The Royal — Restaurant in Boise

Prices are rising in Boise for drinks, but I don’t recall taxes and liquor purchase prices rising. Must order at the bar and no happy hour specials. Drink ideas are a little different but could use a few more special touches to brag being a cocktail bar. I appreciate the lack of straws being handed out! I understand they are newly open, but I hope they do better than average. Hence 3-stars. They are just average for drinks in a convenient Hyde Park location. Noise gets very loud when only half full. I would love to see sound absorbing materials to keep it from echoing. *(I promise to update after my next visit, this was my initial...

Stopped in with a couple friends last night and we were immediately greeted by the bartender.

There were not many people here when we first walked in, but it filled up as the night went on. I liked the light or lack of lighting. It was darker, but perfect for a cocktail and conversation.

The bartenders were friendly and attentive. I had a few Dark Side cocktails and one my friends ordered a few Old Fashion's and my other friend had a drink called The Hot One.

I loved that they had something other than sports on the TV's and chill vibe...

The cocktails are really good. The overall vibe however, is perplexing. The decor yearns to be Algonquin-esque while the staff hope to be Applebees standard. Dont waste your money here. Would recommend Water Bear a few blocks down. Excellent craft cocktails with the service you expect in Boise, i.e warm and an affordable snack menu too despite the comparable cocktail costs.

Feels unavoidably like a bar funded by someone with a dream, money and no clue. Too bad too. I love the north end but this does nothing for our...