I can sum up my experience and everything about this place with Meh. It may come off as pretentious, but that's probably just residual pretentiousness left over from the balding bartender who had to bring me my food. I am from SE Portland and found the service here to be undeservedly snoody. The food was on late night (an unwelcome surprise), pretty bland. I had the tomato soup and grilled cheese. Drank a Monopolowa dirty martini because they were out of Kettle One. The one saving grace was a sweet server who tried to take my plate halfway through my meal. Will not be back. Boring atmosphere, so so food, and annoyed service. read more

Decided to try something different in Bellingham. The yelp reviews were good but I have to say we were rather disappointed. First off, it took the waitresses 15 minutes to come to the table or even greet us for that matter. But both waitresses were pleasant once they started paying attention The happy hour menu is very limited. We ended up getting a salad as well as the small cheese plate with the bottle of wine. Doubt if I'd go back read more

Very urban- but quaint feeling bar. I love the vibe and selection of drinks and food. I truly enjoyed my happy hour here with girlfriends. Temple Bar is a go -to place for good conversation and good wine. I also heard a rumor that there is good happy hour at Temple Bar :) read more

My favorite place to grab a drink in bham. I love that they will still make some of their older drinks for you. The Black Dahlia, and Thai Basil Daiquiri #1 are hands down my favorites. If I could bath in them, I would. That's how much I love this place. Great atmosphere. I love this spot. read more

The Temple Bar - Black Dhalia and the Thai Basil Daiquiri #1 - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

I worship at the Temple Bar. It is a gem of a place. It is one of the most perfect places to take your date on a sunny Saturday to enjoy the sidewalk patio. Indoors is great too. I would definitely take a visitor to town to the Temple Bar because it reflects rather subtly the quirkiness of the town. My only concern is that these folks can survive with the prices they charge (at happy hour anyway). It is almost too affordable - so I tithe generously! read more

Who doesn't love The Temple. This is a classic Bellingham mainstay. The drinks are amazing and the food is unbelievably good. They consistently pump out the good stuff. (It's also the best date spot in town.) The lighting, music and mood is perfect. read more

The food was very good. The drinks were good. Why the one star? The service. Not bad, that would be an insult to really crappy service. Belguim. Really _what's below total failure_? We ordered two sandwiches. Nothing fancy, and waited. No one told us that they were busy and that there would be a long wait. No one asked about wanting more drinks. No one asked how our food was after 40 minutes of waiting. Below total failure. Yes that was how bad the service was. But hey the food was good. read more

Also love love love this place, just like another reviewer. Biggest complaint is how tiny it is. Other complaint is that I never know when they are closed - the last 3 times I have tried to go they have randomly been closed. (Are they closed on Mondays?) But they do not post their hours and days on the door. Whenever I have been able to go I have had the best experience. Its very kind of romantic, and perfect for when you want to catch up with a close friend. They don't have too much on their menu - but I like that. What they do have is really great. The warm bowl of pistachios is yummy, the cheese plate is also divine, and you can't go wrong with any of their wines. read more

It's a nice atmosphere with good drinks and some delicious foods and snacks, but it's a bit pricey, and the service is always pretty bad. The only way I've ever found to describe it is that it's almost like they think it's "cool" to be aloof and rude to customers. Maybe some people like that? If you feel like a tasty cheese plate or some deeelicious stuffed dates (seriously so good) and don't mind some snippy waitress treating you like a nuisance, then this is your place. Honestly though, I'd rather go somewhere that I can have a pleasant experience. read more

I can no longer ignore the bad service and attitude of the waitresses. My wife and I use to love grabbing some wine and light food for a nice summer late meal. But time again and again there was a problem with the food. Each time we complained it was treated as if it was our fault. We were not asking for refund or free food we just wanted the order to be correct. As a business owner I blame the owner. Her attitude is bad which sets the tone for the remaining staff. The atmosphere is great, the wine choices are wonderful, it just isn't worth it any more. Next time you are deciding where to go, grab a table at the Woods Coffee shop 20 feet away. read more

First time there, sat at the bar - bartender was "hesitantly friendly" is how I'd describe him. Second time there, sat outside before the dinner rush so they weren't that busy. The same bartender was my server again and I don't think I've ever been waited on with such aloofness and disinterest. Not once was I asked how things were going after ordering food and a drink. Maybe those who come in by themselves are considered a waste of time. Just before finishing, a female server came on duty and spent so much time chatting with parties of two or more that she forgot I had asked for my bill. I'd give it a one star, but the food was pretty good. read more

Delicious cocktails and friendly staff. Looking forward to visiting next time we are in town!

This is a great place to go with a few friends. A great drink menu, classic styling and wonderful bar staff help make this place a great location to sit around and talk with a few of your best around a couple of great drinks. read more

AMAZING. Best place in town to go for after dinner drinks, or a romantic light dinner. The happy hour is decent, and the food is awesome (try the grilled gouda garlic pannini!). The bartenders are always friendly (hard to find in this town), and make excellent reccomendations! read more

Good value, good food, good atmosphere, good service. They get it all right. Bottle of Chianti with landjager for $20, delicious cauliflower wedge and kale quinoa squash salad. It might sound trendy but this was truly fresh and original: a well dressed beauty that filled me up. If only Seattle could come up with the same read more

The Temple Bar - Kale quinoa squash salad with dates and almonds. Amazing. - New American Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Wowza the espresso here is great, I believe it's cafe vita from Seattle. The ambiance is relaxing, dark, and very new-age trendy. I'd say more of a wine and cocktail joint than a beer/shots venue. It's best to go in the evening for an aperatif or the cheese plate or perhaps after dinner for dessert and coffee. The crowd is mostly young, professionals or students. Very enjoyable, I love going here. read more

I love there drink menu! Delicious and refreshing. The small dishes were great, too. We had the goat cheese toasts & stuffed dates. Awesome! Atmosphere is mellow while still being hip & refreshing. read more

The Sally Tomato is so good. A fancy bloody mary that comes in a martini glass (and there aren't any anchovies in it--no worcestershire by default!). I get it on the rocks so I'm not afraid of breaking the fancy glass. There aren't many vegan options for food, so far I've just had one of the antipasto plates on a date (it's a great place for dates!). The atmosphere is great, and it's warm inside on cold winter nights! read more

A bar with no beer on tap does not a bar make. Limited selection of bottled beer for claiming to have a good selection. Service seemed to ignore us for several minutes before we had to ask if we needed seated (no sign to denote otherwise). Will not be going back. read more

The Temple Bar is one of my "after work" experiences. It is quiet, sensuous, and unique enough to suit almost anyone's needs. Great cocktails, unique plates, and strong service render this establishment a strong contender in the Bellingham area. Evening specials are published on their Facebook page. read more

This place is totally adorable, lovely high ceilings, great northwest hippie/hipster ambiance, and excellent food and drink at a good price. If you're heading through Bellingham, this is a must visit. read more

I've been here a few times since moving to Bellingham and am always impressed. Really cool, cozy and classy ambiance, awesome cocktails and drink selection. Oh, and the bartenders are super awesome. read more

Funky, intimate, eclectic with a variety of classic cocktails and good food. A good place for a to get snacks if you want something to nibble on with your drink. The custom cocktails are sure to make anyone feel classy. read more

Three women, footloose and fancy free, enjoyed cocktails and lunch here on a Friday afternoon when other places were closed. We were happy to find The Temple Bar. The service and food were just what we needed as we made our way from Seattle to Canada. What a darling little town! We enjoyed the shopping as well. read more

My favorite place in Bellingham for a drink or a meal. Seriously! We were just in Bellingham for 4 days and we ate here 3 times. The West Champion sandwich is awesome, the cocktails are perfectly prepared and the Mediterranean Plate with a glass of rose at one of their sidewalk tables was one of the highlights of my week. I think the service, attention to detail and quality of the food and drinks can't be beat - especially in a spot that is so relaxed and fun. read more

I think I used to like the Temple Bar more. Yeah, I did - back then the wait staff was a tad friendlier with lower overall hipster vibrations. I still love the look and feel of the interior - old wooden tables, a sort of Euro-cafe Bellingham-style. I also like that they now serve pretty delicious cocktails - mmm "Raindrop." read more

A bottle of wine and a little cheese plate for $15?? Um YES PLEASE!! Great selection, low key and casual, and knowledgeable and helpful staff! Cute decor and funky atmosphere. Love it! read more

Ordered the tuna sandwich menu listed all the ingredients except the ingredient I'm allergic to, cappers!! Why bother listing all the ingredients, but one. They even listed mayonnaise. Substituted it with gratin. It was served in a pool of melted butter...if you're looking for a heart attack try the gratin. My drink was good, but not great. I was deeply disappointed. read more

The service was stellar! Riley took care of us like we were old friends of the family, recommending drinks and even concocting a special birthday offering. A great place to spend part of a Friday night!! read more

The drinks are good-but the food is GREAT. High quality ingredients and very friendly staff! It's a really classy interior too

Excellent happy hour. A mini-growler of local IPA, gin & tonics each hit the spot. Hand-crafted sausage, polenta, small meat pies were all delicious and reasonably priced. Fun little touches like milk bottles for serving water, and eclectic furniture--I'd call it thrift store americana chic. A fun place to go for a light dinner and drinks before a movie. We enjoyed this place thoroughly. read more

Great drinks and food. A very nice spot in Bellingham.

This place has amazing cocktails, delicious food, good atmosphere and gets my vote for the best happy hour in Bellingham. The only bad part about coming here is the service. I have been here many times and it is always super slow every time, even when they aren't busy. One time I even had to leave because we had been waiting at our table for 20 minutes and no one had even acknowledged us... But I'll still be coming back because the happy hour here is too good to pass up. read more

The Temple Bar is one of my two favorite bars in town (the other is Daphne's in Fairhaven). Temple Bar beats out Daphne's in its food selection. Their food is fantastic. They also offer a wonderful drink menu. Great waitstaff and a timeless funky atmosphere that is reminiscent of every Seattle hangout I ever visited in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Here is the perfect date evening for my husband and me: drinks and apps at the Temple Bar, then we skip dinner entirely and walk on over to Pure Bliss for dessert. read more

The ambiance was great, the food was pretty good, but the customer service was slow and inattentive. Had the Brie sandwich and the roasted cauliflower both were good. However, my friend ordered the shrub to drink. It was SO bad. It tasted like straight apple cider vinegar. Even though she only took two sips, the waitress never inquired about it. In fact, she was pretty MIA most of the time we were there and we had to flag her down to get the bill. read more

I am gonna have to go with Tiffany F...the hot waitstaff (and the one hairy short dude), always friendly service, always helpful, excellent food, love the atmosphere. It is the best place in bellingham and they have a kick arse happy hour to boot. Highly recommend!! read more

Awesome place to stop in for drinks and nibbles. The cocktails are always imaginative and delicious and the wine menu is great too. They change up the drinks menu quite frequently which I like, always something new to try. They don't have a lot of food but I have never ordered anything I didn't like. I enjoy the small plates that are made for sharing, just realize portions aren't huge so if you are hungry order multiple things. Ambiance is laid back and mature. read more

We went with a couple friends and got the happy hour cheese/wine special. Great wine but the cheese platter should be called bread with little to no cheese platter...couldn't even satisfy a full mouse. read more

The have the best martinis in town. I love coming here for date night and to see what's new on the menu. Their food is delicious and their atmosphere is device. read more

It's funny - other people always think of Europe, but having never been there, I think of my trip to Cuba. It's a cozy, intimate setting that feels warm and relaxing to be in. Everything feels worn in like it's been around making people feel good for ages. The music always seems to be both soothing and interesting. The food selection is abbreviated, but everything is delicious - especially the paninis and the chocolate truffle cake from next door at the Mount Bakery. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful in selecting a wine for the indecisive (or in my case, those that don't know much other than liking Shiraz/Syrah.) Although it's fun to be there in the evening with the little table candles flickering, my favorite time is getting there when they open for lunch on a sunny afternoon, either in one of the window tables or outside. read more