This is our 5th annual Christmas party here and I have to say, it has seriously gone down hill! The bartenders can't even make a dirty Martini right. read more

We've been going to the modernist annually for our happy Christmas for 5 years now and it has gotten progressively worse. Who serves an extra dirty martini with a lemon twist? When asked for olives, the olives were served with pits intact. We made a special trip downtown to be sorely disappointed. I took my drink up to the bar to ask if the gin I requested was used and was met with an unhappy and adamant statement that my drink was made as requested. Save your money and time. The premade over priced drinks in decorative glasses are not worth the time. P.s. stay away from the house nuts, they are stale and soggy!!! How are nuts even soggy?!? read more

It's been too long since I've enjoyed some cocktails inside the Modernist. The ambiance is still as chic and the newer staff are lovely and talented cause these drinks crafted by Jacob were delicious. First come first served unless you buy out the bar. Which if you do message me! Can't wait to go back to try more seasonal and classic cocktails. read more

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So by recommendation from a couple we had met a while back, we finally went to check out the place and met with some friends for drinks. I'd say we were lucky since we were able to snatch some seats at the bar. It took a bit though, this place gets packed. Music was good though with some tight walking spaces, but a little loud I'd say. The bartenders are intuitive and can cook up something that'll fit what you're looking for. Ryan tended to us most and we had stuck to cocktails while we were there. We'd definitely stop by if in the area to see what's new with their seasonal offerings and imbibe again. read more

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Nice atmosphere and cute during Christmas time, but terrible service. We had a reservation and it took 30 minutes to get our drinks. We received our second round of drinks about five minutes before we lost our table (and we had to flag somebody down for them, we didn't even get checked on). If you're going to provide slow service, you need to allow paying customers enough time to receive and finish their drinks in a timely manner before notifying them that their reservation is over. Absolutely unprofessional service. Employees need to plan better and provide more time to make up for their slow service, EVEN during busy nights. Gratuity was included, but not deserved. Unacceptable. read more

Second visit at this fancy, nice, comfy Bar. As part of my Birthday Month Celebration I wanted to come and celebrate. We were having dinner at CDT and then my friend Stephanie texted me. She was here And she was inviting Me to join her. I thought to myself "it is meant to be." After a little while my friend Blanca and I joined Stephanie. It was this passed Friday and it was packed. Good thing she had a table already. They had playing good Music in the background. We really enjoyed it. She invited us a drink. I got the so melodramatic. It was a watermelon drink. It had the right amount of liquor to my taste. I thought it was very delicious. My friend Blanca had a regular margarita with some Tajín outside of the glass. Blanca said it was very strong. And Stephanie got a sour whisky. I could see all the seats in the bar already taken. This Bar is popular as I could observed. The delicious different original named drinks are very attractive. It makes you want To comeback and try them all. :) I am not a regular drinker just on special occasions. So I will have to wait for someone's Birthday to comeback. Definitely a place to visit if you are around. read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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I had a quick stop at Modernist for a drink and tried the lemon drop and a mojito. Both were refreshing, and the service was fast. The staff was friendly, making for a great experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

Modernist - Lemon drop and Mojito - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

This is definitely a place for the experienced cocktail/spirit drinker. They have alot of options on their menu but I wouldn't necessarily say it's for everyone. They don't just make sugary cocktails, they make drinks for those that like to savor their spirits so keep that in mind! They always decorate for the holidays and it's a fun ambiance for date nights or a friends' night out! read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Still a staple, go to cocktail bar, definitely the best in Fresno! Drinks are always delish, I've never had one I genuinely didn't like. I love that they have a rotating menu depending on the season too! Always gives you excuse to stop in and try out new drinks! It's super cool that the drinks are actually created by the bartenders there too! Inside & outside seating is available year round, which is very convenient! Overall, still one of my favorites in town and probably always will be! read more

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DO NOT GO HERE. They automatically pushed 22% gratuity and won't refund it. Horrible service.

I stopped by this place after it was recommended to me by a local business owner. It is located in an area with many breweries and bars. Parking is street parking. It is metered. I asked for a recommendation with gin. I don't know the name of the drink, but it had Gin with rosemary and lemon grass. I loved it. It wasn't sweet, but not too tart. The place is small, but there's seating at the bar, against the wall and in the back. They do have waiter service. Everyone was super nice. Prices are reasonable. read more

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Jillian girl! You are going to keep me coming back! Hwy 1 is the drink! I love it! I've stopped by the Modernist a few times. It's a long way from home but worth it. This place is so sweet! They have great drinks and customer service. I really enjoy myself every time I'm here. The bartenders actually take the time to talk to you and go over the drinks and talk about the tasting notes of each drink. I will continue to visit and really appreciate the amazing drinks! Stop by you won't regret it. read more

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I've been coming to Modernist for quite some time now, and it's definitely a spot to go to get drinks with some friends in downtown Fresno! There is sitting located outside in the patio section, which isn't the best, but gives them more sitting selection. The sitting inside is great with a comfy lounge area in the back of the bar. The inside's interior design is very modern and nice. They have rotating menus of speciality cocktails for every season (summer, spring, fall, winter). The specialty cocktails are awesome. They're created by their bartenders, very creative and have unique tastes. If you're not up for a mystery drink, you can order some classic cocktails (Paloma, mojito, spicy margarita). The staff is great. Our server was awesome and very attentive. Only thing I noticed this time was there wasn't any music playing like other times. Overall, Modernist is a Fresno gem! read more

Modernist - Specialty Summer Cocktail: The Sun Also Rises - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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Great drinks, very aesthetic & great service! Perfect spot for a date night. Would recommend to everyone! read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

So glad Fresno has a local gem like the Modernist. They keep things exciting by rotating the menu and offering fresh new concoctions every season. My favorite season to date was their Spring '21 menu! Absolutely amazing cocktails- Fresa'no, Life of aquavit, rhubarbara Streisand were off the hook. I do wonder if I am able to order a 'seasonal' drink once the season changes? Summer wise - I'm really digging the Disco Inferno which pays homage to the infamous Studio 54. As a lover of that time period, I had to get it! And it's a balanced, refreshing choice with mint, aloe, cucumber and vodka. Service is always on point and they will willingly except a drink back if it's not to your liking. The mixologists are equally cheery and hospitable as well. Great atmosphere, stylish interior and always clean restrooms to boot. read more

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This is quite simply the best bar in Fresno. Eric was fun, knowledgeable, and patient. There is something for everyone here. Make a reservation but enjoy yourself knowing that these are the best bartenders Fresno has to offer. read more

The dude and I came here on our two year anniversary 5/13/21. I've came the Modernist prior for a Yelp event and it was such a lovely time! I've been wanting to come to this place ever since then the pandemic hit and it made things very complicated for sure xD Anywho, we arrived around 9pm and was seated promptly on their outside patio which was beautiful. We were greeted outside and had our ID's checked and had the option to be seated inside or outside. It was pretty lively out and plus you can hear the commotion of the nearby Grizzly game going on. They have their menu online which each bartender gets to come up with their own concoction of a drink which is pretty awesome and of course our bartender/server recommended his own drink. The drink menu constantly changes. However they do have drinks that's always on their menu. Our server was very knowledgeable and descriptive on the tasting notes which was pretty cool! He recommended one drink that was sweet for me but it wasn't sweet-- it was delicious but I was expecting it to be more sweet but it was good! The dudes drink ended up being sweeter than mine so during round two I got his drink. I was a happy camper! I was pretty tipsy half way through the second drink which the dude ended up finishing it for me. As we were there live entertainment occurred in the middle of the street that even had the fireman dancing! We ask staff about it and they said the live entertainer comes weekly and at Quail State! We ended up tipping the gentleman. Overall, we enjoyed ourbae Anniversary here and the Modernist definitely made it special for sure. We are wanting to come back soon and definitely if you haven't come here what's the wait! They have great tasting cocktails, music and their drinks are beautiful too! Gotta come check them out!!! read more

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Great cocktail bar with tons of unique cocktails! While sitting at the bar and browsing their wall of alcohol, I spotted tons of craft and quality spirits which was a great sign! I even saw a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle on the top shelf (if you know, you know). When browsing their menu I immediately gravitated towards the unique flavor combination cocktails and ordered: Tom Yummy - a reconstructed version of Tom Yum soup. WHAT?! I was in the mood for a lemongrass cocktail but it wasn't as prevalent as I was expecting but still delicious. First Punch - Have been ordering more milk punches lately and this one did not disappoint! Drinks were delicious, came out quickly, and are decently priced. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable and my friends and I had a great time. We came late in the evening on a weeknight so street parking was easy and it was one of the only things open around. The only problem is downtown Fresno isn't a very desirable place to be at night.. read more

Modernist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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So happy I finally got to try this place when visiting the fam!! I came here on a Saturday night with my boyfriend. I was surprised to be seated right away- it was busy but still some room to sit. Also, this was during an insane heat wave so I think not much people were out that night. The waiters were so friendly and checked in on us multiple times- appreciate it in a busy bar!! ♥ Their menu is seasonal and constantly rotating. I ordered the watermelon cocktail named Soooo Dramatic. It's so me. Very refreshing and the good type of 'strong'. I was driving so only got one drink. There's plenty to choose from so you can definitely have more if you aren't the DD. These are fancy cocktails so a little on the "pricier" side for Fresno BUT YALL, YOU GOTTA PAY IF YOU WANT NICE THINGS! Applebees is there for u if you don't want to spend$$. The interior and exterior is VERY cute! Fancy 20's themed. Definitely meeting the moment! This is a great place to go for a date, birthday, or just any other day! Highly recommend. read more

A great place to enjoy a cocktail with friends after work or alone! I went with my friend to relax and unwind on a Friday night. Or bartender was very attentive, entertaining, and made the night magical. The drinks were a bit pricey but very strong, so UT was worth it. They have a seasonal menu, so it is always evolving. Bold flavors and quality ingredients! read more

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We got lucky last night as our visit to Modernist coincided with the Fresno Grizzlies opening day. This meant we got a great seat for a firework display! These folks here take drinks seriously. We learned from the bar manager that each bartender goes through a "gauntlet" where they make each of the classic cocktails in a row and get tested on their consistency. Gave us the hot tip that when they do these gauntlets, those drinks are five bucks!! There is a drink for everyone on this menu. Again, it was a balmy night that I'm not quite used to so a lighter, fruitier drink was my go to. The Cactus Chiller was perfect. Tequila, cactus, prickly pear, pineapple, orange, and soda all mixed together giving me Cactus Cooler vibes for sure. Another favorite of the group was the Fresa'no, a gin strawberry drink. The service was amazing with Victoria keeping us well hydrated! read more

Modernist - Inside look at the expansive bar. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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My first time here was at a Yelp Elite Event in February, 2020 that I really enjoyed and got to meet the owners. It was nice to see how a new and small local business adapted after COVID hit so we still supported them with to go orders. We've been here a few times and have enjoyed the Johnny Appleseed, Notts Farm, Margarita and Hawaiian Tux. The OG's. My husband and I decided to come experience The Miracle (Christmas pop up that happens all over the world and across the United States which is amazing for Fresno) tonight on December 23rd. Festivus! We arrived around 9:15 and were told we had to get on a waiting list and that eta was 1.5 hours. It takes a lot for me, mentally to get ready and go out and since we were already out, we did not mind the wait. My phone was fully charged and they had a great system where you can check how long you have been waiting and how far you are on the list. We were waiting patiently outside for an hour. We had 2 waitresses come up and ask if we wanted to order anything while we waited and offered us The Miracle menu. I politely told them I wanted to wait to order so I can enjoy the decorations while enjoying my cocktail when I entered and they were understanding and sweet. One was blonde and the other one had glasses. We had been waiting 63 minutes and were 15th in line, a 3rd waitress in a Christmas sweater and black leggings came up to me and asked the same thing and I told her the same thing. This is where I air out my festivus grievance. (New cocktail name for next year? Festivus! Lol) She asked if we were going to order while outside and I told her we came for the experience and wanted to wait. She got annoyed and was rude and told me, you know there's a wait-list and a long wait right and asked are you even on the waiting list? I showed her my phone. She proceeds to talk to the couple behind us who weren't on the wait-list and tells them she has room for them and takes them inside which I thought was odd since she made a big deal about us being on the wait list when we had been waiting patiently for the past hour. We knew the couple was not on the wait list because we were talking to them and they told us they didn't want to get on the wait list and wait because it was going to be closed by the time they got in. The security should have also told the waitress that the couple should have been on the wait-list when we saw him be strict with everyone else when she brought them in. I aired my grievances with the front door host, Jordan and really appreciated that she listened to me twice and advocated for me with the owner, Karmen who moved us next in line. It honestly wasn't about the couple or waiting long, we just did not appreciate how we were treated by the waitress. I guess every Christmas has a Grinch. After we got in, Jordan still came by to check on us a few times which is very appreciated so I hope she has a Merriest of Christmas. Now on to the fun stuff, decorations- So Kitschy, pretty and fun, unexpected items in each corner and I love the lights. Drinks- I had a Christmapolitan and it was delicious. Like something Carrie Bradshaw would drink during the holidays. Not too sweet. One of the best cosmos I've had. My husband had a Yippee Kay Yay Mother F****r! It came in a cute Santa mug with an umbrella and was very delicious. I tasted it and it was very good. He wishes he would have known about the additional holiday drinks that you can order when you scanned the bar code, but we drove and didn't want to drink too much. We also each took a "nice" shot before our drinks. With tax and tip, it came out to $56 which was what we estimated to spend. Overall, we had a great date night, but one less star for the waitress for having attitude and then completely skipping not only us, but the 14 people ahead of us who were on the list to bring people in who didn't even get on the list. Sorry, It's my festivus grievance. Even with the 1.5 hour, it would have been a 5 star experience if it weren't for that waitress. However, Jordan really made the night a lot better by listening and advocating for me. She definitely has some type of future career in social work or therapy. The Miracle is happening until the 26th! Praying something like Frosty's comes to Fresno as well. read more

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From service and ambiance to DELICIOUS craft cocktails they deserve the 5/5 stars. I love how they have a seasonal menu as well as their classic staples. Their inside and outside seating options are both amazing, with very fresh and inviting decor inside and cute tables outside for fresh air. The drink costs are on par for the quality you receive, but it does add up quickly. They have an all day happy hour on Wednesday's with some tasty options available (their sour is amazing). If you're looking for a nice date night, or trip out with friends this is the perfect place to visit. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and willing to answer any questions with a smile and great recommendation available if needed. They also have small bite options available from Fig and Honey and Rapp It Up (both boxes we ordered were great)! read more

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Really nice upscale modern cocktail bar. Stopped by for drinks while visiting for work. The service was great and the bartenders really take their time crafting each drink. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid back. Its a small space but they have bar seating and a lounge area in the back for with chairs and sofas. Definitely a great place for after work drinks or a date night. The drinks were great and well put together. I recommend checking it out. read more

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This place is rad. Great first date spot if you're looking to rekindle your 17 year relationship. Kennedy is awesome and will greet you like you're fam read more

Service, ambience and cocktails are on point!!! Would highly recommend! Very cheque vibe and LGBTQ friendly. read more

Modernist - Todays special - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

The modernist was good last night. I liked my drink but my friend did not like his. I ended up helping him with this 18 dollar mezcal drink that I originally told him to send back. The waitress gave us some cranberry juice to add in which made it a tad better. The modernist was not decorated for any holiday so it did not have the flare that it usually has. It was pretty packed though. read more

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Love the vibes! The drinks tasted delicious and loved the set up for Christmas! Did not try the food but the drinks were great

I'm gunna be flat out. I don't expect much from Fresno, however this trip I have been pleasantly surprised! Fresno has provided. I had the morbid + reserved and it was a knock out of the park. The drink itself almost a take on a boulevardier and old fashion with fall notes of stone fruit and a little bit of spice. Inadvertently I chugged it down because it was so delicious I couldn't put it down long enough to stop drinking it lol! The staff is amazing! Seriously great. So inviting. So nice. Aline was the bartender at the time and was wonderful. She was super helpful about local recommendations as well as explain the rad cocktail she put in front of me. The other thing that stood out, she was honest about restaurants I was curious about, and I LOVE THAT!! This place is a vibe! I'd say, very much for the extrovert who wants an upbeat delicious cocktail and vibe with great service and wonderful drinks! If you get a chance and like a good cocktail. Give it a go! You won't be disappointed read more

Love it the people the drinks the flavors everything is soo cooolll and yum here. Love the mixes and the ambiance is fun and electric. The service is fast and the bartenders love to make conversation. read more

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

Went to the modernist during the Christmas season to try their holiday drinks. We were a party of three and they told our friend that arrived first that there was a 90 minute time limit. We did not arrive until 30 minutes later. They asked us to leave and closed us out right at the 90 minute mark which I can understand, however there were allot of empty seats and no line outside. Also the female bar tender was very rude and brash. They had these little cute Santa koalas on the bar, we picked up a couple to put on our drinks. She came over and said " those are for people that buy the koala la la drinks" and grabbed the rest of the containers with the koalas and put them under the bar. We ended up ordering the koala drinks after the drink we were having. I've had nothing but pleasant experiences in the past but this time it was terrible and all the others in our group agreed as well!! I wondered about the rude service but it made sense since the tip was included in our bill. We would have not been so generous due to our experience. read more

These cocktails are sooo good & creative. I'm having the Starry Night after my Van Gogh Experience. It's citrusy & different. Classy cocktail as you slowly sip it while talking or people watch. I had the Soooo Melondramatic & its watermelon flavor is a refreshing surprise. Feel like having quality cocktails for a change, then this is the place to go to. So hoppin' on a summer night. Enjoy & if I see you, LM buy you a drink read more

Modernist - The menu, gotta scan it to look - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

Buttered rum and a shot of the best rye around!! Don't miss out !! Definitely com early because this place is indeed a hot commodity!!!!! read more

Modernist - Buttered rum a warm drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fresno, California

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