads are always great... but my favorite snack is the 'hot stuffed dates'. Get a 'Super G&T' if you'd like to visit citrus-y cocktail heaven. The French 75 is nice too... really you can't go wrong. My wine loving friends are always pleased with the choices. The Temple is a great place to grab a drink, and/or a light dinner and enjoy the company of friends. Located downtown, across from the Pickford Cinema, it's a good pre- or post- movie hangout as well. read more

Some of the top food in Bellingham. Hands down. $18 for a bottle of wine and cheese plate on happy hour? Killer.

I am TORN writing this review as I wanted to like this place from the moment I entered. Also, I only drank at this place and did not eat, but it was on a Saturday night, so you'd better bring your A game. Recommended by my fellow yelpers and a trustworthy bartender, touting a review that referenced Paris, I thought we couldn't go wrong. Bellied up to the bar slightly before the James Bond half tempo band went on. Visiting family, there's plenty of laundry to be aired with the stench and lubrication of alcohol. Properly we wanted to tie on and go all night. All night being until sun up, not 11:30p. I started with a Sam's Whiskey Sour on the happy hour menu, the right foot, usually. Sam may have liked it, but I couldn't have moved on fast enough to the next drink. Asked for a Hendrick's and Tonic (cucumber if they had it). No Hendricks, no cucumber. I asked for Tanqueray 10 and tonic, don't have that. T & T it is. Moving on to manhattans after reaching a dead end in the Gin department, I was struck by three flamboyant gentlemen who sat down near us at the end of the bar. One waitress made sure to tell the hardworking bartender that these we're important fellows to be taken care of. No problem, maybe one of these guys is a city councilmen spending a night on the town with the "girls" (their words, not mine). But after they drank their 2 champagne and oranges, without eating the orange, and promptly split, I wondered if all those "are you doing alright?" 's were worth it. My sister and I continued to drink and chat, sometimes with the bartender who couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Another server in a cap and a newly minted tattoo was also delightful and chatty. Since it was still before midnight, we ordered up a Irish-French press, signaling that we we're gearing up for round two+. We mentioned that once the band had finished up that maybe we could move on from the half-tempo James Bond themes; anything else, just UPTEMPO PLEASE. Once the Tribe Called Quest came on and remained on, family agreed. 60bpm is not classy, boring, lame, old and not timeless, not consistent with the presented vibe AT ALL. The music killed it, and the atmosphere of the place changed to "We're all doing dishes, clearing tables, and hoping you all will cash out and go home." It was time to move on. We quickly grabbed our coats and hit the road, finishing our Irish-French press ASAP. So why would I never go back to this place? Why the 2 stars? What it says next to the 2 stars says it all, "Meh, I've experienced better." Moreover, when 2 people sitting at the bar are ready to spend $100 on drinks and all night at your "Parisian Bar", you have to recognize them and treat them right. I'm not looking for special treatment, but C'MON! I guess we didn't get pointed out by a waitress as being VIP like the aforementioned gentlemen, who spent less than $20 if they were even charged. WTF face. I have discussed this experience with a few different people, and like I said, I'm torn even writing this review. But they all respond the same way, "What would Chef Ramsay have said about it?" If The Temple Bar is looking to present an experience, 2 stars is my review. Taryn D. says, "Mega props for atmosphere!" I'm just not feeling it, nor tasting it. read more