After dusk, Hemlock glows along Main with candle-lit corners and chatter rolling from the bar. There's a thread of jazz and old friends, burgers griddling behind the counter, and small plates ready for the next pour.
What to Expect:
🍸 Inventive cocktails and a bar menu focused on quality spirits
🍔 Smash burgers, vegan chopped cheese, classic fries, and rotating small plates
🪑 Table service with bar and booth seating—expect a lively, easygoing crowd
🔥 Fireplace for long winter nights, with open frontage for summer street air
✨ Seasonal touches and a menu that listens to what the village wants
Important Information:
✔ Walk-in only; no reservations taken
✔ Wheelchair accessible entrance, restrooms, and seating; low thresholds
✔ Table service inside; order at bar if busy or for counter seating
✔ Cocktail list plus NA mixed options and small selection of beer and wine
Haley's Pick 🍽️
You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.
Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.
The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.
Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.
It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.
– Haley @milehighandhungry
Local Insights
🕔 Early Arrivals: Booths go quick after 5:30 PM—show up right at open for a spot by the fireplace.
🍔 Secret Menu: Ask about off-menu small plates or late-night fry upgrades—regulars know what's up.
🍹 NA Options: Bar staff will craft a custom non-alcoholic drink if you mention your flavor mood.
🎶 Saturday Shift: Crowd swells from 7–10 PM; midweek is best for a quieter catch-up or deep pour.
What folks are saying
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Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Hemlock draws high marks for its careful cocktails and a menu built around the smash burger and vegan fare favorites. Locals and visitors praise the bar staff for their skill and good humor, and the space for its dim, welcoming energy—whether in a booth, at the bar, or around the fireplace. Drinks are called out for flavor and value, with most cocktails at $15. The music and lighting lend themselves to easy conversation, though the place fills rapidly on weekends and around dinner hours. Waits are rare, but seating is first-come, and crowding means tables can be scarce during prime time. Incidents of staff brusqueness or confusion at the bar are infrequent and generally outweighed by warmth.
Last updated on
October 9th, 2025
Accessibility
Street-level entrance with no steps and wide, easy thresholds. Restrooms and bar area are accessible; low and high tops are available; floor is flat throughout. Outdoor-facing windows open in summer for easy in-out access.
