they have a huge selection of cocktails and the ones I tried were all pretty strong. the service was great. i was in a group of 12 or so, and looking back on it, we were pretty loud. the staff was incredibly friendly nonetheless and allowed us to stay upstairs in the lounge to finish our game of pool even though the upstairs section was officially closed.
Review Source:As most others suggest, sit upstairs if you can as it is packed with dimly lit, nicely aged charm. Â
The service is friendly (and attractive), drink menu equally as great and the food smelled tasty (i didn't actually order any food).
My friend and I parked it in a booth for quite some time which made for the trek down the stairs a bit tricky, so beware....but the bar, as a whole, is worth a visit.
The Barrelhouse Flat is a top notch bar without the arrogance of the Violet Hour. Let's start with the food. We had the Spicy Caramel Wings, the fries, and the ribs. I'm not understanding why people on here criticize the food, because, to us, the food was good. People, it's bar food, so don't expect a 5 star restaurant type meal here. With that said, the food was good. Now, onto the drinks. The drinks here were outstanding. I had about every drink featured in April (I can't remember them all), and I also had the Negroni, and they were all well prepared. The bartender gave us some really good recommendations, and I am so glad we listened because his recommendations were on point. I also had the pisco sour and the coffee cocktail, and again, these drinks were delicious. I spent about 150 there, and that was 150 well spent for me.
Don't get me wrong; I like the Violet Hour. However, the Barrelhouse flat brings the same quality alcoholic beverages without the smugness of Violet Hour. Go to the Barrelhouse Flat. You will enjoy it!
I used to be a big fan of this place, been there 4 or 5 times since they opened, however I had the absolute worst experience this past Friday when I tried to meet up with the group of 6 who already had a table upstairs. They had been there since 6pm when the bar opened and I showed up at 8:30. The hostess held me downstairs until they came down to get me. Once she realized I was joining my friends (well dressed, paying customers who had spent at least $50 per person by this point) she got all snotty with us about having more people in our party than we originally had "reserved" a table for (they didn't reserve the table, they just arrived when the place opened 2.5 hours earlier). A few minutes later she came back to our table to continue her snide comments about having an extra guest join the table. I have never felt so unwelcome in my life so we decided to leave.
To make matters worse, the hostess brought several other people to take our table (before we had even paid our tabs) and had them wait directly next to the table as we paid our checks and got ready to leave. Needless to say they lost 7 fans that night.
Seriously Barrelhouse Flat, why couldn't you have been here when I was at DePaul. While I'm not sure you would've made my life easier (most likely not), but you certainly would've been a nice capper to nights where I was face first in research at the Richardson Library.
Barrelhouse Flat has been on my radar since they opened. I don't get over to Lincoln Park as much these days, so I had to bide my time on when to get my ass in here. Well, this past monday night was finally that time. My friends and I had been at a wine dinner and needed non-grape based libations. I actually passed by Prost as Cocktails were more desired.
A few thoughts went through my head when I came in here: 1) This is a pretty big space, I dig; and 2) For a monday night, there's a decent crowd in here. Even with me noting #2, it wasn't like it was hard for my friends and I to grab a table. It is nice seeing that as you don't feel like the staff is paying attention to just you as I pretty much wanted to just chill for a drink or two.
Which leads us to the drinks. I definitely dug them. I got myself a la Louisiane and a pisco sour. They did a bang up job on both of the drinks. I like to order pisco sours as a control type drink, but it also helps that it's one of my favorite drinks as well. It also helped that it was far from hard for us to order a drink while never feeling pressured to order more drinks.
If I had a slight beef, it's the price. $12 a cocktail isn't really unreasonable, especially considering the area, but it does add up a bit faster when I'm used to spending $8 at L&E or Scofflaw. Still, there are no complaints from me as the drinks were more than worth the price.
Barrelhouse Flat is a definite return for me at some point in the future. I don't know when the next trip will be, but a return will happen.
I've been here several times and here are the drinks I've ordered and more importantly, liked:
Booth by cocktail, Barrelhouse punch, Pisco sour
This place gets slammed. You can definitely make a reservations, but be prepared to wait. They call your phone which is nice, so you could leave or stay there and squeeze into the bar and wait to be served.
The upstairs is really cool. It's separated into two parts--one that has lot of booths and tables, and the back has a pool table and very intimate seats. I don't get how they have pool and intimate tables, because people's butts and pool sticks are in your face when they move from side to side. Other than that, iz pretty swanky.
Great date spot or place to meet up for a fancy cocktail. Organized by spirit, you can find what you want.
The food smells awesome, but their kitchen is TINY.
I've been here a couple times and really enjoyed the cocktails I've had. Everything is very competently made, with unique ingredients, and a wide variety of liquors.
The rotating menu of popcorns they have available also make the perfect snack, if you aren't in the mood for a whole meal.
Now that being said, I don't come here that often. The place gets SUPER crowded on the weekend. Busy enough where it is hard to actually move around the place, and getting a drink can take forever. I'm happy for the business that they are doing so well, but it can still be a little frustrating from the perspective of a customer.
The other downside is the price of the cocktails. I get it, I am in Lincoln Park, rent is expensive, and as such I am going to pay a premium for my drinks. However, $13-$16 for each drink just seems a little much, considering I can get comparable quality drinks in Logan Square for $10.
But, if I am in Lincoln Park and looking for an excellent quality cocktail, I will still come here - assuming I can get in the door.
You know how sometimes you meet someone when you're both kind of drunk and you give him your number but don't really remember what he looks like, so you're like hoping that he doesn't have a weird mole that drunken you may have missed when you agree to meet up with him sober?
That's how I felt about going to BHF the second time.
My first time here was on St. Patrick's Day, when BHF featured a special drink menu with one of the nastier cocktail concoctions I've ordered, a tomatillo Bloody Mary that tasted like a health smoothie with booze. My boyfriend and I played rock-paper-scissors where the loser had to take a sip until the drink was done. Â
But hey, it wasn't exactly a regular Saturday, and so even though I didn't have the fondest memories of the place, I thought BHF should get a mulligan and we should meet again in a more normal setting. And I am so happy I did.
The bar's regular cocktail menu is just the right size -- not too many selections where you would be completely overwhelmed, but enough that you feel like you have a variety to pick from. What impressed me most was the complexity of every sip -- I have never been to a place where I could so clearly taste every part of the drink.
While some people on here bash the decorating, I thought the upstairs was more tastefully done than a lot of places. I could do without the downstairs area, but upstairs, I was seated at a booth with low lighting and a direct view of the bar. The lights were low, the seats were comfy and the service was good.
I'm already pining for the next time we meet.
I feel like BHF has an idea of what type of bar they want to be and then there's the reality of what it is.
What they want to be:
A quiet, sophisticated alcohol-ery with:
1)well-made cocktails
2)a selection of draft and bottled microbrews
3)upscale pub food
4)an upstairs lounge area where you can relax or play pool.
On most weeknights, I think they do a pretty good job with 1,2, and 4. I think they fall flat on number 3 every day. Sorry, their popcorn was cold, their chicken banh mi lousy.
On weekends though, it's sadly just another Trixie haven. The last visit I had I saw 3 posed, group cell phone shots. I'm sure they were posted on Instagram minutes later under the caption 'Best night evaaa!' or some variation thereof. There was a lot of college-esque stumbling/flirting and of course the near constant screams of 'whooo!'
It seems like a practice bar for DePaul seniors who feel they've 'moved on' from Uncle Fatty's or Mad River. Sorry kiddos, you're not quite there yet, but keep practicing, just not around me.
I gave this place 2 stars because the bartender made me a good cucumber drink that was upon my request even though it wasn't on the menu. When we walked in it was more of a let loose loud sit where ever you want type of bar. No host or anything. Staff wasn't really too friendly.. I shout to the bartender HOWW ARE UU!! lol and she looked at me like she hated her life. My cousin wanted to open a tab and im like um no I will just buy the first and only round were having here lol.
Review Source:This ranking is based on cocktails -- not the food, which I haven't tried yet.
The cocktails are great. Large menu, interesting ingredients, and bartenders who are really interested in pleasing your palette. I've probably tried at least 6-7 different cocktails (mostly whisky or gin-based) and have loved all of them. During my first visit, I was with someone who couldn't decide what they wanted, so the bartender whipped up her own concoction.
The atmosphere is dark, cozy and intimate and the vibe is very laid back (not at all pretentious).
After my mom enjoyed the Violet Hour so much, my cousin recommended that we check out the Barrelhouse Flat. Â They do have a similar speakeasy style - without the long lines and the pretension! Â We sat upstairs in comfortable chairs, enjoying the relaxed but loungey vibe.
Most of their cocktails are classics, and the menu is well-organized by type of liquor. Â I know I had a French 75 and something else that I can't recall. Â Very well executed. Â We shared pan-roasted brussels sprouts, smoked white fish crostini, and spicy caramel wings. Â The wings were great, crispy and sticky-sweet and came in a big portion (for two). Â The smoked white fish crostini was creatively presented and different than we expected, but still had that classic flavor that reminds you of your favorite deli. Â The brussels sprouts were simple, and one of very few healthy items on the menu.
Great place with a romantic atmosphere, I'd love to come back here for more cocktails with a date!
I really really wanted to love this place: I love cocktails, I love small intimate spaces, I love wood furniture and paneling. Â I love interesting and well-done small dishes. Â But I actively do not love The Barrelhouse Flat.
We four went for drinks and ended up grabbing dinner as well. Â I came late so I only tried some of the food and cocktails. Â
Cocktails:
I had the Free Bird, which was strangely muddy-tasting? Â It's one of the seasonal drinks. Â I had everyone else try it and watched their facial reactions, which was one of the most fun parts of the night. Â A mixture of disgust/amazement for the most part. Â Maybe a little heavy on the angostura.
He had something else tastier, but I only had a bit of it. Â
I was thinking of giving a 3 star because of the extensive cocktail menu and everyone else seemed to like theirs, but then I went to the Bedford last night and decided the ones at Barrelhouse Flat were definitely a 2.
Food:
Generally not very good and overpriced. Â I'm a little picky with my banh mi because of the whole Vietnamese thing, and their chicken one was not up to snuff. Â I ordered the breakfast for dinner, which is a big ol pancake, a sunnyside up egg, some sausage, and a biscuit and gravy. Â There's some hints of maple and bacon in it, but overall I prefer the same thing at Denny's for much less. Â And Denny's isn't pretending to be better than it is, which was the vibe I got from the menu/food. Â Endive salad: where were the endives? Â Mostly bread and a tasty dressing. Â
If someone really wants to I'll try it again, but meh. Â I've experienced better.
Honestly I do not remember when or why we first decided to stop in at Barrelhouse. Â But it has become a family favorite (well couple fav, the kids don't typically join us here). Â It is not my typical kind of hangout but for some reason I just love the vibe here and feel really comfortable. Â I've always had great service and the drinks are fun and fresh. Â They mix it up (no pun intended but I kind of like it) by changing the menu around. Â For food, I highly recommend the gumbo and duck.
Review Source:Three stars seems about right. The cocktails are probably 4, the food is about 2.
We had the gumbo, the pot pie, the banh mi, the endive salad, and the breakfast thing (pancakes and biscuits and gravy). The gumbo portion was small, which seems a bit contrary to gumbo. The prawns came head and all, and that made it seem like you were getting a decent portion, but as there were only two of them, I felt disappointed. The andouille sausage was good, but there wasn't much of it, either. The gumbo didn't have bright enough flavors to justify to the portioning. I would rather have had something filling than trying to pretend it was a particularly well designed taste.
The pot pie was good. Creamy and warm, and the crust on top looked like a tortilla draped over it. This was the best dish.
The banh mi was basically chicken salad plus some jalapenos. Eh.
The breakfast thing was tasty and comforting, and I would be keen to eat that again. The endive salad was disappointing; there wasn't much endive, and it seemed the bread was the primary caloric detail and consequently became most of the taste, as well.
The cocktails, on the other hand, are quite great. I had Close to the Vest, which is gin plus bitters plus egg white plus other stuff I don't know, and it was delicious. I followed that with the Zombie, which was some more bitters plus a bunch of rum and it tasted marvelous. The Pimm's Cup a friend had was an interesting spin on a classic drink, and it tasted heavenly. I don't recall the other cocktails, but they were generally great.
I would go here for drinks and snacks, but I wouldn't make this a place for dinner.
The cocktail menu at BF is like a voluminous library. There's something for everyone, and if you're like me and your palate is of the adventurous sort, you could spend many a night holed up here. I came here one night with a bunch of friends, we ended up eating the entire menu, drinking half of the cocktail list and loved every bit of it. You really can't go wrong. If you're bringing a date, and you should, shoot for a table upstairs.
Review Source:This place is incredible - currently my favorite bar in the city. Â It is first and foremost a cocktail bar but they also have a very high quality beer list, a solid food menu, knowledgeable and helpful staff, and a truly "cool" atmosphere. Â The interior is very classic and they occasionally have live piano music downstairs. Â I feel like I'm on a Mad Men set when I am either saddled up at the downstairs bar or anywhere upstairs. Â Very classy.
The downstairs is a bit more busy than upstairs so if you are looking for a more lively time then I would suggest staying down there. Â However, the atmosphere is generally pretty low key except for later in the evening on Friday/Saturday. Â There is also often a wait to get a table upstairs but if you are looking for a quiet atmosphere then it is definitely worth it. Â They can take your cell # and give you a call if you want to leave and come back or you can enjoy a cocktail downstairs while you wait. Â I have played pool upstairs there several times which is a great addition. Â Possibly the only drawback (this is a reach) is that the corner nook in the pool table room is freezing in the winter - please add some insulation around the windows there!
It can be pricey, but you are paying for quality stuff. Â I have had some beers there which I have never seen elsewhere (some of the more obscure Bourbon County Stouts) and they only carry excellent beers here. Â While I am not too knowledgeable on cocktails, I have had 5-10 different ones here and have never been disappointed. Â Some of my favorites are Airmail, Dark & Stormy and Sazerac. Â As I mentioned above, the bartenders are really good and have always been able to make a recommendation or answer any questions if I am not sure what I want. Â I would recommend sitting at the bar as watching them prepare the drinks is pretty mesmerizing. Â Also gotta give a shoutout to the doorman Big John who is always really friendly to my friends and I.
I can't say enough good about this place - it is a must visit bar in Chicago!
It's not often I'll applaud a place for having excellent taste in both cocktails and beer, but Barrelhouse Flat has proven worthy of such accolades. My best mate Jesse suggested it as an option for pre-dinner drinks (we needed something to while away the time as we digested the feast from Skrine Chops). I'd heard about the beer selection but when you're stuffed, a heavy beer is the last thing you want.
The place was pretty empty when we walked in around 7 mid-week, but it started to fill up by 8 and a live piano act. There is also an upstairs which looks like an incredible room to sit back with a glass of whiskey and a cigar and plot the future of capitalism. Sadly, that's never going to happen, but you can at least sit back and dream.
The first cocktail that caught my eye was named "Monkey Biscuits". To be honest, I chose it purely so I could ask for Monkey Biscuits from our charming waitress which made me giggle like a p re-teen schoolgirl. Mature...real mature. Anyways, it was whiskey based which slotted in nicely given that we were still in Whiskey January but also had vanilla and cinnamon syrups, a bit of Cynar, some Imperial Stout, and an entire egg. Yes, that's right, a whole bloody egg. Compared to the normal uses of egg white to give that foamy cover for a traditional sour, this results in a thick creamy texture to which eggnog can only aspire. The end result was a rich golden brown drink that started sweet, blended smoothly into a deeper caramel flavour before finishing with a smoky woodiness from the whiskey. Brilliant drink and one I hope my bartender friends can recreate for me in London.
My next choice was a dark stout-type beer with extra dark fruits and molasses flavours. Great beer, terrible choice for a pre-dinner drink as it's quite heavy and will slow your gluttony down. Still, it gives Brewdog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin a run for its money and that's no easy feat.
Overall, a top notch bar (despite the slightly dodgy walk from the L) with bartenders who really know their stuff. They have specials on certain days of the week (I think Thursdays were $4 pints) so keep an eye on that if you want to try it out. With the live music, it's a great date place too where you can start off downstairs and then slink upstairs to a darkened couch for a private meeting...if you know what I mean.
A friend helped me pack and clean, so I wanted to treat her to  dinner. We came here early on a Saturday night (good thing, as it got plenty packed). I had an Old-Fashioned (strong!) and a sidecar and enjoyed them both. I forgot what cocktail she had but she enjoyed it. We shared the Maitaki and Quinoa, the Pickle Plate, the Whitefish Crostini, (I am normally a vegetarian but I could not resist and am glad I caved because it is hard to find good whitefish salad in this town!) and she had the pig face poutine (I picked at some of the fries that didn't have meat on them). Everything was fabulous. We also had the daily popcorn, which was Old Bay Seasoning and butter, but I didn't really care for it; I felt the seasoning was overdone (and even made me cough a few times).
The service started out very good, but we were transitioned to another server who plum forgot about us for over an hour until we flagged him down. That was the only real flaw in the evening, and he was very kind when I asked him to find out where the whitefish was from so I'll give him a pass.
I would definitely go back!
One of my favorite late night bars, this place has a lot going for them. Great food, great people, and most importantly great drinks.
The unique thing about Barrelhouse is the upstairs lounge that is very different from the downstairs bar. Think speak easy style with low light and comfy chairs all in what seems like a very nice apartment. The upstairs is almost an apartment with multiple rooms giving everyone the space and privacy they may need. The back room( towards the street) has a pool table with multiple stools and a few comfy chairs around the table. The music is soft and audible but allows you to have a normal conversation without yelling.
Suggestion, look at the cocktail menu online before you arrive. The menu is so large and amazing, it's hard to pick and choose which one you may want, and since this no dive bar in Wrigleyville, they take a little longer to make.
In January they had a cocktail called Uncle Walt's Fizz. It was delicious to say the least. The Apple Brandy, and smith and cross rum were mixed with delicious bar standards and with a sparkling wine. One thing you are bound to notice are the rather large and perfectly cubed ice cubes. They also show the process made to make a drink is complicated and much worth the effort.
Their classic cocktails are also a blast. The bobby burns, mai tai, and hot buttered rum are a few of my favorite standards.
Now to the food. This is not the average late night food menu, but rather a delicious smorgasbord of what ever you may need. Daily popcorn that is given a special flavor (only been there when its been caramel YUM! or jalepeño YUM!) The fries with the aioli are delicious, and the spiced caramel wings with kimchi dance in your mouth.
If you have not had a chance to visit this place, you are surely missing out. Cocktails run around $10-12 a piece, but again, these cocktails will blow your mind.
This has been on my Chicago to-do for so long. Â It's small and intimate, which I was a definite fan of. Â What with all the hype, I assumed pretentious and obtrusive to the Lincoln Park style. Â
Expensive Expensive Expensive. Â Granted, the Stillwater beer was great. Â Great choice for a blonde ale. Â Enjoyed it, especially out of the tap. Â Although they are more of a cocktail bar, I was impressed by what they had on tap.
I did not like how difficult it was to find bar stools. Â It wasn't jam-packed, my friend and I found a nice little bar table, but for some reason there were no stools. Â Noo bueno.
Again, I understand that you are a cocktail lounge, but you might want to increase your menu. Â Granted, I did not try any of the food, but the limited menu that was available was not at all interesting. Â There was nothing I couldn't get elsewhere. Â I would've at least appreciated some sort of interesting spin.
Great bartenders and service though. Â All the bartenders were willing to help my friend and I as well as all the servers. Â Just because we weren't "in their section" as most servers would succumb to saying, everyone was more than willing to help. Â Cheers!
I'm definitely a fan and will probably be back someday.
Everything you've read about the ambiance is spot-on - definitely check out the upstairs area.
I was here for dinner and cocktails with some friends. The food is solid, but nothing is stand-out. This place shines in cocktail crafting. Each of the four I had was unique. At first taste, some of them may appear a little imbalanced. However, as they warm toward room temperature, and your palette gets used to flavors it has never experienced before, they flourish.
That said, I have to take exception with one comment I've seen in a lot of the other reviews here. The Old Fashioned: It's one of my go-to drinks, and anyone who says this is the best they've had is missing out on the gem at Longman & Eagle. Don't get me wrong, this is a stellar version, but L&E crafts a drink that is head and shoulders superior. Get out of Lincoln Park and explore the rest of the city!
The crowd is pretty fashionable and not like Chicago people trying to be like New Yorkers but people with actual style which is refreshing.
Some of the staff went all out in their own personal style but it didn't feel overdone like the ACE Hotels can.
They just stuck with the sort of hipster older New Orleans kind of vibe the place has.
The place is pretty nicely designed but if you look close the style effects run thin, but after a drink you will just enjoy the overall feel, especially if you aren't so irritatingly particular about design like I am.
Unfortunately, our wait for an upstairs table, on a fairly slow and rainy night, was absurdly long.
When were seated in a near empty room with cafe size tables I was not thrilled.
Despite the oddly undersized tables and oversized chairs, I found the upstairs to be quiet and comfortable.
The casual intimacy overcame the annoyance I had.
It was a good contrast to the noisy downstairs and made me feel like I was in a private back room which is nice.
The burger I had was good but overdone.
Drinks were well mixed and the staff casually aloof in a way that is appealing.
Will return to the upstairs for a date or a dinner with a close friend and invite a group of people out for a drink in the louder, more casual ground floor.
Only a 10 min walk to Lincoln Hall which could really round out a night.
Definitely a fan of this place! I really appreciate the creativity and skill that goes into making the drinks, not just a vodka/soda (not that their is anything wrong with that). At one point I couldn't just pick something from the menu so I told the mixologist the flavors that I liked and she whipped me up a nice little cocktail.
The downstairs area is more lively, boisterous and crowded, but the upstairs area is more speakeasy-esque, low lighting, more lounge-like feel. Definitely the preferred spot for having drinks and conversation. We sampled a few menu items and while they weren't very large, they were quite delicious, the smoked whitefish crostini and roasted brussel sprouts were two favorites of mine. A return visit is definitely planned.
I have been to Barrelhouse flat a few times now. I really enjoy this place. The atmosphere or ambiance is just amazing. It is obviously a speakeasy type place with a functioning piano from the 20s or 30s, guessing. I've never eaten here but have had a few of their drinks and they are all obviously good.
I've had the old fashion, Brooklyn, whiskey sour and something with mint. All of the drinks are very good, but they don't give you a big portion and most of the glass is filled with ice. I know the purpose of these drinks is to enjoy them and not shotgun them and get hammered. But I would like a little more for the price.
If you can go upstairs, do so. It is really nice! The bartenders and servers are great and very friendly.
I would definitely bring a date here, it is a fun place with great drinks.
Fairly expensive, ridiculously crowded, nice views if you know what I mean.
Been a couple times, tried to go upstairs one day in particular for a friends birthday party and they wouldn't let me up because it was "too crowded". Couldn't even flirt my way up. Had to wait until someone left. Got upstairs, and the pool table area was barely half full!
Drink are fine, haven't tried many things on the food menu. They lose points for the fact that every good looking woman is usually there with someone:(
But they gain it back for having a friendly bouncer.
Was taken here for a surprise date -- super impressed!
We arrived just as the place opened at 6 because my girlfriend wanted to get us a seat upstairs before it filled up. Totally go for that if you can! The decor up there is beautiful, plush and swanky with a prohibition-era vibe. Mind your seat choice if you're planning to get much food, though, since some of the tables are tiny.
The main attraction is definitely the ample selection of classic cocktails. All kinds of classic drinks you don't find in many bars these days, including the especially rare treat of cocktails made with egg white. Execution did not disappoint, either -- we tried a Clover Club, Jack Rose, Pink Lady, White Lady, and an Aviation, and every cocktail we ordered was superb. The Clover Club and the Pink Lady were especially delightful.
Food was secondary to the cocktails but also very good. The poutine was some of the best that I've had (don't fear the headcheese; it's a brilliant addition), and the white fish crostini and spicy caramel wings were delicious as well, though not outstanding (I would have liked the wings just a *little* crispier and less sweet).
Also, apropos of nothing they randomly gave us one of the fish dishes from the menu (I think it was trout, with some kid of rice?) as a free treat! It wasn't super up my alley or especially memorable (I want to say it was a bit bland but I'm not going to lie, at that point the booze was getting to me a bit) but it was pretty good.
Service was friendly, as well.
Will definitely be going back someday, if for no other purpose but to dive back into the cocktail menu.
Hmm, I wasn't really crazy about this place. Waited in line to get in on a Saturday night and was seated in a nice booth downstairs (party of two.) Â Drinks and food were really good, but overall I just felt like the atmosphere was lacking something. Â It was dim and kind of loud and my boyfriend and I both felt like we should eat and get out, and go find somewhere else to get more drinks and hang out. This is no fault of the staff, who were friendly and accommodating, but to me it just didn't feel like a place I'd want to stay at for long.
I have since heard there is a cool upstairs, but I don't think I'd go back here to check it out.
We went to the downstairs portion of the bar initially just to have a few drinks after dinner. Â I ordered one of the gin cocktails, which was delicious (very sweet though, but I only planned on having one so it worked). Â The vibe is super casual, not douchey at all. Â Just people hanging out and having fun.
We found out there was a "speakeasy"/harder to get into upstairs, so I made it my mission to get us up there. Â The hostess for the top said if I told her a joke that made her laugh, she would give us a table upstairs. Â I told her one, she laughed, we went upstairs. Â The upstairs is just as casual and fun (though a little more so since you feel cooler having gotten past the velvet rope), and the service was great. Â We had some food, which was pretty good, and their selection of beers was really good as well.
Definitely a good bar with a good vibe.
I wanted to review this place after the first time I went there but uh...well, that night was a testament to The Barrelhouse Flat's amazingly strong and delicious specialty drinks. Oh, don't worry...you bet your olive tree I soon came back for seconds. A less hazy second helping. Still hazy, but clear enough to feel comfortable recommending this fine establishment to fellow Yelpers. Â And thus, we begin.
First of all, whoa is it packed on weekend nights. Second of all, the decor of this place is so sleek that all I want to do is order a drink and have someone call me Nucky Thompson....which brings me to my "third of all": holy cannoli, the drinks are as naughty as they might have been during the prohibition. Naughty, but oh so good.
Alright, here's how you can guarantee yourself a great time at The Barrelhouse Flat:
1. Your goal is to get a seat upstairs. Trust me- it's cooler up there. Think speakeasy except on the second floor as opposed to under ground. If you decide to go on a busy night (as I tend to do), when you enter the bar, head directly to the back and make a reservation for a table upstairs. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. It could take up to an hour or even more to get a table upstairs depending on the night, so while you wait, grab a drink menu off the bar and indulge.
2. Splurge on drinks (responsibly, of course). The drinks may be a bit pricey, but I promise they are more than worth their value. I suggest the Old Fashioned or the Corn and Oil if you like whiskey. Be sure to watch the bartenders as they artistically concoct your liquid treat, putting in the extra time to ensure extra deliciousness.
3. When you get seated upstairs, ORDER POUTINE. Thank your server ahead of time when you order and again when it is served because this dish deserves some serious appreciation. The dish is big so you can share...that is, if your company is nice to you. With great poutine comes great power.
I think The Barrelhouse Flat is a great example of a well-thought-out business plan -they definitely got this one right. So guys, put on your three-piece suit, gals, slip on your flapper dress and head on over to The Barrelhouse Flat for a swell time at this juice joint. It's the Real McCoy.
Cheers!
*Oh, and don't forget to try out the Dyson hand dryers in the bathroom. Mad cool.
A very lovely boy took me here on a very lovely date. Â I have to give him credit, this was a great choice! Â I'm not generally one for Lincoln Park but I definitely want to return to Barrelhouse. Â
The downstairs (we didn't see upstairs) has a pleasant, low-key atmosphere. Â We were in on a Tuesday night and it was very laid back. Â The live piano music created a great atmosphere. Â The cocktails were fantastic, as was the food. Â Overall I really enjoyed the classy vibe this place gave off. Â I'd had to see it on the weekends though, I'm sure it gets ridiculous.
I was pleasantly surprised when another Yelper suggested this place. I never even knew it existed.
I am rather glad it exists in a state of anonymity on Lincoln Avenue; otherwise it would be far more crowded than it already is.
I really enjoyed the custom cocktail creations. It really lent an air to a place that already has a funky vintage ambiance about it. Reminded of stories I've heard about what Olde Town used to be in the 60's and 70's before the North Face Army occupied it.
The food here was amazingly good, too. I did not expect this place to have food at all, let alone burgers and eclectic appetizers.
This place is the bomb! Â The downstairs is a perfect, quaint warm-up for the awesome class upstairs. Â The upstairs has a warm and subtle vibe. Â It has the air of a 1920s classy place to have a conversation. Â The lighting is soft and the walls have great decorations. Â Not to mention they a love nest in the back behind the second pool table room. Â The music is from the earlier part of the 20th century which enhances the vibe for a date or group outing.
The cocktails are good too. Â No complaints here, just go and chill for a few hours.
I'm all about the ambience, decor, vibe and friendliness of the staff when I come to a place that I know I'm going to be served.
B-heezy Fleezy is a pretty dope place to have a drink (and a small bite to eat). The line outside can be intimidating at times, however, once you step inside - their selection of adult beverages will swoon your taste buds (and your inhibitions) into saying, "Ok, Ok...I'm feeling this place. Let's hear more."
Barrelhouse Flat has an upstairs lounge that is only accessible via a waiting list. You put your name in, how many people in your party, then when a spot opens up you get called into the big leagues. The upstairs is finely decorated and the mood is very "chill." Comfortable plush couches and upholstered seats spread the floor and you're waited on by their friendly staff.
One important note: NO cover. That should give you more of an incentive and motivation to pay a visit to this fine establishment.
Best. Cocktails. Ever.
I could leave it at that, but I'll expand a little bit. Â I could drink the El Diablo, a tequila drink, all night long. Â (Well, let's be honest, I top out after two of these, but it's that good!) Â And they have so many different drinks to try. Â I've also had a few of the gin drinks, and you can't go wrong here. Â Just beware of ordering anything in the pitcher/punch bowl. Â It's dangerous!
You know how you walk into a place and you feel like you've been there? Â Well I didn't have that feeling here, in fact, Deja vu didn't even exist here anymore. My old stomping ground was a completely different bar.
Now this isn't a bad thing...change can be good and it looks like the new owners did an amazing job of renovating this place.
I happened to walk in on a Tuesday night and there were only 5 people at the bar. Â There was also an amazing beer special too! $4 drafts and they had some nice craft beers on tap. Â Since we had started drinking Belgium earlier I decided to go with the Goose Island Sofia which is similar to a White Belgium ale. It was really good and they served it a fancy beer glass. Â I forgot what my buddy ordered but the bartender kept giving him samples until he decided. Â I should have been more indecisive...I hate missing out on samples! Ha!!!
As we were sitting there talking I happened to look behind me and every bar stool was taken and it was becoming one to two deep behind us! Â Did everyone follow us in? Â Wow what a nice crowd and this started at 10pm...how are these young professionals going to make it to work tomorrow? Â I know I sound old...I use to do this when I was in my 20's but I was here to 4am!!! Oh those were the nights!!!
What really made this place unique was the piano player! I felt like I was in some old saloon or speakeasy. It created an amazing vibe in here too. Plus none of the music was popular or even recognizable which was a nice feeling in this day and age of overplayed pop music. Â I could have sat in here all day enjoying the music. The piano guy was very cool and he even had a mic and would talk a little to the crowd. Â I wish I knew what he was saying but I was in a conversation with my buddy and I totally missed it all. I'm sure it was a history lesson in the songs he was playing. Â I can't wait to come back and hear this guy again.
I noticed someone eating at the bar but we had eaten somewhere else earlier. So they do have food here but I'm not sure if it's good.
I enjoyed the decor of the bar and even liked the old Edison light bulbs hanging over the bar. Â Is every bar getting these? I thought we were all going green and these were being fazed out. I'm all about going green but I must admit exposed old school bulbs are cool. I do like the look. Â
On a side note, the bartender was not very  friendly.  She seemed like I was bothering her when I asked her about the Goose Island Sofia.  She snapped at me and said, "It tastes like every White Belgium Ale!" Okay thanks...try a smile...if you don't like alcohol related questions then don't be a bartender.  This is the only reason I'm taking a star off for customer service...it seemed to be lacking and she only had 5 people at the bar when I sat down. Â
So if you wanna feel what it's like to walk into Deja vu and totally not feel Deja vu then you have to walk into Barrelhouse Flat for a drink. Â Come on Tuesday for the $4 drafts.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,905 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
