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(4 stars from 1 rating)
Temple Bar 0:4

Address

306 W Champion St
Bellingham , WA 98225
(360) 676-8660

Hours

Tues-Sat 4:00 PM - Midnight

Review

If there were a way to magically transport a wine bar out of The City Of Light and drop it straight into the heart of The City of Subdued Excitement, that wine bar would look just like The Temple Bar. Intimate, sophisticated and with an atmosphere that evokes a hip, all-night café on a quiet side street in Paris, The Temple Bar is one of Bellingham’s best low-key, evening meeting spots. It’s the sort of place you go to share a bottle of wine with your best friend, to catch up on a month’s worth of news. It has just the right atmosphere for a second or third date with that certain someone you’ve decided is worth spending some romantic time with. And it’s the ideal setting for a discussion of the merit and meaning of the French film you and your friends just saw over at The Pickford.

Having only seven or eight tables and some bar and counter seating, The Temple Bar is a cozy place, but high ceilings and large front windows keep it from feeling claustrophobic. Their food menu is in proportion to the size of the establishment, and offers a succinct collection of things to eat. A plate of well-chosen cheese samples with fruit, a Parisian baguette sandwich or, very simply, a warm bowl of pistachio nuts are among the choices on their menu. They serve wine, bottled beer and coffee, with their emphasis on the wine. There are typically four whites and four red wines offered by the glass, all generally very well chosen. If you’d prefer a bottle, you can order one of the by-the-glass offerings, or take a look at the wine list, where you will find an interesting selection of both domestic and overseas wines. All of this, combined with the consistently gracious service, makes an evening at The Temple Bar a pleasant one.
Written By: Lisa Holt
On: 8/17/2006

Directions

Follow Holly Street through downtown to the light at Bay Street. Take a right onto Bay Street and proceed to the Stop sign at Champion. The Temple Bar will be directly in front of you.

Features

Over 21 | Beer and Wine | Dinner | Espresso | Smoke-free | Wheelchair Accessible

Map

User Reviews

Not Upset
40rating
(2)
(0)
10/6/2006
I have enjoyed my times at the Temple Wine Bar. The salads are quite tasty. Their tomatoes have actual flavor and the bread is fresh. Wine by the glass list is a bit lean but is rotated quite often. Enjoy it, I do when I visit B'ham.
(1)
(0)
Lon Hardey
BELLINGHAM, WA
35rating
(1)
(0)
6/24/2009
I found the Temple Bar to have a feel good cozy atmosphere with interesting drinks. The very negative reviews are obviously someone with an agenda (a competitor?) The music (no cover) was terrific.
(1)
(0)
Elizabeth
30rating
(1)
(0)
8/17/2008
The perfect ending to a visit to Bellingham. The wine and food was wonderful, the staff friendly and not pushy. I was able to sit back and enjoy my dessert with a glass of wine and not feel rushed to leave. To top off the evening, a band, Bar Tabac was playing and I found that I was enjoying myself so much, that I stayed longer than planned.
Worth the trip all the way from the east coast!!
(1)
(0)
Anonymous
30rating
(1)
(0)
12/1/2006
The Temple Bar is a charming wine bar in Bellingham that is well staffed and well run. The changing wine selection offers your palate a chance to explore a variety or reds and whites; the food is inline with classic french cafe fare; and the staff is warm, knowledgeable, and pleasant.

I am stunned to see some of the harsh comments posted here about this place, but some of those posting have trashed a number of other local establishments as well. Must be a sport.
(1)
(0)
Anonymous
30rating
(1)
(0)
10/20/2006
I have frequented the Temple Bar since they opened & I love it. We don't often go for meals as my husband is a vegan, however when we want a drink and a night out we always head to the Temple Bar. The service is slow on purpose, they aren't pushy, you are given time to enjoy your selection, to enjoy a conversation without being constantly interrupted by servers. I highly recommend the Temple Bar.
(1)
(0)
Anonymous
20rating
(1)
(1)
9/30/2006
First To Review
The temple bar is the worlst place I have ever been. The staff is rude and unprofessional. RED FLAG!!! DONT GO, DONT WATSE YOUR MONEY
(0)
(0)
Getreal
10rating
(1)
(0)
3/3/2008
Grendel needs to stick with cheap plonk from the third world or pony up for many of the interesting selections here. I've never seen anything close to a "5x markup" here. That the staff can never have too much knowledge is fair enough.
(0)
(0)
Grendel
10rating
(1)
(0)
10/1/2007
Smashingly cute place, but the service knows nothing about the over priced wine they are serving! Please put some bread on your 'plates' (cause where exactly was that mustard supposed to go?) And please offer some better quality wines with less than a 5x's markup!
(0)
(0)
Anonymous
10rating
(1)
(0)
11/1/2006
I AGREE, I TOOK A FEW BUSINESS PARTNERS THERE FOR LUNCH AND IM LUCKY I STILL HAVE MY JOB. THE WAITSTAFF NEEDS TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR ASSES!!! I COULDNT BELIEVE IT WHEN MY BOSS FOUND A HAIR IN HIS MEAL. TO SAY THE LEAST THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE AND WE WONT BE BACK!
(0)
(0)
Anonymous
10rating
(1)
(0)
10/11/2006
This has got to be the worse place me and my boyfriend have ever been to. The bathroom is open to a back alley where I was mice, the food was horrible. Not to mention all of this but the waitress was more interested in the guys she could flirt with then taking out order. Do not waste your money on this place!!! unless you dont mind drinking wine and sharing your cheeze plate with mice
(0)
(0)
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