Mortar & Pestle Bar

130 S B St, San Mateo
(650) 899-6669

Recent Reviews

Anahi A.

Discovered it by mistake and have loved it ever since! Anthony and Marcus both always have such welcoming energy and make the best drinks! Their hospitality is unmatched and the place itself feels so cozy.

JoBeth T.

We love this place! Anthony--wow!--what a great bartender and room manager! The drinks are superb, and though we know they're all premixed by the house, there's still wonderful flair in preparing them (ours had a little stick-on-fire garnish!), and serving them with heart and enthusiasm. Plus, Anthony keeps the room and bar super-clean and tick-tocking along all evening. He's lovely, warm, and efficient. GREAT JOB. ONE THING TO MANAGEMENT, THOUGH: This place feels like a discovery--a little speakeasy. So the ambiance gets ruined by the fluorescent light and bathroom hallway view. First (and my dad ran restaurants, so I have a little experience with this), I'd either hang a full length of beading that blocks light and bathroom, or I'd consider a full length door that goes up to the ceiling. Beads (or those metals strands that you can get at a hardware store would work) will be cheap. And owners should sit up on the bar in the evening and notice that the fluorescent is right in your eyes, and the view looking toward your partner at the bar is pretty bland and destroys the vibe. (My dad always said owners should sit where their customers sit and feel if the chairs are comfy, if the light's right, if the place lends itself to groove or romance or cool.) No one wants to feel like they're drinking in the bathroom hallway. Plus the room is so, so cool, it deserves its own separation and specialness. Thanks for the great drinks and food!

Aaron Goff

This place is awesome, and Markus the bartender absolutely hooked it up. I will be back for sure, and I look forward to trying every cocktail on the menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nadia Sarangapany

The female bartender that served my sister and I was horrible. I don’t know if she still works there as this encounter was a while back, but we ordered food from the attached curry up now place and the dish was soggy -too much yogurt. We kindly ask to return it and she proceeded to ask what was wrong with it and if we should throw the food on the ground or spit at the worker. We still tipped her $5 and left. But i never recommended this place! Such a horrible experience for terrible service and their drinks were more crush ice than alcohol. Go else where.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Serena L.

Visited this place during covid, I loved the ambiance, but the vibe just okay. Recently had dinner close by and decided to revisit this place again. Right when we walked in Marcus welcomed us with open arms! Next thing you know Anthony came to chat with us! My boyfriend and I only came for 1 drink. But we stayed this closing because Marcus and Anthony made us felt like we're home! This will be our regular spot from now on because Anthony and Marcus made us feel like we were regulars right when we walked in!

Susan T.

Oh gosh, this place is so amazing. After couldn't get into Wunder bar, so we actually came here. They sat us right away. We had a bartender name, Anthony who was truly amazing. He was very attentive to us, and very outgoing, truly recommend him if you guys come here. The inside was pretty cool ,clean, and a very large selection of whiskey.

Shilpi Dey

Delicious cocktails and Mumbai street foodReminds me of the hip bars in MumbaiFood is very authentic bar food served in Mumbai high end loungesThe 4 stars because the bar stools are the most uncomfortable I've ever sat on in my life. A cushion would do wonders and I would stay longer and buy more drinks, maybe!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Esteban G.

Anthony took care of us. He was attentive and gave us good recommendations. He was on point and took care of everyone else as well. New favorite bar tender at this spot.

Jonathan C.

Great customer service, caters well to preferences, and variety is helpful when it comes to those that can't have too much alcohol and maintains good taste!

Ren J.

I absolutely love stopping by this joint, ever since my first experience the customer service has been 1000/10 and their drinks have tasted refreshing, and very adjustable to my taste, I recommend it to my friends whenever I feel the urge to have a good time and need a laugh. I look forward to the clean and joyful atmosphere. Huge shoutout to Markus for his commitment to making connections and meticulous detail to everyone's drinks!

Andrew C.

Marcus is the goat - just let him handle everything. Had an amazing time at the bar, would come again!

Pardeep Binning

Mortar & Pestle Bar has become a favorite spot of mine, a place I've visited 4-5 times and one I often recommend to friends. This unique bar stands out for its specialty cocktails, each with a delightful Indian twist that transforms traditional drinks into something extraordinary. My personal favorite, the Nimbu Pani Puri cocktail, is a brilliant representation of this fusion. It takes the essence of my beloved Indian snack, Pani Puri, and ingeniously incorporates it into a cocktail, creating a refreshing and innovative drink that never ceases to amaze me.Each visit to Mortar & Pestle Bar is an opportunity to introduce friends to these inventive concoctions. The fair pricing and good service make the experience even more enjoyable. The staff are particularly helpful, always ready to assist in choosing cocktails, which is great for those who may be new to this fusion of flavors.The food at Mortar & Pestle Bar complements the drinks perfectly. As the bar is located at the back of Curry Up, a national chain known for its amazing Indian fusion cuisine, the culinary experience is as impressive as the cocktails. The combination of great food and exceptional drinks makes this bar a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique and satisfying experience.Vegetarian options: A Indian restaurant with a lot of veggie options.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sev Puri Chaat, Dirty Fries, Death by Tikka Masala, Thali

Pardeep B.

Mortar & Pestle Bar has become a favorite spot of mine, a place I've visited 4-5 times and one I often recommend to friends. This unique bar stands out for its specialty cocktails, each with a delightful Indian twist that transforms traditional drinks into something extraordinary. My personal favorite, the Nimbu Pani Puri cocktail, is a brilliant representation of this fusion. It takes the essence of my beloved Indian snack, Pani Puri, and ingeniously incorporates it into a cocktail, creating a refreshing and innovative drink that never ceases to amaze me. Each visit to Mortar & Pestle Bar is an opportunity to introduce friends to these inventive concoctions. The fair pricing and good service make the experience even more enjoyable. The staff are particularly helpful, always ready to assist in choosing cocktails, which is great for those who may be new to this fusion of flavors. The food at Mortar & Pestle Bar complements the drinks perfectly. As the bar is located at the back of Curry Up, a national chain known for its amazing Indian fusion cuisine, the culinary experience is as impressive as the cocktails. The combination of great food and exceptional drinks makes this bar a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique and satisfying experience.

Lander Foquet

Tried to get a cocktail ordered. Bar tender was drunk and forgot about us. Kindly reminded him and he asked again what the order was. Turned his back and walked away. We walked out and won't be returning.

Service: 1

Martha P.

Anthony and Marcus gave exceptional service tending to our groups specific preferences of cocktails! They made the experience memorable and personable. Can't wait to come back!

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