Five Gainesville

Brunch review: biscuits and gravy breakfast and coffee are great– the live jazz music during brunch is what makes this place stand out and keeps me choosing this over other brunch spots.

Food was good, service lousy. 3 girls here, one with boyfriend and the other 2 using a shot glass to get their lips like Kim Kardashian. Sad tio because it’s a really nice place.

This décor is awesome here. I went for brunch with live music.
The avocado toast with red pepper flakes is really great. I’m not that into eggs, but the frittata with Boursin was great. They make one of the best waffles I’ve tasted with perfect consistency, but the fried chicken kind of reminded me of Popeye’s. Not tons of seasoning, but perfectly cooked and crispy.
There’s a bloody Mary station, which I suspect is more of a novelty.
The server was friendly. I’d go back if I lived here.

My first experience with Five Bar was quite disappointing. Though the interior design and décor were very pleasant, the staff knowledgeable and friendly (James), food quick to arrive, my meal at the time was less than mediocre. The manager noted my disapproval and offered to have the kitchen make something else for me but I had time constraints and honestly didn’t want the hassle.
I felt so badly that I didn’t give him the opportunity to make things right that I returned for dinner later that evening (I’d spent the day at the Santa Fe Art Festival so I was still hanging out downtown).
At brunch I sat on the patio and enjoyed the peaceful outdoor dining. When I returned for dinner I sat indoors and actually got to enjoy some of the character of the establishment. Once again I had a friendly and attentive server (Presley). I asked about the ribeye and she told me it was aged 28 days, well marbled, finished in worchesteshire, and served with salad and mash. She gladly substituted the brussel sprouts for my salad on request. My meal arrived within minutes and looked very appetizing. The steak cooked perfectly throughout (good grill guy), the mash rich and creamy, but the highlight of my meal was the brussel sprouts. They were the best I’ve ever had. Seared and caramelized to perfection and seasoned with rendered pancetta. If you go to Five Bar you have to try them, they are simply amazing and addictive.
The manager Ben recognized me from earlier in the day and came over to apologize for my earlier dissatisfaction and to assure my evening meal was up to standard. I could tell he honestly cares for his guests satisfaction.
I’m very glad I went back. Now I have a new favorite dining place here in G’ville. Very anxious to try the Baked Stuffed Avocado and the White Chocolate Bread Pudding as well as the fresh seafood procured from their own FL seafood market.

One of the best brunch places I’ve ever been to. Service was super friendly. The jazz band was starting late (they were still setting up as we were leaving). I also love the concept of only having five menu items — allowing them to be amazing at a handful of things.

My wife and I, while visiting my daughter at UF, were so excited to come to this restaurant based on the reviews on Unilocal.Of course we ordered the avocado appetizer, but because of my shellfish allergy, I could not get it. I ordered the smoked tuna dip with pita chips and I loved it!!! My wife said the avocado was just alright. She said you really could not taste the shrimp and bacon, neither the avocado. For our entrée she ordered the Ribeye and I ordered the grouper special with wasabee and fried rice. My wife loves Ribeye and she said it was great. I was shocked, knowing how hard she can be on steaks. She said that it was good enough that it really did not need the sauce to it. My grouper unfortunately came out smelling really fishy and looked opaque and tasted really chewy. I sent it back and our waitress brought me a salad while my food was being prepared. Unfortunately, when my grouper came back, it was a much smaller portion, but very salty and colorless, still smelling fishy, although it had been cooked. I just couldn’t finish it as it was salty as well. The manager came out and apologized and gave us some very good complimentary coconut cookies. Interestingly, although I hardly ever complain, I realized that the waitress did not even ask what we wanted for desert, although, based on Unilocal comments we really wanted to try the bread pudding. I guess they just wanted us out. Anyhow, this was a good restaurant with great ambiance. I loved the old school tunes and would definitely come back again, but probably won’t order the grouper, next time it will be either Ribeye or the chicken.

Ate here multiple times last Fall… Good creative food, nice presentation, good service and decent prices.
Cool décor but the dining area was a little too bright. Southern style deviled eggs were delicious and the baked avocado was outstanding.
I’ll be back.

The great: FABULOUS Sunday jazz brunch, complete with beignets, chicken and waffles, and a Bloody Mary bar. There are always only five entrée menu choices no matter what time you visit (novel, but I’ll admit, I love it), and everything we’ve eaten has been delicious. The décor is cozy and unique and the staff is attentive and professional.
Needs improvement: the music is loud. Very loud. Even if you move to the other end of the room conversation will be difficult loud. Some folks aren’t bothered by this, but some folks we’ve introduced to Five Bar have seen it as a deal breaker. Not sure they can do anything about acoustics. The biggest (only real) issue for me is the serving sizes. Although the food and environment are so fabulous that I want to keep going back on a regular basis, not sure we will — because the portions are pretty small compared to what you pay for. Bright side: I’m not a big eater and rarely «clean my plate,» but at least I can say that safely at Five Bar?

Love this place! Great for Sunday brunch with the live jazz– I’ve routinely brought groups of friends and babies here on Sundays and they’re always accommodating. I have never been disappointed with a meal. Dinner is sooo good, and the environment is very open, funky and unique. This is my first ever Unilocal review and I’m writing it JUST so I can talk this place up. I want them to do well and stick around!

We came here for happy hour appetizers and drinks after work, and ended up staying for dinner. I don’t know why this place isn’t busier. The pineapple jalapeño margarita is quite possibly on of the best I’ve ever had! The baked avocado and bacon wrapped shrimp apps were delicious. Later, we all split the crab cakes and spicy chicken, which again were spot on. I get that some items are a bit pricey for the portion size, but most of it is fresh (I was later told by a friend) so I can see why they would have higher food costs! The service was pleasant, a bit slow, but the waitress informed us that most of the menu items are made fresh to order so it may take a bit longer, which is fine when the food turns out being good.
We all agreed that it was a great happy hour and I will surely be back!

Great food and great service! We have been many times and had a wonderful experience each time.
The atmosphere inside the restaurant is relaxed and comfortable. We felt at home as soon as we walked in. The outdoor seating is covered nicely so even if it is raining you can sit outside. We sit outside regularly with our dog and unlike other restaurants, the outside tables receive the same excellent service as those indoors.
The white chocolate bread pudding is to die for! As a bread pudding lover, I have pretty high expectations and they never disappoint. The burger is delicious and by far my favorite entrée.
Five Bar is a great addition to Downtown Gainesville’s restaurant scene!

I had a great experience here. Great ambiance upon walking in. We had the baked avocado, which delightfully tickled my taste buds. Following that, was the chicken panéed atop of garlic mashed potatoes. The chicken was cooked perfectly, topped with capers. The chunky but creamy mashed potatoes were flavorful and delicious. The white chocolate bread pudding was so incredibly good! Service was great. Overall, satisfied with this restaurant and their original, exquisite menu items.

Five bar is a casual place to relax, have a drink with some friends, and eat some delicious fresh food at a moderate price.
We were looking for a place close to the Hippodrome to grab a bite before the show started. We walked the block and nothing grabbed our attention, so we headed into the bar on the corner to waste some time. We were pleasantly surprised.
The décor is inviting and unique; very casual and calming. This is not the place for you if you want to dance and scream at each other over the tunes from a dj’s amp. This place is for those who want to sit and chat over an eclectic selection of tunes and some delicious food.
The menu is limited. With so few options, I was hoping for a great meal and I was greatly satisfied. Deviled eggs for an appetizer, stuffed shrimp and risotto for the meal, and white chocolate bread pudding to share for desert. My favorite service was the strawberry lemonade with Absolut. Fresh strawberries sliced and floating in the lemonade. Mmm.
The staff were friendly and prompt. Our glasses were kept full. The adult concoctions were made quickly, props to the barkeep. I will definitely return here before I leave Gainesville.

Setting was beautiful. Service was good and my friend and i were well attended.
Food was a bit overpriced for the portions, and it all tasted rather bland. I had their cheeseburger and their baked avacado. The cheeseburger was small; for the same price you can get a bigger and better burger from the Top or Sweet Mels. The complimentary cookie at the end was a nice touch, but again, it didn’t taste like much.

I came here the other night with some friends and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was surprised when we walked in by how much work they put into the interior! It’s completely different from the previous establishments and looks amazing.
We all ordered the Bordeaux Bourbon and cheeseburgers, and had the baked avocado as an appetizer. Baked avocado was incredible. The drink was great. The cheeseburger was good too, but I wish they would just give you less food for a lower price. Double cheeseburger, fries and a salad for $ 13. I’d rather skip the salad and pay $ 9 – 10.
The brunch looks amazing and I hear they have $ 2 mimosas, though everything else is pretty pricey ($ 16 shrimp and grits.).
This location is historically cursed, but I genuinely hope that Five Bar can survive. Unfortunately it may be hard for Five Bar to compete with similar restaurants in the area with more competitive prices (the Top, the Jones…).
All in all I definitely recommend. Five Bar is a wonderful addition to downtown Gainesville!

Good atmosphere-​there was background music, but it wasn’t too loud so I could actually hear my coworkers talk, which was the goal. Our waitress was nice, but the bar didn’t seem to have a large selection.

Tonight a group of 8 friends went to Five Bar at 7:00pm. We expected to have a long wait based on out last experience at their soft opening event a month ago. Surprisingly though, we walked right in and were sat immediately. The place was practically deserted. Tonight the food was good but the atmosphere was non-​existent. The music went from Milli Vanilli’s «Blame it on the rain», to slow ballads by Simply Red and Lionel Richie. Really depressing music in an empty place during a very busy weekend in Gainesville. I doubt this place will be around by the end of 2014 at this rate.

I really wanted to love Five Bar.
It’s near my house, the décor is absolutely fantastic, and the menu is small (I have serious commitment issues so extremely large menus freak me out)
True to the name, it features five drinks, five appetizers, five entrees, and five specials.
The food was so incredibly under whelming for the price. It wasn’t particularly fantastic to begin and the expensive prices really stab your unsatisfied tummy afterwards. Even the drinks where meh. I ordered the Bordeaux Bourbon. It’s literally every thing I love in this world: cherries, Marker’s Mark, St Germain, & ginger ale. Still completely average.
I’m just going to presume these are growing pains because the chain has successful locations in places like Athens and Birmingham.

So far I have been to Five Bar for two dinners and one Sunday Brunch. This review will be about my dinner experience…
I first must say that while the menu may appear limited, every item is done extremely well, so that their menu is all about quality– not quantity. I absolutely, hands-​down recommend the baked avocado for an appetizer. The bacon spicy shrimp sauce that comes on top compliments the avocado and greens so well. I personally have had the paneed chicken… twice. Yes it’s essentially fried chicken, but it’s so much more than that. The shallot caper cream sauce is divine, and the side of mashed potatoes that comes with it are delish. There’s a nightly special– everything from Monday’s red beans and rice to Saturday’s gulf catch. (And as a girl who grew up in Destin, FL, the fact that they fly in all their fish fresh from Destin assures me that it’s fresh and delicious!) My friend had the pork chop which she described as «succulent and heavenly»…so there ya go. For dessert you’ve got to have the white chocolate bread pudding… it is absolutely divine.
The staff is courteous and attentive– the assistant manager Dane even stopped by our table to check in and make sure we were having an enjoyable experience.
I highly recommend Five Bar for dinner!!! It’s the best new restaurant in Gainesville!

Great new place in town. The food rocked. The baked avocado was great. The chicken paneéd was so good. The atmosphere is comfortable and laid back. Great date night spot or place to hang with your buds.
My only suggestion would be a bigger beer selection or include a voile of local brews.