While visiting Canada we had to make a run south of the border to take care of some business on American soil. (No, we're not banditos, but I kind of like that it makes me sound dangerous, until you read about the soup I ate....) So, we arrived in Bellingham and needed a place to eat and wet our whistles. Enter The Temple Bar. Quite simply: any bar that puts lavender in drinks and serves goat cheese toasts as a side is easy for me to love. They offer a great lunch prix fixe that includes a panino, olives or pickles, a side (soup for me!) and a drink (grapefruit fizz!). From what I could gather, they feature a soup du jour, and on this day, it was a cold soup that featured fruits and cardamom. I will never say no to cardamom, and this stance served me well at The Temple Bar. The soup was a henceforth unexperienced explosion of sweet and sour that I savored on the patio until the last drop. I am not sure how often they serve that soup, but whatever the soup may be, I say, "Get it!"
Review Source:Definitely an eclectic bar to visit. Â The bar tenders are nice and they offer a fun drink selection. Â Lots of old school cocktails served in a relaxed atmosphere. Â Some nights they even have live music. Â There was a cool jazz ensemble performing the first time I visited that I really enjoyed.
Review Source:I am TORN writing this review as I wanted to like this place from the moment I entered. Â Also, I only drank at this place and did not eat, but it was on a Saturday night, so you'd better bring your A game.
Recommended by my fellow yelpers and a trustworthy bartender, touting a review that referenced Paris, I thought we couldn't go wrong. Â Bellied up to the bar slightly before the James Bond half tempo band went on. Â Visiting family, there's plenty of laundry to be aired with the stench and lubrication of alcohol. Â Properly we wanted to tie on and go all night. Â All night being until sun up, not 11:30p.
I started with a Sam's Whiskey Sour on the happy hour menu, the right foot, usually. Â Sam may have liked it, but I couldn't have moved on fast enough to the next drink. Asked for a Hendrick's and Tonic (cucumber if they had it). Â No Hendricks, no cucumber. Â I asked for Tanqueray 10 and tonic, don't have that. Â T & T it is. Â
Moving on to manhattans after reaching a dead end in the Gin department, I was struck by three flamboyant gentlemen who sat down near us at the end of the bar. Â One waitress made sure to tell the hardworking bartender that these we're important fellows to be taken care of. Â No problem, maybe one of these guys is a city councilmen spending a night on the town with the "girls" (their words, not mine). Â But after they drank their 2 champagne and oranges, without eating the orange, and promptly split, I wondered if all those "are you doing alright?" 's were worth it.
My sister and I continued to drink and chat, sometimes with the bartender who couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Â Another server in a cap and a newly minted tattoo was also delightful and chatty. Â Since it was still before midnight, we ordered up a Irish-French press, signaling that we we're gearing up for round two+. Â We mentioned that once the band had finished up that maybe we could move on from the half-tempo James Bond themes; anything else, just UPTEMPO PLEASE. Â
Once the Tribe Called Quest came on and remained on, family agreed. Â 60bpm is not classy, boring, lame, old and not timeless, not consistent with the presented vibe AT ALL. Â The music killed it, and the atmosphere of the place changed to "We're all doing dishes, clearing tables, and hoping you all will cash out and go home." Â It was time to move on. Â We quickly grabbed our coats and hit the road, finishing our Irish-French press ASAP.
So why would I never go back to this place? Â Why the 2 stars? Â What it says next to the 2 stars says it all, "Meh, I've experienced better." Â Moreover, when 2 people sitting at the bar are ready to spend $100 on drinks and all night at your "Parisian Bar", you have to recognize them and treat them right. Â I'm not looking for special treatment, but C'MON! Â I guess we didn't get pointed out by a waitress as being VIP like the aforementioned gentlemen, who spent less than $20 if they were even charged. Â WTF face.
I have discussed this experience with a few different people, and like I said, I'm torn even writing this review. Â But they all respond the same way, "What would Chef Ramsay have said about it?" Â
If The Temple Bar is looking to present an experience, 2 stars is my review. Â Taryn D. says, "Mega props for atmosphere!" Â I'm just not feeling it, nor tasting it.
Three women, footloose and fancy free, enjoyed cocktails and lunch here on a Friday afternoon when other places were closed. Â We were happy to find The Temple Bar. Â The service and food were just what we needed as we made our way from Seattle to Canada. What a darling little town! Â We enjoyed the shopping as well.
Review Source:My favorite place in Bellingham for a drink or a meal. Â Seriously! Â We were just in Bellingham for 4 days and we ate here 3 times. Â
The West Champion sandwich is awesome, the cocktails are perfectly prepared and the Mediterranean Plate with a glass of rose at one of their sidewalk tables was one of the highlights of my week. Â
I think the service, attention to detail and quality of the food and drinks can't be beat - especially in a spot that is so relaxed and fun.
One of my favorite places in town, but has a few rough edges. The cocktails are excellent, and though a bit spendy for Bellingham they're not outrageously priced. (If you want a cheaper, lower-quality drink there are endless choices elsewhere). Atmosphere is fantastic and reminds me quite a bit of San Francisco; think a cross between historic and modern/urban without being too hipster-y and pretentious. Food is very good but definitely leans toward light meal/appetizers rather than full dinners. Great (and affordable) drink/hors d'oeurve combos during happy hour.
The persistent problem is service - during busy times (about 6:00 on, and assuming you can get a table) you are likely to wait a long time for both drink and food orders, especially after your first round. The staff is generally friendly and knowledgable, and attentive when the place isn't packed, so most of the issues stem from understaffing during peak periods. Still, it doesn't keep me from visiting on a regular basis.
Funky, intimate, and eclectic. Mega props for atmosphere! Food is pretty good, although not cheap. More of a place for a lite snack if you want something to nibble on with your drink. If you're hungry, I would go somewhere else first.
Would love to see some more affordable options for cocktails...
I can see myself coming back here from time to time; the food was good, though a bit spendy for a relatively small, light meal, but it had a lot of good vegetarian options and definitely has a focus on "real" food. Â It's definitely the pick of the litter among the bars and restaurants I've investigated in Bellingham thus far.
Review Source:Love this place! The cheese plate is awesome. Funky and unpretentious atmosphere & very relaxing.
Coffee is good and they have great desserts. Jazz, little plates of great food and if you are into cocktails and wine you will have a very good selection to choose from.
Service was a bit off when we were there but they were super busy so I am cutting them some slack! They were nice though despite being so busy. Wish it was a bit larger in size. Overall a great place to go.
The Sally Tomato is so good. A fancy bloody mary that comes in a martini glass (and there aren't any anchovies in it--no worcestershire by default!). I get it on the rocks so I'm not afraid of breaking the fancy glass. There aren't many vegan options for food, so far I've just had one of the antipasto plates on a date (it's a great place for dates!). The atmosphere is great, and it's warm inside on cold winter nights!
Review Source:I think I used to like the Temple Bar more.  Yeah, I did - back then the wait staff was  a tad friendlier with lower overall hipster vibrations.  I still love the look and feel of the interior - old wooden tables, a sort of Euro-cafe Bellingham-style.  I also like that they now serve pretty delicious cocktails - mmm "Raindrop."
Review Source:Eclectic ambience, with a nice (brief, which isn't a bad thing) little selection of sandwiches, panini, salads and desserts. I went on a Saturday and found a seat for 4. It probably gets more crowded when there's live music. I had to wait a while for my cocktail so next time I'll order a glass of wine (they looked generous); there was a nice wine selection too.
High ceilings, so the atmosphere isn't exactly cozy but like I said, eclectic. The ideal is sitting outside on the sidewalk on a warm summer evening.
$15 for a bottle of tasty wine and a freakin' awesome little cheese plate? I love this place! Â Our cheese plate had some local gouda and a soft garlicky goat cheese, some pistachios, mixed olives, 5 slices of warm baguette, and I'd say about half a sliced, juicy apple. Â It was amazing.
We also had the Little Italy panini with pesto, tomato, and fresh mozz which was very good (but next time I want something with that gouda!) Â Side salad was just whatever. It wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't memorable.
Our server was SUPER nice and explained everything to us newcomers with the patience of a saint. Â Plus, the ambiance was soooo pretty. Â Just an all-around comfortable, friendly place to grab some good food and a nice drink. 5 stars, Temple Bar!
[Edit: Went there again this past Tuesday and had a grumpy not-nice waitress but then the nice one came in by the end, which was good because grumpy waitress made me sad. Good company and good food/wine made it all okay, though! My tongue was in heaven~]
Wowza the espresso here is great, I believe it's cafe vita from Seattle. The ambiance is relaxing, dark, and very new-age trendy. I'd say more of a wine and cocktail joint than a beer/shots venue. It's best to go in the evening for an aperatif or the cheese plate or perhaps after dinner for dessert and coffee. The crowd is mostly young, professionals or students. Very enjoyable, I love going here.
Review Source:The food was very good. The drinks were good. Why the one star? Â The service. Not bad, that would be an insult to really crappy service. Belguim. Really _what's below total failure_? Â We ordered two sandwiches. Nothing fancy, and waited. No one told us that they were busy and that there would be a long wait. No one asked about wanting more drinks. No one asked how our food was after 40 minutes of waiting.
Below total failure. Â Yes that was how bad the service was. But hey the food was good.
Also love love love this place, just like another reviewer. Biggest complaint is how tiny it is. Other complaint is that I never know when they are closed - the last 3 times I have tried to go they have randomly been closed. (Are they closed on Mondays?) But they do not post their hours and days on the door. Whenever I have been able to go I have had the best experience. Its very kind of romantic, and perfect for when you want to catch up with a close friend. They don't have too much on their menu - but I like that. What they do have is really great. The warm bowl of pistachios is yummy, the cheese plate is also divine, and you can't go wrong with any of their wines.
Review Source:It's funny - other people always think of Europe, but having never been there, I think of my trip to Cuba. Â It's a cozy, intimate setting that feels warm and relaxing to be in. Â Everything feels worn in like it's been around making people feel good for ages. Â The music always seems to be both soothing and interesting. Â The food selection is abbreviated, but everything is delicious - especially the paninis and the chocolate truffle cake from next door at the Mount Bakery. Â The waitstaff is friendly and helpful in selecting a wine for the indecisive (or in my case, those that don't know much other than liking Shiraz/Syrah.) Â Although it's fun to be there in the evening with the little table candles flickering, my favorite time is getting there when they open for lunch on a sunny afternoon, either in one of the window tables or outside.
Review Source:Aftyer walking around "downtown" Bellingham for 40 minutes looking for a place to grab a glass of wine and a snack I found the Temple Bar, lucky me! Â This place is a great, unpretentious little wine bar with delicious antipasto plates, paninis, and salads. Â Great ambiance, friendly service, and I think they have live music some nights of the week. Â I sat at the bar that has about 6 seats, and there are not many tables. Â They have a special Tuesday- Sunday before 7pm $15 for a bottle of wine and a small cheese plate. Â Wines range from around $4-$9 a glass.
A good find in Bellingham.
The Temple Bar is as if someone transplanted an intimate Parisian cafe and wine bar into our little city of Bellingham -- how lucky for us! The small space is filled with rich colors and wooden tables, and is dreamily lit after dark. It's a great place to bring a date, or if you're just looking for a mellow place to get a drink and have a conversation without loud music or an obnoxious crowd.
The staff is quite friendly and knowledgeable if you're feeling indecisive. The chalkboards that boast their daily selections are well-described for anyone who isn't an expert on wine or beer.
Their happy hour deal consists of a small cheese plate and bottle of wine for $15 and is available until 7 o'clock. If you're on a budget, I recommend sharing their jug/carafe of house red -- it's a good deal for a mere $11. Their concise menu offers a variety of tasty panini sandwiches, fresh salads, cheese and/or meat plates, and decadent desserts. Most of the selections are vegetarian/pescatarian (fish-eaters) friendly. If it's busy, prepare to wait for your food, as there's generally just one person on staff, and help yourself to the water jug.
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