Blue Parrot good and bad

January 4, 2:20 PMGettysburg Restaurant ExaminerJaimie Schock

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PubCrawler.com.

The Blue Parrot Bistro in Gettysburg is different from many other restaurants and bars in the region. 

Established on the ground floor of one of the oldest buildings in Gettysburg, The Blue Parrot is a fusion of fine dining and strong drinking.  The entrance opens to a bar with a pool table, but the restaurant serves a full, expensive menu with a healthy wine list.  The restaurant is small and dimly lit, and one must snake past the bar to reach the small dining room.  There are some distict pros and cons to making this stop.

When drinking, one may either be disappointed or overjoyed.  The drinks are generally strong, moreso than at places like the Pub & Restaurant.  This fact can at times be overwhelming, though it is easy to see why many social drinkers may find this attribute desirable.  The beer list is diverse and expensive, though it lacks many of the more common beers such as Rolling Rock, and the bar regularly runs out of other malt beverages such as Smirnoff Ice.  They do have a diverse and extensive liquor collection, however, and their chocolate martinis are the best in Gettysburg.

When eating, bring a good amount of money.  Their menu will rack up a decent bill, though certainly not as high as a few other Gettysburg restaurants.  Moreover, some of the food is either not worth the cost if you are dining on a budget, or it involves strange taste combinations that are simply not enjoyable.  Some of the appetizers and soups, though, are within a decent price range, and if you are looking for a light meal, they may be a good option.  For example, the pot stickers are surprisingly incredible.  The food, in general, follows no particular theme and pulls from a variety of cultural origins.  Interestingly, the Blue Parrot also offers a free block of cheese and crackers that can be sampled by anyone waiting for a table or sitting in the bar area.  Since the dinners are especially pricey, and the alcohol is especially strong, the free food is a good bet during any visit to this restaurant.

The Blue Parrot's bar is usually accessable, when others fill up quickly on weekend nights.  As with many places in town, parking is a small problem, and diners may have to feed the meter and/or walk a bit.  The waitresses and bartenders are generally friendly, though they can often become overwhelmed during the dinner hours.

Overall, this restaurant and bar is a good option when seeking a fun night in Gettysburg.

The Blue Parrot Bistro is located at 27 Chambersberg Street, Gettysburg, PA.  To contact this restaurant, call (717) 337 - 1334.  To make reservations, call (717) 337 - 3739.  Please visit this webpage for the dinner menu.