This place is very discriminatory! As a local and someone who patronizes downtown Carmel businesses regularly it was an extremely disappointing experience overall. Came here to enjoy some late night drinks with my best friend and boyfriend who had just got off work. As we approached, a very dusty looking doorman looked us up and down before pointing to a sign and stating there was a dress code and my boyfriend couldn’t enter because of his hoodie and shorts. Meanwhile we see unmelanated men and women dressed super casually walking in and out of the bar. It seems like their “dress code” is selectively enforced and used as a tool to keep patrons they deem undesirable out of the bar. It definitely didn’t feel good to othered by someone who 1 appears to be a minority himself and 2 doesnt look like he can afford to live here himself! People come here for the laid back, chill vibes. This is CARMEL, NOT LA or Vegas. Let’s drop the pretentiousness please! As a person of color, please think long and hard if this is the type of establishment you want to give your hard earned money to! I will never come here or recommend this place to any of my friends when they come to visit. Do better, Barmel. Discrimination and racism is LITTLE D**K ENERGY! And the last thing this world needs is more of that bs!
Christine brim
To the owner of the club- get a new doorman. This man will be the sole cause of your business failing. Discriminating against high paying customers because they don’t have the right look is completely absurd. My friend got turned away because he was wearing shorts and a hoodie. And honestly, I picked up some racist vibes from him. He had a snobby look on his face as we walked up to the entrance. Oh, and last I checked we were in Carmel, not Vegas.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Urvashi Barua
This is an amazing bar. It turns into a nightclub. Carries great whiskey actually very few places in Carmel to carry Blanton whiskey love it
Stephanie Masch
My group attempted to have drinks here last night around 8:30pm. The first person in our group asked a female employee about getting drinks and she snapped at him and said “we can’t have you guys here because you’re going to take away tables from the couples and your group will take up too much space.” Then she snapped at our bride, that we were celebrating, and asked what we were still doing there. And as we all are trying to figure out where to go, by the fourth or fifth time of her snapping at my guests, I intervened. I attempted to tell her the size of our group and get more information from her, but she replied with “I’m sorry do we have a problem?” Me and several guests were extremely disrespected. Thankfully Hunter came to us and handled the situation like a normal person. Yes we had a large party but he explained the bottle service information and guided us to the other location. There was absolutely no need for the escalation with the rude woman, or ruining our bride’s night, and they lost our business.
Gwyneth Dunsford
Unpleasant experience all around. A friend booked a room for a small holiday party. When we showed up, we didn't get the private room nor the private bartender we were promised. So it wasn't a great start to the night.
Our table area was cozy enough but there wasn't any music because the speaker was broken.
My food was fine, but definitely nothing to brag about. My four friends all ordered the winter salad and complained of the bitterness. Instead of being a lettuce mix, it was 80% raddichio, which is a weird choice. We asked the waiter about it, and after some prodding, he brought over extra goat cheese and salad dressing to make it more palatable. Even then, most of the salads were too hard to stomach.
Overall, there was very poor communication between management, staff and our group. Every interaction was complicated and left us all annoyed.
I estimate our group spent around $1K on food and drinks, but it seemed like they Barmel staff were determined to make the dinner as unpleasant as possible.
Generally, restaurants in Carmel have exceptional customer service and set a high bar with cuisine. Honestly, you would be better off at a chain restaurant like the Cheesecake Factory. At least there, you know what to expect with the food and service.
Fer C
I went here for the first time with a group of 5 friends. Everybody was buying drinks except me because I was the sober driver. A man working there told me I couldn’t be inside with my friends unless I bought a drink. He kept pestering me to buy something and the whole experience was ridiculous. They are clearly very desperate to get every last dime out of you. Will never return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Suki Skye
We were recommended to visit Barmel by a local, and it didn't disappoint. For reference, we're from outside San Francisco and are a little obsessed by the story of Sally Stanford (look her up, she's fascinating). As we sat at the bar, my wife exclaimed 'Sally Stanford's Vahalla' and the bartender explained that her original Vahalla bar in Sausalito was purchased and moved to Carmel upon her death. Ask for the book about Sally :) Nice patatas bravas too. Great little local spot full of history, highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M. D.
Nice, small restaurant with a cozy atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. So quiet that even as a European you feel like sitting outside again. But also very pleasant inside with live music. The food was exceptionally good and a real change. Highlight: finally real dishes and cloth napkins again. Vegan was no problem at all and was specially prepared upon request. Great recommendation!
Vegetarian options: Vegan options are also possible upon request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Wishon
We came here on a whim when we realized nothing is open late in Carmel and were so happy we did! We went on Tuesday which was 2 tacos for $5! Can’t find a better deal anywhere around. We also got the burger which was unreal. My cocktail was amazing, and my husband also loved the IPA he got. I would definitely recommend!
Midnight on Carmel... you're hungry, they're the one place so will cater your wish. Carlos and the crew are phenomenal... Carmel Supper club rocks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Albert Y. Kim
Great cocktails in a bar location with a lot of history.
M Hernandez
Good happy hour, nice vibes, live music, and cool place to get a few drinks. The lemon drop martini was delicious. We also got Belgian fries (homemade ketchup to die for!) and a salad with shrimp. It was a wonderful evening!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roger-Dunn-Golf-HI
This is hands down my favorite spot in Carmel. Great craft cocktails, live music and great vibe! It’s a legit bar scene in an otherwise sleepy village. It’s a must for those looking for pulse in the Carmel night life.
W636
I was out for an evening with my wife and adult children. Initially Barmel seemed like a very nice place. However we were treated very poorly as they began to change over part of the bar seating area to a dance floor. We had only been there a short time when we were told we had to leave so they could use our table for bottle service. We were never informed that they would be turning our table into a reserved area for bottle service when we arrived. However shortly after our second round we were rudely told we needed to vacate our table. I saw another table of four that was also removed so they could expand the dance floor. I thought that was poor form as well because no one was even dancing. I really wish there was a zero star option for this establishment. I definitely do not recommend Barmel.
This place is very discriminatory! As a local and someone who patronizes downtown Carmel businesses regularly it was an extremely disappointing experience overall. Came here to enjoy some late night drinks with my best friend and boyfriend who had just got off work. As we approached, a very dusty looking doorman looked us up and down before pointing to a sign and stating there was a dress code and my boyfriend couldn’t enter because of his hoodie and shorts. Meanwhile we see unmelanated men and women dressed super casually walking in and out of the bar. It seems like their “dress code” is selectively enforced and used as a tool to keep patrons they deem undesirable out of the bar. It definitely didn’t feel good to othered by someone who 1 appears to be a minority himself and 2 doesnt look like he can afford to live here himself! People come here for the laid back, chill vibes. This is CARMEL, NOT LA or Vegas. Let’s drop the pretentiousness please! As a person of color, please think long and hard if this is the type of establishment you want to give your hard earned money to! I will never come here or recommend this place to any of my friends when they come to visit. Do better, Barmel. Discrimination and racism is LITTLE D**K ENERGY! And the last thing this world needs is more of that bs!
To the owner of the club- get a new doorman. This man will be the sole cause of your business failing. Discriminating against high paying customers because they don’t have the right look is completely absurd. My friend got turned away because he was wearing shorts and a hoodie. And honestly, I picked up some racist vibes from him. He had a snobby look on his face as we walked up to the entrance. Oh, and last I checked we were in Carmel, not Vegas.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is an amazing bar. It turns into a nightclub. Carries great whiskey actually very few places in Carmel to carry Blanton whiskey love it
My group attempted to have drinks here last night around 8:30pm. The first person in our group asked a female employee about getting drinks and she snapped at him and said “we can’t have you guys here because you’re going to take away tables from the couples and your group will take up too much space.” Then she snapped at our bride, that we were celebrating, and asked what we were still doing there. And as we all are trying to figure out where to go, by the fourth or fifth time of her snapping at my guests, I intervened. I attempted to tell her the size of our group and get more information from her, but she replied with “I’m sorry do we have a problem?” Me and several guests were extremely disrespected. Thankfully Hunter came to us and handled the situation like a normal person. Yes we had a large party but he explained the bottle service information and guided us to the other location. There was absolutely no need for the escalation with the rude woman, or ruining our bride’s night, and they lost our business.
Unpleasant experience all around. A friend booked a room for a small holiday party. When we showed up, we didn't get the private room nor the private bartender we were promised. So it wasn't a great start to the night.
Our table area was cozy enough but there wasn't any music because the speaker was broken.
My food was fine, but definitely nothing to brag about. My four friends all ordered the winter salad and complained of the bitterness. Instead of being a lettuce mix, it was 80% raddichio, which is a weird choice. We asked the waiter about it, and after some prodding, he brought over extra goat cheese and salad dressing to make it more palatable. Even then, most of the salads were too hard to stomach.
Overall, there was very poor communication between management, staff and our group. Every interaction was complicated and left us all annoyed.
I estimate our group spent around $1K on food and drinks, but it seemed like they Barmel staff were determined to make the dinner as unpleasant as possible.
Generally, restaurants in Carmel have exceptional customer service and set a high bar with cuisine. Honestly, you would be better off at a chain restaurant like the Cheesecake Factory. At least there, you know what to expect with the food and service.
I went here for the first time with a group of 5 friends. Everybody was buying drinks except me because I was the sober driver. A man working there told me I couldn’t be inside with my friends unless I bought a drink. He kept pestering me to buy something and the whole experience was ridiculous. They are clearly very desperate to get every last dime out of you. Will never return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
We were recommended to visit Barmel by a local, and it didn't disappoint. For reference, we're from outside San Francisco and are a little obsessed by the story of Sally Stanford (look her up, she's fascinating). As we sat at the bar, my wife exclaimed 'Sally Stanford's Vahalla' and the bartender explained that her original Vahalla bar in Sausalito was purchased and moved to Carmel upon her death. Ask for the book about Sally :) Nice patatas bravas too. Great little local spot full of history, highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice, small restaurant with a cozy atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. So quiet that even as a European you feel like sitting outside again. But also very pleasant inside with live music. The food was exceptionally good and a real change. Highlight: finally real dishes and cloth napkins again. Vegan was no problem at all and was specially prepared upon request.
Great recommendation!
Vegetarian options: Vegan options are also possible upon request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came here on a whim when we realized nothing is open late in Carmel and were so happy we did! We went on Tuesday which was 2 tacos for $5! Can’t find a better deal anywhere around. We also got the burger which was unreal. My cocktail was amazing, and my husband also loved the IPA he got. I would definitely recommend!
Barmel Love Love Love ❤️
Restaurantji Recommends
Midnight on Carmel... you're hungry, they're the one place so will cater your wish. Carlos and the crew are phenomenal... Carmel Supper club rocks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great cocktails in a bar location with a lot of history.
Good happy hour, nice vibes, live music, and cool place to get a few drinks. The lemon drop martini was delicious. We also got Belgian fries (homemade ketchup to die for!) and a salad with shrimp. It was a wonderful evening!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is hands down my favorite spot in Carmel. Great craft cocktails, live music and great vibe! It’s a legit bar scene in an otherwise sleepy village. It’s a must for those looking for pulse in the Carmel night life.
I was out for an evening with my wife and adult children. Initially Barmel seemed like a very nice place. However we were treated very poorly as they began to change over part of the bar seating area to a dance floor. We had only been there a short time when we were told we had to leave so they could use our table for bottle service. We were never informed that they would be turning our table into a reserved area for bottle service when we arrived. However shortly after our second round we were rudely told we needed to vacate our table. I saw another table of four that was also removed so they could expand the dance floor. I thought that was poor form as well because no one was even dancing. I really wish there was a zero star option for this establishment. I definitely do not recommend Barmel.
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