Stumbled upon this restaurant after a long move-in day at UMass and following a very strong street recommendation from some random dude who looked like a local (probably the owner's brother!). It wasn't until I was seated with my wife and 13 yr old son that I read other reviews here and it was too late to abandon ship. Oh well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Service was very pleasant and attentive, although our waiter forgot our appetizer platter and just brought dinners, and had trouble getting our drink orders straight. This aside, the food was very good and fresh. I had the iron steak with gorgonzola, wife had the seafood risotto, and son had the "tour of italy" chicken parm (owner is from Naples). Although I found my portion to be lacking in size (as with my starter salad), it was very tasty and well prepared. Wife and son loved theirs. My house salad with lemon vinegarette was extraordinary. I am already looking for a lemon vinegarette recipe. Happy enough to have made a reservation for a sweet window booth for the entire family when we return for Family Weekend in Oct. Net net....good chow, nice atmosphere although I HATE seeing TVs (over bar) when I dine, and a diverse menu for all palates. Wish I had some rawbar and time to have dessert. And I'm sure all would have improved if I didn't have to pass on more vino due to a impending drive home to eastern MA. read more

Decent place to hang, love when my room mates dj there and bring all the people, oh but the staff and bouncers are absolute losers, throw drinks at them. Lie about being on the guest list and are disgusting to women. read more

Another bar I wanted to revisit since I was in the area. It was the second to last place that didn't have a huge line to get in on a Friday night around 11. After getting in, we quickly found out why. The initial bar area which I've been packed like sardines before, was almost entirely empty. Entering the back dance floor area it was about half full which was kind of a nice break compared to the place we had just come from. Because the prior drink did not sit well, we skipped out on getting another drink here. Overall, it's not as fun as it used to be anymore based on that visit. read more

After I sat down on the patio, for lunch, my friend and I became the object of affection for a couple of flies. It proved to be a dangerous omen, indeed. This place is awful. I came here for lunch, which is really, really easy to do. I mean, really easy. You have to try really hard to fuck up lunch. Sandwiches. C'mon. I got a Cajun Chicken sandwich, I think I added cheese and bacon. Not sure what he got. Fries. Nothing impressive. Still tasted like Sysco packaging. They were Burger King style fries, which I have never been a fan of. The chicken tasted like it was boiled or par cooked then microwaved or something. Oh, and the food took forever. His was bad, and we didn't finish, despite still being hungry. It was on par with food from the DC on campus in terms of quality. Now, the menu looks like this place should be great, but I think it's all done to be cheap and profitable and look nice so people bring their parents to eat here. Faux fine dining. Worse than Friendly's. Honestly. That Mahi Mahi has to be frozen. I guarantee it. Maybe it's like a nightclub/Red Lobster hybrid. I don't know. I don't understand. As for the nightclub? Well, if you are looking to roofie / get roofied, I don't think you could pick a better spot than the basement of a frat (which, if nothing else, would be much cheaper). I just imagine people bumping lines in the bathroom, but maybe that's a good thing. They get away with running a shoddy place because they have a prime spot make plenty of money and people just wanna grind. Straight up. They let in underage girls (this is a fact). I feel bad for the people standing in line outside that place; they just don't know any better. As such, it's a LOCAL HOTSPOT. I just hope the drinks are boozy. read more

Three of us had lunch, at the bar and were rewarded with good food and drink suggestions. I had the mango tuna tartar, complimented by a light pastry like pita chips. The carrot squash soup was a hit and the burger did not disappoint. I had a smoked beer, best balance between malt, carbonation and a smokey finish of any smoked beer I've had. Would come back in a heart beat. read more

Monkey Bar & Grill - Mango tuna tartar, hint of wasabi on top, perfect. - Bars Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

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I've been coming here since I can remember. I've known the original owner since I was born and the current owner for over a decade. This restaurant has honest drinks, and delicious food. One take away is my parents' review; it's loud. My 70 year old mother finds it a bit loud except when the outdoor patio is open-- she loves it. And my father, who has lost half his hearing has said that he finds it difficult to hear over the noise. If you're under 50 this place will be perfect for you. If you're older, just tell your wait-staff to speak more clearly. He or she will. You will not want the atmosphere to interfere with your desire to dine here. You will not be disappointed. read more

Fail. Massive fail. I don't know what the restaurant is like. Apparently it's good. There probably should two separate entries for the restauarant and this monstrosity. Basically, this is your standard crappy Boston dance bar squashed into the middle of Amherst. I came here a few times during my first year of grad school. When it wasn't a heaving mess of Top-40 grinding on a small area, it was a general mess of the front and back bar area, whether it be impossible to get another drink, or the drinks were a little on the pricey side for the quality. Overall, it's not worth it. read more

I went for a drink with a friend and waited about 35 minutes after we ordered with no results. I could understand if it was crowded but there were about 15 people in the place. We cancelled our order and left. read more

My review is of the food only, as someone who has lived in Amherst and knows people very fond of this place - at least they were ... best to recap our meal of last night. 3 people, 3 different entrees, ranging from filet mignon, seafood risotto and frittata. The latter was requested based on a previous experience, but this one was evidently nothing similar - much heavier with a lot of cheese. Although it was nice of them to make it for dinner when it's traditionally on the lunch menu. The filet - very tender. The risotto was good, although I should have ordered a full serving instead of a half. That way I would have gotten more since the excellent maytag blue salad would have been included. As it was, it came to about the same price. What I noticed about both entrees (and the mashed potatoes with the beef) is that they were both really quite bland. I mean, as someone who watches salt, this made me happy but there are LOTS of other things you can put in to flavor things up. I took the risotto home (you know it's not really a good sign if you're calculating how to fix it WHILE you're sitting in the restaurant) and with some garlic, lemon, salt, pepper and chili powder it was, in my opinion, much better. Pluses - they have an awesome Tabasco vinaigrette with a real kick to it - that I would have loved to have taken home. Nice olive tapenade too and good bread. Re: service - especially pertaining to the above-mentioned blandness - the chef did come by to ask how everything was but due to my trepidation, fear and general discomfort I just offered a weak "fine" - I mean, since it wasn't horrible and somewhat eaten, what was he going to do? Any advice on such situations would be appreciated ... I would go for special requests and small quantities - see Tabasco above - or if someone else is treating ... read more

DINING: The food is quality, but you'll pay for sure. I dont know of a bad meal here everything is atleast on par. The service can be hit and miss depending on their seasonal help, but has been good. Nightlife: after 10pm or when the dinner crowd clears out this place is normally a club like experience. Extra loud music with a DJ, sometimes 2 (one in front room and one in the main room in the back) Drinks are moderately priced and the music is usually tasteful. The crowd and experience is not for everyone and the cover charge (usually $5) is redic for a bar in AMHERST! sometimes they hold the crowd back outside so they make the ol' fake line so we look popular. The place is usually packed when school is in session and cops sometimes come around. overall, i'd recommend a meal here once in awhile and i would check out the late night action for a change up. read more

Monkey Bar has been in Amherst for a while now, and has received a bad rep for it's lackluster bar scene. The quality rests in its restaurant. It's not where you want to go for the "Amherstonian" nightlife experience. If anything, it's for the older crowds to eat and drink. Just an FYI, there is no place in Amherst where you can go clubbing; don't imagine Monkey Bar is the one to deliver. Having said that, they do have a great selection of drinks. They have a solid martini list, and all of them are pretty good (and strong). Their tequila sunrise (my friend told me) was damn good. So I'd go here during the week with somebody for dinner maybe, or a pre-game cocktail, because the place would be nearly empty and you'd have it all to yourselves. Go closer to the weekend, and you'll soon figure why everyone else gave it mixed reviews. read more

Ok for a 40 something to have a drink. We were there around 9pm during winter break, so I can't speak to the bad tunes and obnoxious patrons. Mixed drinks were good and the bar tender was friendly. read more

Monkey Bar & Grill - Monkey bar action - Bars Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

We first went to another place grabbed 2 seats at the bar and were greeted by a less than friendly bartender. As we waited for her to take our order, my GF and I looked at each knowingly and walked. Fortunately we found the Monkey Bar. Super friendly bartenders, good food and atmosphere. read more

Before 9pm, this is a restaurant known as Bistro 63. After that, it becomes the Monkey Bar, and it should be avoided at all cost. Bad music played too loud reigns supreme. The back room houses a dance floor, which becomes absurdly overcrowded very quickly. The Monkey Bar should be avoided at all costs. read more

Terrific service, back deck and food/drink! Loved the $1 Happy Hour oyster special -- super fresh, delicious oysters! Delicious squash risotto and salads. If we lived in the area, this place would become an easy habit! read more

So bizarre. I consider myself to be rather particular reviewer and difficult to please. And yet, I find that my review dramatically differs from previous comments. No idea how they could be so different, so I'll share my two cents worth and encourage y'all to test it out yourselves and post your thoughts on yelp. My comments aren't regarding the bar scene and I'm not sure what' one would expect from a small-town college bar. Instead, my comments are focused on my multiple dining experiences here. It is a great place to stop in for a drink and a bit to eat. The food here is well-above bar grade and you can actually enjoy non-fried food. The French Onion Soup, the Asparagus Salad (when in season), Penne Pasta (with chicken and mushrooms), the oysters and the Pan-Seared Chicken have all been tested by this kitchen and approved. Its not fancy, just simple, good food at a reasonable price. You can sit at the bar (our preference), in the dining area or out on the back deck (great for those summer months). The owner is almost always there and takes the time to stop by and see his guests. One improvement I would recommend is updating their wine list, that is not my favorite. You will find a something worth drinking, but I've yet to find a glass that I'm excited about. read more

In visiting from Boston, I came to Monkey Bar for creme brulee as well as a bowl of french onion soup in the late evening. The atmosphere was bustling and friendly and the service was prompt. I make a point to try french onion soup any time I see it on the menu, always, and it was by far the best I've had in years. Bar none. If you ever happen to have the opportunity to stop in to Monkey Bar, you must not leave without trying it. read more

One of the trashiest bars in Amherst... by trashy, my definition would be: slutty, skanky, smelly, whorish men, people who do not know how to properly put on a pair of jeans over their underwear. Hm... the music is horrible as well. Where people go to get hammered/laid (if they're lucky, or if their partners are too drunk to care). read more

Speaking as a server, bartender, and customer of Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, I can give my perspective and feedback on several aspects of this establishment. I have been working here for almost a year now and have loved it since the first day that I started. The food is awesome, I've had almost everything on the menu (in fact I order food from Bistro 63 and it's sister restaurant, La Piazza, about five times a week). My favorite entrees on the menu are the iron steak gorgonzola and the seafood pescatore- I would strongly recommend either entree. There is a good atmosphere, with front, back, and patio dining available. I like seeing the transition between the restaurant and bar. The monkey bar has a full bar which makes it a good bar for a variety of people to come to. On my nights off I come in with my friends to dance and enjoy the atmosphere. The dance floor in the back as well as the patio gives Monkey bar a unique edge over many bars. Recently the bar has been expanding to live performances. Whether its a night with a DJ or a live band, there's something for everyone. When I am working it's great to see the customers come in because we have established a strong relationship with our regulars. It's always fun to see the familiar faces come back and know that they must have had a good time the last time they were in. The management at Monkey Bar is very helpful and accomodating with all of the waitstaff. It's been a great experience working here. Whether I'm at work or coming in as a customer on my day off I enjoy my time at the Bistro 63/Monkey Bar. I would absolutely recommend this establishment to my family, friends, or anyone that's passing through town that is looking for an amazing restaurant or bar. read more

I've gone to Monkey Bar multiple times now and have been unimpressed by their service time and time again. Tonight in particular their service was so bad that I made the decision to never return. After waiting 45+ minutes in line in the rain, I left my group of 8 friends to use a restroom elsewhere. When I returned, one of the bouncers who I will not name made it clear that I was not welcome back in line with my peers. I would have accepted his statement if it had been said in a professional manner, but being mocked and laughed at by him changed the course of my night. It may seem minor, but for someone who has worked in the food/bar industry for over 7 years, I know that treating people so rudely is never acceptable. read more

My boyfriend and I went here on a whim to get some drinks and snacks. I got a dark and stormy and we shared some oysters and it was really tasty! I loved my drink it had some candied ginger in it and it was strong but delicious :) We had a lot of fun the atmosphere at the bar was chill(laid back not fancy) and the restaurant that surrounds it seemed upscale, but relaxed. We revisited and sat at the patio. Totally different experience. Just don't. The food was very blah, and the atmosphere was seriously underwhelming. My advice stick to drinks and the raw bar and you will have a wonderful experience! read more

Going to Monkey Bar Amherst was literally one of the worst experiences of my life. I was waiting for the bathroom when two male employees approached me swearing and degrading me. Calling me a "motherf***" because I was "blocking traffic." I was sober, polite to them the whole time, and ended up having an anxiety attack and crying while standing against the wall (not blocking traffic)... at which point the bouncer told me if I don't like the way they're speaking to me there's the door, leave. I've never felt so degraded. I'm a small girl and not intimidating at all. People saw what happened and left with me because they were so disgusted. Are men always so degrading to women at this bar? I saw them speaking to other women similarly but never to men. It's the first time I've been and I'm never going back. I wish I could give it 0 stars. read more

At the Monkey Bar- Literally one of the worst experiences of my life. I was completely sober and waiting for the bathroom and two male employees approached me swearing and degrading me. Calling me a "motherf***" because I was "blocking traffic." I was sober, polite to them the whole time, and ended up having an anxiety attack and crying while standing against the wall (not blocking traffic)... at which point the bouncer told me if I don't like the way their speaking to me there's the door, leave. I've never felt so degraded in my life. I'm a 5 ft 4, small, quiet girl and I was just waiting for the bathroom. Various people saw what happened and left with me because they were so disgusted. read more

Trying to avoid the lines at other local restaurants, my boyfriend and I decided to have dinner at the Monkey Bar and Grill. I was surprised at the variety of menu option and was expecting them to have just typical bar food like hamburgers and fries. I ended up ordering chowder and an eggplant Parmesan. My meal also came with a salad. The only complaint I have about the food itself was the salad. I've had much better. The ambiance was the biggest problem for me. Having seen the place running as a bar, I couldn't help imaging how dirty the floor, benches, glasses, etc really are. While I was there the floor was still sticky in some places and it grossed me out. read more

I have never eaten here, so my review concerns the bar only. Nearly everyone in the 5-College area has heard of the Monkey Bar. The music is average and it regularly draws big crowds, but I personally prefer The Pub right nearby. Sometimes there are a few too many sleazy men lurking around the walls in the Monkey Bar, who feel that an effective way to meet women is to grab them while they are walking by and simply not let go. Can you say creepy?! read more

Lame bar fulla D Bags would be my review of this place. I should mention that I haven't been to this bar since I was a student at Umass nearly ten years ago, but I hated this place back then and I'm sure it hasn't gotten cool in the interim. read more

On Friday 4/29/11 a friend and I were looking to get something to eat before heading to the movies. We decided to try the Monkey bar as we had never eaten there before(been to the bar part and was never impressed). We walked in and it was a small but not crowed serving area. We were impressed with the setup. I have to say it was a little pricey but for the atmosphere and the food it was well worth it. Our waiter was super friendly and very understanding with my food allergy. I asked if there was a gluten free menu and there was not. The waiter asked what I might want and he would talk with the chefs. I ended up ordering the seafood rissotto as it was one of the dishes that was naturally gluten free so nothing had to be done to change it. We both ordered half portions which were so large we seriously wondered what you would do with a full portion! There were large pieces of shrimp, scallop, and crab. It was great. So if your looking to treat yourself to a little something fancy or want a nice date I would check out the Monkey bar. read more

Bouncers here are inconsiderate and irresponsible. After being polite they were still very mean to us. I would not suggest monkey bar to anyone who want quality service. If you want good service go to Judies where they respect kind people. I will never suggest monkey bar due to the bar service. read more

Contrary to what a few reviewers say here, pay attention to the other sites reviewing this restaurant. I'm a long time Amherst resident, lived several years in Paris and Bologna. Trust me - There are four top-scale restaurants now in Amherst (the other three are The Lumber Yard, Chez Albert and a new Heijeliang Chinese restaurant called Ginger garden. They each have a distinctive atmosphere - the point here is that Bistro 63 is a superb restaurant. Ingredients are first rate, the menu is a lot Italian but also French and other specialties. The owners, Mauro (if I remember correctly he is from Perugia, and who is also the head chef) and Claire are genuine restauranteurs, meaning they are welcoming and delighted to have a regular clientele. The raw bar is excellent - several kinds of oysters, etc. Last evening I and a friend shared a platter of blue points and wellfleets. The lobster corn chowder is international class, the cuisine is inventive and the presentation is delightful. Claire's tiramisu is a town favorite, the peanut butter/chocolate mousse is great. The wait staff is professional, friendly and knowledgeable. It could be that, as a few of the other reviews say, the seasonal staff is sometimes hit or miss but this is not my experience. It could be that lunch is not quite up to the standard of dinner but I don't think so. It's lunch. If someone was bothered by a few flies on the patio in the summer, that's indeed annoying.. One review says the bar is awful but adds that the place is a "gross nightclub" - this sounds like a college student. Before the disco, the bar is fine. Amherst is fortunate now to have these four really top quality restaurants. The town is becoming more like Northampton where Smith College is located. The recession has hit the town in the sense that there are several stores for rent - but from the point of view of cuisine for connaisseurs, it has become very attractive. read more

Had dinner last Friday with two other couples. Our reservation was 7:30 and we were seated promptly. I had the rack of lamb which was a bit overcooked for me but the sauce served with the lamb was excellent and made up for the fact it was slightly overcooked. All the other diners with me said they enjoyed their meals as well. Meals were a little pricey but I assumed that they might be situated in the center of Amherst. I cannot comment on the bar atmosphere since we left about 9:00. read more

Steak was perfect, portions were large, veggies were fresh (and apparently local) , the server was friendly and knowledgeable. It was a little bit noisy, but it was Saturday night and busy. The owner/chef came out and asked us how the meal was and even treated us to a delicious lemon liqueur, it made us feel like we were in some sort of secret club or something. We decided to leave at about 10:30 because they were converting over to a nightclub, but we had been there for about 3 hours so it wasn't a big deal. Excellent experience all around. read more

My wife and I visited my younger sister at UMASS on Valentines day and wanted to take her for a nice dinner. We ended up at Bistro 63, but only because the line to get into Judie's was much to long. We have never been to Bistro 63 before but the atmosphere looked inviting. We were sat in the back room of the restaurant immediately. However, that was the last time we received any type of service. After 20 minutes, we still had no sign of a waiter or waitress, despite the fact that the people around us had been served drinks and food. Our order was finally taken, and yet another 20 minutes passed. Still no drinks, food, bread, water, nothing. 40 minutes had gone by and we had enough. That was the extent of my experience at Bistro 63, and unfortunately I can not tell you what the food was like. I can tell you that the pizza at Antonio's is out of this world! read more

The food in Monkey Bar has been always delicious and creative. We just have them catered a big birthday party and the service was excellent. Each dish was carefully prepared and seasoned with generous servings. They came on time and food was hot. We will order from them again! Highly recommended. read more

First time experience, lunch last saturday, everything was really good. The atompshere was calm, the wait staff very friendly and accomodating. Great bar selection. The food was very, very good and nicely presented, great attention to detail. Sauces, salsas, everything home made and fresh. Portions were good. You can see the kitchen from some of tables, they were organized and it was very clean. The owner came around talked with the guests; asked if we liked everything (and was sincere about it). I'd go back again for lunch as well as dinner. Good variety on the menu, seemed to have a bit of "flair" to it. Went there in jeans and felt very comfortable but I could've also dressed up and impressed dinner guests as well. read more

Stumbled upon Bistro 63 @ Monkey Bar after walking all over the main street looking for a nice place for dinner. In town for just one night, we wanted to enjoy a yummy meal and received some suggestions from a local couple. Walked by Chez Albert and Tabella's but neither wowed us (actually, the menus were both a bit limited and just a tad more upscale than we wanted at that point). So, we walked over to Bistro 63 and checked out the menu. Off the bat, we saw a few things that appealed to us, so we grabbed two seats at the bar and selected a glass of wine each. The wine list was pretty decent... i enjoyed the Sonoma Vineyards "Unoaked" Chardonnay and my boyfriend had the Di Lenardo, Pinot Grigio. Both under $6 glass, we couldn't go wrong! Next we shared a very delicious Asparagus Salad - Finely chopped organic mixed greens, portabella mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, asparagus, and sliced cured Capocollo. Topped with a lemon vinaigrette (I'm copying all descriptions from their website to do it justice!). Amazingly fresh, crunchy spears of asparagus and the flavors meshed together perfectly. For our main course, I opted for an appetizer portion of the Lobster, Shrimp and scallop risotto. I was being daring as I'm a bit of a risotto snob. It seems to be difficult to find a good one, but I'm so happy I made this choice. PERFECT risotto. Creamy, al dente texture with a hint of parm and huge pieces of fresh lobster, whole sea scallops and jumbo shrimp. Honestly, I was in heaven!! Boyfriend had Lou's Bronx Salmon - Penne pasta with grilled Salmon, artichokes, red peppers, capers, spinach, garlic and Olive Oil. He said it was delicious and by the way he vacuumed it right down, I believe him :) We even asked to see the chef so we could thank him for the great meal. You could see the pride in his face and immediately I wanted to write this review so others could experience this great spot. Perhaps a rebirth for this restaurant? It seems from other reviews food was an afterthought in the past couple years. I suggest you give it another chance! We didn't have dessert, but the bartender who provided us with excellent, friendly service rounded out our meal with a black Sambuca which did the trick just perfectly! read more

I came into Bistro 63 @ the monkey bar one day for dinner after moving my daughter into school. Despite any negative review I read for the restaurant, I can truthfully say this is an amazing restaurant. From the very nice atmosphere to a nice beer and wine selection Bistro 63 is definitely one of my new favorite restaurants. Starting with the lobster corn chowder which was so delicious I could eat it all day, creamy new england style, pureed corn mixed into it with chunky potatoes and bacon, oh god it was good. The appetizer selection was very nice and I had the blackened scallops. Perfectly seasoned huge sea scallops perfectly dusted in dark cajun seasoning cooked to perfection then served on a bed of cheesy rice mmm. From the seafood risotto with chunky lobster, shrimps and scallops to the rack of lamb which melts like butter in your mouth, amazinggg mashed potatoes, chianti braised slow roasted short ribs and the chicken amore , pan seared chicken breasts topped with gorgonzola cheese almonds a delicious garlicy brown sauce. To finish this great meal off the desserts were incredible. A beautiful lady named Claire, the chefs wife, home-makes a huge number which our server explained to us, and we had a fabulous pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie with vanilla gelato and then tiramisu. I was convinced by my waitress to try it because I dont like tiramisu but it was a not overly strong , not wet, perfectly creamy and espressoy and ladyfingery, i mean it was out of this world. Please ignore any bad comment you see for this restaurant and try it out for yourself, you will not be disappointed! read more