Tucked away downstairs you can immediately feel the cozy speakeasy vibes with dark wood, brick, leather and well crafted drinks. Our server was lovely and attentive. Nice place for a date or catching up with friends, will definitely be back. read more

Saloon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

We ordered 3 cocktails and all of them were genuinely really bad, including the pickle martini. The appetizers were okay, but insanely small. The steak entree and burgers were really good, we also got the fries and they were SOAKED in grease and oil, like really bad where we had to say something. I would come here for the dollar oysters and a glass of wine but that's about it. Service was good and the vibe was nice. read more

Great cocktails, both the classics and some unique craft options. For food it's mostly small bites vs a full dinner. The environment is intimate with a lot of wood and a vintage feel. The bartenders are excellent. Saloon is always a good date spot for drinks and small plates. read more

Cool speakeasy spot in Davis Square. It's definitely hidden - I walked past twice before finally seeing the Rockwell sign - but it's sandwiched exactly between the Burren and the Foundry. When you go downstairs, there's a beautiful bar counter and a ton of booths (aka, my favorite kind of restaurant seating ever). I liked their Citrus Crush, reminded me of an adult version of an orange soda with less of the crazy sugar punch. We ordered a ton of food to try as a table; here were my favorites. 1. Mozz sticks - fat chunks of deep fried cheese, covered in a delectable tomato sauce and topped with caviar. (My one nit is that the caviar/sauce combo was a little of a one-trick pony with a few other dishes, including the chicken tenders and the onion dip.) 2. Chicory salad - really tasty if you need or want a vegetable for the table. I'd have liked to see some more cheese and hazelnuts to the dish. 3. Chicken tenders - solid but if you like the unhealthier version of thicker logs of battered chicken like me, this didn't quite hit the spot. These were very thin, lightly battered; albeit the chicken inside was incredibly moist and juicy. Sort of a healthy spin on the barstool favorite. 4. Truffle fries - a must, especially when you combine the ketchup and aioli. Overall, a bit on the pricy end if you're ordering drinks and food, especially since the portions were small for a table looking to split everything, but a good time. read more

What a fun cocktail bar! I don't usually go out of my way for places like this, but in this case, I'd say it was worthwhile. It reminds me a bit of Brick & Mortar in Central Square, with the speakeasy type vibes. The ambiance itself was really nice, especially at the bar area. Amazing bartenders as well. Above all though, come for the drinks, which are super inventive and fun! I'd recommend for all cocktail lovers. read more

Saloon - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

What a hidden gem in Davis square for your next date night! Loved the dim lights inside with leather couches and a bar. The vibes are on point! I was here for a birthday dinner. We started with a bunch of apps: truffle fries, meatballs, and oysters. We then finished off with mussels. We got a couple cocktails as well. Since it was a birthday dinner, we got dessert and they even added a candle to it. Everything we ate was top notch! Overall it's an elevated experience, definitely adding it to my special occasion list. read more

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Delicious drinks and a really cute space! The music was a bit loud and didn't really fit the vibe but the drinks definitely made up for it. My only issue was our server, who took a long to time first take our order and then spilled some unidentified liquid on my back... still, definitely worth a visit The bartenders were really nice so I would probably just sit at the bar next time read more

Perfect little happy hour spot - no signage at the entrance though (similar to a prohibition style saloon) so keep that in mind if you're visiting for the first time ;) The bites were delicious - we shared 4 items between 3 of us! Everything was fresh and flavorful. On Saturdays there's a $2 oyster special from 5-6 and we most certainly took part in that. Service was good at the bar! Highly recommended if you're a foodie looking for a unique hip spot in Davis square. read more

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Ambiance 5/5 Came here with my girlfriend on a Friday night and made a reservation the evening beforehand. It gives off a speakeasy vibe and is quite easy to miss if you're walking down elm. It's nestled between The Goods and The Burren. The inside is warm, dim, and cozy. Great tunes playing in the background. The space is quite large for what it is. We were pleasantly surprised how much space there was between tables and other patrons that were there. Service 5/5 The bouncer, hostess, and servers were all very friendly. Food and drinks came out quite fast! Food & Drinks 5/5 My girlfriend ordered the fluffy ted, which was delicious. If espresso martinis are your thing and you like peanut butter flavor, definitely give it a try. It's a nice twist on a classic. I ordered the two time, which was quite refreshing and well balanced. Food was delicious and would get everything we ordered again. Overall 5/5 and will definitely be back! read more

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Great ambience and mood lighting The bar is the place to sit have a great cocktail Most are priced at a reasonable 16$.. I didn't like mine as it was a little sweet so they redid one for me Knowledgable bartenders Great place to try bourbons , cognacs and ryes at a decent pour price read more

Saloon - Camus Cognac - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Nice ambiance, it's fun to be in an underground bar. Honestly most things were a little overpriced, but the desserts were nice.

Speakeasy vibe and bar with good ambience. The Saloon's primary showcase is it's fun cocktails with it's variety of colorful names - I got the Bread and Butter cocktail which featured an alliteration of B substances (bourbon, butter, bitters, butter). For food, the menu is mostly limited to small plates and appetizers. I got the mozzarella with the prosciutto add-on. Overall, the food was good - mozzarella being creamy, the bread nicely toasted, and mouth-watering prosciutto. The drink was strong and definitely bitter but unexpected based on the ingredients list. Given the casual, but somewhat classy vibes, a 16 dollar cocktail and 22 dollar cheese plate was not too surprising. Hard to recommend as a must-go based on the price-value but one of the better spots in Somerville for an elevated pub experience. read more

Saloon - Mozzarella Plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Super neat restaurant! I couldn't find the door at first because I was expecting a large entrance. The door was pretty narrow, in between two businesses. I entered, went downstairs, and was surprised to see how elegant the place was! I don't know 90% of the cocktail ingredients, but the drinks came out surprisingly delicious! -- I ordered the Amelia Earhart. When it arrived, I thought I made a grave mistake because of how unappetizing it looked. But the flavor was fruity and balanced! read more

Marco nailed it for us... Absinthe is the way! The food was good too. Ambiance is speak easy and I am all for it! read more

Saloon - Butterfly Absinthe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I loved the speakeasy vibes here and our waiter was wonderful. The drinks were good, but the one that I would get over and over again is the Harvey Baker (if you're into fruity and easy to drink drinks), the Lone Ranger is good if you like mezcal! I thought the food was decent- the mussels and charcuterie board are notable mentions, but I would not recommend the beef tartare. It tasted funky and was probably the worst beef tartare I've ever had. The mussels were in a red curry coconut broth and it was probably the best thing we got. Bottom line is, I wouldn't come here just for the food, but this is a good spot for drinks. read more

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I love Saloon! Speakeasy feel, great food, and cocktails. Service was super attentive and helpful! My partner and I enjoyed the truffled mushroom toast, roasted octopus, and a burger. Everything was delectable. Parking can be tough in the area. I would definitely make reservations in advance. read more

Two of my coworkers know that I like crafty cocktail bars, and recommended this place. I decided to have a go of it, and was not disappointed. I gotta tell you though: how nice to find a bar without blaring music or a TV. Just a place to have some good booze, maybe make a new friend, without the flashing lights of whatever sports team is on that night. The only other similar place I've encountered is a candlelit place in NYC I keep raving about called Death & Co. To drink I started off with Anne of Green Maples. The taste was absolutely on-point, with the taste buds cruising on all cylinders. There was a little bit of sweetness, sourness, spiciness, all while not being too intimidating. For #2, I went for the Spaghetti Western, a suggestion of the bartender after telling him I like whiskey, and would like something a little more "spirit forward" (a phrase which I now know, yay!). This one definitely had more of a punch, rye will do that to you. I seem to recall it being a tiny bit on the sweet side, but not overly so, and the rye balanced it out nicely. The pretzel though left a little to be desired. Overall solid, but two things kept it from being a hit. First, it was swimming in a wading pool of cheese sauce. Hey, don't get me wrong, I'm all for cheese sauce, though being able to dip as opposed to play lifeguard would be ideal. My second gripe with the pretzel is the consistency. Whether it was the outside or in, the texture was the same. Personally, I like just a little crust to distinguish a true pretzel (esp. Bavarian style) from the microwave kind (no implication intended). Final word: bavarian pretzels usually come with a sweet and spicy mustard. The sweet was there, but having a spicy as well would be so cool! For early on a Saturday evening, it wasn't overly busy, with some tables and seats at the bar being free. The bartender was friendly, attentive, and got my drinks quick! As a final note, I echo Samantha R.'s point. They are a little on the pricey side, but to be fair, what's cheap anymore? read more

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Came back to Saloon after many years away. Still solid drinks, however the food has only gotten more bougie and expensive (I missed my favorite burger there). The wedge fries are now needlessly truffled, there's a $100 caviar service, and most of the menu is expensive small plates. Suffice it to say, I didn't eat any of the food which is all slightly high end faire from Foundry on Elm upstairs, meaning it is solid if not uninspired American pub food. And, honestly, that food is a dime a dozen in Boston--hell, Davis Square is filthy with American pub grub. The drinks here, however, push for the inspiration amid the dark, oaken subterranean seating area. I ordered a bourbon-based drink called the Bread and Butter. The butter wash lent to a silky smooth drink that left a little film on the glass from the chilled fat. The "Bread" was supposed to come from barley, which is infused into the whiskey. The soaked barley is then baked into a hard-as-a-rock piece of brittle for garnish. To live up to its name, the drink needed more nutty/bread flavor. As poured, it was an only slightly nutty, smooth Old Fashioned. I might order it again if it had more complexity. That said, many of the other $16 drinks seem just as imaginative and I'm glad to return to try them all. read more

Saloon - The Bread and Butter cocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Very classy and traditional speakeasy vibe. As you'd expect, a very deep alcohol selection. Service was excellent, lots of fun after dinner!

I have been here multiple times and I loved it. We had a horrible experience with a new server, Jen. She was late to greeting us which was understandable and she apologized which was great. It wasn't packed or anything but I get it. We ordered drinks and one of us asked what seltzers they had and she said "idk, you know better than me", like what? Then he looked at the menu and said one and she had a lot of attitude and he had to repeat it multiple times. She then brought a wrong drink for one of us. She said sorry and brought the right drink after. I then asked for another espresso martini but then my friend asked for the shot route and I said "oh ya, I want that instead." Then we asked for the shot roulette and then she asked what beer with it. We didn't know what beer because the sign only said shot roulette. The 2 people with me are gluten free so they can't have beer and she just was like "ok". We were confused whether she was going to bring a shot for them or not. Then a runner came over with one shot & beer (which I asked for), bit not for the others, and another espresso martini (which I said I didn't ask for). Then a couple minutes later the waitress came over and said "why did you refuse the martini?" all confrontational. I was shocked. I have been a waitress and worked many service jobs, and would never act like that. I said I didn't order it. She was all flustered and just went on with blame and questions. My boyfriend asked for any other margarita. When she came back with the marg, she said "wait, did you order this?" all sarcastically. That was wild. My friend said, "I'm so confused, what's happening, did we do something to piss you off?" she said "no, I have dry humor". I have dry humor and that was not dry humor lol, just rude. After that we were done and ready to leave. That was so surprising and idk what to think after that. I really hope she doesn't last there. I love coming here and the drinks were great but the service was horrible and we didn't get an apology or anything, even after taking with the hostess. read more

Last Friday was my first time at saloon and I am already planning to come back. I was in awe of the busy atmosphere, the music was good, the drinks were good and the Caviar French onion dip was delish! Our server was great, I forget their name but they gave wonderful recommendations and were very kind! read more

Saloon - Truffle Fries, French Onion dip topped with caviar and potato chips - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I've been on Wednesdays and Thursday nights and it was almost empty. It's kind of expensive and a little hard to find, so it's pretty quiet and you can have a nice conversation. I like the old fashioned decor. We have had mostly shared plates, which are on the smalls side but always good. The raw salmon and the pickles are my favorite. I liked the nonalcoholic cocktail, Kentucky Gentleman, I think. It's good and it looks like a regular cocktail so no one gets up in your business. read more

I came on a Thursday night with a friend. It was hard to find-- look for the Rockwell sign. The atmosphere was cool, but it wasn't very busy. The drinks were great! I got the standoff. We also did "shot roulette", which is where you choose a beer and they give you a shot. What a fun option! For food, they definitely have a limited menu. We got fish and chips which were a solid choice and the cheese board. The cheese was SO GOOD!!! But we needed a sharper knife to cut the cheddar (there was no cheese knife). I asked for a knife and the server brought some of the same knives we already had, so maybe they don't have sharper ones? I think a cheese board should always come with a cheese knife! The server didn't check on us but we got our food and drinks quickly. Overall a great place to go for some drinks on a date or with friends! read more

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I wish yelp was able to provide more flexibility in providing ratings- I'd give this place a 3.5. I've been here a couple of times and it's time to write a review. The salon is located next to Foundry by elm, and could be a little hard to find (I think that's intentional). They have a fairly good drinks menu, with a good selection of bourbon, whiskey and vodka, among other drinks, and their cocktails are decent. For starters, their popcorn is delicious, and for $3 it is a must try. They have a decent (but short) menu. I've had the Rodeo burger and it's not bad, but it does fall short of other good burgers I've had. Not exceptional. I tried the grilled octopus today (picture below). I think that this could be a good entree if it was perfected. It was too salty (like I needed a lot of water and an additional beer, it was as though someone dumped a jar of salt on it), that I couldn't taste any flavor. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich, which was not bad, but again, not exceptional. The service could be a hit or miss. The server today was good, but in the past, I've had incredibly slow service. Not taking off stars for service today. I'd recommend this place for maybe "second date" nights or catching up with friends. Could be too crowded and noisy for a first date (though I did see plenty of first dates today). In totality, this is an average place with a good drinks menu, a good bar, average good. read more

Saloon - The octopus - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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I have been to Saloon many times. It's a great speakeasy style bar. The vibe of this place is quite warm. The bar arrangement in the center reminds me of tv show Cheers :) They used to have a huge bourbon and whisky menu. I was here few weeks back. Sadly the drinks menu has reduced. Anyway they serve great old fashioned with bourbon of your choice. In my recent visit I tried one of their specials cocktail with Prosecco and strawberry. It was delicious. I forget the exact name of the cocktail. We also orders artisan cheese board and Meze plate. Both the dishes were very well plated and extremely appetizing. It is also a great place if you want to enjoy good wine and some cheese. We have done that in our previous visits. read more

Stopped in for drinks and loved it! Cute atmosphere and something different in the heart of Davis square. My favorite drink was the Queen's Gambit, but the 'shot roulette' was fun. I forgot the exact shot the server brought over but it was a mix of mezcal, green chartreuse and something else...tasted like smoky whiskey and I would 100% get another one. Can't wait to go back! read more

Fun, homey, and clean speakeasy style spot. Great cocktails, small but tasty food menu, nice beer selection. Perfect for date night.

I've been visiting Saloon regularly since they opened, and it's always been one of my favorite spots in the Davis area. Cozy, comfortable, wonderful atmosphere. Consistently great drinks and good service. But post-lockdown, the food options have shrunk dramatically along with the portion size. Their Rodeo Burger has long been the best hamburger in the Somerville area, but while getting more expensive, it's now shrunk to nearly half its size, served with thin shoestring fries instead of the glorious parmesan-crusted wedges it used to come with. I'd happily return for a drink and some apps, but it's very hard to justify paying $17 for a burger (admittedly now part of the 'small plates' menu) that leaves me hungry afterwards. read more

I went to Saloon for a business meeting this past weekend and had a great time. The drinks were ambrosian, the lighting was bewitching, and the seats were so luxuriously comfortable I could cry diamond tears. I ordered a whiskey sour, while my confrère got himself a negroni, and wouldn't you believe it - my whiskey sour had a pukka egg white! It was truly delectable, foamy, and so sapid even a dolphin could taste it. After we closed on a billion dollar deal that would make our net worths skyrocket, we ordered the fried chicken with cornbread. And like deadasss it was kinda mid, but we were so full of cheddar () we couldn't finish it all. One last thing to mention is that the playlist was incongruously 90s to 00s throwback pop and alternative, but ironically it was the perfect soundtrack to a perfect night. Post Script: For those looking for Saloon, it's right there! Just listen to the muffled words of Barbie Girl by Aqua. read more

Pretty cool basement speakeasy. We got one of the corner tables around 7:30pm when it wasn't too busy and were able to squeeze in 7 people by the end of the night. By the time I left around 10pm, the place was packed. Our server came and checked on us quite often. My two cocktails came out to $30 with tax/tip. COCKTAILS * Back Disaster (mezcal, strega, all spice, lime, mint syrup. $13) - 3 stars I asked the server for something light and refreshing and she recommended this. She did describe this as a sweeter drink, which I don't think was accurate. I do love a good mezcal cocktail, but this was a bit strong for me (granted I am a lightweight)! I ended up swapping this for a Sweet Leaf that my co-worker ordered and she really liked this. * Sweet Leaf (rye, spiced pear, lemon, cocchi americano, blackberries, ginger. $13) - 4 stars Now this is more my type of drink! Lightly sweet, well-balanced, with a hint of a ginger kick. It's probably not very strong; even I (the lightweight) didn't feel much after this drink. * Can't Hardly Wait (scotch, rooibos, lemon, pineapple. $11) - 3.5 stars My server recommended this as my second drink after I said the Back Disaster was a bit strong for me. This worked! The pineapple made it more of a tropical drink. I was surprised I would like a scotch-based cocktail, so it must've been really well balanced too. read more

Saloon - Cocktails menu. Sat 2016-04-23 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Nice atmosphere would be good for a date night! But I will say it was pretty empty on a Wednesday so it might make a first date a bit awkward. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Drinks were good - started with the Queen's Gambit. The menu is very limited for drinks / wine and food. We order the brussel sprouts bravas with bacon, the confit wings, and fries with a horseradish aioli. Everything was good, albeit between the fries and the brussel sprouts a bit salt heavy! I'd definitely go back but don't plan on a true dinner (no real options), more so just some snacks. I will say for 2 people and what we ordered, the portions were a good size. read more

What an amazing dining experience! From the moment we walked in we received outstanding and welcoming service. The bouncers checking ID's were friendly rather than abrasive. The hostess was all smiles and accommodating when we requested a different table. Our server was knowledgeable and efficient. The star of the show was our delicious dinner! We split a wedge salad to start with the thickest chunks of bacon and a delightful surprise of candied walnuts setting it apart from what is normally expected. The blue cheese dressing (admittedly we substituted this for the included green goddess) was divine. For mains he had a perfectly cooked and seasoned burger and I had the best short rib I've ever tasted. Tender glazed meat served on top of a heavenly creamy cornbread purée with roasted baby carrots and an arugula cherry salad. Wow. I'm a huge fan of sweet and savory and this dish lives in the sweet spot of that statement. It was such a well composed dish that I can't wait to come back and have it again. We finished with a banana bread pudding with the most perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream. I'm drooling just thinking about it. What really set this dining experience apart (aside from how happy and satisfied we were) was the extra mile and care that the manager, Jodie, took. She stopped by our table, took our compliments, and genuinely thanked us for the positive feedback. Having been in the restaurant industry for over a decade, I know it is a tough, consuming & sometimes thankless job. She showed so much grace and hospitality that aside from definitely coming back for the amazing food, we will return for the welcome and grace that she displayed. Saloon, see you soon! read more

Saloon - Amazing short rib - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Great atmosphere, tasty cocktails, and good food. I had heard good things about Saloon, but checking it out in person really blew me away. The speakeasy-style basement is always bustling with activity. Somehow I've always been able to quickly secure a table even without a reservation. All of the cocktails I have tried have been good. I haven't thoroughly explored their menu, but their burger really hit the spot. Perfectly cooked and seasoned beef and potato wedges on the side suitably served with mayo. It's one of my must-visit places on a night out in Davis. Great for a drink or even a late dinner. read more

Loved the atmosphere here - lovely dark hip and comfy. We snagged a last-minute reservation and enjoyed our whiskey/cocktails very much. Snacks, yes please. The Brussels Sprouts were crisped to perfection, and the cheese/charcuterie plate was amazingly delicious. Every bite was better than the one before. We didn't eat dinner here, but it looked damn delicious. Thanks for gracious service and clean restrooms to boot!! read more

I hope it never gets too popular, because it's the best spot to bring people from out of town who don't want the crazy commercial Boston nightlife experience. This is by far my favorite bar in Somerville--it offers more than enough small plate options (even though I wish they still had the grilled octopus), and is a perfect spot for oysters and cocktails at 11pm at night amongst friends. read more

Saloon is such a neat little speakeasy! Very cozy and feels like you're in a real speakeasy back in time. I love that you can go downstairs and right into the Rockwell Theatre for live entertainment (think burlesque, plays, music, and comedy). I can't really comment on the food as I didn't have any of it, but I did have a couple of cocktails that I really liked. "The Queen's Gambit" cocktail consisting of black tea vodka, lemon juice, honey, and a few other ingredients was my favorite of the evening. I also didn't mind the "Blood and Brush" which featured Four Roses bourbon. They have a lot of different whiskey to choose from too. It was super packed, but the bartenders were friendly and didn't leave me waiting for a long time. I highly recommend Luke the bartender as he is super personable and makes a great drink. read more

Check your bill. Waiter put two fake drinks on there that we hadn't ordered. I called our obnoxious waiter on it and he conceded with attitude. We only ordered one round of drinks for 5 ppl....how did you put 7 drinks on there? Very suspicious. This place could be a sexy, vibey, classy, favorite speakeasy. But instead, they blast gangster rap in your eyeball so loudly that you can't have a conversation with anyone. Compliments to the bartender: that was an underwhelming rye old fashioned. You need one big ice cube so that it stays cold without getting watered down--not a bunch of ice cubes from my moms freezer ice machine. Last but certainly not least, our waiter was one of the most obnoxious yacht dudes I've ever encountered on this planet. So actively rude. read more

Speakeasy-esque bar in Davis Square. Look for the Rockwell sign and just go straight down the stairs. You can check in with the counter to get a table or just find a spot at the bar. Came here on a Sunday night and it was pretty crowded at the bar so we just opted for a table tucked away in the corner. I had the queens gambit which was sweet and smokey and just my vibe. It has vodka and elderflower and honey. Some people might think it's too syrupy and sweet, but I thought it was a well made cocktail. They have a lot of whiskey and tequila options for the connessieurs out there. The vibe is kind of old-timey and it's darkly lit, so it's a good spot for a date. They weren't serving food anymore when we were there around 11pm but they do offer snacks and light bites. There's bathrooms available in the back. The waitress was nice and really good about filling up our water cups. There's some street parking available, and it's also a really quick walk from the red line Davis station. There's free WiFi and the password is written in the blackboard. When we first got there it was closed for a private event, but we just went to the foundry first and then came back once the event was over. It's a cool vibe and a nice spot to grab drinks. read more

Saloon - Queens gambit - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

One of my favorite spots for cocktails on an occasion. They are well crafted and taste as they should. However saying that I find saloon to be amazingly overpriced. I can get the same well crafted cocktail somewhere else for at least $3 cheaper. We had 2 cocktails and it cost 30 dollars!!!! Not hard cocktails either. You pay for aesthetics and location -- just beware! But I do always go back... read more

Great drinks, great vibes! Really good food! We tried the poutine, mussels, chicken wings and street corn. All delicious. I was obsessed with the Harvey Baker!! read more