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    The Progress

    4.1 (1.3k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    The Progress Photos

    Business Info

    THE PROGRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Progress

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    Reviews With Photos

    brown butter seaweed noodles
    Vivi L.

    Had a reservation on a Sunday at 8 PM and it was a good, comfortable amount of people in the room. First off, the ambience here is BEAUTIFUL!! Dim lighting, warm tones, high ceilings, and a really cozy upscale atmosphere. The space feels intimate while still being lively. Definitely one of those places where you immediately feel like sitting there for a while. It's not just a date night spot, I also saw families (with kids) as well. We started with the caviar potato cloud and this felt like one of those fine dining dishes where you don't order it because you know it'll taste good... you order it because you're curious and just want to experience it. It's crushed potato chips and caviar underneath with an airy egg white cloud on top. Very interesting texture combination. Good to try once for the experience but I wouldn't order it again. For drinks we got the Bird's Eye View and One Punch Man and I actually loved both!! The Bird's Eye View has tequila, thai basil, thai chili, and citrus flavors and tasted super bright and refreshing with a slight herbal finish. It wasn't spicy at all. The One Punch Man has rum, bourbon, pandan, cashew, lime, pineapple, and coconut. This one was smooth, tropical, creamy, and so easy to drink. Very refreshing while still tasting unique!! The brown butter seaweed noodles with oyster mushrooms, tomato, and bonito flakes was definitely a unique dish too. The flavor was very savory and earthy. So unique!! The duck was tender and cooked beautifully with a nice sear on the outside. The sauce and vegetables paired really well with it too. Also came with a plate of tortillas and salsa!! Now that I'm realizing it.. I am not sure if we were supposed to wrap it in the tortilla?? We ate the duck by itself. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by both the ambience and food. Definitely one of those places where the overall experience stood out just as much as the dishes themselves!! Great experience and vibes :)

    Sky Y.

    Wow wow. The ambiance, the service, the food , the vibes all of it is worth it!! I came here with my girlfriend for our anniversary and it did not disappoint. We were seated within 5 minutes and the servers immediately checked in on us. The food was so good. My girlfriend is vegetarian so most of our orders were vegetarian. The dessert was so goood (biggest plate of the night lol). The drinks were also good! Did not disappoint.

    bbq liberty farms half duck 82. peanut fried rice & smoked chile vinegar
    Jiansen W.

    Michelin Star restaurant, cocktail bar, The Progress, is serving up a creative new American menu. AMBIANCE intimate, lofty space, wood decor, moody lighting, open kitchen SERVICE Staff were very helpful with recommendations, super friendly, attentive, conversed well. FOOD 5/5 asparagus & crispy mendocino nori: trout roe, horseradish & beech mushrooms (Umami, chilled) 5/5 brown butter seaweed noodles: oyster mushrooms, tomato-kale dashi & (dancing) bonito (Visually stunning, umami, hot) 5/5 bbq liberty farms half duck: peanut fried rice & smoked chile vinegar (Visually stunning, tender, flavorful, warm) rhubarb sorbet with roasted strawberries (tart, very sweet) 5/5 meyer lemon ice cream

    Peanut milk
    Jason C.

    We had a reservation here for a Friday night at 6pm & were greeted by friendly hosts who checked my backpack which was nice & sat us immediately. Some of the seating is very close together, so not quite as intimate as it could be as we were about a foot & a half away from the couple next to us, & could easily hear everything they were saying even at a low conversational tone. We might as well have been a party of 4. Service was satisfactory. There wasn't one specific waiter/waitress as they all shared responsibilities. Service was friendly & up to par, but no more than that. Our water ran out at the end & no one refilled it. We felt they were more attentive to the parties around us, not sure if it was because we looked younger or what, but we spent in total a little over $300 for 2 people. Food came out within an appropriate time. For food, we ordered 2 mocktails, caviar potato cloud, grilled pernod artichokes, english pea & carmody mezzalune, hokkaido scallop crudo, & the famous bbq liberty farms half duck, peanut milk. The food was very good! Clean, fresh, great presentations & very creative flavors. Very high quality & the famous duck was cooked perfectly. That being said, we both agreed that there was not a single dish that "wow'd" us as with other Michelin-starred restaurants we've dined at in the past. Overall, the dining experience as a whole was satisfying, but not memorable. With so many other options in the city, I personally wouldn't return here, but I also don't regret trying it out.

    local black cod mole verde
    Jenny Z.

    Visited Sunday @ 5:30PM for a group of 5. Parking took some circling. We sat upstairs, felt super cozy, but the narrow stairs made bathroom trips a mini-trek. Major kudos to the staff running dishes up and down! Drinks were fantastic: the Bird's Eye View had great umami, Thai-forward flavors, and the in-house pineapple cilantro soda was super refreshing. We ordered a feast! The Riverdog Farm Pig Head was my absolute favorite bite (11/10), the crunch paired with citrusy fennel and sweet pear was perfect. The tempura koginut squash with sesame-sichuan dip was phenomenal, and the BBQ half duck was a standout, served nicely with rice instead of the usual lettuce wraps. The scallop crudo and black cod mole verde were both beautiful and delicious. The seaweed noodles were a decent filler, but a one-time order for me. We also had the roasted potatoes, persimmon toast, and masa dumplings. All yummy, but we'll probably scale our order down next time! Their menu changes often, so we're already looking forward to going back. Highly recommend for a date night, celebration, or just a "treat yourself" dinner!

    Ricotta and nutmeg fritters
    Kaitlyn L.

    Snagged a resy on OpenTable for 5:30 and the line was already hopping out the door! Very unique and progressive mix of flavors. We tried the caviar potato cloud, which was creamy, crunchy, and a hint of saltiness from the caviar lurking underneath. It was interesting but probably wouldn't order it again. The pacific cod was delicious and beautiful to look at. We enjoyed the contrast of the pickled red onions to the creamy corn sauce and tender fish. I loved the texture of the tortillas with the goat chorizo and mole. They were perfectly chewy. All together, the dish had a lot of flavors going on from tart green tomatoes to the spicy mole and it was not my favorite. To finish, the "world peace" peanut milk made with whole cream was quite tasty and worth a shot. We also tried the ricotta and nutmeg fritters with coffee ice cream and crème fraiche. The fritters were small, about the size of a grape, and slightly lemony. They were just okay.

    Caviar potato cloud
    Christine B.

    I recently had dinner at The Progress and had an amazing time. I highly recommend having a reservation, we checked throughout the day and were able to find an opening. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations on what to order. We ordered the BBQ Liberty Farm duck, caviar potato cloud, yuba & cauliflower mushroom stir fry, and riverdog farm pig head with our favorites being the caviar potato cloud and duck! Each dish was so creative and unique. Overall, this was one of the best dining experiences I've had in San Francisco, and I can't wait to come back.

    Smoked Duck
    David S.

    I recently dined at The Progress and came in with high expectations given all the buzz around its modern American menu. Overall, the experience was solid, but nothing really wowed me. The dishes were well-executed and thoughtfully composed, but I didn't find anything particularly memorable or exciting. I tried the duck, which I know is one of their more talked-about dishes, but it didn't quite land for me. Compared to what I've had in China, it felt like a weaker iteration of Beijing duck--lacking the depth, crispness, and overall impact I was hoping for. Service was fine--professional but not especially warm or memorable. In the end, it's a good restaurant with competent cooking, but given the reputation, I was expecting more of a standout experience for the price point.

    Complimentary Dessert
    Calvin C.

    This was a very nice dining experience. We had a gift certificate and visited on a Tuesday right when they opened at 5:30pm. There was good table availability when we booked our reservation about one month before. We were seated quickly after they opened. The staff was very attentive and friendly. The service was very good. Our server explained the menu in detail and made recommendations. As they served the dishes, they explained each one. One plate change was done during the meal. We ordered six dishes between the two of us and were a little hungry afterwards. If we return, we'll probably order six dishes again, but shift the balance to have more meat dishes and less of the Western Additions. Our first dish was the Toma Cheese Stuffed Masa. It was good, but we probably won't order it next time. This was followed by the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo. Although it's a small dish, it has good flavor. They add citrus chunks to add some acidity, which works well with the scallops. Next, we had the Sesame Sichuan Chile Crispy Hodo Tofu. This was quite good. This was followed by the Grilled Pernod Artichokes, which was another pretty small dish. Then they brought out the the Local Dungeness Crab Sorpresine and the Pacific Black Cod Pozole. These two dishes were probably our favorites for the evening. We were celebrating a special event. They brought out a complimentary dessert for us which was really nice. It was beignets with ice cream and strawberries. We would recommend this restaurant for people celebrating a special occasion.

    Smoked Duck
    Ilana Z.

    We were visiting SF for the weekend and managed to snag a last minute resy here! So happy we ended up going. It's a more casual Michelin star and vibes were great. Tables were super close to each other though, a little too close... Regardless - food is AWESOME! Think we had an off day with our waiter. He accidentally gave us leftovers from the table next to us, forgot what we just discussed, and told me the drink i ordered is similar to an old fashioned when it really wasn't - it was super sweet. He also did not mention the off menu items to us. The waitress who was helping tables next to us seemed better. We also had to ask him for water multiple times. Now onto the food: We shared the artichoke toast and the mashed potato cloud. For the main, we got the half duck of course! Wow!!! Everything was amazing but the duck was the star of the show. It was cooked so perfectly medium rare. The garlic fried rice with cilantro was refreshing! The crispiness of the duck leg and wing - YUM. Go back just for the duck!

    Sarah Z.

    Drinks here were delish!! Absolutely had a great time chatting and drinking here. Also ordered the pig head salad for a quick bite and it was SO GOOD!! Service was fine and ambiance was vibey. Definitely wanna try dining here next time for their actual food!

    Jerk pork chop
    Linda C.

    After such a great time at sister restaurant Anchovy Bar, I was genuinely hyped for dinner here. Unfortunately, we walked out more annoyed than impressed and that had everything to do with service. Our waitress had this subtle but very real snooty energy. Nothing outright rude, just that faint air of superiority that makes you feel like you're inconveniencing someone by sitting at their table. It completely threw off the vibe. Hospitality is supposed to feel warm and effortless. This felt tense. At this price point, attitude shouldn't be part of the tasting menu. Now the food and drinks? Much stronger showing. We discovered there's a secret menu item: the hot dog. Absolute win. Soft, fluffy bun, rich, and indulgent. That was my favorite bite of the night. Caviar Potato Cloud - It's like the most elevated potato chip you've ever had: light, crispy, salty perfection. The caviar sits at the bottom soaking up all that potato flavor, so when you hit it, it's briny, rich, and fully loaded. Unique and delicious. The Sesame Sichuan Chile Crisp Hodo Tofu was a great opener. Every bite had texture: soft, crunchy, spicy, savory and it all worked. Woke up the palate immediately. Chanterelle mushroom and yuba stir fry was my second favorite dish. Dungeness crab sorpresine had great flavor but the pasta was too al dente. Another minute of cooking would've made it perfect. The jerk pork chop was bold and layered, sweet and tangy from the passion fruit, and the cilantro beans were a hit. That said, it's rich. One bite was enough for me. Very glad we were a party of 3 so we could share instead of committing to the whole thing solo. Overall the food was good with a few things that we wish were different but really wasn't a fan of the service this visit. Hope next time would be better

    Tofu
    Connie S.

    What deliciousness we had on a chilly San Francisco evening! We grabbed a seat at the bar and the bartenders were all so friendly and their service was top notch. I honestly don't even remember what we got but the duck was delicious. Their fried rice is soooo good! And their hot dog is off menu and limited so make sure to order it early if you want to secure one.

    1/6/26

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    The food and service were amazing! A fun ambiance with stylish decor. Would definitely come back again.

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    Page 6 of 34

    The Progress Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Progress

    Is this place good for toddlers/kids and have high chairs? I have a 1.5 year old.

    It is a nice dining experience and a special place. I would not recommend bringing a toddler. I am sure the restaurant would be fine with it but don't think it is the right environment. I don't know if they have high chairs.

    What are the vegan options for groups with vegan friends? Anything substantial or sad side dishes?

    Are walk ins available?

    bar seating is first come first serve, and some of them are also reserved. regular seating I believe is reservation only...and even those reservations are booked out months ago for weekend..

    Is there a set menu or i can choose the dishes myself?

    You choose the dishes from the menu. The waiter will advise you as to how many dishes to order. Approximately 3 per person. But if you order more entree dishes, they will be bigger so order less dishes

    Good number of vegetarian options?

    Yes I ate all vegetarian dishes and they were very accommodating. It was delicious.

    Is infant allow?

    Not likely

    View All 10 Questions

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    The Beehive

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    Love what + how they do it. It's a neighborhood bar that…read morejust feels right. Food wise I'm drawn to a few favorites like the stellar pork belly banh mi slider, fries and the chicken bites. It's a thoughtful menu w something for everyone. Had a Paper Plane which the bar man furiously shook to an icy froth on the top. Soooo good. Went on St Pat Saturday and was looking for a non frat crew vibe and was really pleased I remembered BH was close by.

    Cool bar with bites in the Mission District. We got there shortly after it opened at 4pm on Friday…read moreafternoon. I was craving a refreshing craft cocktail and got one with the Green Emmanuelle. I liked the cardamom in the Beauty Mark as well that my partner ordered. We ordered shishito peppers and mushroom bahn mi sliders. The mushroom bahn mi sliders were amazing - the quality fillings and taste of the soft bun - I was unexpectedly hit with a bite of spice from maybe jalapeño seeds left but didn't sour my experience. The shishito peppers ended up being extremely spicy as well, those are usually just a few spicy and not the majority. The roasted lemon and salt was a wonderful combo but just too spicy to eat. However, the server very kindly removed it from our bill without us asking. We order the crostini because we were still hungry and that was an absolute hit. Delicious med-soft crostini with luscious berries and sweet honey. I didn't care my hands got sticky as it was soooo good! Great experience, I would be weary if the peppers as I'm a bit spice-intolerant but everything else was spot-on.

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    Blind Pig Speakeasy Lounge

    Blind Pig Speakeasy Lounge

    4.7
    (191 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    This place has risen in the ranks of my fave cocktail bars in SF. Recently tried to go to Elements…read moreonly to discover it was closed or at least closed to additional patrons 45 minutes before closing so made our way to a couple other bars instead, including Blind Pig. It takes a lot for me to consider a return visit to a cocktail bar. Most of the time, I just begrudgingly go along with my friends to a mediocre bar, but Blind Pig is a place I would enthusiastically return to again and again. I first got the namesake cocktail: Blind Pig. It was incredibly well-balanced, and the flame presentation upon arrival was an epic mini show. Later during last call, I decided to risk it all and roll the dice to order from the secret menu. I rolled a 5, which got me a wine & Japanese beer concoction with Sichuan peppercorn. Totally feel like this cocktail was made for me, as I rep the 川渝 region. The drink was strong, but that made it all the better. Can't wait to come again and explore more of the menu behind the password-protected iykyk entrance.

    Hot Take: Weeknights are better than weekends for going out…read more Chill, less of a crowd, a locals vibe, and to avoid amateur hour. I'm personally over (and too old) dealing with sloppy drunks spilling drinks on you, getting pushed around in a crowd or end up in a middle of a brawl Blind Pig is that perfect spot, well at least on a weeknight: chill, low-key, and moody. And, most importantly comfy seating AND solid AZN inspired craft cocktails ($18-$19). Cocktails with black sesame, taro, pandan, mapo tofu, tea, and hot pot flavors? YAS! D R I N K S * Hot & Sour: Tanqueray Gin w/ Iichiko shochu, aloe, rose, hot pot paste, basil, citrus, peychaud's ($18 x2) The sichuan hot pot inspired cocktail was silky smooth from the milk-washed gin, nicely balanced - sweet (but not too sweet) and sour with a subtle málà numbing spice. Stiff yet easy to drink. The manager/bartender, Leo was awesome with great hospitality. Background lounge-y music is not too loud so you can yap and catch-up with friends. Overall, Blind Pig is a great place to unwind after work or start the night off. If it's too tamed for you, you can always go next door to XEX to make bad decisions - no judgement cuz we've all been there! ;) O T H E R I N F O * Walk-in only. PW to enter is on IG. * Blind Pig originally opened in Chinatown in a larger space but they're now in a more intimate space on Polk. * Blind Pig is under Mins Group (Sushi Sato, Sushi Hon, The Roll, The Buoy, Dento Piano Cafe, Dragon Horse, and more.) * No snacks/food but plenty of food options within walking distance.

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    Horsefeather

    Horsefeather

    4.0
    (812 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    super vibey cocktail bar and restaurant that seems popular for drinks & bites! this place is pretty…read morepopular so i wanted to check it out. it was pretty booked on a thursday around 7, but i was able to grab a seat at the bar which is first come first serve! all the servers/hosts were super nice and we had a great time sitting at the bar. my friends beer was decent, but the food was kinda hit or miss for me. i did think the tuna tataki was pretty nice. the tuna was so tender and melts in your mouth! i appreciated the light balanced flavors - this dish was very refreshing but the cracker gives u a nice textural contrast. it's not a super punchy or flavorful type of dish, so just know that if you're not into a more subtle flavor profile!! the wings were a standout dish because they were incredible savory, juicy, and tender, even crispy on the very edges despite how saucy they were. they came off the bone so easily and didn't have a single dry bite. i was impressed because wings don't sound like they would be crazy good but these hit the spot! the ranch pairs outstandingly well with the wings. i know that sounds obvious, but i think the flavors of the wings and the sauce are uniquely well suited to one another - more so than other wings that i've tried. my highlight of the meal!! the main letdown was the duck fat fries - i thought they were just okay? they definitely had a unique savory and umami flavor and they came out decently crispy but i didn't really think it was anything special. they were a little soggy after some time as well. i'm curious to try their drinks but overall not sure about the food yet. i'd research before you order here or just come here for the vibes & drinks, as that seems to be what people enjoy the most.

    After a Friday graduation event, we decided on a late-night dinner around 8 PM and headed to…read moreHorsefeather, craving a good glass of wine and their fried chicken. When we arrived, the restaurant was only partially filled, with several open tables clearly visible throughout the dining room. Unfortunately, our first impression was disappointing. We were greeted by a hostess who seemed unhappy and informed us that our only options were bar seating or an outdoor table. Looking around at the many available tables, it didn't make much sense, but we chose to sit at the bar which we didn't mind. What made the experience more frustrating was that those same open tables remained empty for the entire time we were there. While we understand restaurants may reserve tables for later reservations, when a dining room stays half-empty for the evening, it feels like a lapse of hospitality. For dinner, we ordered the Pork Tacos, Hot Honey Chicken, and a glass of wine. The Hot Honey Chicken was the standout of the evening, perfectly cooked, crispy, and packed with flavor. Served with honey sriracha and creamy mashed potatoes, it was savory, satisfying, and exactly what we were hoping for. The Pork Tacos were a bit disappointing. While the pork itself was tender and well-cooked, the overall flavor was quite bland, even with the accompanying dressing. It wasn't a bad dish, but it lacked the seasoning and punch needed to make it memorable. Overall, the bartender was nice, food was okay, Hot Honey Chicken definitely the highlight of the evening.

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    Cavaña

    Cavaña

    3.9
    (537 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$
    Live music
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    * catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date…read more Cute little rooftop bar on top of the LUMA hotel. Good drinks and snacks, seating is limited so might need to wait a while or opt for the outdoor standing section on weekend nights. Firepit couches are nice if you are able to grab one! Would be a good stop to kick off the night but not really close to a lot of other great cocktail bars in walking distance since this area is kind of dead except for Giants game days.

    My family and I recently visited Cavaña in SF on Sunday 6/21 at 5:30pm, expecting to enjoy what we…read moreunderstood to be a rooftop restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, our experience started off on the wrong foot before we even made it upstairs. When we arrived, the doorman, a tall, heavyset gentleman, was eating and did not acknowledge us as we approached. I politely asked if the restaurant was open, and instead of simply answering the question, he responded that it wasn't a restaurant but a rooftop bar, adding, "I don't know where you got that misconception." I found the comment unnecessarily dismissive and somewhat condescending. As an educated woman visiting with my husband and our minor daughter, I felt there were more professional ways to clarify the venue's concept. Rather than engage further, I chose to ignore the remark. He then pointed us toward the line, despite there being no one else waiting, and pressed the elevator button with an attitude that made us feel like we were inconveniencing him simply by being there. First impressions matter, and unfortunately this interaction left us feeling unwelcome before we even had the opportunity to experience the venue itself. Hospitality begins at the door, and I hope management provides additional customer service training to ensure future guests are greeted with courtesy and respect.

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    Laureate

    Laureate

    3.8
    (43 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I went to the Laureate a couple times last week. It happened to be right next-door to University…read morehigh school in San Francisco where I was watching Nor Cal basketball. I went in before the game the place was somewhat Vibing they had a balcony, fireplace, different seating areas and a bar, and they serve food. It wasn't that busy so the bartender came right over. I think his name was Dominic and he got me an IPA. The first time I went I also tried the deviled eggs (3) and they were cool. I have to say my buddies tried the chips and salsa so it came with some guac salsa and a bowl of chips. It was pretty good too. a , but after the game we came back in the place was still a vibe. It was cool and we are went back a few days later for another game with another buddy and sure enough it was cool this time I had a margarita and the expert Cadillac and he floated something like some triple sec in it and when we inquired about the Grand Marnier with him, he got a little attitude although the female bartender said that when she made Cadillac margaritas, she used grandma Marnie, so that was interesting but other than that, I would recommend a spot.

    Laureate Bar honestly surprised me! I came here after dinner for a nightcap and I really enjoyed…read moreit. It's lowkey but stylish and the drinks are actually affordable. My martini ($13) was really good, I especially loved the olives they use here. I like the lounge style seating, there were couches, nooks, and chairs arranged in a very comfortable fashion. There were a decent amount of people inside for a Thursday night, mostly small groups of friends or people on dates. It's a really nice atmosphere, very relaxed and inviting to hangout in. Everyone in the bar was weirdly attractive and dressed well for San Francisco and that added to the vibes for sure too lol. Friendly bartender and good cocktail menu, they also have a kitchen for small bites. I am definitely coming back!

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    Bar Darling

    4.3
    (64 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Peacekeeper is one of my favorite bars in the city for the past decade, and when I found out Bar…read moreDarling is part of the same family, I knew I was in the right place. After a park day at the Presidio, we wanted to move the party and we decided on Bar Darling. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was jam packed. Luckily we were able to get some space in the alley way for us to order drinks from our server. We've been on a Friday around 5pm on another day, it wasn't as busy, so definitely a great place to start and maybe end the night. In a time where craft cocktails have gotten really expensive, Bar Darling offers craft cocktails (their signature cocktails) all for $14 each. If you know Peacekeeper, you know there's a lot of thought and imagination that goes into their drinks and it definitely shows here. My favorites were the Mama J (tequila based) and the Jaji (mezcal based). The aesthetic and vibes of this place is 10/10. Definitely great for a group of friends and/or date night!

    Wanted to love it, really did, but I found the drinks underwhelming. Given the smashing success and…read moremy love for Peacekeeper, I had high expectations for Bar Darling and they sadly weren't lived up to. Drinks had almost a "watered down" flavor to them, not sure if the bartender was just having an off night or if they got too busy to maintain standards or what happened, but it wasn't a good beverage and certainly not worth the price. Even at 7pm it was packed and could definitely tell people had been there for awhile as there were multiple 20 something year old guys and gals stumbling around, so I guess they found the drinks to their liking (or more likely had so many they really couldn't ascertain the difference). Better drinks and better crowd control and Darling will be just fine. But as I mentioned, they were already packed stem to stern at 7pm so my guess is they're doing just fine already.

    Photos
    Amazing lounge vibes
    Amazing lounge vibes
    Brand new opening!  Took these right when the bar was getting opened!
    Brand new opening! Took these right when the bar was getting opened!
    Killer bar

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    Killer bar

    The Progress - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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