My first time coming here was for the Miracle at Modernist Pop up Christmas bar and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the decor and festive drinks as well as the Christmas music playing. It would be cool if there were Christmas movies playing. I do wish there was more food options other than popcorn and a $15 SMALL grazing box but after all it is just a cocktail bar and not a restaurant. Out of the ones I tried, here is my personal preference ranker: 1. SanTaRex (Mezcal + served in a dinosaur) 2. Jingle Balls Nog (I don't like egg nog but this was amazing) 3. Christmas Carol Barrel (Christmas in a cup) 4. Yippie Ki Yay Mother F (Adios MF) 5. On Dasher (not a fan) our server said this was really good, and the marshmallow sauce made it. She said if you're feeling adventurous, get this. However, the "On Dasher" was more like if you like the taste of soap get this. There was no marshmallow sauce, just a toasted marshmallow as a garnish. read more

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Raygan is our favorite bartender! So friendly. Great ambiance. Delicious drinks. Love that you can come as you are or get dressed up.

The absolute BEST place for drinks in downtown Fresno. I take all my friends here when coming from out of town and almost are pretty damn surprised to find a spot like this in Fresno. The indoor space is like a modern art-deco type of style and the outdoor space is perfect now that it's finally cooled down a bit more in Fresno. I've never gotten a bad drink here and honestly this place has cheaper and better quality drinks than Quail State. The service is always great and they're so good at recommending drinks based on your preferences. An absolute go-to spot for the homies. read more

Modernist - Pistachio, Highway, whiskey something - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

I went in before they officially opened for a quick drink and to check it out before it got crazy busy(see all the reviews before mine!) The owners were completely present and have a hand in every little detail. They're warm and genuine, I felt very welcomed. I was able to look over a menu which was an absolute delight in itself- curious diagrams mapping the flavor profiles, a brief history of each drink listed, separated into a few different categories, which is great as a large enough menu could get overwhelming and all the information mushes together. I had a Berry Naughts Farm by the way, and the fresh jam in it was beyond genius. Everything about the decor was out of a magazine-sleek, modern, and clean juxtaposed next to raw brick and concrete. The flow is different but unique. The lounge area is tucked away, allowing for a bit of intimacy. The bartenders were having a good time, a family vibe always makes the difference. This place will be great gem among the industrial area it sits in, can't wait to see how it evolves. read more

Giving 2 stars because the drinks are delicious but the service and hospitality is not! Our team of 14 people went there last night with reservations, spent over $600 and soon after our 2nd round of drinks and half of our party had left we were rudely told to move to an area which the manager even called "awkward seating". He said we needed to move so the 50 + people waiting could come in and join in the Modernist "experience". However upon leaving there was no one outside waiting to get in. Additionally noting that they have a 2 hour maximum, which would make sense if your party is not ordering and there is a line however that was simply not the case as we were spending a significant amount of money and again no one was waiting to come in. During the evening we were constantly made to feel like being there and spending money in their establishment was an imposition. Though a table setting for multiple people where only 1 person was sitting for at least 30 min with NO drink order holding the tables for their party was accommodated and not harassed. The waitress was rude, unprofessional and rushed about everything from answering menu questions to simply not being polite when speaking with our party. We are a local Fresno company that would have liked to frequent this place for social events but that will not be the case given the poor quality of service from the waitstaff all the way up through management. read more

Came here with my wife and our neighbors to celebrate a birthday. We were disappointed that we were unable to get a table indoors, but we ended up being happy that we couldn't. Otherwise we would not have had the pleasure of having Jillian as our waitress. She was extremely knowledgeable and helped us all select drinks we loved. It was a bit chilly outside but the heat lamps kept us warm. I had the Jamaican bobsled while my wife had the comso-fall-itan and the neighbors had the corpse reviver. We hope to make this place a regular part of our weekends and use it to show off Fresno to out of town visitors! Highly recommended for those interested in a fun night out on the town and an adventure in libations. read more

Good Is spot good drinks they are quite a bit on the pricey side I'd but they are very nicely made this need and their patio is beautiful the inside is beautiful the only sad part was that because of covid people will have to sit outside or the inside seating was it's limited I like when they have all the food trucks out there it's nice read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Went with a group of girlfriend's and sat outside, and I can honestly say that this is one of my top three favorite cocktail bars. The cocktails I loved were: - Mangonada- not too sweet, a little smoky and spicy. A perfect drink for hot summer days. You can tell that they don't use cheap mango juice and it was so refreshing! - When Caprese Met Gazpacho- might be an acquired taste but I LOVED this savory cocktail. Well balanced, loved the tomato infused gin, and it was really unique. I know this is on the summer menu so I'm happy I was able to try it while it was around! - Paper Plane - It's listed as a classic but this was new to me. A great suggestion by the bar manager when I said I wanted something tart with bourbon. A little bitter, a little herbal, but very tasty. Great way to end the night on a highnote. Service was excellent, outdoor patio space was comfortable, and loved having the food trucks as an option! Will be back when we make it to Fresno! read more

Really sad to report, as long time customers, that the Modernist has changed. The vibe is way off and new (at least to us) bar tender Joaquin was condescending and rude. He even gave us our check before even bringing out the first round. Will not be returning. Things really changed once Tristan left read more

I went here the night of the festival. After walking around a bit I stopped in for a cocktail and chose the spiced margarita. What a great choice! They had a cheese board but I chose to grab a little something from the restaurant next door. Next time I'll have a nice cocktail from here and try the charcuterie board they offer. It was a very hopping place with a good variety of cocktail offerings and patio seating to watch the crowds go by. read more

Service was excellent! Bartenders helped us out right away! Not a big cocktail fan, so I wasn't all that excited but that do really take their time making their cocktails. If you love cocktails, you should come here. read more

Modernist has set the bar in Fresno in a short amount of time. Although established right before the pandemic, people keep coming back for good reason. The Modernist mixes superb drinks that look and taste delicious. The bar is small yet modern and contemporary in design. They also offer outdoor seating along Fulton street where you can watch downtown life and people watch. You are in downtown, so you really see every thing, no filter sometimes, lol. Being at the modernist makes you feel like you are not in Fresno, like you're in a big city drinking boujee cocktails on a Sunday like you already had brunch. When really, it's just grimy, lovely downtown Fresno. You can tell the owners truly care about their craft. And if it transports you elsewhere, even for a moment, then they've done well more than just serve drinks. read more

The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because our table was wobbly. A wobbly table typically wouldn't be a reason to knock off a whole star, but when it is a high table that is small with a few drinks, a slight wobble can cause those drinks to spill. Other than that, I have zero complaints. The staff, including security, were friendly. We were seated quickly. The music was the right volume for the setting, the bartenders were upbeat and provided some flair. Our drinks were delicious and the flavors were multi-layered so it made for a great experience. I definitely recommend checking this place out if you're looking for a high-quality cocktail with a modern atmosphere. read more

Modernist - Chasing Rabbits on the left and Fres-Nopales Highball on the right - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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Great place to hang out with friends & catch up. Their drinks are so good. Bartenders are great to talk to, one of them shared they make all of their juices daily. The drinks are very strong, which I think matches their prices. Definitely going back soon! read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Best cocktails in the area. The drinks are top notch and worth the wait. I love the location, especially during Art Hop. Only caveat is that it's not too big inside but they have ample outdoor space, when it's not hot of course. The staff are very helpful and ready to give suggestions. The place is clean and the decor is fun. Perfect place to start or end your night. read more

After a lovely dinner at Quail State we walked over to this vibrant and modern looking bar. You can join their waitlist online which makes it super convenient especially on the weekend. We joined their online waitlist and walked over when we were second in place. We were seated inside and had a great server who suggested we tried their summer drinks and our favorite one was the Disco Inferno and I liked it so much that is what I stuck with and I am glad I did. read more

Modernist - Disco inferno - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Sat outside and there's a taco truck that smells amazing right next to the place. Drinks were fun and strong. I got a mock tail because I was driving but tried my friends. They made my mock tail cute though! The guy who was our waiter was very nice although I thought he could have came back more frequently, they were busy though. We were also waiting for the check for quite a while. I went to the bathroom and the inside is cute as well I love the blue couches in there. read more

Modernist - Watermelon mock tail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

The drinks are aesthetically pleasing but strong BUT we LOOOOVE that! It's a vibe to catch up. They're always helpful when I'm indecisive of what to get. read more

My wife and I snagged an outside table on the sidewalk to enjoy our first at-a-restaurant-or-bar date in over a year (pandemic+new baby=not going out) and I am so glad we tried Modernist! The staff was very friendly and eager to share their favorite drinks (and could talk about why they liked a drink, its flavor profiles, etc). We have a love hate relationship with mixology/cocktail culture, because conceptually it should be great and then so many bars underdeliver. Modernist delivered. We tried five drinks, though they were all from the seasonal menu so you might not get to try them if enough time has passed: Felix Felicis - I forgot to write down what this was but I seem to remember apricot and we got it a second time, so it was good The Life Aquavit - like a Scandinavian jungle bird! Haru 21 - very clean, simple and refreshing Kind Of A Big Dill - have I drank tzatziki from the container before? Yes. Has it ever been this good? No... Ostaral - the other I forgot to write down, but it's moot since the menu changes so frequently and you need to just go try whatever is going on today. read more

Live the atmosphere and the bartenders are friendly and will recommend drinks for your which is super helpful. Open til 1am which is convenient as well read more

Modernist - Sooo melodramatic - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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Well, let me start with the positive. The drinks were delicious. The bartenders are skilled. The second thing is that the people who work there are incredibly friendly and quick with a drink. Fantastic customer service. The bad: I couldn't hear a darned thing in the place. It was crowded, noisy, and loud, and I spent the whole time saying "what" because I had no idea what the people one foot away from me were saying. Who likes that kind of thing? I'm sure many people do, because why else would there be a line to get in, but the atmosphere killed the entire evening for me. Anyhow, if good drinks, excellent service, and enough noise to wake the sleeping Cthulhu are what you're into, then this is the place for you. read more

Absolutely loved the vibe here! Great music and excellent service accompanied by elevated cocktails. I see a couple of reviews complaining about the price, but if you want something cheap, I hear Applebee's is open late‍ I will definitely be returning, and bringing my friends too(: read more

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Love this place! You definitely feel like you've been transported to a different city once you walk in. The vibe reminds me of a fun bar that would be in San Francisco. Everyone is super friendly too and the drinks are great! Will definitely be back. read more

I went to the Modernist with my two girlfriends and we had the best time. The vibe was extremely cute and comfortable, the drinks were amazing and very reasonably priced and we had an AMAZING server. Jillian made us feel like we had been her friend forever, she had great drink suggestions and was so kind to everyone. I would definitely recommend the Modernist! read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Absolutely LOVE Modernist. I've been there twice so far and I have yet to be disappointed with the drinks or service. They always have new drinks to try which are seasonal and beyond delicious. I must say, presentation is always on point with these beautiful cocktails. The staff there is so attentive and helpful. I think my only complaint would be that they could use a bigger location. It can get packed there but that's never a bad thing! Can't wait to go back for more drinks! read more

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LOVE this place!! The cocktails are so fancy, taste amazing and I love how they named them! I wish the food was more fresh and made there, but they do use a local company so that's nice. read more

You can tell the staff really takes pride in this place! Awesome vibe, awesome cocktails.

Modernist never disappoints. The drinks are awesome and the decor and overall vibe of the bar is so charming. On this visit I tried "don't be a bouli" from the winter 2022 seasonal menu. If you're a fan of a Negroni or boulevardier, I highly recommend this drink. This bar is just too cool, enough said, check this place out. read more

The drinks are strong!!! Definitely not a bad thing!!! So many options of drinks and all so pretty! Such a cute spot. The drinks and ambiance were a vibe! read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Been wanting to check this place out for awhile and finally got to go this past weekend! They have super cute drinks and they're not just good, they're strong! A perfect kind of strong lol. They also have really nice patio seating. I love the vibe and will definitely be going back. They do have some small food items that you can order also. I recommend the graze box! So delicious and cute. It's a spot that makes downtown lively, for a second I forgot that I was downtown Fresno lol. Great for night out with your man or night out with the girls! So check them out y'all!! read more

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Great place! I can't wait to go back! Interesting decor, great drinks, the drinks are interesting and refreshing!

Great service great And very attentive staff love the ambiance and current decor the drinks are amazing able to have a good conversation will be returning with friend and family to try some of their amazing drinks read more

Just want to reply to S.A. and others who give low star reviews because the drinks are pricey or the food trucks are expensive. Folks, this is a high quality place designed to attract fun folks and those who appreciate the best and freshest ingredients and expertly designed and created cocktails. Yep, it's pricey when compared to good Tower spots or Tioga Sequoia, but not when compared with Campagnia or other snooty north side locations. Think high quality neighborhood bar. Want a delicious and cheaper pub? The Lincoln is for you in the Tower. But if you want a Bay Area experience with a Fresno family atmosphere The Modernist should be your go-to spot. read more

Festive, fun, cozy, awesome - what a perfect place to spend my birthday! Love this place every time we go and yesterday was no different. We even bought adorable club glasses (they have so many cute ones to choose from!) to enjoy our at home holiday beverages. A definite place to stop and we even went next door to the taco truck and grabbed a tasty selection of tacos and burritos to share. We had an awesome time and they could not have been nicer! We will be back soon - our happy place to celebrate milestones or just a Sunday evening!! read more

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They are so confused, they don't even know why there is a discrepancy in the bill. I finally did get someone to point the blame at their billing service provider. They said that they have no control over how their service provider does the billing. I told them that they are the ones who charged me and so it's their responsibility. I don't think they care. So watch out. What you're signing for may not be what they bill you for. My advice? Pay cash and leave it at that or go somewhere else. read more

Boujie, yes. Good drinks, no. I ordered a "Taco Truck" which is literally, I mean literally a taco blended into a drink. Think of a Taco Bell crunchy taco, in liquid form... weird right?! It had a strong taste of Cilantro along with Black Sea salt and it just wasn't hitting correctly. Their purple margarita was pretty decent, there's really no drinks here that are not only regulars but also something that'll have you coming back. Also, I don't know if every day is club day but we went on a Sunday and there were young kids drinking inside, it was like a club and no room. If you're looking for a chill hangout spot I would not recommend this spot. read more

Modernist - Margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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This is the cocktail bar that Fresno has been missing for a long, long time! Unlike anyplace the Valley has ever experienced before, Modernist brings with it a level of elegance, sophistication, and quality that you would only expect in the likes of New York or LA. The cocktail menu is not only incredibly diverse and thoughtfully designed, but also constantly varied to reflect the season. You definitely won't find an ordinary "rum and coke" or "whiskey ginger" on it (although they can make you one of those, if you really want it). Instead, get ready for unique spices, syrups, and bitters, artfully assembled into very tasty concoctions. The "Fall of 20" drink I had, a bourbon cocktail with seasonal spices like nutmeg and cinnamon as well as apple, was absolutely delightful. While the food options might just be so/so, and it's a bummer that you have to order one (thank the state of CA for that rule), the drinks are so good that you won't even care. Service is incredibly attentive, and very safe with respect to COVID, and they have a TON of outdoor seating. The only question is, why are you still reading reviews of this place and not on your way there?! read more

Modernist - Fall of '20: A great seasonal bourbon drink!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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If y'all haven't visited Modernist yet, you're missing out. Their cocktail program is incredible and their staff is full of some of Fresno's finest people. I love how diverse and interesting their cocktails are. Their menu changes seasonally, but believe me - no matter what, they'll make you a drink you'll love. I guarantee it. read more

Modernist is just as it's name suggests: a modern and aesthetically beautiful bar with even beautiful drinks. In downtown Fresno, this establishment definitely hosts a very warm and aesthetically appealing experience for its patrons. The only downside is the amount of space it offers for guest seating. The bar area is jammed with bar stools and patrons hardly have room to sit or socialize around. Overall a good experience during the day. read more

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I have been holding off on reviewing Modernist for some time now, and I really don't know why; maybe because I am lazy... or maybe because I didn't think another 5 star review could help. I don't want to put it off any longer though. The Modernist is a bar above "the bar" set in the Fresno/Clovis area. I was born in Fresno, lived a short stint in the bay area and now live in Clovis, so I am pretty familiar with bars in the area and for a long time (years ago) getting good craft cocktails here was unheard of. Eventually a few restaurants starting bringing improvement to this area, but you would be hard pressed to find a bar (only) that could deliver the cocktail experience all to common in other metropolitan areas. I once had a bartender smash a bunch of maraschino cherries and packets of sugar into a glass to make me an old fashioned, i paid and tipped but I would never return, enough said. I digress, back to the beauty that is the Modernist. As the name would imply the bar itself is modern, its clean and upscale urban feel is a breath of fresh air to downtown and the bar scene here in general. They have a staff of some of the best bartenders in this area, i have been lucky enough to drink from a few of them at other establishments in the past, and every staff member is a pleasure to speak to and interact with. Their cocktails are so enjoyable. From creature comfort classics to custom creations there is something for everyone here and if it isn't on the menu ask one of the knowledgable mixologists, give them some info of base liquors you like and flavor profiles and you will find yourself with something unique and possibly new in hand to enjoy. The Modernist is the bar we have needed in this area for a long time, many thanks to Po and Carmen for opening this much needed oasis. Favorites: the entire menu... I'm not kidding, I've drank it all and I'm never ever disappointed. Onto some COVID specific notes: Many of our lives were uprooted or at least impacted by the coronavirus. Early on toilet paper, masks, lysol wipes and hand sanitizer were on the top of everyones list, including mine to some extent. As shutdowns continued we all started to try to build some kind of live and routine while navigating the restrictions in place; This is where the Modernist came in clutch for myself and my family. Once they were able to offer cocktails to-go, it was a way to bring some of our old life and better times into our home. When they started to do free cocktail classes on Instagram they were providing not only a cool learning experience, but a virtual happy hour and ritual to what was starting to feel like a never ending groundhog day. I have sent "care packages" to friends and family including their delicious cocktails and even had some virtual happy hours over some Smoke & Fire margaritas. My husband and I have had many home date nights fueled by Modernist. You see, they aren't only providing cocktails in my eyes; They are providing entertainment, escape, a way to connect, old comforts in trying times and yes some amazing cocktails. We were lucky to get a stop in during the brief re-opening and have since reverted to our distance support. So if you are a fan of cocktails, check them out, support them during closure, join a cocktail class or even pick up some of their amazing new cocktail popsicles. If you haven't visited their physical establishment, do this until you can. The cocktails are just as amazing and you could play a part in making sure they are there to welcome us with open arms in house when the time is right. read more

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