We were wandering around in the dark and happened upon Matthew's. We loved it! And how lucky for us…read morethat it was Happy Hour! Our wonderful server, Seth, immediately and proudly proclaimed (with smile) that they use premium liquors for all their Happy Hour pours (at a mere $5!) I ordered the Rosemary Gimlet from their Unique Cocktails list: House infused rosemary gin, fresh basil, lime juice, simple syrup--it was total perfection. Nate, our second server, joined in the fun as we toured the photos of young stars. Beautiful atmosphere, wonderful staff, delicious drinks. A fun time was had by all!

Great drinks, well informed bartender, and great windows!…read more Mojito was fresh and minty, I tried the experimental lager/liquor cocktail (crystal mourning) and it was funky but good. I'd go back ‍

Yes, yes, yes! The staff from the moment we walked in, to ordering drinks, getting drinks and…read morechecking to see our satisfaction was on Point! The cocktails are as unique as the glasses they are served in. The drinks were 10/10. The vibe...like the name....it's fun and flows with a funky sexual fun vibe. Definitely will be back!

The staff is very welcoming and really care about your drinks and make sure you are enjoying what…read moreyou are having. The music is great, the staff are friendly and the drinks are Incredible! Highly recommend!!!

This place was, to say the least, unforgettable. I grew up in Bellingham but have never lived there…read moreas an adult. I visited Redlight on my dad's 62nd birthday. Not only were the cocktails delicious and intriguing, the food delectable, and the atmosphere spectacular. The service was beyond words. Anna was a wonderful server as well as a different server who helped when I asked for something, but additionally I spoke to a bartender who provided great recommendations for my father. When the food and drinks were served, my expectations were exceeded. In addition to all of the positive experiences, once we had closed out a customized birthday card signed by the entire staff was delivered to my dad. PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND VISIT THIS RESTAURANT!

We had a really good experience at Redlight and I'm already looking forward to going back and…read moretrying more of the menu! First, the cocktail menu is fantastic. It's been a long time since I've seen one this creative and extensive. If I wasn't worried about falling over, I probably would have ordered one of everything . I had the Song of the Siren, which was a perfect balance of sweet and tart without being too sweet. I especially loved the hint of white balsamic vinegar. It was surprisingly strong though, so one was plenty! My husband had Le Tigre, which had guava, passionfruit, pineapple, lime and Thai chili tincture. It had just a touch of spice and a really interesting combination of flavors. We both loved our drinks. For food, we started with the ribs and then ordered the pork belly bao buns and the hot noodle dish. The ribs were cooked really well and had a wonderful crispy/fried texture, but they were very lightly seasoned. If you really want to taste the meat, you'll probably love them. For us, they could have used a little something extra. A couple of fun dipping sauces, maybe something like a honey gochujang, would have made them amazing. Our waitress, who was extremely friendly, told us the hot noodles are one of their favorites. They weren't quite for us. There was definitely lots of flavor, but the sauce was pretty rich and dense and the dish had a good amount of spice. We each had about a bite and ended up packing the rest to take home. It sounds like it's a popular dish though, so I think this one is probably just personal preference. The absolute highlight was the pork belly bao buns. I was a little worried pork belly might mean a lot of heavy fat, but these were much more meat-forward, with the perfect crispness around the outside. The flavors were phenomenal and the bao itself was perfectly cooked. Definitely order these! Overall, really good food, wonderful service and one of the most interesting cocktail menus I've seen in a long time. We'll definitely be back.

Connor is a genius! I told him I wanted a couple of n/a cocktails and that he could pick for me…read more(I'd like anything) or experiment on me. He chose the latter. OMG! Each used n/a spirits (n/a mezcal in the latter) and a symphony of sophisticated ingredients, which wish I tell you what. Each had a speared dried citrus slice and a luscious ginger bite (or something!) a top. The first had included honey, but it wasn't sweet--just complexified with a little snap to it that the honey smoothed; the second was a little sweeter in tone, including a bit of huckleberry along with the mezcal. (Connor might recall them by my play name for them. Inspired by a book in my hand on collecting meteorites, I nicknamed the first the "Extraterrestrial Visitor" and the second the "Heavenly Visitor.") They were so delicious I suggested he put them on the menu. If he does or doesn't, no matter. Just ask him if he has time to get creative for you. He'll ask you flavor tone preferences, or you can just go for whatever he wants to make, like I did. Again, he is excellent. I enjoyed my lovely drinks with a Caesar salad (another OMG!) which included crispy bacon bits and loads of tiny shreds of a delicious white cheese along with a creamy dressing. It was scrumptious as was the very lovely charcuterie plate. Pistachios, green apple slices, fat outstanding Castelvetrano olives (caution: with pits), a luscious pepper jelly that went beautifully dipped into with their choice of excellent crackers, delicately flavored salami and a prosciutto so elegantly-flavored it could make you weep. And it was lovely enjoying it all on their "porch" on a sunny day.

During a recent stay at the Fairhaven Village Inn (adjoining) we were excited about visiting…read moreGalloway's - based on the website's photos and posted menu. The place has potential but honestly disappointed. See photo below of the Hummus Platter. Really? Next came the "Baked Brie with Figs & Cherries" - which sounded delicious. No figs in sight - yes, a ramekin of baked brie with a bit of cherry in it, but... uninspired. We also ordered the Stuffed Potobello - and left most of it on the plate. Pros? It was close to our hotel, and has charming half-moon booths. Summary? Uninspired with potential.

This place is super cute! The decor, the bar, and the vibes are all really fun. We ordered three…read moredrinks- beer, super graphic ultra modern, and guava coconut slushee. They were all really great, very cute and fit the overall vibe. We also got the crunch wrap and loved it- I'll be thinking about when I can come back for another one!!

A fun cocktail bar with delicious drinks, great vibes, and good people…read more They have a vegan Crunchwrap?! We'll have to come back to try it. We got a couple cocktails and they were all delicious. They have a game shelf by the bathroom for folks to play games like mancala or skipbo. The clientele were mostly hip and younger, but I saw someone 60+ come in and order a beer and sit at the bar by himself. I also overheard someone ask the bartender to "surprise me" with a drink, which seems like a fun option.

Stopped by for a Saturday dinner with my wife. Street parking available though we walked from where…read morewe were staying. Not very busy though WWU is out for the summer. Seated promptly. Orfldered a margarita and coffee Martini. App was the queso which was excellent. Main was a Capri sandwich and a meatball sandwich , both with a side salad. Salads were fantastic. My meatball sandwich was okay, missing something. Capri sandwich I was told was good. Ambiance was nice, rustic and not too loud. Overall a good experience.

Eh. Food was ok. Nothing to write home about Service was…read moregreat. Bourbon tasted more whiskey than bourbon. Honestly, not worth it.

For date night this evening my wife and I decided to revisit The Elk Street Tavern in downtown…read moreBellingham. For those who are looking for a date spot with unbeatable ambiance and gourmet cuisine, The Elk Street Tavern should be your next date night destination. As soon as we sat down at their beautiful bar, the waitress and bartender were both very attentive and friendly. We both ordered cocktails off their seasonal cocktail menu. I had the East of Eden which was smooth and refreshing, but its flavor did not overpower that subtle bite of the gin. My wife ordered the Dream Girl. The combination of banana, raspberry and coconut tied together with smooth rum was so good we could have ordered several more. Our food arrived in a timely manner. The Elk Street Burger was first up. Elegantly simple with just bacon, cheese and heap of pickles with a medium rare all beef patty in-between a soft sesame seed bun. I do wish that the burger came with a toothpick through the center to keep everything together. The taste and texture of this burger was fantastic, but the real star of this dish was the frites. These jojo style potatoes had a fried crust with a crunchy texture that was almost indescribable. They also came with Elk Street's house sauce that is a mixture of mayo, mustard and bbq that gave my food a tangy kick of flavor that I will not soon forget! I would also recommend asking for their house made garlic chive sauce. It is so good! My wife's Prawn Roll was fresh and light. Chunks of prawn mixed with lemon aioli, celery, and chives stuffed in-between a toasted brioche bun. A great choice for anyone who is a fan of lobster rolls and is looking for a lighter dish bursting with flavor. Lemon wedges to garnish and a small bowl of potato chips on the side, this dish was a ten out of ten. Elk Street Tavern has a great vibe for a dinner date, or if you are just looking to sip on great cocktail at a classy bar. I will definitely be coming back again.

Elk St. Tavern is an upscale 21+ only bar with an amazing menu and an outstanding bar staff with…read moresome original drinks but no arrogance towards the classics. The Shepherds pie was delightful as well as the Scallops. I highly recommend for an intimate setting or meeting another couple for dinner. The setting is darker with some outdoor seating on busy State st.

What an adorable little addition to the Bham bar scene! Located in the og Uisce's spot downtown,…read morethe new owners have done a great job transforming this former Irish bar into a space that feels a heckuva lot like my Uncle Joe's basement, circa 1982. But in a cool, doesn't-smell-like-cat-pee sort of way. We met up here with a large group of friends, and ordered a bunch of random cocktails - all of which were delish. I actually ended up getting a White Claw as I wasn't feeling in cocktail or beer mode, but they had the mango flavor so all was right with my world. One friend got an old fashioned, which he said was delish; and another friend enjoyed her margarita. So it sounds like I'll definitely have to return when the cocktail mood strikes! It was a good place for a big group, as we were able to move a few tables together. But there were more intimate seating areas, too, so I could see this place being a solid choice for date night. Plenty of seating at the long, wooden bar too!

Newly opened sports lounge in downtown. Lots of great seating options, great drink options, and…read morefamiliar and friendly bartenders. They have golden tee for the golf lovers, and a mini buck hunter. Definitely a great gathering spot with friends

I love this place. I love the owner--Jabriel--who has been so helpful to me and so nice. The staff…read moreare wonderful: I would name them, but don't want to misspell a name or leave anyone out--especially those who've participated in making such a wonderful experience and I just haven't met them in person. They are welcoming and warm, skilled at what they do, helpful and more. I love that they have musical offerings--and often. I have loved every one I've attended. Last night I had the pleasure of enjoying the Tuesday Songwriter Showcase--this event showcased Lucy London and her violinist partner, Adam. OMG!!! It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Ever! And the food and beverages--oh my. Chelsea is my mixmaster extraordinare. When I ask her to create n/a mocktails for me (IMO, no easy task to get a truly interesting flavor sans alcohol), she always comes up with something complex and wonderful. I cannot recall all the ingredients in one of my favorites last night, but it had both an elderflower component and a rhubarb one: lovely. (And a beautiful salmon-colored hue to boot, complete with a Bartender's cherry...) The food was spectacular. I had read a recent review in the Cascadia Daily News that raved about the Admiralty (for good reason) and spotlighted the deviled eggs, among other choices. Because I make nice deviled eggs myself, I never bothered to try these, so I did last night. Very lovely: creamy and gorgeous with a different, interesting spicy little twist. (Be sure to smear the egg on the bottom of the tray to pick up more of that wonderful red spice.) And the lamb/beef sliders: I'd had them before and really loved them (and sliders aren't really my thing, so that surprised me). Either they were even better last night or I just hadn't remembered how absolutely spectacular--each bite was one of the best of anything I have ever put in my mouth. Luscious. No more be said. Love this place... (plus it's really pretty inside...)

After trying to walk into three other top-rated restaurants in downtown Bellingham on a Friday…read morenight in June with a party of five, The Admiralty Lounge had an open table. Initially going for just a drink, we stayed for dinner. We're glad we did. Here's our experience. 1) Food: We started with the salmon dip, which everyone really loved. It comes with little toasted bread slices. The menu is heavy seafood, but there are a few options without. Walking in hungry, I ordered the deviled eggs, Caesar salad, and the shrimp (all small plates). Each dish was full of flavor and delicious! 2) Drinks: They have a robust menu. Enjoying more sweet drinks, I ordered the Spa Day. I don't love it. It's mainly ice and not sweet at all. It wasn't tart, just muted. I then ordered a local raspberry cider, which was very tasty. (It's dry cider.) 3) Service: Phenomenal. Everyone was top notch- efficient and personable.

This place is a must visit! The restaurant is super clean inside and the interior is very classy…read more Our waiter Carson was very kind and helpful, brought out our appetizer promptly and informed us that our main course would be out soon. Overall the food was exceptional, you can taste the freshness, that it was truly hand crafted not just frozen and heated up. The food has a unique taste, it's exquisite, nothing like we've had before. Yes it's a little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. The duck fat fries were so delicious! And don't forget to order the dinner roll as an appetizer...absolutely buttery deliciousness

I would give it 6 stars if that was an option. The black cod was perfectly cooked. Steak…read moredisappeared. Wonderful service. I love this place!