The Temple Bar

This place has a lot going for it. The atmosphere is close to perfect. Dark lighting with candles on the table, velvet wallpaper, cute mismatched vintage furniture, great happy hours specials (get the paloma!). The servers are always really nice. Also one time I got the dinner special that was a weird potato kale gratin and it was delicious.
I wish they’d update their regular menu though. A lot of the food items seem kind of ‘90s (trio of chips with blue cheese dip, goat cheese and bread, etc.). Nothing that ever sounds like exactly what I’m in the mood for. I do have to applaud them for having vegetarian options and for keeping prices pretty reasonable.
This is a great bar to have a conversation in: my favorite kind of bar!

I was looking forward to trying this place since it came recommended from a friend, but I was really disappointed by it. I ordered a glass of prosecco and sat at the bar while waiting for my boyfriend to arrive, but it took nearly 15 minutes just to get the drink. I did have plenty of time to observe the staff microwave some of the food they were serving (I believe it was an artichoke or cheese dip, but I didn’t order it so I don’t know for sure). Eventually my boyfriend arrived and we decided to give this place a shot. Unfortunately, our bartender couldn’t make a Sazerac correctly. Its a pretty basic cocktail, but she kept consulting her cell phone (I think she was looking at a recipe?). I had to give the bartender advice twice and the drink still wasn’t right and it was served to us on ice despite being a cocktail that is always severed up. We did order one more from a different bartender and it was much better. After viewing the menu online I thought this might be a slightly upscale cocktail bar… but between the microwaved food and the inexperienced bartender, I don’t think Ill be back.

The drinks were culinary masterpieces. The Dylan had vodka, lemon, fresh sage, and a Peach something. They did not add the simple syrup that would have killed the delicate balance of savoury, sour, and sweet. It was one of the best drinks I ever had. My son ordered a drink that also was an absolute masterpiece. The description could have served us up piña colada type drink minus the Pina. Instead it was not overly sweet or cloyingly thick. It was one unique balancing act of a coconut liqueur, fresh rosemary, rum, lime and absinthe. Their lighthanded touch with simple syrup and cream and their talented mixing of unique flavors to create the perfect balance just blew me away. They have hard plywood wooden seats, which seems to be a horrid theme in a few Bellingham establishments. The service sucked but the waitress was very pleasant while I finished my drink as we were still waiting for Nick’s for another 20 minutes. The $ 3 happy hour apps were great… puff pastry with apple and Brie and puff pastry with blue cheese and some sort of meat. The service was killing us and it wasn’t busy when we ordered. There was an extremely long delay for the risotto plate, but that was consumed before my sons drink arrived. By the time we left the place was filled with hipsters hanging with their oh so cool friends and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The drinks are so wonderful that you might want to order a simple drink to tide you over while waiting for the drink you really want.

The Temple Bar is one of my two favorite bars in town (the other is Daphne’s in Fairhaven). Temple Bar beats out Daphne’s in its food selection. Their food is fantastic. They also offer a wonderful drink menu. Great waitstaff and a timeless funky atmosphere that is reminiscent of every Seattle hangout I ever visited in the late 1980s/​early 1990s. Here is the perfect date evening for my husband and me: drinks and apps at the Temple Bar, then we skip dinner entirely and walk on over to Pure Bliss for dessert.

This place will always have my heart. A local must.
Their happy hour goes until 7pm (Longer than most.) and has a delectable $ 18 cheese plate and always quality bottle of wine. It is worth going by itself. Then there is the totally unique atmosphere with the velvet walls, mixed mirrors, chalkboard bathroom note wall, long benches and tables tucked into nooks. VERY gluten free/​dairy free /​vegetarian friendly seasonal menu! Their salads, polenta, stuffed dates— you’ll be going ga ga. I tend to be a wine drinker (you all will be riiiight at home), but their mixed drinks would stand up in any competition. Really creative.
The place will be packed come 6pm, and will always delight. I very rarely have to wait for a table (minus when shows at MBT are playing) and the waiters/​waitresses know their stuff. Really.
You will return again and again. Oh! And give yourself a touch extra time to find parking.

Special place for many reasons. Great location, atmosphere, vibe, cocktails, food, wine, conversations… You name it, the temple bar is a solid choice in Bellingham. Im always impressed by their ability to put out good food with pretty much no kitchen. This place is an adventure for your taste buds. It almost feels like Alice in wonderland in your mouth. Maybe thats just the absinthe talking but every date night we spend here we stay out later than usual and have a great time every time. I also have to mention we have these quantum entanglements nearly every time we go here. If your really hungry dont be disappointed by the small portions. Just keep a menu at the table and keep the plates coming. Wish i was there right now. One last note for the owner’s: not sure if its possible, but if you could serve absinthe in its traditional way and have a few tiers as well, your mark on the map would be spotted from even further away. Thanks for the nights, we appreciate all that you do.

Artsy, quiet atmosphere and tasty snacks await at Temple Bar. I went solo on a Sunday afternoon to do some reading, and found it quite lovely; I’ll admit that it made me feel a little more bohemian and cool than I have recently in Bellingham (until it got dark, and they just lit a few candles, and it was too dark to read. Maybe it would be romantic… but FYI for spinsters/​loners such as myself).
I loved the roasted cauliflower wedge with sweet potato purée & jerk spice butter. Helpful, patient, genuinely friendly service.

Love this place!
The atmosphere is so chill and laid back. It’s the perfect place to go for a date night.
The «everything plate» is great to get if your drinking wine.

The have the best martinis in town. I love coming here for date night and to see what’s new on the menu. Their food is delicious and their atmosphere is device.

I really enjoy the Temple Bar, though maybe not as much as other people. The drinks are creative and strong, but the food selection is small. That’s totally fine, I just have a tendency to frequent Happy Hours that have large food selection and this place doesn’t. I don’t really see where the title «Best Happy Hour in Bellingham» comes from when there aren’t a ton of deals on drinks or food.
That being said, the Temple Bar is a standby as far as Bellingham’s craft cocktail culture is concerned. The food that I have had is tasty and the service is always great.

I love the Temple Bar, and go regularly with my girlfriends to ‘worship’ on a Sunday. ;-) Laid-​back atmosphere with unique eats and original cocktails. The salads are always great… but my favorite snack is the ‘hot stuffed dates’. Get a ‘Super G&T’ if you’d like to visit citrus-​y cocktail heaven. The French 75 is nice too… really you can’t go wrong. My wine loving friends are always pleased with the choices. The Temple is a great place to grab a drink, and/​or a light dinner and enjoy the company of friends. Located downtown, across from the Pickford Cinema, it’s a good pre– or post– movie hangout as well.

Love love love this place, they have a wonderful happy hour that goes until 7. The food is amazing and seems to change every so often to keep things interesting.
The bacon wrapped dates are to die for. So amazing. Their panini sandwiches are all amazing. Their cheese boards are on the smaller side but a great price for happy hour with a bottle of wine.
I like that they have two spaces you can choose to sit. One side is a little more intimate than the other.
I love coming back to this place.

I had this amazing old little apartment in downtown Bellingham years ago — it was a sanctuary for me, and an included perk was that it was located around the corner from Temple Bar. At that time, I was in a haze after a year of drama and in desparate need for the world to stop spinning. I felt grounded in their wooden booths eating small plates and drinking wine. The tingly feeling of the real me being present in real life.
The hot stuffed dates will snap a girl into reality any day of the week! I highly suggest them or the goat cheese toasts. Perfectly baked baguettes with butter and a cheese plate with all the fixins… It’ll pass the hours and you’ll never want to leave. (There’s an everything plate too, generous for the price of around 14 $)
The wines and beer rotate so I won’t quote anything specific as it’s been tooooo long since I’ve been in (I’m coming for ya in July Temple Bar, save me a seat!) but I’ll say they always have something French or Italian by the glass that is delicious. The buyer has a good nose and a solid palate.
The Happy Hour is amazing. A bottle of wine with a little cheese plate, or a growler with the same. The cocktails are notable too.
I’m homesick now. Thoroughly.

This place is a hidden gem. We had the cheese plate — fantastic — a sandwich and then went for the deserts and coffee. All of them extremely well done.
The ambience is great, the music is not too loud, the lights not too bright, very relaxed and friendly. A must try.

Nice! It’s not ammaazing but it’s a fun Bellingham joint.
Pros?
–food is pretty good
–service is friendly and chill
–relaxed atmosphere
Cons?
–drinks a bit pricey but not particularly amazing

Cute little place. Music is a bit loud, which means conversations are louder. That said, it’s a cosy vibe.
Nice selections for charcuterie, and cheese plate. Also a nice selection of veg options that aren’t salad. $ 6 – 10 for small plates, $ 9 – 14 for salads, large plates, and entrees.
Small but thoughtful list of craft cocktails, wines by glass & bottle, beer & cider. Also decent selection for coffee and tea.
They focus on locally sourced goods.
I will be back to try dessert!

My boyfriend and I had the best valentines day here! The staff was kind and the food was amazing. We even had leftovers to take home afterwards! This is my new favorite restaurant/​bar in Bellingham. I have NO complaints.

I’ve checked out the Temple Bar a few times now… they have a nice, romantic ambiance and super helpful/​friendly service. Happy Hour is the time to go, where you can enjoy an entire bottle of good wine and an appy for just $ 18. They also have a similar beer-lover’s deal, as well as a couple of other happy hour specials. Their specialty drink menu is also interesting. Recently I tried the «Windsor» which tasted a little bit like a pecan pie (in a good way). Their goat cheese toasts are also one of my favorite appy’s in town (it’s hard to just eat one plate of them). Parking is kind of a hassle in this area, though. Someday the City might get smart and get rid of those pesky parking meters so we can all enjoy places like the Temple Bar more often!

The Temple Bar is one of my «after work» experiences. It is quiet, sensuous, and unique enough to suit almost anyone’s needs. Great cocktails, unique plates, and strong service render this establishment a strong contender in the Bellingham area. Evening specials are published on their Facebook page.

Temple Bar is a fantastic place to meet someone for conversation. Excellent atmosphere, tall ceilings, no loud music, old wooden tables & chairs and vintage decoration and fixtures throughout the place.
Since it’s good for conversation, that means it’s a great place to take a date. It really seems the place is set up and maintained for customers to have a perfect environment for conversation + drinks. The menu is small and the cocktails are fancy, but you can’t have good conversation with a bunch of food in your mouth or a bunch of cheep beers, so it all fits.