Bar 25 AYER — Restaurant in Ayer

'New kid on the block' nice little place with friendly dynamic staff reception and innovative bar menu. Interiors in venue of 'Industrial Chic' design where wine crates are utilized to display the selection. Rough wooden shelves, stabilized with pipe fixtures, house the 'hard stuff'. Their draw is the craft cocktails. Well primped and pretty to look at and much effort is exercised to shake them with panache. But confess staunch limitations to classic martinis and Kir (absent from cocktail menu). Hence, hesitation to venture into trendy candy cocktails. However, being more of a 'foodie' than a 'drinkie', I think the cocktails, if thick whipped with ice, would have great potential as dessert granitas or spiked summer sherbets.

Borsao Garnacha, a Spanish wine they avail,has good reviews for wine sellers and consumers alike. The extra added perk for trying that one out (for those who like it) is that it helps narrow down a choice when shopping for bottles of wine when the selection is too vast or unfamiliar.

Homemade style soups and hummus served with fresh warm flat bread were comforting whereas the food other people sitting next to me were eating, such as large oval pizza type dishes and hefty sandwiches, indeed looked delicious but more suitable for the hungry or those sharing with friends than to the occasional lone nibbler.

I used to frequent another near by place, a prior dive re-invented and scaled up. Initially I liked the transition which came with a chef; 'Chris', (and perhaps manager?) with a professional background in culinary arts and restaurant service. One day when I asked; 'Where's Chris?', the answer was; 'He's gone.' So, it was a nice surprise to find him working at Bar 25 as the head bartender. He is accompanied by a cadre of workers who also seem conversant in the art of service and presentation. Hence my 5...

So much potential. A nice sized bar with a romantic and quieter dining space on either end. The fireplace is a nice touch. Our server was friendly and nice. Then things went downhill. Inexperienced bar tender with an attitude killed our nite. While capable of drawing beer and pouring wine, she seemed lost making cocktails as we watched her struggle. My Margarita was good, not great. My girlfriend's Manhattan had sat over melting ice for too long while the bartender reviewed recipes and measured watering it down. I think she used the wrong vermouth. A Manhattan should not have foam. It was the color of apple juice, not a Manhattan. This is my girls drink and brand. When we sent it back, the bartender came to the table and rather than apologize, she told us that it was made correctly, she can remake it but it will be the same so what then? Long story short, too late, we got her to remake and it was a little better. On the next round, back to apple juice. Guacamole was fresh but bland and watery, chips are from a bag. My short rib tacos were yummy but oversalted. Rice and beans were warm, not hot and bland. I'd give a 2 for service due to the bartender but our actual server was a solid 4-5 so we...

What a surprise! I finally ordered take out from this place after all the rave reviews, dreading it might only be standing out because there's little competition for an urbane cocktail bar out here in the suburban hinterlands. No need to have worried; it lived up to its reputation. I even ordered a cocktail, a first for me in regards to take out. It came in an "iv bag" which very much looked like the iv bags in the hospital, (seemed appropriate for these pandemic times.) I admit I was a bit dubious, but the drink was great - not too sweet and freshly made with real lime juice. Sure, I would have preferred to sip it from a glass at the bar, but I am not vaccinated yet and will have to wait. The food was also very good -- they kept the menu simple and well done. My only worry about ordering from them again is they are opening a second, much bigger location in Newburyport, and I fear that venture will suck all their attention and leave this little location in Ayer neglected. Please keep up the good work!...