Absolutely do not go here.!! The images you see of the menu items are not accurate. The portion sizes are small and skimpy. I have been twice and the service has been very slow and the server not very knowledgeable. Also each visit upon exiting the Whiskey Exchange there has been the same gentlemen that meets you on the street very amicably and insists on walking with you to your car,then asks you for money like he is waiting for the patrons to exit. Very uncomfortable situation. The South Bend police know him by the name of Darrell. They cruise by and ask you if everything is ok. Its very sketchy. This is no fault of the Whiskey Exchange. Just go elsewhere. Maybe they havent found their groove yet but they have alot of work to do before I would ever make it an evening destination or refer anyone there. read more

The Exchange is a nice place, and the staff is friendly. I have not tried the food, but drinks are classic pour and legitimate. I like the atmosphere a lot...it its sort of the polar opposite of a place like Treehouse or the View.( both of which I like a lot though) Less homey/ divey and a little more upscale. They still have some of the trappings of the former establishment like the vault and security lock boxes. read more

Never fails me. Best manhattans in town. Ask for Dante's Mexican pizza for an appetizer. Delicious!

It was my first time visit The Exchange Whiskey Bar last week for a yelp elite event! The experience was great! I liked the environment and the decorations in the restaurant, with the shining but harmonious bar and a comfortable sofa area. I ordered "welcome to Miami", which was very fruity but not that strong, loved it! Overall it is a good place to hang out with friends, meet with new people, and enjoy the beautiful night of south bend! read more

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What's the best kept secret in South Bend? The Exchange Whiskey Bar! This place gives off a big-city vibe right here in Downtown South Bend. They have a great cocktail menu, all centered around whiskey, but also offer a full bar for those that are partial to other libations. This is the only place in town I've seen with Pappy Van Winkle on the menu! The decor of this place is awesome. Think speakeasy meets bank. There is no flashy signage, which makes you feel like part of the "in crowd" when you arrive. The dimly lit room is highlighted by open shelving, filled with different bottles of bourbon and whiskey. The long, dark bar is lit with candles and provides seating for one or two. The room also has big couches and comfy chairs for groups. By far, the best part of The Exchange experience is the staff. They are always so friendly and willing to tailor drinks to your preferences. They are very knowledgeable about the beverages and are great at making suggestions. They even let me come in before opening to take my engagement pictures! read more

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Went here last Saturday night and was unimpressed. Pros: - tons of whisky options - fair amount of cocktails - awesome bar stools Cons: - we went here at around 9 pm on a Saturday and there was literally 6 other people in the whole place....I'm sorry I don't like drinking at empty bars - they say they charge for snacks but in reality they don't...not a fan of non-transparent menus/pricing - food options aren't good, especially the cheese spread read more

The Exchange - El Diabla - Cocktail Bars Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Honestly, it was one of my favorite bars in South Bend, and what I considered to be elite. I like how architecture, decor and classic vibe. Lately, there has been one bartender per night, which means they are understaffed. The employee that served us was completely oblivious and had no concept of customer service. We weren't even acknowledged for 20 minutes, and I'm not exaggerating. The drinks weren't even that great. Very disappointing! read more

Great service and the atmosphere is exactly what is expected from a whiskey bar! Also the bar was well decorated for the Holiday season!

Best place in south bend!! Staff is friendly and makes great drinks! They are not bartenders they are mixologists!! When it gets busy you may have to wait on a drink but it's worth it! The price of the drinks are higher but it keeps out those people that just want to get drunk on a $3.50 Jack and Coke ... this is not a restaurant this is a cocktail bar so don't go there excepting a meal. I love that it is a cocktail bar! Great date night or a place to have a meeting at ! If I could give this 10 stars I would!!! read more

Co-worker kept telling me we needed to try this place. Wish we wouldn't have waited so long! Huge selection of bourbons and whiskeys. The guy bartender is super knowledgeable, both bartenders were very friendly. We will go back for sure! read more

After years of looking for a bar in the South Bend metro area that doesn't make me hate all of humanity or want to retreat to the mountains and live as unwashed recluse, I finally hit paydirt. THIS is what I wanted. I didn't even really know what I wanted before, but this is it. Please don't ever, ever go away, The Exchange. read more

The vibe in here is very business class casual. The area main sorce of light is candles. Besides the seating at the bar there are several couch sotting areas. This provides a nice private area for your group. They have an extensive drink list. The bartender was very friendly and cordial. read more

The Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Drinks are good -- above average. Ambience is great. Service sucks. Wait time to get a drink sucks. Waited about 20 mons to get any service and when I went to bar, bartender said to take order..need to be seated at bar or server will come to you. Waited a very a long time before someone came to check on us to take second drink .. I ordered and it has about 20 minutes and still waiting for drink to come. Been here 2 hrs and only got 1 drink so far .., read more

Very nice atmosphere with a good selection. Knowledgeable staff and very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend going there.

If you're looking for a craft cocktail experience in downtown South Bend, I definitely recommend The Exchange. Their cocktail program is serious; it's not a lazy attempt to jump on the trend by adding some simple syrup and charging five dollars more. They use good quality liquor and have some really innovative drinks. Whiskey selection can compete with any bar in Chicago or New York, but prices were certainly more affordable. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. I am always given great service when I go. read more

I hardly ever think any one establishment is truly worth 5 stars... however, the Exchange crew is phenomenal! Amazing drinks crafted by very knowledgeable mixologists. I don't think that I have ever had a more genuine experience at a bar! read more

I am a big fan of this place (having recently had my wedding reception take place here). We came in here multiple times since last January, and were always impressed with the impeccable service and helpfulness of the staff. They know how to make a great drink, and are also willing to explain different components of drinks, make suggestions on what you may like, etc. By far our favorite was Robin, but management moved her back to Cafe Navarre. The atmosphere is absolutely stunning, and one of a kind in South Bend (in my opinion). It offers a refinement not found elsewhere. From the beautiful furniture, lamps, chandeliers, etc.- it is a really nice place to relax and enjoy a cocktail. Speaking of cocktails: by favorite my favorite was Sir Robert the Savage. It contains whiskey, lemon, creme de cassis (a black currant liqueur), and its so yummy. My fiance-now-husband's favorite was the Horse's Neck, which is kind of like an upscale whiskey and ginger. If you like whiskey/bourbon- this is your place. We also tried their charcuterie and cheese boards, and while not over the top, they offered solid meats and cheese and were a nice accompaniment to our drinks. We ended up renting out both the Exchange and the Vault for our reception (for ~190 people) and it was perfect. The staff handled the crowds with ease, and everyone raved about the service, the bar, and the food. read more

I am a native New Yorker who recently moved to South Bend from Boston. With that being said, this place made me think I was back on the east coast in a swanky bar! The aesthetics are a combination of modern and vintage, the ambiance and vibe are on point, the drinks are excellent and the staff members KNOW their stuff! Dani is just incredible. Her knowledge of the history of the location (an old bank!) to the ins and outs of how whiskey is made is just beyond impressive. This is absolutely a place I look forward to frequenting and bringing friends from out of town who come visit. I highly recommend it. read more

Great spot for some great whiskey. Can stand up to any of the best bars I've ever been to. The bartenders/waiters were knowledgeable and willing to help out our group. The bar itself was awesome, in the lobby of an apartment building. Very cool setting! read more

Cool vibe and great service! The drinks were phenomenal as well. A nice spot in a sleepy but steady town.

Nice interior, solid cocktails, and great service. The crowd is mixed to older and the place gets crowded quickly. The oversized furniture may need to be reconsidered. While the drinks were great (Hummingbird, Bourbon blossom are favs), a bit more research into the mixology scene in New Orleans and Chicago wouldn't hurt, as these mixology hotspots often highlight drink recipes on their sites. SB does not have a good cocktail bar that offers tiki, depression era, and new style cocktails so this place ads nicely to the mix. Most of the customers were drinking beer and there were some loud jocks but overall a upscale crowd. This said, you can come in dressed well or casually. Do drink cocktails... You can drink beer someplace else. The food is a good plus but things are prepared at the sister site Navarre so they can run out. Our snacks were good. The servers were very helpful, fun, and professional. Top staff. Very friendly crew. The lights are too bright. Got to get the lighting issues worked out. Overall for SB this is a top place. read more

I went here with my fiancée two weeks ago and we were very pleased. We were excited to find an adult bar in South Bend. This place is very clean and has a modern minimalist feel (dark wood, stainless steel). The environment is relaxed. You can have your choice of various lounge areas around the bar to sit and have conversation over the low music (which was a great playlist of adult contemporary - John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Fray, Adele, Jason Mraz, etc.). The selection of whiskey is great and the mixed drinks are very good. The price is about right (~$13 for an aged whiskey, and ~$9 for a mixed drink, you can see their menu on their website) and the service is prompt and courteous. If you're looking for a sophisticated getaway from the normal South Bend bar scene, this is it. read more

Had a wonderful experience there. Becky is the best!! Cool vibe. Grown and sexy! Has a certain je ne sais quoi. read more

The Exchange - Great place. Love the ambiance. Great Bourbon end Scotch selection. Staff was very nice. Becky is the best too!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Bartender Kris is an artist. Also, try a cocktail called The Last Word-- very few places have the ingredients to make it. The food options are a joke, and whoever designed the layout, with its near impossible pathway to the bar, had to be high. But Kris is the best. read more

Really cool spot. Vast collection of whiskeys and bourbons. Enjoyed the chill environment for an after dinner cocktail.

A truly amazing hidden gem!!! (Literally, I've had friends be unable to find this place) The cocktails are the centerpiece, of course, and everyone here does a truly amazing job. I LITERALLY dream about the lemon drop, and order it at other restaurants and bars in metropolitan cities, and NOTHING compares to The Exchange. As if perfection in drinks wasn't enough, the vibe is truly sophisticated without being stuffy- love that I don't have to worry about obnoxious ND students ruining my night here. Sumptuous leather and granite and deep stained wood contribute to a cool classy lounge feel straight out of the early 20th century. I always enjoy coming out to the Exchange, and as much as I want to spread the word, I also would be happy keeping this little hidden secret to myself! read more

Fantastic atmosphere, a bit hard to find...my drink while inventive wasn't my personal taste, however my husbands was very well done. Would definitely recommend it! read more

The Exchange - Great atmosphere - Cocktail Bars Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Simple review they pour Noah's Mill. Extremely comfortable setting with a great staff read more

The Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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Great atmosphere, wonderful service, fantastic cocktails. This is one of my favorite downtown haunts. I've never had a bad experience or bad drink here. (Word of warning: don't come hungry. They have limited plates, which are prepared at their sister restaurant down the street, Cafe Navarre. Selection of limited, and sometimes they run out.) While their wine and beer options are great, what makes them unique is their huge whiskey and bourbon selection. read more

This place is so cool definitely a hidden gem in south bend!! Loved the drinks and the atmosphere! will be back at least once a week!!

So, I've been coming to this place for years now. It was a place in South Bend that I talked up and told people about. I went in last night with my girlfriend for a night on the town and was extremely disappointed to see that they had updated their menu to only 12 common cocktails that every restaurant has. There was no whiskey list, liquor list, beer list, wine list, or anything outside of the cocktails that they had on their menu. There was nothing unique. Previously this is why we really enjoyed going here before. I asked if they had another large menu to see and they sent me to the QR code that had the 12 cocktails and chips and dip. I asked if they had dessert? She laughed at me. So all in all, I will not be coming back and I will not be recommending the Exchange to any of my colleagues.. My favorite place is gone and will never be what it used to be. She said that they are under new management and new owners. What a shame. read more

My favorite bar in town. Great experience and an extensive selection. The bar tenders are very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're a whiskey guy this is your place. read more

Moody. Classy. Incredible selection curated with absolute passion and the most knowledgeable bar staff around. I'd give more stars if I could. read more

Wow. Just wow. Awesome whiskey selection. Knowledgeable staff too. Throw in a great atmosphere and you have a winner. Ask for Brooke or Jo...they're the best. read more

As South Bend goes this is a really nice spot. Best whiskey selection in town, and the fact that the building used to be a bank gives it a great old school feel. It is really a pity so few locals go. The quality and ambiance deserve better business than they seem to be attracting. read more

Parking: There is plenty of street parking in the area so you should not have a problem finding a spot to park. Atmosphere: This place is all class! It's 10 notches above any other bar in the area. Plenty of seating with a few sofas as well. No sign out front so if you don't know it's there you would drive right past it. Don't expect the bar to crowded most of the time. Drinks are not cheap but that keeps out the par-tiers and rif raf. If you are just looking for a place to drink and get drunk this is not a place for you. No live music which is a great thing. A lot of people in the area will not like it because they think Cj's or Vegie Buddies is high class and this place is much nicer and classier. They don't always have table service which is typical for a nice Whiskey Bar. I've been to Whiskey Bars in LA, NY San Francisco, Dallas and Chicago and this place is right up there with them. Food: Not sure about food but I don't believe they serve food. Tip: Great date place and to hang out with a couple of friends to get a drink and talk. If you are not a whiskey drinker that is ok. They do have a few beers and contrary to what many people believe you can have mixers with scotch and whisky. Try a Godfather it's a great cocktail that is not overpowering. I recommend getting it with Macallans. read more

Just walked out now... walked in and three employees passed me and not one even acknowledged I had walked in. Sat down and waited ... waited... waited.... over 15-20 mins and they just kept walking on by. Maybe 10 people in the place. Sad, but I had to walk out.... read more

First time and really loved the place. A gentleman was our bartender/server and he was great at describing the drinks and giving recommendations. I didn't have food, we only had drinks. The drinks were very well made, strong and just on point! The atmosphere is great for a drink after dinner or even before. You can relax and actually have a conversation with someone. I will definitely be coming back again! read more

Came in for a quick drink on a weeknight (Wednesday) and it was pretty dead. Got to try two complimentary bourbons tastings which were fantastic. Beautiful bar. Shame there wasn't more people there. Bartender was nice and engaging. Made a quality old-fashioned. Seemed like the other patrons were other bartenders from nearby establishments. read more

I came her for the first time and the atmosphere was great and it's a very generous pour here!