The Collective - A Public House — Restaurant in Evansville

The chef was out so I can only review the atmosphere and drinks so far, but if it tells you anything, I'll be sure to come back to try out the cuisine of this single chef kitchen.

The service was excellent and cocktails carefully crafted. I had been looking for a place with a quality selection of bourbon, whiskeys, and other liqours. There are some but none I've experienced this grand and thoughtfully selected. Evansville has never been known to host many a small place with small menu and cocktails that cost more than a case of Busch Latté, but I hope this one stays for quite some time.

The staff truly care about your experience, spend the time to talk to you and share tastes of new concoctions or rare whiskeys. I hadn't tasted any food but to see an open air kitchen with only one chef is a rarity especially for this "small big" town. The atmosphere is on par with any upscale place you would find in a much bigger city. Has an older style rustix feel with plenty of amenities and comforts of modern renovation.

I will be back and I hope you come to. It's not common for someone to take this risk to put together a place like this in a town like this. I hope you'll support it as I will. Join me at the bar, first...

While visiting Evansville for the weekend my wife and I found this place by happenstance while walking around looking for some food and drink. Bryce the manager was outside setting up the daily special plaque while my wife and I walked by. We were in the mood for a pick me up and asked him if they made a good espresso martini. His response was, “Absolutely…. One of the best in the city”!

To foreshadow…. He wasn’t lying.

We walked up to the upstairs bar and were welcomed by a beautiful modern restaurant & bar. Cleanliness was the standout thought I had. We saw him and the team cleaning as they worked as though we were in a professional high end kitchen! Seemed to be a very efficient, productive, and smoothly run atmosphere at the same time. We had the pleasure of having Bryce, Cici, and Austin craft their versions of the aforementioned drink we ordered. Each one was delicious and consistent! He taught them well! Haha. What a wonderful place to enjoy a drink and get a bite if you are visiting Evansville, Indiana. Along with Bryce…. Cici and Austin were awesome to visit with! 100% would recommend and we will be back!...

Outstanding dining experience. Excellent service (Michelin star level, imho), great atmosphere/lighting/music, and stellar food. This restaurant has absolutely nailed the type of restaurant we have travelled around the world seeking. Seasonal/locally sourced/small plates/chef tasting meal with solidly crafted cocktail menu, prime wine list and attentive not suffocating service. Sitting at the bar with a backlight glow of amber from the insane bourbon collection, we had the chefs tasting menu for a crazy underpriced, $60. I have paid 10x for food And service half as good. The chef was also willing to adjust a dish for dietary needs (no pork) which we greatly appreciated. I would have loved to have seen a wine flight/pairing option but I’m sure this will be forthcoming once the “soft open” period has ended. Visit before James beard comes calling and prices go up up up to where they should be. Strong...