The Half Barrel Bar & Kitchen

The Half Barrel Bar & Kitchen reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Minneapolis1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 12, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Four couples got together for dinner at The Half Barrel on a Saturday night. We got right in, the cocktails were beautiful and really tasty. The entrees we ordered were delicious. The service was attentive and friendly. This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
   

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2. LC

   LeslieC VIP

   Minneapolis11 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 6, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We had a reservation at seven and were seated at seventhirty...it took an hour and fifteen until we got food. I would have expected some sort of comp. That said, our meal was good and our server was friendly. I am guessing they were understaffed for a saturday.
   

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3. M

   Mucha507

   Minneapolis24 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 6, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   We went on a Saturday night, and it was a pretty full restaurant. The drink selection was great, our calamari was frozen food/lots of batter/ not the best. Our waiter was not attentive, and hard to find when we needed him. We waited over a half an hour for our meals, which were good but not anything that made me say "worth the wait."
   

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4. FR

   FoddieR

   Minneapolis6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 19, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Our group enjoyed a variety of delicious food options, including some glutten free options. Our server was fantastic and accommodating.
   

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5. AJ

   AJill

   Charlotte9 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 16, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The food and service were both excellent and this is one of my favorite places in Rochester. I sat at the bar, and had a beer. I ate the French Onion Soup - which was excellent and I am picky about French Onion Soup. I also had a wonderful fresh salad! Yum! I will be back.
   

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6. DA

   DavidA

   Minneapolis56 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 14, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   The steak I was served was not impressive! There are many better choices in Rochester.
   

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7. B

   Bridger

   Minneapolis15 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 13, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Made the wrong choice with this - very little meat and cheese. Usually everything is good.
   

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8. F

   Fred VIP

   Hawaii90 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 13, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   My wife and I want a pre Valentine's evening. We picked the best place in town. The already had a super scrupulous menu. We new we were at a great place as soon was we walked in.
   

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9. L

   Local10014 VIP

   New York City3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 7, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great walleye strips; very friendly service.
   

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10. m

    mrstrajan

    Washington DC6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on January 15, 2016

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3

    The other reviews are right. We went on a weeknight and it was pretty full. The service is slow from the kitchen and the servers dont know the menu or the bar list. I get that there are 150 kinds of whiskey and scotch on the menu but he didn't know a lot about it. The food is so so. The spinach ravioli was overcooked and mushy and drowning in sauce. It was too bad, because they used fresh spinach in there and the sauce had a good flavor. The shepards pie came out with a pasty lump of potatoes on top and the french onion soup had barely melted cheese on it. I guess the cooks never heard of broiling to brown the top of things. Again, the flavor was pretty good, but the presentation and finishing touches left a lot to be desired. We asked if there were any scotch or whiskey liquors on the menu. The waiter, of course, did not know, but asked. The answer, no. Really? There are a ton of these things on the market so that was surprising considering this is there differentiator. Fine. I asked if they had decaf coffee. The answer - we only have caffeinated. Last week, we had only decaf!! So I asked for any kind of decaf/herbal tea. He brought me two versions of "lightly caffeinated tea! I'm a tea drinker and I have never heard of this. Odd thing for a bar to have when they dont even have chamomille. Not sure who is ordering supplies, but clearly they need to pull it together. In general however, I liked the place. It fits big groups, wasn't too too loud and had a fun vibe. The menu was broad enough and the whiskey/scotch selection rocked. I feel like they could make some minor changes, train the staff better and have a real winner.
    

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