5 1/2 Bar

Featuring craft cocktails with a distinctly New Orleans theme, 5−½ has a pleasing atmosphere, reasonably priced beverages and fine drinks, though they are not overflowing with generosity. It was a little loud and there were only 2 bartenders serving the whole bar but they managed to be pretty efficient.

Between 5 and 9 dollars for a San Francisco-​quality cocktail.

This is a pretty good bar just off Palafox that makes some mean (tasty) cocktails. It can get pretty busy so prepare to stand during those kinds of nights. There’s an entrance to Vinyl Music Hall from inside this bar. The lighting is dim and it felt like a «dress up» kind of bar in a way – maybe it was just the night I was there people were dressed up for some occasion. At any rate, it would be a cool place to start off a night of bar hopping or just to grab a drink before a show next door.
The bathroom is in the back alley through an unlabeled door which might be locked so you’ll be confused and asking people repeatedly where the loo is.

Favorite spot for drinks in Pensacola. Chill vibes where they usually play modern music at the perfect level — I can still hear some jams but I can also have a conversation. If there’s a show going on in the performance hall next door they play it live on the TV above the bar, which can get a little bit louder but still within reasonable limits.
Pat is by far the best bartender in Pensacola. You don’t tell him what you want, he gives you the drink that you didn’t know you have been searching for your entire life.
Think I’m kidding? Go try the «Cloak of Artemis» Its made with dark chocolate balsamic vinaigrette — It will really change your tastebuds

The most knowledgeable bartender! I asked him to make me whatever he wanted and he nailed it! A perfect drink I can ONLY get at 5 ½. mmmmmmmmk.

Nice, well decorated craft cocktail bar in downtown Pensacola. The drink menu is creative and has good variety. Plenty of seating for groups and it was not too crowded on a Friday night.
Huge issue though — they share a sliding wooden door with the next door concert hall and the night we were there, a screaming heavy metal band was playing. It really detracted from the calm vibe of the bar and prevented our group from conversing. Ultimately we left without getting a second drink simply for this reason.
They need to close and secure that door on nights like that. Live music would be ok in the bar if it added to the vibe. The crazy band that played that night did not.

Pretty much the same thing everyone else says… Patrick, Patrick, Patrick!!! If you’re looking for someone with passion, knowledge, and experience with mixed cocktails then look no further. I’ve been to Vegas, LA, San Francisco, New Orleans, etc… All in hopes of seeing the best of the best mixologists. Then I came to Pensacola, low and behold I found one of the BEST, ‘Pat’. My fiancé and I came in here on a Wednesday night and were extremely impressed… I think we may have found our new midweek lounge.

5 ½ Bar
my fav get away joint to sip on some of the finest cocktails made in downtown Pensacobra. my two favs are the:
Cucumber Collins — your refreshing cool gin and tonic mix w crushed cucumber to cool your taste buds down. really good for sobering up and something to drink when you’re really not in a mood to.
Slowride — will really make you feel slow after a few. This medley of sweet orangy honey flavors melds well w the strong whiskey flavors that will send you relaxing on one of the couches or slurring your words to the girl next to you. quite delicious overall. stirred not shaken the swirls of elixir will hit your tongue when sipped straight w/​o a straw
would highly recommend dropping by to this hidden spot to chill listening to a show play next door or jus to hangout and get away from your normal loud neighborhood bar.

Pretty much the only place I can think of in Pensacola where you can get a well-​crafted cocktail from a variety of good liquors. The only place I have come across that can make a great southside without needing to clarify what I need or want. Also, the only place I have found where the bartenders can take your drink likes and dislikes and concept you a well-​made cocktail. The bartenders have always been two, pretty hipster guys, kinda quiet. Not unfriendly but definitely not warm. I have been at night both times and one of the times I went there was a concert next door in Vinyl. The door was half-​open and the sound was very, very loud next to the bar. Drinks are a little expensive for Pensacola, but I guess you get what you pay for when it comes to being one of the only places of its kind in the area as well.

Not a bad atmosphere and kind of a sleep/​speak easy but they have one, yes, ONE unisex bathroom for the entire bar. That’s right, a single bathroom. Drinks are fine, prices are decent to high and it is mainly a standing bar. But seriously, one bathroom so you’ll spend lots of time waiting in line.

really enjoyed my first visit to 5 ½. the bartenders were great, paid good attention to the customers and made delicious drinks. I had the Pecan Flip… about 5 of them. They tasted so good and went down like candy. If you’re a fan of an act playing at Vinyl, but hate crowds or didn’t get tickets, show up to 5 ½ early and get a seat at the bar. you can hear the music crystal clearly and they put the show on a TV over the bar. only downside is the bathroom being outside and through the smoking section.

Had an old fashioned, a Manhattan, and a side car; all were fantastic. Asked the guys to make my wife a «coffee or mint/​chocolate drink» and they came up with an absolutely delicious nutmeg topped concoction. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, reasonable prices; if I was stationed in Pcola again this would be my regular spot.

The drinks aren’t good. We tried about 4 off of the cocktail menu and they were either too sweet, missing something, or plain not good. Maybe back to the drawing board. With so many mixology/​specialty cocktail/​slow bar movements out there to compete with, this one falls quite flat. The atmosphere is nice though, so it at least gets two stars for that, and the service is good. BUT the drinks are expensive and not good.

Patrick Bolster is well established as the best mixologist in Pensacola and it’s a reputation well earned. His signature cocktails at 5 ½ are delightful and inventive. He mixes fresh ingredients in surprising and nuanced ways. He is not the only gem here– last night one of the other regular bartenders made a fantastic drink with mango black tea infused tequila which gave the resulting cocktail incredible depth of flavor.
The knowledge and expertise behind the bar is excellent and they won’t steer you wrong. They also serve an array of beer and wine.
This bar is connected to Vinyl Music Hall so it can be loud if there is a show– bonus is that the show is shown on the single television behind the bar so at least you know why the building is thumping.
The atmosphere is also a welcome reprieve from some of the typical sports and beach bar ubiquity. It can be chilly but there is ample room for sitting or mingling.

Never been to a place as cool and vintage as 5 ½.

If heaven were a bar, this would be it. THE bar in Pensacola if you want a quality crafted cocktail in a laid back environment. Very chill and highly recommended. Boulevard 8 … enuf said…

My gf’s favorite bar. If u like cocktails and mixed drinks, this is the spot. On nite’s where the vinyl has a show, this place gets packed. I personally like it when I can here myself talk to the folks I’m with. The bartenders are great; friendly & welcoming. On busy nites, expect to «wait» to get a drink but at least u know they make their drinks with fresh items. Personally, I don’t have the patience & get a beer. Lol. But it’s mos def a great bar even compared to bars outside of the 850

Hands down, one of my favorite bars in the Gulf Coast. I was introduced to this bar about a year ago, and I keep coming back.
As soon as you walk into this place you don’t think you are in Pensacola. The stonework and the classic look give it a feel like something out of a movie. It is intimate, not loud, and relaxing. And the drinks… no contest the best cocktails in Pensacola. Pat is a master craftsman and I love seeing people take time to make a quality drink. Definitely recommend an Ol’ Fashioned or a New York Sour. Heck, ask him to make you a special one. It is a great place to meet up with friends and actually enjoy a night out talking with friends and making new ones, as opposed to being at a loud club and getting watered down drinks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I stayed in Pensacola for 2 days, heading to Panama City. My lovely friend was living in the NAS for 2 months so we met up and she gave me a tour. We happened to pass through here and decided to go in and check it out.
This is one of the few bars that feels intimate, none of the dramatic people there. I had a great time with my friend catching up and drinking wine and caddies. I haven’t seen any other bar with this atmosphere, so I HIGHLY recommend it.

A friendly, cozy place to relax with your friends or make some new ones. No food, just drinks, but the drinks are great. Single malts, premium bourbons, wines, absinthe, etc.