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Alchemist & Barrister
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Pubs, American (Traditional), Sports Bars [Edit]
28 Witherspoon StPrinceton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-5555
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Tim W. said: "Being from out of town, it's hard to know where to go in Princeton. I've ended up at some pretty mediocre places and expected a similar experience here. Driving by Metro North, the place is a little unassuming for the experience that…" read more »
76 reviews for Alchemist & Barrister
Review Highlights
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"The Shepherd's Pie - hands down the BEST dish on their menu." In 6 reviews -
"Love the tiger burger with cheddar, mustard, mayo, and..." In 6 reviews -
"Irish Pub Lamb Stew: lamb, carrots, potatoes, and irish..." In 3 reviews
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76 reviews in English
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Review from Meredith C.
Alexandria, VA
4/24/2012
I think this restaurant had its glory days a long time ago.
I had lunch in the bar at the back of the restaurant, which sort-of reminded me of the bar from Cheers. It was cozy and seemed like a good place to hang out over drinks.
At the recommendation of the waitress, I got the grilled chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, cillantro and chipotle aioli. It was really good--but too big. And at $14, more than I would typically spend on a sandwich at lunch. The waitress was nice, and it was the sort of place where you can sit alone without feeling awkward, but I think it is a bit pricey for what it is. -
Review from Aruna A.
2/20/2012
I have a few friends who live near Princeton, so from time to time, I end up hanging out with them....which is a tad dangerous, b/c if we have too much fun, the ride back to Philly is tough. I had this problem recently after too much fun at Alchemist and Barrister. The bar is interesting and a little confusing. It's almost two bars in one. The bar in the back of the restaurant is so cozy. Low ceilings, dark colors, dim lighting, feels like a throw back to an older time. It seems like a great place to watch a game or catch up with friends, or just have one by yourself and brood. After a few drinks, we moved up to the front for our meal. The drinks were good, and the bar was great. The menu....left something to be desired. The nachos were good, the hummus was OKAY, nothing amazing. And a tad overpriced.
I don't know that I'd go back for food, but DEFINITELY for drinks!! -
Review from m. m.
Philadelphia, PA
2/19/2012
Picked this place to eat because the location was convenient, the name was kind of cool and we were in the mood for Guinness and burgers as opposed to anything swishier. (One thing i noticed before we even got inside was that a number of dishes mentioned in previous reviews, such as empanadas and Captains Drunken Shrimp, didn't appear to be on the menu anymore- instead it was pretty much burgers, fries, nachos, stew and shepherd's pie.) I was also secretly hoping it would be sort of like the Tombs at Georgetown where I drank a year or so of my bright college days away. I wasn't disappointed in that regard.
Got there at 6:30 on a Saturday in February, found there was a half-hour wait for a table for 2. Decided to hang around, drink a beer in the overcrowded bar - every seat taken, no place to sit, and people were literally standing in the entryways, the halls, anyplace they could find a spot. This turned out to be the right move since by the time we got seated (which was indeed 30-40 minutes later) the wait was apparently up to an hour. This place is nice and all, but the level of business was astounding. We were happy to get a table in the bar, which is cozy (and noisy, as you'd expect) and looks basically like an old college/ Irish pub type bar, as opposed to the "patio" area which is sheathed in plastic, looked drafty and definitely lacking in charm and character. They had so many tables jammed into the bar area we were practically sitting in the lap of the people next to us, but every table was full full full. No recession here, folks!
Extensive beer list and they were only out of one beer we ordered, so that was OK. Husband asked for his burger "medium" and it actually came more like medium rare (pink inside) but he was a good sport and ate it anyway. The crispy fries were excellent. The nachos were good although very untraditional; they use some kind of tortilla chip dusted with spicy stuff rather than plain chips, then put black beans, red beans, garbanzo beans, a couple kinds of cheese, olives, hot (very hot) peppers, chicken, and andouille sausage on them...and then put not only the sour cream on the side (I'd expect that) but also a tiny cup of salsa, which I'd normally expect to just see on the nachos. They were good though. I did not like the dusted chips but I liked everything else about the dish.
Our waitress was terribly young and terribly overworked and still did pretty OK by us. We noticed her spilling water in the lap of the lady next to us, but I thought she deserved forgiveness because the tables were so close together the poor girl had about 8 inches to manuever her tray between our table and the other folks. It would be a difficult situation for even an experienced wait staff.
This place lived up to my expectations (which admittedly weren't that high). Given the land office business it is doing, I think some entrepreneur should open up another similar joint in the neighborhood, which seems to be heavy on fancier and pricier restaurants. -
Review from Sarang K.
Princeton, NJ
3/29/2012
ONION RINGS ARE THE BOMB HERE!
And so are the cheap drinks. -
Review from Luis D.
Mount Laurel, NJ
5/13/2012
The food wasn't bad, and even though we had to make reservations the place was half empty. We had burgers, fish and fries. The guinness beer was not very fresh. The service was very slow even thought there was only 3 tables with customers. Food wasn't bad but very overpriced for the quantity served. We have had better. We will not go back.
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Review from Ben E.
Barrington, NJ
3/12/2012
Mediocre food. High Prices. Terrible Service.
I went here today for lunch. The service was HORRENDOUSLY SLOW.We placed our orders at 1:00pm and weren't served until 1:25 after flagging down some wait staff.. For an order of two ham sandwiches and a black bean burger at lunch, this is inexcusable.
I can't speak for my compatriots, but my black bean burger was just ok, nothing special. It was mushy and lacking flavor. I have had better burgers at both TJ Winberries and Triumph Brewery in Princeton. The fries that cam with my burger were just decent steak fries, nothing special at all.
I would definitely NOT go back here. The food was insipid and slightly overpriced. The service was bad.
Finally, when they brought out the check, they mistakenly charged us for an extra order of fries! -
Review from Christina P.
Philadelphia, PA
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stopped here for lunch on a trip to Princeton with a friend. There aren't that many restaurants around the square, and this one looked charming since it's tucked away in a little alley. When we arrived we were presented with the option to sit in the closed in patio, pub, or dining room. We chose the patio since we were already in it and it was a sunny, quiet setting.
Everything on the menu was pretty overpriced, burgers and sandwiches were mostly $15-$16. I got the chipotle black bean burger in a pita ($13) with fries. The burger itself was super mushy and not that flavorful. It also came with tzatziki sauce which I'm pretty sure was the wrong one. My friend's medium rare burger came out well done. The only saving grace was the fries.
As far as service goes, the waitresses were nice enough but we had four different ones. They didn't seem to communicate with each other which was a little strange...
I don't think I'll be back. -
Review from Linda H.
North Brunswick Township, NJ
3/10/2012
Stopped in here for drinks and a bite after a Princeton vs. Cornell basketball game. We sat at the bar and ordered wings,fries and fried green beans. The green beans were the best fried green beans I have ever had and the wings were quite good as well. Service wasn't great but it was a busy Saturday night in a Princeton bar. I would go back just for the green beans.
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Review from Radhika B.
Dayton, NJ
8/22/2011
I've been coming here for a while now and the food has never disappointed me. The beer is decent and the outdoor seating area is really nice on a summer evening. I've tried a bunch of things across their menu:
-The Captain's Drunken Shrimp - pretty good. Nice flavors but a little pricey for a small app.
-Combo basket with onion rings (really really good!) particularly with an ice cold beer and the battered green beans (yum!) who knew that green beans could be a close second to french fries?
-Tiger Burger - in accordance with the whole Princeton theme. This burger was quite decent and cooked exactly how I wanted it (medium rare)
-Kobe Wagyu - I think my stomach nearly exploded trying to finish this burger but it was so good that I couldn't stop eating it! The meat was tender and fresh and the pepper jack cheese complimented the burger really well.
and how oh how could I forget
-The Shepherd's Pie - hands down the BEST dish on their menu. I have to push myself to try something new every time because I LOVE this dish! The portion is hefty, there's a nice balance between the meat and vegetables and it isn't overly salty.
Bottomline: this place is nice for a casual but more upscale dinner -
Review from Kim C.
East Brunswick, NJ
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's not exactly what I expected from a Princeton restaurant/bar. The service was not good, it took about 10-15 minutes after we were seated to be asked by our waiter if we wanted any drinks. During our 10-15 minute wait, my husband and I noticed that there were about 5 servers by the cash register just talking to each other.
The chicken wings were good, mussels with marinara sauce was average. Mussels did not taste fresh, marinara sauce had good flavor. My husband and I both ordered the Tiger Burger. It was nicely cooked overall, but we weren't impressed with the flavor. The fries seemed to be the best part of the meal.
The restaurant is overall just ok. -
Review from George L.
Princeton, NJ
12/30/2011
i ordered a CHICKEN CLUB. I was served a CHICKEN SUB. Basically a Wawa sub.
For $11.
Seriously. Not cool. 2 stars. -
Review from Perri V.
Landenberg, PA
8/25/2011
Just okay. My pan roasted chicken was very moist and yummy, yet the veggies were very bland and the pan sauce they drizzled on the plate tasted like it came from a meat loaf. It just didn't work with the chicken.
Our party ordered several apps....
Calamari was rubbery, coconut shrimp was good, drunken shrimp were delicious yet there were only 3, and the nachos were great, the best app out of the 4 we received.
Overall most in our party were satisfied with their meals. Most of the complaints were that their food was bland.
For a Saturday night, the restaurant was dead. Makes you wonder if Yelp is making an impact in the restaurant business. -
Review from Bill A.
11/8/2011
Possibly the best french fries I've ever had. That is not an exaggeration. The restaurant is split into two parts: a pub-like interior and a sunroom where you can sit down for a meal. When we were here, we got a meal in the sunroom part, which was completely open to the air. The entrance is in a side alley, across from a psychic shop, and the sunroom area looks out over that alley. The pub part is dark and cozy. Haven't been inside at night but the times i passed it after dark it looked pretty packed.
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Review from Nishanth C.
New York, NY
1/20/2011
Had the most bizarre, surreal experience here the other week. Came in with a few coworkers and it was kinda like that scene in Inception where everyone in your dream turns and looks at you. Or kind of like children of the corn. Or the pod people. Seriously, does everyone in this bar here know each other or did they not get the memo that it's totally rude and creepy to stare at people when they walk in? Compounding the weirdness is the fact that, as a joke, we tried staring at another table when we sat down and a girl at the table got really pissed and yelled, "I can stare back!"
The only thing that salvaged this experience was their 9% abv Victory Beer. Victory indeed, if only they served it in a 16 oz instead of a 12 oz. I hereby award one star per delicious beer. -
Review from Katelyn H.
Princeton, NJ
11/17/2010
This place has really gotten under my skin.
First impression-- a $14 Tiger burger (they blacken it, add cheese, and mix the condiments together to make orange-- because of Princeton!) is merely pandering, and expensive pandering at that.
Visit #1-- sat on the weirdly gloomy "patio" and ate a veggie burger that's really more like a falafel pita sandwich. No major complaints, but not a good vibe.
Visit #2 (deal killer)-- terribly bad service. Waitress rarely visited, was hard to flag down, and repeatedly darted away before we were finished doing business (ie ordering). Also, just super awkward at waiting, but whatever.
And the kicker-- the bill. It was expensive but...
Each happy hour beer was quoted at $3 and rung up at $3.50.
An upgrade to fries was quoted at $1 and rung up at $1.50.
Not cool.
So we asked her about it. She said that she told the table beers were $3.50, and that they were 50% off for happy hour. The drink menu clearly shows that all the beers ordered were regularly $6... which makes one at 50% $3. Yes. Either she doesn't know how much things cost or she can't do math or both. She was unapologetic and didn't bother to check her facts.
I waited behind to take it up with the manager but, surprise, he was nowhere to be found.
Unless my friends drag me here, I will NOT be returning. -
Review from Georgianne V.
Princeton, NJ
1/22/2011
Went last night with friends. I had one of the specials which was a ham and cheese sandwich. Sounds boring but it had pesto and roasted red peppers and the rye bread was toasted perfectly. It was so yummy that I ended up having to give some to my table mates to try and they also love it.
Our waitress was super nice and very accommodating to our needs and even let me swap out the fries for their fried string beans (also yummy). The place started getting crowded at about 8:30 pm, just as were getting ready to leave. We've been there in the past when they have music and that is always fun. We usually in the patio/pub part of the restaurant, which more matches our casual style. -
Review from Huazzy K.
Jefferson, GA
2/14/2011
I review this establishment in honor of a Valentines Day Dinner I had a few years ago at this fine restaurant.
The service was fantastic, the food tasted good, the desserts were scrumptious. A few hours later my then girlfriend contacts me and tells me she's extremely sick (probably food poisoning). I tell her I think I'm ok... only to find myself running towards the bathroom shortly after that conversation. Yup. Food Poisoning.
So why the A-ok/decent rating?
Well in a weird way I guess I thank/blame/but mostly thank A&B for making me realize that this relationship wasn't working out. How so?
Love should overcome all. Even food poisoning. -
Review from Monish M.
Belle Mead, NJ
6/11/2011
Good fries, great fried calamari, and great place to kick it!
What I like about the service here is that the waiters aren't pushy or intrusive, even on a busy night. -
Review from jay w.
Menlo Park, CA
10/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Okay, I love the ambiance and the beer is good. However, they have a massive mouse infestation (as of 10/2010). They come out at closing and I saw 5 at one time. The staff weren't particularly shocked.
May be go for a beer, but I wouldn't trust any food there. I hope they can get their act together before they get shut down. -
Review from Brian L.
11/24/2010
Came her for a company lunch. Ordered the red snapper. Had parsnip soup.
Overall, A-OK. I can't get excited to write this review, as it was just so meh. 2.5 stars? The soup was good, but the entree was flavorless. Maybe if they mixed them, it would've been 3 stars? -
Review from Kimberlin Z.
Reading, PA
12/11/2010
Stopped in before a lecture (after running in to the lecturer, icon Patti Smith, by accident in a hallway) to grab a bite.
The cheapie $4 Merlot, 14 Hands, was fabulous. I figure many will order Merlot, and so it won't be oxidized as many wines by the glass are, so that is why is is usually a safe pick though other choices may look more interesting, but this is a bottle I will be seeking out. The $4 Chardonnay was boring though and overoaked.
Cool pub atmosphere with people of all ages. Great crispy fries and minestrone soup. Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had to run back across the frozen campus to get a good seat in McCosh Hall to hear the fabulous, warm, and sweet Patti read from her book. -
Review from Andrew E.
Princeton, NJ
3/20/2009
I tried to eat here. I can't say I actually did. We were a party of six. I ordered Shepherd's Pie. When the food came it became apparent that my food was not in the mix. The waiter told me that another server had snagged my order when it came out and that a new one would be up in three minutes.
Ok, stuff happens.
Three minutes passed. Then 6 minutes. At the 10 minute mark the manager came to our table and asked how everything was. Our server had forgotten entirely about my meal. At this point everyone else at our table was nearly done with their meal. I told them to just cancel my food.
Their compensation for not serving my lunch? You would think they would work to make it right? A free appetizer card delivered with the check.
Sitting at the table while everyone ate was uncomfortable not only for me but for our whole group. More was required.
I spoke to the manager on the way out. She reiterated her apology. Disappointing.
I won't be going back. Ever. -
Review from Kayla M.
Jersey City, NJ
11/4/2011
we had our huge group dinner here the other night and despite our large number, A&B's staff, drink, and food were great. 65+ people was a lot but they handled it really well considering.
as soon as we walked in we were asked for our drink orders. drinks to apps took a little while, but with such a big group I can't really fault them for that. salads were generic, but the calamari was delicious!
had the chicken marsala for dinner which was okay, and the apple pie for dessert, yummy!
my group had a great time and i hope to go back there with a much smaller number and experience their full menu. -
Review from Victor C.
8/7/2008
Dinner/Bar Review.
After hungrily walking the streets of Princeton trying to figure out which place to eat. I finally settled on Alchemist & Barrister (A&B). It seemed to have a nice balance of casual and "not so casual"...
Rolling Han Solo, of course I sat at the bar.
What I ordered:
Irish Pub Lamb Stew: lamb, carrots, potatoes, and irish soda bread
Chicken Salad: (not on current menu online) but salad included romaine lettuce, strawberries, apple (or pear), in some sort of vinaigrette dressing.
Man. I was stuffed. The stew was a nice hearty stew... it was what it was supposed to be. Nothing out of this world, but a solid stew nonetheless. The salad was quite tasty... it's actually quite similar to the summer/strawberry salad I had at Panera... definitely not very "pub-like" -- definitely more of a salad you'd feel comfortable eating in the "restaurant" part of the restaurant.
I guess because school might not be in session, I went on the atypical night, or I'm just one myself... but I didn't really sense the pretentiousness that other reviewers noticed. Maybe if you went to the sit-down "dinner napkin" side, but I wouldn't know. The bar seemed nice and cozy to me, where the bartenders seem to know all the "regulars'" names. -
Review from Priti K.
Jersey City, NJ
3/22/2010
Alchemist & Barrister was entirely disappointing. When we walked in it took more than five minutes for a host to approach us and another 5 to 8 minutes for a table, even though some were clearly available. After settling in, the server took several minutes to arrive, even though she was taking care of tables nearby. I couldn't catch her attention if I had three heads!
We had Ana Luisa's Empanadas to start off our meal. The three stuffed pastries were dry on the inside and outside with very little flavor to save it. Even drowning it in the accompaniment of salsa verde did not help.
I've been more in the mood for vegetarian options lately and decided on the Vegetable Paella. It had eggplant, portabello mushroom, chickpeas, peppers, fennel, shallots, saffron and was served over brown Basmati rice - topped with tofu. How good does that sound?! It seems the restaurant makes up the lack of food quality by putting it in nice looking dishes. Although the bowl looked great, the food did not. It was bland in color and flavor. The rice and vegetables were just submerged in, what seemed to me like buttery water?
My friend ordered the Irish Pub Lamb Stew and again very little flavor. It was supposed to come with carrots and red bliss potatoes, but the whole dish had only one or two pieces of each. My other friend ordered Shepherd's Pie with lamb. It was actually the best dish out of the three. Although, that's still not saying much. If you're stuck between the pie and the lamb stew, definitely go for the pie.
Alchemist & Barrister looks appealing on the outside. The entrance is on the side of the building with a charming stone pathway and the outdoor patio must be nice in the warm weather. I can't say the same, though, about the service and the food. -
Review from The S.
Atlanta, GA
11/22/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Generally well attended by the college crowd and locals, with ages ranging from maybe-not-old-enough to regular octogenarians, the Alchemist & Barrister is an "interesting" place, a true public house and gathering spot, filling your belly and warming your heart.
The menu features a healthy selection of wine and decent food options. The nightly specials keep the menu invigorated, allowing one to eat here often without facing boredom.
I have enjoyed several dinners here, from fresh fish to burgers to shepherd's pie. All were solidly good, some were delicious, although I would avoid the filet (overpriced for its quality). My colleague raved over the chili-spiced chicken sandwich on a recent visit while I loved the salmon in the herbal beurre blanc.
For wine, they do have featured "cellar selections" as well, but those are "uneven" to put it nicely, so I advise you to stick with an appellation you know. Also, try tasting wines sold here by the glass before ordering, because many are oxidized.
The Guinness is fresh and mellow, so it is by far my favorite here. However, there is a good draft selection, with frequent changes. Original Sin cider is one of the new ones coming in for fall, complementing such beers as Ten Fidy, Rogue Mocha Porter, Lagunitas Brown Shugga', and several IPA's, including quadruples.
There are three seating areas. The "backroom" is more family style, and sports a new floor that freshens its look. The enclosed patio area is slightly more business- and couple-oriented, but a bit drafty and echo-y. My favorite area is, of course, the bar. It can get quite loud and raucous, but that will not deter grandmother from reading her book quietly amidst the chaos.
Service is inconsistent. I have been here on occasions where I was almost ignored, but have at other times enjoyed the absolute best. Most patron's are quite laid back and convivial, however I have also encountered a few of the more aggressive types that highlighted the "townie versus student" attitude.
3.6 stars -
Review from Ed D.
Princeton, NJ
5/23/2009
Probably one of the worst meals in my life. My date and I arrived and as we are being shown to our table, passed by the kitchen and notice a horrid smell coming out, like piled-up garbage. We didn't think much of it, since it was confined to the kitchen.
I don't remember what my date had, but I ordered the chicken pot pie. It tasted like sour milk. Was going to send it back, but then noticed a roach crawling on the wall, and another one on the table next to me. No thanks, don't even want a perfect one now. -
Review from Liz S.
12/7/2007 5 photos
I had Sunday brunch here with my family. The atmosphere is charming, especially around the holidays - if you like that ye old pub kind of stuff, which I do. It's tastefully decorated and cozy, and the staff is very nice.
The food here is OK, and my impression is that they are going for the "gastro-pub" trend, but it's more American B & B/hotel fare than English foodie-style food. The bread basket had too many overly-sweet things and not enough savories, and my Paris-Brest Salmon with eggs was just ok.
What I would definitely recommend? The eggnog. New to the menu, it is rich, frothy and strong. They make it with peanut butter, which I found very interesting - you can't taste it, but the richness is there.
I think this place has a lot of potential, but they need to decide which direction to go on the food. Either keep it pricey (as it is now) and turn it up a few notches, or make it cheap and cheerful. I'm not sure that I'd go back for a full meal, but I would definitely stop by in the evening for a pint and an appetizer. -
Review from April M.
Maple Shade, NJ
2/22/2010 1 photo
I see many people have given A & B some shabby reviews so I'm here to say... it's actually rather good! I spent V-Day lunch here with my... significant other... and I'd most likely return.
We chose to sit on the porch, which was warmed by a fantastic mock fireplace, and was sprinkled with cute attributes. To start things off we ordered a soup and salad, which came out quickly, no big surprise here considering the lack of expertise to produce such dishes. Fortunately though, the quick delivery was also teamed with tastiness! From there we ordered wraps that were reasonably priced and packed a wide spectrum of great flavors. They were served with homemade veggie chips that I still dream about to this day (big sweet potato fan!). So overall, my experience here was definitely a positive one.
Oh and definitely order the hot apple cider if you find yourself here on a cold day! You won't regret it =) -
Review from Nathan L.
Park City, UT
5/10/2008
Good place for lunch. Can't say it was anywhere near my favorite but it was a good reliable lunch. I had a few things on the menu and nothing really stands, but it was all pretty good.
The staff is pretty good, but again nothing to brag about so lo-and-behold a run of the mill 3 stars... -
Review from Meg L.
Burlington, NJ
10/11/2009
I really like this place. I like it most when the weather is good enough to sit outside where they have a nice covered side porch with ceiling fans. Its a little stuffy inside, and super loud if placed by the bar (which is every table basically). I like it because they have a good solid few vegetarian/pescatarian dishes. Especially one salad with spinach ravioli as the base, hearts of romaine, seared shrimp and a light citrus cream dressing. The other half of mine got a veggie sub, which included zucchini and squash, fontina cheese and sides of fresh made veggie chips, which although salty were still tasty.
Overall, its one of the few places in Princeton that doesn't take itself all that seriously, and you can make it out of there without spending a crazy amount of money if you so wish (above mentioned dishes were $10-12). THey also have a full bar, which is helpful. -
Review from K L.
Washington, DC
12/8/2009
Despite a happy history between the two of us (burgers after Hun field hockey games, anyone?), A&B and I are no longer close. Its due to a variety of things from my latest visit last week, including tasteless chicken pot pie, over cooked burgers, not-so-great lamb's stew, and absolutely HORRIBLE service. I mean 35 minute wait for drinks bad service.
Maybe I'll come back in the summer for post shopping drinks on the porch, but probably not for food. -
Review from Michelle R.
Bergen, NJ
4/2/2010 2 photos
Seated right away - service was very attentive and friendly.
Shepherd's Pie and Turkey Burger were delicious and in nice portions.
Would definitely return another time to try the other items on the menu. -
Review from Halil C.
Princeton, NJ
8/27/2011
nice atmosphere, one of the best bars you can go in Princeton. In fact you don't have much choices at all.
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Review from Lydia H.
Philadelphia, PA
3/9/2010
I really liked this place! Now it could have been due to the fact that they sat us right away (5 adults, 1 baby, many belongings) and didn't act a fool (see Triumph review below!), but we really enjoyed our experience here.
We shared several appetizers: the calamari, the nachos and the wings. All were tasty, hot and fresh. We each had a burger for dinner, although different varieties. Veggie burger, "Tiger" burger, bacon and bleu burger, and regular. All were delicious and served with tasty french fries. Our drinks were always refilled quickly, and service was great. Alchemist & Barrister is a great choice in Princeton for a quick and delicious bite to eat. -
Review from Shannon T.
Pasadena, CA
11/15/2009
I've only been here to see a friend play bluegrass and have a few beers, and it was ok.
The problem is the limited seating in the back where the bands are, so it's a bit difficult to position yourself comfortably to listen to the music.
The prices are about what you'd expect for a bar in Princeton. -
Review from Lauren T.
4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small bar area, drafty patio and decent food.
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Review from C S.
Princeton, NJ
Updated - 7/17/2009
The service has been getting spottier, including the servers forgetting to let us know what the specials are and having to be seriously flagged down even when the dining room is sparsely populated; this is in addition to the wines on the list being out of stock.
I don't know what is going on with a lot of the places that were better last autumn, as it appears the trend of service in Princeton becoming downright bad since the springtime has continued (except at Triumph, oddly enough, where it actually improved).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/29/2008
Searching aimlessly again, we decided to stop here late Friday night. I've had to accept that late… Read more »
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Review from Warren S.
Concord, MA
7/21/2011
Cool place and above average beer selection (minus triumph), but the bartender didn't know her beer very well and was rather rude about it...when I told her there was a difference between an english brawler (an amber/ruby ale) and an American amber ale she looked at me like I had two heads and told me I had drank too much....very ignorant and annoying. If you don't know what your talking about, just say so. So bottomline, if you want good beer and people who know the difference between an ale and lager go to Triumph. If you don't know what the difference go to A&B.
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Review from Lauren B.
Princeton, NJ
8/2/2010
This will be short & sweet: I never really liked this place, but Saturday night sealed the deal for me. A huge roach crawled down my dress! And I saw two other giant roaches while I was there - at least 2" long.
Even if it weren't for that, the service is mediocre and the drinks are more expensive than anywhere else around.
I will NEVER go there again.
