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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 1 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
57 reviews for Tunnel Bar
Review Highlights
"They have a ton of interesting martinis to choose from."
(in 17 reviews)
"I loved the overstuffed leather chairs, the long tunnel..."
(in 4 reviews)
"The drinks are usually very strong and delicious."
(in 6 reviews)
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Quinn F.
Dover, NH
11/10/2011
Visited recently on our first trip to Northampton. We were on a mini-honeymoon and had been told we def. had to check the Tunnel Bar out. We like martinis and who doesn't like a good tunnel?
The drinks? Top notch.
The tunnel? Middle-to-top notch.
The darkness? Too dark.
I like it dark. I like that it made it hip and mysterious. I don't need to see the faces of all the other patrons. However, I WOULD like to see my wife's face while she's sitting across from me.
Yes, it's expensive. But it's a high-end martini bar. This isn't the place for happy hour specials.
We plan to visit again next time we're in town. -
Review from Ashley P.
Boston, MA
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the ambiance and drink selection at this bar... The chairs are very comfortable and I love the low lighting. They get a star deducted because sometimes the servers can be very rude. But I had my first date with the boyfriend here so it will always hold a special place in my heart!
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Review from Madeleine H.
Northampton, MA
6/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Architecturally, Tunnel Bar is a perfect example of reuse of space. Taking the lower tunnel entrance out of the old Northampton train station, the bar has become a cozy setting to sit back with friends and enjoy one of the many martinis or other drinks available. The room is appropriately dim, with massive leather and cloth armchairs. Efficient space use? Not really, but it looks really classy.
Drink menus are both massive and readily available. For the size and strength of the drinks, the prices are appropriate.
Avoid this place at all costs on a Friday or Saturday night. It's too crowded to be worthwhile, as seating disappears and standing room is limited. -
Review from T. m D.
Hartford, CT
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is one of the coolest bars in the country! It just looks so cool, the bathrooms are upstairs. The drinks are delicious!
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Review from Chelsea R.
Northampton, MA
6/11/2011
I have only been to the Tunnel Bar a handful of times...okay maybe two handfuls. It is expensive. Obviously it is a martini bar, but if you don't want one of those, their mixed drinks are huge as well. The drink list is extensive. I only ever find I want to go here with a few girlfriends, or maybe if I have dinner across the street at Sierra Grille first.
On a weekend night, it is possible that you won't be able to find a seat. This can be potentially uncomfortable, as there isn't a ton of standing room. Given the price of the drinks and my budget, however, I usually only stay for one drink anyway, so I don't mind standing. They also don't seem to mind if you rearrange the chairs a bit if you come with a large group.
That said, last time I went my experience was terrible. My bartender, who has been my kind, friendly bartender previously, must have been having an off night. My parents were in town for my graduation, my roommate and her boyfriend were along. It was busy but not too busy. He literally yelled at us to decide what we wanted (remember - extensive drink menu) and even threw my mother's credit card at the computer. I work in foodservice, and thus am rather understanding when it comes to having a bad day, but this was inexcusable. You have to able to put the face on, especially when you've got an easy ten bucks coming your way for 3 minutes of work. Needless to say, it didn't turn out that way for him. Hopefully it's better next time I find myself there. -
Review from Ava G.
Springfield, MA
4/11/2011
I used to love this place because it was (as another poster stated) eccentric. The martini's were ok though I'm not a big martini fan. When I went I usually had something else-a beer, a rum and coke, etc. and no problems. For me this bar was more about meeting friends for a drink and having good conversation in an unusual environment. I loved the dark, rich decor, it felt like you were on some kind of spy mission.
HOWEVER, the last time I went which was back in Dec/Jan. I went with two friends.
We chit chatted with the nice bartender about the furnishings. He then began to tell us "You wouldn't want to see this place with the lights on, this carpet is so dirty" . We thought, well maybe he should get the message to the owner and he/she/they could do something about it. Bartender: Yea the owner will never change it, he hasn't changed anything since he bought the place just look at how all these chairs have been ripped. He's only into this place to make money and that's what he's doing.
The 3 of us looked at each other, a little disturbed by the comments but hoping he was somehow exaggerating-though the quality of the chairs was immediately noticable. These chairs had seen better days.
3 beers and a chocolate martini later, a couple of us went to use the restroom upstairs, when we came back we sat down and went on with our conversation...until...we saw them!!!!!!! I noticed something moving on the wall beside me and earlier we noticed a couple of other patrons acting skittish as well. Waterbugs! ( I think that is what they are called ) running hurridly up the wall. My friends and I bolted from the area so fast, dusting ourselves off in the process and long afterwards. Who knows where they came from or what they got into (my friends purse on the floor? my shoes? ) but even in the dim lighting I was able to see them. We left and never came back. I have never been so disgusted and have never seen anything with so many legs in an establishment meant to serve food/or drinks to people.
I'm very saddened by that, as this place had a really cool and different vibe to it. Whoever the owner is really needs to get crackalackin' with sprucing this place up and calling pest control. I understand that the place is technically in an old tunnel which is all the more reason to keep up with the bug control! It honestly deserved 1 star after my last trip there but I am giving it 2 because of my many fond memories of what it USED to be. A very cool, clean and inspiring place. -
Review from Terra N.
Northampton, MA
7/24/2011
Amazing concoctions! I've enjoyed every bartender I've ever had here. The ambience is lovely.
Because it's so great, it's usually crowded at peak bar times and one must fight for a cozy armchair. With that said, it's also a nice place to meet other yuppies of sorts.
I don't want to sound like a light weight but two beverages here will definitely put you in an amazing mood! -
Review from richard w.
Rowland Heights, CA
10/10/2010
Ok, if this bar was anywhere else, it would be a 4 star. With that said, Tunnel was a f'in delight. We came into Northampton with low expectations, realizing that a town of 29,000 will probably offer you a few dives and a half ass club. No way. Tunnel has history, some of the stiffest (but delicious) martinis and a soothing, claustrophic ambiance.
Contradictory adjectives? Nope. It really is soothing. Announce it how Stewie from Family Guy would. Sooooothing -
Review from Krys A.
12/8/2010
The name states the obvious.
A fabulous martini bar in an eccentric location! The person that thought of turning a tunnel into a bar is a genius. I say this because, it has the perfect ambiance. No windows, therefore its dimly lit all around... great music playing (from what I can remember), small, cozy but just enough room.
Okay enough about the actual bar....
On to the Martini's.... large martini menu!!!! LOVE IT. I didn't have much time, otherwise I probably would have sat down and tried a few different kinds. I stuck to my classic "dirty martini - extra dirty" and it was DEF strong, had to ask for more olive juice... and once that was added it was a perfect martini! I hope to be going back to this place soon to try more drinks on the menu, even if it is VERY far from my home. If your in the area, make sure you stop in for at least one drink.
I want to try the Creamsicle flavored martini next,.... it is on my bucket list! :)Listed in: Must Try!
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Review from Molly W.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's a tunnel! It's a bar! It's a Tunnel Bar!
You can't argue with this place, I mean - common! The biggest gripe is that the martinis are strong!? Not a problem for me, thanks.
This is a great place to bring out of towners, because it's unique. People will remember it, and that's what you want to be spending your money on. Memories! So man up and get your booty down there, if you can handle it. -
Review from Russell W.
Tolland, CT
8/13/2010
Place was OK. The venue as a whole is unique, but kinda creepily cramped. If you're claustrophobic you'll probably hate it. Overall I'll probably venture around to see what else NoHo has to offer before I go back here.
Drinks:
They didn't have Maker's Mark, which was disappointing, but the drinks we had were still pretty good. You better have a taste for STRONG drinks though. I wanted a Manhattan, so it was fine by me as those are strong everywhere, but one of the ladies was less than pleased with her Flirtini being all 'tini and no Flirt.
Price:
Less than $10 for a solid and strong Manhattan in a very large martini glass treated me just fine. -
Review from Derek W.
Melrose, MA
4/12/2011
As for the physical establishment, the vibe it gives off, and it's staff, I love it. Unfortunately the vibe of the establishment just doesn't mesh with how packed it was with loud, obnoxious, wasted people when I went. The music was also a weird awful 90s "hits" thing that definitely didn't fit the vibe of the place. The drinks are quite expensive, but very strong and well made. The bartenders know what they're doing. I would love to love this place and maybe on a weeknight I could, but on a weekend it just didn't work for me.
Listed in: Amherst Haunts
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Review from Lynee G.
West Hempstead, NY
9/4/2010 1 photo
Cool upscale martini bar! Great place to stop for a drink or two, to relax or hang out before or after going out. They offer a bunch of different types of martinis, all of which are yummy! You can also get other cocktails as well.
Beware, this place fills up fast so come early and get a seat! -
Review from Matt C.
Amherst
4/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
How they fumbled this idea, I have no idea. The place looks beautiful, and going in I had high expectations. Got a Manhattan, and as advertised it was quite strong. However, although it may seem like a small complaint, the music completely took me out of the experience. Barenaked Ladies? Really? For a martini bar in a fucking tunnel???? There should be Jazz, plain and simple. My fantasies of being Don Draped were ruined, and so I will be reluctant to return.
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Review from Kit S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/8/2006
Had the first of many, many vodka gimlets here. It is basically my favorite bar of all time, rivaled only by Packard's.
Ambiance is amazing. Overstuffed leather sofas and the unique rounded tunnel roof make for a cozy, sophisticated and quirky feel, which truly adds to the experience. This place is almost always packed, even on weekdays, but I found that instead of being a point of contention, the lack of space and seating usually leads to conversations with perfectly amiable total strangers.
Martinis are pricey but strong and delicious. If I recall correctly, they also have a decent stock of wines. I would definitely suggest a visit (or ten) if you've never been.Listed in: Old Haunts in Western Mass
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Review from Maura D.
New York, NY
3/23/2009
It seems that this little gem could use a serious facelift.
When I lived in the area, I would frequent this enough. Good place for a first date, fancy cocktails with girlfriends. I loved the overstuffed leather chairs, the long tunnel, the dark lighting.
I went a few months back, and was really sad. Where were all the young, mature 20-30 somethings, enjoying cocktails and beers? It was replaced with college co-eds and meat heads. Girls making out at the bar, egged on by the bartender. Bad 90s music (Offspring?!) was playing, and the whole place just looked really worn.
I was quite sad. I hope this was an off night, 'cause this was a great joint. -
Review from Robbie H.
Southwick, MA
5/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
In terms of ambiance, this is my favorite bar in Northampton. It's built in the tunnel under and old train track. You literally feel like you're in a secret cave or something, and there are all these old leather wing-backed arm chairs to sit in and talk. Feels very trendy/secret society. I love it. There. Pricing is moderate.
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Review from Audrey F.
Brooklyn, NY
9/14/2009
By far the fanciest late night establishment in Northampton, this place looks incredible, but BY GOD, their cocktails are horrendous!
My boyfriend and I were UNABLE to finish ours because they were so VILE. And we can drink, trust me. These glowing concoctions were so strong it was actually unpleasant (and virtually impossible) to even sip them. We left them half full.. and they were not cheap, either.
My friend ordered a Dreamsicle from the dessert cocktail menu (smart girl), which was very strong but at least POTABLE.
Something about the low lighting made me suspect things were a lot filthier than you might imagine. The service is also nothing to congratulate.
Definitely an experience.. but stick to the dessert cocktails if you brave the Tunnel Bar!Listed in: The Valley
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Review from Annette A.
Brighton, MA
3/31/2008
Yep, it's a tunnel alright. There is definitely a lovely ambience at night, the way they light their walls. You may feel a bit claustrophobic at first, but it's just a ploy for you to approach the bar area.
The bartenders are clean, kind, and look like pros. The drinks are fantastic, and worth the price. This is a place for martinis. Martinis martinis martinis. Most of them are very very good, and if I had anything to complain about it would be that some were too strong to enjoy.
Dreamsicle: Dead on. Not very strong, but it's a dead on orange creamsicle.
Lemon Drop: You need to squeeze your lemon slice into this one before you can enjoy it. It's very strong, almost enough to make you wince. -
Review from Shaina P.
8/4/2009
Almost a speakeasy; this stylish bar gets my vote for great spots to visit in Northampton. My beefeater extra dirty was shaken to perfection, but totally did me in for the night. I should have stuck with one of their Sam Smith beers of which there were ALL flavors offered.
Bring your friends looking for some class here. It's a one of a kind establishment. -
Review from Lauren C.
Warwick, RI
12/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
I really can't express my disappointment at the experience that we had at Tunnel Bar. We were in Northampton for a long weekend getaway and having seen the bar's website, along with photos and the many positive reviews, I was excited to have after-dinner drinks here.
Maybe we were just there on a bad night, but I don't think I've had a worse experience at a bar. We went around 9 pm on a Thursday night. Granted, the place is cool looking and truly unique. There's a bar in the middle and lots of cozy, comfortable leather chairs for seating options. We settled into the chairs and saw there was a waiter taking orders so we checked out the martini menu and waited. And waited some more. It was probably 20 minutes before the waiter came over and gruffly said he'd be right with us. That's fine, maybe he was the only one working and was swamped. No biggie.
Waiter finally came back, took our orders (apple martini and Old Fashioned). Drinks finally came and the Old Fashioned literally didn't have alcohol in it. No exaggeration, this wasn't just a weak drink, this was a VIRGIN drink. It tasted like club soda and bitters. The apple martini was also pretty pitiful, it consisted of mainly sour mix with maybe a splash of vodka and schnapps. We were so disgusted at that point that my husband downed both of our drinks and we settled up and went to another bar. The lack of alcohol in these drinks was pretty evident at that point since he was capable of walking in a straight line on the way to the next place.
The bottom line - bad service, terrible drinks, nice atmosphere. I had been looking forward to these stiff martinis I'd read about it, but unfortunately got quite the opposite. -
Review from Cyn W.
Arlington, VA
12/12/2006
Attended college in Northampton for three years before finally discovering this place, which is really a tragedy. It has a wonderful ambiance and the company was always interesting.
I LOVE their extra dirty martinis (they're totally generous with the olives)... -
Review from Ryan B.
4/2/2009
Totally awesome and unique building. Very fun to look at. On the other hand,...the curve ceilings made for uncomfortable acoustics. I could hear peoples personal conversations about the first time they shot heroin. Umm...yeah.
They're supposedly famous for their martini's, so I tried one. It tasted like rubbing alcohol. Hit me hard though, so I guess I got what i paid for.
The chairs are comfy, but too far apart to have a non-awkward conversation...especially with a first date. I think I managed alright, but c'mon...
I was told by my date that it was an 'early' place...meaning that we might be going some place after? Please? No. We headed home after that. Oh well!
Not sure if I will suggest a return...not with $9 drinks that taste like their sole purpose is an antiseptic. -
Review from Bria D.
5/9/2009
Great concept, adequate execution, marred by the crowd. The guy in deck shoes, a white polo shirt, and khaki shorts across from me was so WASPy it hurt--but he was miles away preferable to the jerk who decided to rearrange his big armchair to block the aisle. We had hoped the server would call him out on that, but alas.
The drinks are girly as all get-out--really, really sweet and fruity. There's a page of menu items that I'd consider to be sweet dessert cocktails and then *another* page of "dessertinis" that up the sugar quotient. How many dessert cocktails does a non-TGIFriday's spot need? My Manhattan had a touch too much sweet vermouth but it was recognizably a Manhattan (and a decent enough one that I ordered another). Their bourbon selection was more limited than I would've liked (no Woodford Reserve, no Bulleit, no Maker's), but it fills an essential niche for the area. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
Northampton, MA
11/19/2009
Looks cool, smells bad! Don't they notice?
The unique atmosphere goes to waste on less-than-mediocre everything else. -
Review from Lauren W.
4/5/2010
Tunnel bar is great because its really classy, and a nice place to sit and talk with friends. The prices are good and drinks are big. Those are the pros for Tunnel bar.
The cons: Two friends ordered the same drink but they looked and tasted vastly different. Our waiter had a very hard time remembering our drinks and it took about 3 or 4 trips to get our full order correct. It was very warm in the bar, and theres never quite enough room. However, it was a Saturday night so its probably good that it was crowded. -
Review from A B.
Northampton, MA
8/6/2011
Awesome ambiance, but the drinks are terrible considering their high price. I'll definitely come back for the scene, but will steer away from the cocktails and martinis, which tasted like a combination of nail polish remover and mouth wash.
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Review from Rebecca B.
Lenox, MA
4/26/2011
Love this place. They make great martinis. It is cozy and great place to relax with some friends or a date and chat with a delicious martini.
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Review from Glory M.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great bar. They can make any drink you ask for, but their own selection of cocktails is expansive enough. The bar feels like a real tunnel and is directly across The Sierra Grille, which is a delicious dinner spot.
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Review from Sarah L.
Shelburne Falls, MA
4/18/2011
The Tunnel Bar is a neat place. The martinis are great, a little overpriced for Northampton, but a tremendous bargain in a larger city.
Just don't go on a weekend. The tunnel is a great, romantic, cozy, unique location on a weeknight, and a great place for a date or a conversation with a friend you haven't seen in a while. Bu,t at 10 pm on a Saturday, the charm is gone, as throngs of people elbow you without apology, your $10 tasty beverage goes all over the floor and your party clothes, you can't hear anyone, and thoughts of Coconut Grove creep into your head. -
Review from Fred F.
Worcester, MA
4/18/2011
Worst bartender I have ever had the displeasure of attempting to order a cocktail from. I have NEVER not tipped a bartender before last night.
Should have turned around and left when we walked in and couldn't quite figure out what that foul odor was.
Drink was supposed to have Grey Goose-and now after dealing with the bartender I am quite sure it was not Grey Goose (sure didn't taste like it.) -
Review from Josh F.
East Greenville, PA
6/18/2009
Awesome spot, really cool atmosphere.
A friend and I went, had some very good wine, and people watched for like 2 hours...it was great.
Service was a bit slow, but we weren't in any rush, so I didn't feel it was a drawback.
Comfy high-back chairs make you feel like royalty ;) -
Review from Edgar D.
New Haven, CT
10/11/2008
I loved the ambience and feeling of being in a tunnel.
The cocktails were pretty good- I think I ended up getting around 4.
The only downside I saw was the seating, it was pretty much limited to groups of 4. I guess you could also awkwardly move the chairs around... -
Review from Jessica S.
Cumberland, RI
8/30/2010
I love this place. The atmosphere is nice and the martinis are always good and strong. Wish they had more appetizers here though, or desserts. Sometimes they forget to add the fruit garnishes on the drinks.
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Review from J. T.
West Hartford, CT
2/2/2011
Tunnel Bar has a really cool, chill ambiance like no other bar I've been to before. It is literally in a tunnel with no windows. Over-sized comfy brown leather arm chairs line the aisles. The one downside is there never seems to be enough room and it's tough to get a group of chairs together. If you see an opening, pounce while you can! Not great to go to with a huge crowd of people, but my friends and I managed to make it work, especially if you get there on the earlier side. They have a ton of interesting martinis to choose from. However, the martinis are large and have a little too much alcohol for my liking... very strong. Tunnel Bar is a nice break from the usual college-bar scene in the Northampton and Amherst area.
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Review from Andrew C.
Southborough, MA
1/8/2011
My favorite bar in Northampton, the atmosphere is great. I love going with a few close friends and getting tipsy on the amazing martini's and talking for hours.
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Review from Kathryn O.
Northampton, MA
10/25/2009
the tunnel bar was a hip, nice place to go when i was at smith. almost 10 years later, it is looking and smelling pretty ragged. a weird odor... old people's home? mildew? can't quite place it.
i went in hoping for a fantastic drink, and found the 'tini menu to be pretty dated. appletini? flirtini? siciliantini? jolly-rancher? grossssss & cheesy.
even the upholstery on the chairs is musty-looking. http://www.unionstatio...
time for an update, tunnel bar! ditch the passe sex and the city cosmo-motif and get serious with some fantastic prohibition era cocktails - get creative with bitters and liqueurs. your unique building could be amazing yet again, but it needs to be brought into the contemporary. you've got negronis and vespers... continue in that direction with an awesome bartender who knows his/her stuff and isn't afraid to experiment with the drink menu! i'm willing to pay for a good drink - but not a 'jolly rancher'. ugh. -
Review from Joanna C.
Brookline, MA
10/18/2008 1 photo
Much nicer than the tunnels I usually drink in!
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Review from Rue B.
Montague, MA
11/29/2009
Used to be the perfect cigar bar. Still miss that aspect of coming here. If any Massachusetts bar deserves to be smoked in, it's inside this claustrophobic, dimly lit tunnel full of pseudo-classy armchairs. Drinks are very strong for better or worse, but you do get your $8 worth of booze. Stick with the more classic renditions of martini and you should be okay. I often go with scotch, as they have a pretty nice selection. Ah, Laphroaig.
Whatever their recent aesthetic shortcomings, this is still the most unique location and atmosphere around the Valley! -
Review from Shawn W.
Boston, MA
8/26/2010
The Tunnel Bar is basically the best place to go for a great start or end of your night. The bartenders are amazingly nice and know what they're doing. The ambiance is cozy and intimate and usually you'll find seating for four and people having a good time. Given it used to be part of a train system, you won't find another place like it. They serve expertly-prepared martinis for a mere $8 and they even have beer nuts! The location is awesome, the service is awesome and the drinks are even better. Hands down a MUST if you're exploring Northampton.
