The Retriever Bar in Chestertown, MD, is quickly cementing its status as a must-visit destination for food and spirits lovers alike. Nestled at 337 1/2 High St, this inviting bar offers a delightful atmosphere perfect for date nights, friendly outings, or simply relaxing at the bar. The centerpiece of its culinary offerings is a substantial oyster bar featuring local varieties like Orchard Points and Sweet Jesus' at very reasonable prices. Reviewers rave about the diverse menu that caters to all tastes, including vegan and vegetarian options. Highlights include the Heirloom Grits with Marsala Mushrooms, which one patron described as "OMG DELICIOUS!", and the mouthwatering chicken tinga tacos. However, not all dishes hit the mark, as the burger fell flat for one visitor due to dryness and lack of seasoning. The bar's extensive selection of spirits is another standout feature, drawing in enthusiasts eager to explore rare whiskeys and allocated bourbons. The skilled bartenders provide exceptional service, which enhances the overall experience. With its impressive combination of delicious food, great drinks, and inviting ambiance, The Retriever Bar is undoubtedly a gem in Chestertown's culinary scene, promising evenings filled with enjoyment and discovery.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Popular for
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For The Retriever Bar
Holly P
Jun 4,2025
DELICIOUS FOOD! Incredible atmosphere, perfect for date night, going out with friends, or hanging out at the bar. They have a huge oyster bar and wine selection! Vegan and vegetarian options! Tacos, soups, chicken dishes, seafood, and more! I got the Heirloom Grits with Marsala Mushroom, OMG DELICIOUS!!!!! Also my friend got the chicken tinga tacos, yum!!! So good I’m honestly going back to get it again!!!
Donovan Maldonado
May 30,2025
I recently discovered The Retriever Bar & The Decoy Bottle Shop. The owner, Neyah, is down-to-earth and knows his stuff when it comes to high quality spirits. I was impressed by their extensive collection of highly sought after bottles such as Fortaleza (blanco, reposado, and anejo), not to mention the allocated bourbons they had available for tasting with options for both full and half pours. The food was the cherry on top! I also got to walk out with a bottle of G4 Repo and XA! Will definitely be returning here. Salud!!
Eric Botwin
May 18,2025
Excellent service and atmosphere, truly. The burger was pretty disappointing, though. The patties were dry and had almost no caramelization, the bun needed more sauce, and everything lacked seasoning. I’ll chalk it up to an off night (it was very busy) and still very much looking forward to coming back.
Jamie Tsottles
May 17,2025
Great selection of alcohol beverages. Kim was our bartender and I watched her perform perfect wine service. Or as perfect as wine service can be across a bar. Had a burger and lobster machine and cheese. Desert was simple ice cream of the day but double chocolate mint was spot on.
John Larrabee
Mar 28,2025
A narrow bar with a kitchen that punches way above its weight class The Retriever is a real gem in Chestertown. Not to mention a world class collection of spirits, including some rare whiskeys and scotch. Don’t miss this place - it’s not a boring sports bar and doesn’t want to be.
Andrew Wright
Feb 16,2025
This is our favorite place to eat in town. The food is amazing, the staff are wonderful and the atmosphere is so inviting. Wonderful selection of scotch and wine too and the food is always great. If you’re lucky they will have the cookies and cream ice cream for dessert!
John L. Davis
Feb 15,2025
We very much enjoyed our evening here tonight. Dinner was delicious. The double smash burger is a strong go-to choice for entree. This time we also had the lamb street tacos. Those were also good, but not as good in my opinion as the burger. Oysters here are fresh, clean, clear of grit, well presented and tasty. Everything you can ask for in local oysters. Drinks - good. A great selection of draft and bottles, plus more wine than you can drink in a year. Great choice (perhaps the best) for here in Chestertown.
Just For Funsies
Feb 14,2025
Super cute place! I had the elderflower gimlet, half dozen local raw oysters, and a Maine style lobster roll. None of which disappointed! The bartender was friendly and offered thoughtful menu suggestions. It was a little pricey, but totally worth it!
Reviews For The Retriever Bar