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    Barmel

    3.8 (295 reviews)
    Open 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Barmel Photos

    BARMEL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Good for dancing

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    Recommended Reviews - Barmel

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    Reviews With Photos

    fries
    Jessica L.

    Love this cute little bar in carmel. The passionfruit dropper IS MY FAVORITE EVER!! I had to get two. I don't know what they put in the fries but it has THE PERFECT seasoning, i couldn't stop eating them.

    Tequila Club Soda
    Anthony N.

    If you're looking for somewhere with very high energy then Barmel is the spot to come to at night, 10PM a DJ played really great dance tracks and really set the tone. Be aware it is a small setting with very little space, service is backed up due to an only have 3 staff at bar but don't knock their hustle ! Drinks are well crafted. Was here for the weekend and had a GREAT time !

    Bertha V.

    Came here after dinner looking for some cocktails and this place did not disappoint! Best guava Paloma I have ever had! The bartender was awesome explaining all other ingredients. We came in a night when they had life music. Don't was the perfect place. So glad we decided to come in and try it.

    As you can see this was the back of the Main Street showing where Batmel was PHEEW we found it!
    Cristina F.

    This lovely bar is located right off the center of Carmel. The address seems easy enough but it is in its own enclave behind all of that. We were able to find it by asking locals, one person was kind enough to walk us to it. It was a perfect bar that had a warm feel of bars of yore. There was a warm darkness to it that was brightened by the bartender Jayna. We chose to sit at the bar and delighted by our banter with her. It was happy hour and we both had the margarita which was excellent! The chips and salsa hit the proverbial "spot"! I also opted for the Barmel Manhattan that Jayna said was "world renowned". I must say that it was excellent, the Luxardo cherry was the crowning touch! Best of luck to Jayna! Thank you!

    Lucy K.

    All the locals had been recommending BarMel as the spot to go after dinner and we finally decided to check it out. It was a little tricky to find at first, but once we walked in the atmosphere immediately pulled us in. We asked to be seated at a cozy booth which gave us a great view of the room. A DJ was playing when we arrived and it looked like there had been live music earlier in the evening which added to the lively and creative vibe of the space. We had been cold all day from walking around the city, so warm drinks sounded perfect. I ordered a nonalcoholic option and it tasted amazing with the perfect balance of flavor and comfort. The staff was friendly and made the entire visit feel relaxed and welcoming. We did not stay too long, but we were happy we finally experienced this place that everyone talks about. It is definitely worth a stop if you are looking for a late night drink and a fun atmosphere.

    Chili dirty martini and Red G$T
    susan s.

    Cozy small place, very laid back, not trendy and upscale. Fun music and bar food. Service was attentive and this place is a real contrast to most of the rest of Carmel!

    A passionfruit margarita

    Went here for some late-night drinks to relax and unwind. Unfortunately, I had a very uncomfortable experience. The female waitress took my credit card before I even had a chance to order and kept it for the entire evening, even though I only purchased two drinks. My card was not returned until I was ready to leave, which I found very strange. I've never had that happen before at any other establishment. When I asked why my card had been taken and held, I was not given any explanation. After that, I felt uneasy and uncomfortable for the rest of my visit. Because of this experience, I will not be returning.

    Ramah H.

    Little gem in Carmel, great ambiance, fantastic drinks and great service Fun and welcoming spot, hospitality is still alive here!

    Left: Orangesicle | Right: Serrano Margarita
    Natalie P.

    OPEN LATE NIGHT! Found a spot finally that opens past 12am for drinks. This place is pretty small on the inside but I love their outdoor area. Plus the bartender who helped us was the sweetest girl ever! My friend and I got the Orangesicle and Serrano Marg. I personally loved the orangesicle! Drinks here are pretty pricey, it averages around $16 for a cocktail. They also serve food and play great music. Even on the weekends they have DJ's! Reasoning for 4* is just cause of the price but, you're in Carmel so very expected!

    Gwen L.

    Expansive and unique bar menu - definitely something for everyone. Funky bar vibe inside. Not very busy when we stopped in. We sat outside on the patio for a quieter vibe and the beautiful sunshine! Did not see much of a food menu, but wasn't looking for one either.

    Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda | $20 (dog-friendly patio!)
    Cherylynn N.

    3.5 Stars When 95%+ of Carmel is sleeping... *UNCE, UNCE, UNCE* Whaaaa? I had no idea Carmel had a nightlife! Not that I was searching for one because these days, my nightlife is in bed by 9 pm watching cheesy Dhar Mann videos. So you see... Haven't been out late late since I ran into my friend's 21 year old brother who screamed: "OMG, what are YOU doing here?!" Yup, def my cue to stay home. Annual trip to Carmel and I found Barmel on Yelp after searching for dog-friendly bars. Barmel is a chill bar by day (opens at 2 pm), supperclub during dinner, and turns into a club after 10 pm. Check the events calendar for the live music/DJ line up. We visited two nights in a row: Thursday + Friday (after 9 pm - midnight). Thursday was def preferred as it was chill with a more diverse crowd. Friday was packed with a line to get in. No cover charge and no dress code. M E N U American & Mexican/Latin American cuisine: Salads, tostones, tacos, burger, steak frites, etc (we didn't try any of the food). Kitchen closes at 11 pm. Bottle service available - bottles start at $350 (Ketel One/Titos) - $1250 (Casa Dragones). D R I N K S * Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda ($20 x3): https://tinyurl.com/bdd8u533 Happy to find this on the coast because it's incredibly hard to find in the city. Light on the alkie as I barely got a buzz after three rounds. Make sure to get a receipt! We ordered the same drinks on both nights, and I was overcharged $25+ on the second night. Mistakes happen. I tried calling several times during off-peak hours (weekday at 2-2:30 pm) and couldn't reach a live person so had to dispute it through my cc company. S E R V I C E Awesome service from the staff. Angel and Bea were our servers, and they were sweet and attentive. Immediately brought a bowl of water for TT without asking. Security was friendly and customer oriented which is rare...people kept handing him their drinks/empty glass before taking a smoke break/leaving and he put it on a table for them. Didn't get their names but other staff also checked in with us. A M B I A N C E Divey, old-skool saloon with a small dancefloor and separate dining room area. Both nights we sat in the courtyard patio away from the main crowd so it was chill. Big plus, is the table service for the patio and not having to wait in line for drinks. First night (Thursday) was hip hop night with the DJ playing hits from the 90s and early 2000s. We returned the next night on Friday for 90s freestyle and hip hop but when we got there, they changed the line-up. =( The DJ that night played a wide range of genres - from oldies to EDM to latin pop. The transitions between tracks were sometimes abrupt and awkward. TIP: Use the plaza's public restrooms outside to the right of the dining area. No line. P A R K I N G Plenty of easy parking for club nights. Staying at a nearby Vagabond's House so we walked here. The streets were eerily pitch black so we had to use the flashlights on our phones to get there. Overall, solid place for small town nightlife if you're visiting the coast. There were peeps in their early 20s to 70s. Twerking has no age limit.

    Negroni
    Matt C.

    Where's a bar rat to go in Carmel? Enter Barmel! I'm going to describe this place as a sophisticated dive bar. There's some cool historical artifacts inside and the place also has a retro/bohemian vibe. Definitely a change of pace from the buttoned up, traditional places of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Barmel is a breath of fresh air for people like me. Wish I knew they served food prior to coming here (not that we had a bad meal prior), but the menu sounded very good. We stuck with cocktails, and even though this place has a divey feel, the cocktails are anything but that. A dedicated Gin & Tonic and Negroni section on your cocktail menu? Call me a happy freakin' camper. Negronis sounded like the move after a heavy meal. I ended up having two, the Classic Negroni and Coffee Negroni. Both were prepared perfectly. These were great slow sippers as we sat and soaked up the atmosphere. Speaking of atmosphere, it appears they house live music pretty regularly. I will say, the performer was fine at best. He seemed to not the read the room so well, and was going a little over the top for the fan engagement he was receiving in return. It's nice they have live music, but as music fans, we felt like it wasn't a good fit on this particular night. Need an unpretentious spot with a stiff drink? Barmel is your home away from home!

    Ginger Sour
    Michelle R.

    We were in search of an authentic Carmel experience! We hit the jackpot! With the fun history and amazing drinks, it was a hit! The historic decor had my hubby drooling! The bar came from a bar in Sausalito owned by a former Madam! So fun! Our server, Angel, was the sweetest! She took such good care of us, checking in on a regular basis! We decided to grab an appetizer to go along with our cocktails...who knew a basket of French fries could be so tasty! The cocktails did not disappoint! We each tried new drinks (2 each) and were pleased with all of them! If you are heading to Carmel and need a little fun break...stop in! You will be glad you did!!

    Mockjito

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    Great bar and bartenders. Awesome atmosphere and vibes. Live music and DJs. Would recommend to others for a good time fosho

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    8 months ago

    The bartender was so sweet!! Drinks were good. Loved the music and decor of this spot.

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    Barmel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Barmel

    Is this a cigar lounge as well? Looking for something casual yet classy for this coming Saturday.

    Hi, sorry but we don't have a cigar lounge. We share a courtyard with other businesses so we cannot allow smoking outside either. We hope you come by after your cigar and have a drink with us.

    Hi - I keep trying to call but no one picks up the phone. How can I get in contact with you regarding a lost credit card that I left at your bar last weekend?…

    Hi Lauren. Sometimes we don’t hear the phone over the music. Feel free to call our manager Carlos directly. (831) 293-4397. He can help you get your card back.

    What time does the music start?

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - Barmel

    Came here after dinner looking for some cocktails and this place did not disappoint!

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Brophy's Tavern - @lilybubbletea

    Brophy's Tavern

    4.3(828 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Stopped in on a whim while passing through Carmel and so glad we did. The ambience is fantastic,…read moredimly lit with great music and TVs everywhere, the kind of place I'd love to come back to and watch a game. Service was excellent. Our waitress Rachel was great and took good care of us. We ordered the French dip (added Swiss, onions, and mushrooms) solid sandwich, though it could've used a touch more salt. The real star though, was the fish and chips. Genuinely some of the best I've ever had. Lightly battered, flaky, perfectly cooked. The vibe lands in that sweet spot of upscale casual without crossing into fine dining, comfortable but elevated. Highly recommend if you're passing through Carmel. We'll definitely be back.

    Lunch after a beach walk was just what we were looking for. Walk in and find a seat. Music and…read moreambiance brought a nice vibe the whole time we were here. Food is tops. The fish and chips is the ultimate meal. The burger was savory, soft and creamy just he right amount. It perfectly paired with the Talbott pinot noir they recommended. The only comment is make is the amount of French fries that were served with the burger. The plate was a lot larger looking because a sparse amount of fries was served alongside. Maybe add a little more next time just to balance it off. The servers/bartenders knew their stuff. They provided what they could in terms of what was popular and well liked. They said both items we ordered were the most popular. The fish and chips have won best fish and chips 3 years in a row. I would agree with this since I usually am not wowed with this dish. I couldn't resist ordering a dessert. The applied tart with vanilla ice cream was so satisfying. Overall service, food quality and experience was very good. If return over and over again for this same food and experience. If I could give 10 stars I would. Carmel and Brody's is a new destination.

    Photos
    Brophy's Tavern
    Brophy's Tavern
    Brophy's Tavern - @feedmeimei

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    @feedmeimei

    Cultura - Carnitas taco, carne asada taco, & chicken tinga taco with a side of black beans & cilantro lime rice.

    Cultura

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I visited Cultura with my greyhound, so we sat outside in the courtyard near the firepit tables…read moreshared with Vin, next door. It was a cool, breezy night, typical when the summer marine layer moves in over Carmel, but the propane heaters kept us toasty. If you prefer dining indoors, the interior bar and dining spaces had an intimate, funky, but very cool vibe. The host and servers were all extremely friendly and helpful. Despite being outside in the courtyard, they were also incredibly attentive, checking frequently to see if we needed anything. Their recommendations were spot on, too. I was wowed by the cocktail menu. I'll have to return to try more of their bar offerings. This trip, I took advantage of Happy Hour to order the blood orange margarita, and I was not disappointed. I ordered the ceviche appetizer. My greyhound thought it smelled as wonderful as I did. He rested his head between my feet in hopes of catching any ceviche dropping from my hands. This was so tasty, he was out of luck on the table droppings. I also had the chicken enchiladas for my entree. It was one of the best enchiladas I've had in a couple of years. My server, Mario, brought me out a small cup of their take on Mexican hot chocolate, made with oat milk, as an aperitif. It was so delicious, I almost wished I'd ordered a full cup as dessert.

    Eh...we really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, we're not fans and probably won't be…read morereturning. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, exactly what we were looking for. The service was pleasant, although at times it felt a little condescending. They have their own very specific tequila collection, so don't expect to see many familiar brands. That's not necessarily a bad thing. We're always willing to try something new. The margaritas, however, were very tart. Just too much lime juice. We ordered tacos and asked for flour tortillas, only to be surprised when they arrived on corn tortillas. When we asked about it, we were told they simply don't serve flour tortillas. Fair enough, but that would have been helpful to know when we ordered. The good news: the chicken tinga, barbacoa, and carnitas were all excellent. Unfortunately, we just couldn't get past the corn tortillas which fell apart when you tried to eat the tacos. Ended up using a fork. For dessert, we ordered one of our favorites, churros. They arrived warm, but were very dry and tough. A churro should make you happy. These made us wish we'd stopped for dessert somewhere else. There were definitely some bright spots, especially the meats and the cozy atmosphere, but restaurants generally get one first chance to make us want to come back. Unfortunately, this one didn't.

    Photos
    Cultura - Another side of the bar seating area

    Another side of the bar seating area

    Cultura - NY steak, black beans, & assorted vegetables.

    NY steak, black beans, & assorted vegetables.

    Cultura - Wine & Warm Water

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    Wine & Warm Water

    Grasing's - Fresh seafood special with paired wine

    Grasing's

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Locally owned & operated

    Grasings is a very good fine meal option for Carmel with great menu that doesn't remain static. It…read moreshines as a singular Carmel restaurant when the town is moving towards too many restaurants owned by two groups that have turned into tourist food traps serving less than average food. However, the differentiator at Grasings is the bar and that differentiator's name is Kevin. If not for Kevin, we would still frequent from time to time but with Kevin we go in at least once weekly. Kevin and servers like Kevin are solid gold in Carmel and ensure 5 star ratings for atmosphere and service. When you find them you never have a bad experience in fact you are guaranteed a great experience. The menu caters to all, carnivores, seafood, steaks and vegetarians - love the veggie burger! Great place to meet locals and tourists, especially if Kevin is working. We admit that when we walk to Grasings and find that Kevin isn't working, we find another venue. That isn't a knock on Grasings but rather a nod to Kevin.

    Grasing's is one of those restaurants we make a point of visiting once or twice during our annual…read moretrip to Carmel by the Sea, and the food never disappoints. They have a great selection of wines and cocktails, and our go to entrée is the 8 ounce filet mignon with a spiny lobster tail and loaded baked potato. The steak is always prepared perfectly, the lobster is excellent, and the chef consistently delivers. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, making it a great spot for a nice dinner in Carmel. The service on this visit was professional and polite, although the bartender/server was a little short on warmth and personality. Nothing bad enough to spoil the evening, but a smile and a little friendly conversation never hurt anyone. Someone might also want to remind the staff that conversations about staffing problems or the performance of other servers are best saved for the back of the house. Hearing employees complain about staffing and coworkers in front of customers is uncomfortable and reflects negatively on the culture of the restaurant. This a leadership problem that needs to be addressed. Whatever you do, save room for dessert. Their chocolate brownie with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream is easily one of our favorite desserts in Carmel by the Sea. Rich, warm, decadent, and worth every calorie. Grasing's remains one of our regular Carmel stops, and we'll likely be back.

    Photos
    Grasing's - Highest grade prime cuts and wagyu beef

    Highest grade prime cuts and wagyu beef

    Grasing's
    Grasing's

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    Links Club - Nachos are always a crowd pleaser

    Links Club

    4.1(78 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Found yourself in Carmel-by-the-Sea and looking for a laid back sports bar with great service, a…read morefun atmosphere, live music, karaoke, and games? Look no further than Links! Links is one of my favorite spots in Carmel, and is one of the places regularly on my list whenever I go back. Carmel-by-the-Sea isn't necessarily known for the bar scene, but Links offers an excellent option for anyone looking to extend their night and keep the fun going! They have a pretty extensive menu of food and drinks. The food is pretty standard bar fare, but with no shortage of options. The drink selection is quite varied as well, with a good selection of beers on tap. Service has always been exemplary when I've been here - the staff is friendly, fun, and have the gift of quickly remembering their return visitors, which really makes Links feel like a welcoming spot. Food and drinks come out quickly, and my beer glass was rarely empty without the staff coming up and offering another round! Links also has several large golf simulator areas, where you and your friends can practice your swing while playing a number of games against a large virtual projector screen. Add on top of all this the regular rotation of live music and karaoke, and you've got an excellent sports bar that should be on anyone's list who's looking for a fun, casual, energetic sports bar in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Thanks for all the fun times, Links!

    Quiet but good food, lots of mini games. Friendly staff. Having a lot of fun with friends and good…read morespot for couples to have fun.

    Photos
    Links Club
    Links Club - The Ace Chocolate Chip Cookie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

    The Ace Chocolate Chip Cookie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

    Links Club - Cocktails

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    Cocktails

    Barmel - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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