Daphnes Fairhaven

Hands down, the best cocktails in the Bellingham area! This place is pretty small, but even on a busy Saturday night I had no problem finding a seat… Unfortunately though, they usually only have one bartender working (at least when I have been there) so be prepared to wait a bit for your drink and your bill, but it really isn’t that bad. The drinks are well made and the selection of spirits is decent.

Swanky and chic with low lighting and comfortable seating choices. Daphne’s would have the late night «ambiance» category down flat in Bellingham. Almost hidden beneath a historic hotel in iconic Fairhaven, the bartenders here are out of this world. Expect to taste quality, local and creativity in every sip. Recently expanded from their cocktail list to their Lox Plate and Cheese Plate– oh. my. word. Might sound a touch spendy if you were just looking for a glass, but is overly worth every bite. Strong local following for a reason. Bartenders seem to truly enjoy crafting something wild or new. A great ladies night spot, walkable date location or an unwind glass of vino after a workday. They just started «happy minute» specials too– hilarious and valuable. A Fairhaven must.

Best cocktails in Bellingham. Well crafted, good ingredients. Interesting atmosphere, sophisticated, (very) soft lighting, striving for big city … Think five star hotel’s best kept secret in NY … My husband and I come here when we have something to celebrate… Or just to unwind after a hectic week. Food (snacks) is high quality, great bread and cheese plate with salami.

Best cocktail bar in town. I’ve never had a drink i wasn’t happy with. The staff doesnt hover, but always checks when your drink is empty. Quiet setting with perfect music. Go. Don’t order beer. Get a cocktail. It is what they do.

Classy and small indeed! Great quality tasting cocktails, dim lighting, elevator music, comfortable seating, and a relaxing vibe. Only reason I’m giving them four stars is because they are expensive — cocktails run around 10 $ and their little adorable food plates are about the same. Overall a great experience for a price. Great date night

My favorite bar in Bellingham. In fact, the best bar in Bellingham. The drinks are delicious and well worth the extra few dollars you spend on one. And they don’t skimp on the booze. The bar tenders are very friendly, sociable, knowledgeable. If you are unsure of your decision, they’ll have advice and give you a drink recommendation. Tom is awesome. It’s always nice running into him. The bar also offers small cheese plates and other Hors d’oeuvres. Not to mention the bar is very classy. You feel like you’re in a small bar in Paris or New York (New York Prohibition-​themed). Don’t forget that the music in Daphne’s is amazing. The best bar music around (Usually older Jazz and Blues but not always). And you don’t have to shout over the tunes.

Amazing quaint mellow place for a beautiful craft cocktail. Bartender was friendly and educated with drink decisions as we asked many questions. Drink was delicious and price was perfect. We will be back!

I just rolled into Bellingham from Oakland after several days journey and Daphne’s was the first place I went, based on Unilocal reviews. Thanks Unilocalers, this is a GREAT quaint, mellow bar with nibbles open fairly late. I’ll be staying in B-​ham for the month of June and am very psyched to have found Daphne’s. I think this is going to be my favorite watering hole, even though I haven’t been anywhere else yet.
Pros:
Friendly welcoming bar tender — didn’t feel weird going in there alone as a woman
Good margarita (not oversweet /​or pre-​mix) — a serious real deal bar
Interesting cocktail menu w/​fresh ingredients!
Jazz music playing — sophisticated vibe
Ambient light — comfortable & stylish
Open till midnight during the week
Late night nibble options
Cons:
Bar food is mostly paninis which are awesome options compared to a bar that has zero food — but would have been great to have a salad or vegetables, healthier, fewer carb options. Wouldn’t have to be many things or anything complicated.

I love this bar. Classy and small, quiet with many regulars and excellent bartenders. I usually pop in once or twice a week and the staff is always welcoming and make great drinks.

Great little spot for a cocktail
Small, intimate location in Fairhaven for a cocktail or glass of wine
Pros:
— nice original drinks
— cheese & bread plate is yummy
— comfortable booths
— dark & intimate
Cons:
— strange regular crowd that takes up the bar space
— service can be incredibly slow when busy
— only one person works — makes drinks, serves drinks, prepares food — everything

What the fuck? A vintage wheelchair in the bathroom while a dirty portrait of Daphne is staring at me urinating? My soul is tainted.

Here I am at Daphne’s for my first time. I’m not very used to bars since I’m newly 21 but was looking to get a drink and was looking for something a little more upscale than a dive bar downtown. Daphne’s had caught my eye before so I decided tonight was the night. I was treated kindly even though I definitely stood out from the older business class crowd and didn’t really know what I was doing. Bar tender was very nice and helpful and one fellow patron even asked me about the book I was reading. The atmosphere is nice and the crowd is friendly. Four stars

Good music, good drinks, slightly pricy. Place is usually a bit hard to get in to because there is not a lot of seating if you don’t want to sit at the bar.

Nostalgic cocktails, intimate setting, comfortable bartender.
Offer dessert and I would always end my date night here!

I agree with Nina W., after a disappointing bartender experience at another local hole, I happened upon Daphne’s and was instantly charmed.
I’ve had A LOT to drink in places all over the place. Once I saw the tile floor, the sideways wallpaper featuring NYC’s flatiron building, and the list of serious libations, I knew I had arrived.
I ordered a Manhattan, which was delicious, and enjoyed a real conversation with the bartender. It was that wonderful time of day when I had the bar to myself, mid afternoon, and was made to feel right at home
.
Not a PBR in sight; children beware.
Classy. Actually Classy. And I don’t just throw that term around.

Original review from 2013: Best classic cocktails in town. It doesn’t matter if it’s hopping busy, or sublimely quiet. The service is always great, and the drinks are amazing! They could maybe use a few different items on the food list, but that’s not why you do there in the first place. Try a Corpse Reviver #2!
Edit ⁸⁄₁₄: sadly, this place has been slipping a bit lately. I’m hoping they get back to their awesome roots again soon. Most recent visit, the bartender didn’t know the first three drinks I asked for, two of which used to be specialties of theirs (corpse reviver, and last word). Also there was a fruit fly in my sazerac. :(Visit before that I never saw the bartender in 20 minutes and had to leave. Fingers crossed this is just a temporary growing pain…

I am not hesitant to give Daphne’s Fairhaven, and it’s charming, skilled bartender Jeffrey, five well deserved stars.
This was one of the best bar experiences of my entire life. Quiet. Unassuming. Hip but not full of itself, Daphne’s is tucked into a tiny niche under the historic Inn across from the village green. We were on our way to the ale house, actually, when we passed this, and looked inside. My sister was hesitant, because it looked dark and scary due to the low lighting, but I remember a good friend told me to try this spot, if I found it, when I was in town. And, here it was in front of me, and I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity for what could be a great cocktail.
And, oh, the cocktails. They were absolutely perfect. PERFECT. My sister ordered a Manhattan and a Tom Collins, I tasted both. The Manhattan was perfectly blended and made with Maker’s which is the only whiskey I can usually stand. Divine. The Tom Collins was good too, though I’m not a gin fan, my sister was in seventh heaven, and she proclaimed that she would call her husband and tell him she had fallen in love with Tom Collins that night (first one she ever had.)
I ordered the same cocktail twice, because it was that good. Like, omg that was the best damn cocktail I’ve had in many years good. Two Moscow Mules– A blend of lime, ginger, and vodka. The first one I had was made with Absolut and was divine. The second, I opted for Ketel One because I prefer the taste, and it was orgasmic good. I lament writing this as I know how hard it is to find a perfect cocktail.
Jeffrey was the perfect host. He took the time to learn our names, tell us a little about himself, and learn a little about us. I’ve never, never experienced the care and service level from any bartender in Seattle centric, Never. I was floored, and he pleaded we come and see him again sometime soon. I told him if not for the 143 mile round trip commute, I’d be there every week to see him :-) Apparently there is a sister Daphne’s in Edmonds that I now must find to compare to this experience. I will not soon forget it.

Wonderful (though pricey) spot with bundles of atmosphere. Booths to be intimate and a long bar to be chummy with locals and staff. Fabulous drinks (including amazing non alcoholic drinks such as the lemonade).
Can’t get enough of this place. All it needs is some big photos on the wall above the booths and it would be perfect!

This is the most fabulous bar I’ve ever had the pleasure of going to.
My boyfriend and I went in last August for a drink and a snack and I am very sad we haven’t been back since.
We went during daylight so it was mostly empty but we still had a great time. I ordered a Tom Collins and I believe he ordered a margarita and they both were fantastic.
The salami plate we ordered along with our drinks was also superb. Hopefully we’ll be heading back here soon!

UPDATE: This slim, stylish, urban and urbane lounge now has another reason cocktail aficionados should flock to it: Nina! She is arguably Bellingham’s best bartender.
To watch her mix new drinks like a mad scientist (she knows what she’s doing) is a delight. To hear of her travels to other bars, sampling their drinks, researching cocktails far and wide… and from the romantic past is pure fun.
To have Nina mix you a drink from fresh ingredients, many she bought that same day at market, like arugula, cucumbers, fresh ginger tells you she loves her craft. She also pours a mean beer.