Located in the heart of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Cork Bar & Restaurant stands as a welcoming destination for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere paired with quality service. Situated at 463 Madison St, this establishment has become a familiar gathering spot for local residents and visitors alike. The philosophy behind the restaurant is rooted in the idea that a great dining experience should be accessible, comfortable, and centered around genuine hospitality. Whether you are looking for a place to unwind after a long day or a venue to catch up with friends, the environment is designed to make every guest feel at home from the moment they walk through the doors.
The interior of Cork Bar & Restaurant balances traditional charm with a modern, approachable aesthetic. It serves as a community hub where the pace of life slows down, allowing patrons to focus on good conversation and the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal. The staff takes pride in maintaining a space that feels both professional and personal, ensuring that the service is attentive without being intrusive. By focusing on the fundamentals of hospitality, the restaurant has cultivated a loyal following within the Wilkes-Barre area, consistently providing a reliable option for those who appreciate a classic dining experience.
What Makes Cork Bar & Restaurant Special
While many dining establishments focus on trends, Cork Bar & Restaurant prioritizes consistency and the overall guest experience. Here are a few key aspects that define the character of the venue:
A Welcoming Community Atmosphere: The restaurant is designed to be a comfortable space for everyone. It is the kind of place where you can easily strike up a conversation with a neighbor or enjoy a quiet corner for a more private interaction. The layout and lighting are carefully considered to foster a sense of ease and relaxation.
Commitment to Quality Service: The team at Cork Bar & Restaurant understands that the quality of service is just as important as the quality of the food and drinks. Staff members are dedicated to ensuring that every guest feels valued, providing prompt and friendly assistance that enhances the overall visit.
A Versatile Social Setting: Whether you are visiting for a casual lunch, an evening drink, or a relaxed dinner, the restaurant adapts to your needs. It serves as a flexible space that works just as well for a quick bite as it does for a longer, more leisurely stay, making it a versatile choice for various social occasions.
Local Presence in Wilkes-Barre: Being located on Madison St allows the restaurant to remain deeply connected to the local community. This local focus ensures that the establishment remains grounded and responsive to the preferences and needs of the people who live and work in the surrounding neighborhood.
The Dining Experience
At its core, Cork Bar & Restaurant is about more than just the physical space; it is about the memories created within its walls. The menu is curated to offer a variety of options that cater to different tastes, focusing on flavors that are familiar yet expertly prepared. By sourcing ingredients thoughtfully and focusing on traditional cooking techniques, the kitchen aims to deliver meals that satisfy and comfort. The bar program complements the food offerings, providing a selection of beverages that are perfect for pairing with a meal or enjoying on their own.
The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the operation. From the cleanliness of the dining area to the efficiency of the kitchen, every element is managed with the goal of providing a seamless experience. Guests often remark on the consistency of the quality, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. It is this commitment to excellence that keeps people returning, establishing the restaurant as a staple in the local dining scene.
For those living in or traveling through Wilkes-Barre, Cork Bar & Restaurant offers a reliable and enjoyable escape. It is a place where the focus remains on the essentials: good food, good drinks, and good company. If you find yourself in the area, stopping by for a visit provides a chance to experience the unique blend of warmth and professionalism that defines this local establishment. We invite you to join us and discover why so many guests consider this their go-to spot for a relaxing time out.
Looking Forward
As Cork Bar & Restaurant continues to serve the Wilkes-Barre community, the focus remains on growth through stability. By listening to guest feedback and staying true to the values that established the restaurant in the first place, the team looks forward to welcoming both new and returning faces. Whether you are a long-time regular or a first-time visitor, there is always a seat waiting for you. We believe that the best dining experiences are those that feel authentic and unpretentious, and we strive to embody that in everything we do. Thank you for being a part of our story and for supporting local dining in Pennsylvania.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Great wine list
Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Private dining room
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Paid parking lot
Usually plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside
Menus
Starters
Menu
Popular
Salads
Menu
Popular
Entrees
Menu
Popular
Reviews Cork Bar & Restaurant
Ted C.
30-05-2026
Monday to Thursday 4pm to 6pm Happy hour…Yes!! Awesome food, Christina is an A+ bartender, $5 cocktails are first class, and the food is fantastic. We tried the Nashville chicken bites, Arancini with vodka sauce, and meatballs with crusty garlic bread. To die for. This is a must stop any day of the week!! More
Kimmy Aldrich
30-05-2026
Jake was such an attentive and great waiter! We will definitely be back
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Tyler Cobleigh
30-05-2026
Went to cork for the first time. Lived in the valley my whole life never knew this place existed. It’s a hidden gem of the valley. Denise is the best bartender and the food is amazing.! Will definitely be back. More
Frank Perk
30-05-2026
Jake took expert care of us, Denise's drinks are ... ummm ... phenomenal. Oh yeah, and all of that pales in comparison to the food, ambience, creativity and EXCELLENCE in the kitchen. … More
Melissa Yavorchak
30-05-2026
They were very accommodating with gluten free menus options and requests. The food is delicious which is hard to find when gluten free. The bartender Caitlyn was very friendly and makes a great cocktail. This is a cute spot for great food and drinks! More
Heather Gogas
30-05-2026
Jessica was a gem. Her service was exceptional. She delivered our dishes with enthusiasm and a deep breadth of knowledge unseen in this age. Her culinary accum and and exemplary demeanor is second to none. Well done. More
Wesley Michael
30-05-2026
Stopped in and had dinner this evening and it was pretty good. We had our doubts when we walked in and it was a bar, but some very friendly folks pointed us down to the other end and we were shown to our table immediately. … More
Karen Adonizio
30-05-2026
Just got home from a fabulous dinner for my husband on Father’s Day! We were anxious to come to a Sinatra Sunday and finally got there today and it was well worth it. A 4 course meal for $35 pp sounded too good to be true but honestly….it … More
Kimmy Aldrich
30-05-2026
Jake was such an attentive and great waiter! We will definitely be back
Price per person…
More
Chris Parker
30-05-2026
My waitress Denise was absolutely awesome!! The food was just pure perfection!!! Easily a 10/10 restaurant!!!! More
Prestige Property Solutions
30-05-2026
Food and atmosphere is amazing. Plenty of seating downstairs, at the bar & upstairs. So much parking in the lots on n washington st, elm st & Madison st. Amazing for all different vibes and occasions. Denise was a great waitress as always. Cork is the best gem around! More
Jason McNeill
30-05-2026
Our waitress Denise was an absolute pleasure! Very sweet and attentive. Ashlee, trained by Queen Carolyn, did great on our drinks! Very happy and satisfied with our experience. Food was spectacular! More
lazdrama
30-05-2026
Great food and service!! Quiet and private atmosphere in the igloo. 10/10!
Price per person
$90–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Very quiet
Group size
2 people, 3-4 people
Wait time
No wait
dan ganjeh
30-05-2026
Always a great experience. Food is delicious! Staff are exceptionally friendly. We had Denise tonight and she was awesome! I love Sinatra Sunday! Definitely recommend. More
Kim Schaefer
30-05-2026
Outstanding dinner! The food was amazing and very well prepared. Out served, Jake, was super! Katlyn did a great job with our drinks. Calamari was one of the best we’ve ever had. We will definitely return when we’re back in the area. This was a gem for sure! Job well done!!! 👍🏼 … More
lazdrama
30-05-2026
Great food and service!! Quiet and private atmosphere in the igloo. 10/10!
Price per person…
More
Barbara Harris
30-05-2026
We had such fun! Loved the masks and beads, a super neat touch! The food was amazing. And the drinks were perfectly paired. I think my favorite dish of the night was jambalaya followed by the beignets. We especially want to give a big shout out to our wonderful, witty, friendly server Denise! She really took care of us!
Price per person
$50–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Carianna Makowski
30-05-2026
Food was delicious as always! Atmosphere cozy and inviting! Our server Denise was the sweetest and service was amazing!!
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
2 people
Anthony
30-05-2026
Staff is very friendly. The food was amazing. Our Sprits tasting was a blast. Thank you. Keep it up. Vicky, i think, is amazing at what she does. These pairings are perfect, and we are best around. Thankm you so much
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
3-4 people
Nadene Macintosh
30-05-2026
David was incredible with service, attentive to detail, and the bartender Denise made delicious cocktails!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Riely Snee
30-05-2026
I got engaged at Cork on Saturday in the igloos. It was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. Denise was our waitress and she was so sweet! She took plenty of pictures for us! Food was delicious. Thank you for an amazing evening!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Natasha Fugok
30-05-2026
David our server was fantastic! Our bartender Denise made the most fantastic martinis. Food was terrific!
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
3-4 people
Seating type
Bar area
Bianca Pizarro
30-05-2026
David was an absolute amazing waiter. The food was divine. The environment was very elegant and clean. Will definitely come back.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Special events
Seasonal / holiday event
Seating type
Outdoor patio / terrace
Wheelchair accessibility
Yes
Heather Martin
30-05-2026
We celebrated our anniversary dinner at The Cork Bar last night and it was absolutely perfect from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm, intimate, and ideal for a special occasion. … More
M W
30-05-2026
Food was fantastic! I had a NY Strip with Lobster Butter which was phenomenal. Our server David was very friendly. We will definitely be back. More
You Need To Know? Restaurant reviews
30-05-2026
You Need To Know? Had reservations for 5:30 on a Friday & they sat us upstairs in a dining room by ourselves. Lots of privacy. Waitress was informative, polite & quick. This upscale restaurant/ bar had a large menu. On this evening we had the Mahi tuna, the chicken milanese & the sicilian chicken. The presentation on these dishes was spectacular & other than being a bit too salty, the food was very flavorful & delicious. If your in the WB area & looking for a fine dining experience, you must try Cork! Now You Know! -TBH
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Pamela Dusza
30-05-2026
Olivia was a very pleasant server. She was very attentive and very friendly. We enjoyed our meals. The pesto gnocchi and kobe meatloaf were delicious! Had a great time and when passing through PA will definitely Come visit again!
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
2 people
Special events
No special event
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Frank Kurlandski
30-05-2026
Great atmosphere! Loved the scenery! Our waiter David was awesome and very friendly and the food was absolutely delicious! Definitely coming here again.🤘🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Eric McDermott
30-05-2026
1st time ever to Cork. I never order meatloaf but I saw a picture on google and it looked good. So I went for the Kobe meatloaf. It was a huge portion and it was delicious. Maria had the cork salad with shrimp and she enjoyed that.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Cassidy Spriggs
30-05-2026
We came in on Valentine’s Day and was seated in the igloo. The atmosphere of the igloo was amazing and the service dedicated to the igloo reservations is 10/10. We had David and had an amazing time. He was always on point with food and drinks, i would highly recommend having him anytime you come into eat.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Alea McGraw
30-05-2026
My daughter and I made a reservation at the bar for cocktails and dinner (Fri 12/19) and we were not disappointed! They have a great Happy Hour specials menu on cocktails as well as small plates. The bar area was cozy and Caitlin was so friendly and really made our night out so enjoyable! She is so personable, offered detailed descriptions of menu items and her cocktails were fantastic!! We both chose the French Onion soup and it was probably the best we've ever had. We also both chose the special for the night: a pan seared black infused filet with lobster truffle butter, topped with a red wine demi, served with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. It was AMAZING! We also shared the fried pickles from the happy hour menu, also delicious.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Jamie
30-05-2026
Stumbled upon this hidden gem when looking for a place for dinner on a work trip. Our incredibly knowledgeable server Jake walked us through the menu and its highlights. From our appetizer to entree to dessert we were blown away. The beautifully fresh Ahi Tuna with pineapple salsa and seaweed salad was the perfect start. The Short Rib with Gorgonzola risotto was perfectly tender and balanced well with the flavorful risotto. We loved the Mediterranean Pork Loin with feta and mint risotto. And finished strong with a heavenly slice of Tiramisu. Denise our bartender was super sweet and added to the cheery atmosphere. This place is a must visit if you’re in Wilkes-Barre.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
2 people
Special events
No special event
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Reviews Cork Bar & Restaurant