The Back Abbey
Claremont Village, Claremont
Restaurant in Claremont, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
A casual Claremont Village pick that makes more sense for lunch, early dinner, solo dining, or an easy group meal than for a formal celebration. Choose it when atmosphere and flexibility matter; cross-shop Packing House Wines for a wine-led night or Aruffo's for a more conventional Italian dinner.
About The Back Abbey
The Back Abbey is a casual option in Claremont with daily hours that make it flexible for earlier or evening planning. The basics are direct: dress is casual, opening time is 11 AM Monday through Friday and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday, with closing times that vary by day.
The most useful way to plan around The Back Abbey is to match the visit to its posted schedule. It is best framed as a casual Claremont stop when the goal is an unfussy outing.
Choose the timing that fits the posted hours
Back Abbey is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 9:30 PM. Those hours support both earlier and later plans, with the latest closing times on Friday and Saturday.
The venue works better as a general casual option than as the centerpiece of a destination dining plan. For comparison while planning, consider Packing House Wines or Aruffo's.
Who should pick it over other options
Pick The Back Abbey when the priority is a casual Claremont outing with broad daily hours. If you are still deciding, compare it with Packing House Wines and Aruffo's, or use our full Claremont restaurants guide for a broader scan.
Dress can stay casual unless the rest of the evening calls for more. For visitors building a wider Claremont plan, use the daily hours and casual dress code as the firm planning details, confirm any menu, reservation, or special-arrangement questions directly with the venue.
Planning details
- Location
- 128 N Oberlin Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
- Website
- thebackabbey.com
- Phone
- +19096252642
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Back Abbey reads like a no-frills neighborhood anchor where craft beer is the centerpiece. The room is shaped by a college-town crowd that rewards substance over spectacle, and the menu mirrors that ethos with American comfort cooking calibrated to extend the drinking experience. The tone is casual and unfussy rather than refined — think burgers, sandwiches and sharable plates designed for passing around the table. The focus on beer-first hospitality gives the place an energetic, approachable charm: a convivial spot for people who care about pours as much as plates.
Best For
This is a place built for convivial evenings and group nights out rather than formal multi-course dinners. The Back Abbey is best when you come with friends, order rounds of beers and share plates, and let the menu keep the conversation moving. The Back Abbey Burger and pub-style shareables are natural anchors for a table, and the substantial craft-beer program means guests often treat the outing as a tasting as much as a meal. Its location in Claremont Village also makes it an easy post-class or post-work stop for a casual, lively evening.
Ordering Tips
Order with beer first: the menu is explicitly constructed around the pour, so start by asking about featured taps and pairings. Favor shareable, pub-style plates and the Back Abbey Burger when feeding a group — portions and categories are calibrated to keep the table engaged. Treat the meal as a series of bites to extend the drinking session rather than a formal progression; that means ordering several smaller items to pass rather than a single plated entrée. If you care about sampling, tell the server you’re there to explore the beer list and they’ll guide you toward complementary dishes.
Venue details
Ambiance
Rustic dining room with lively pub atmosphere and welcoming patio seating.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
Back Abbey Burger
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Packing House Wines, Notable alternative
- Viva Madrid, Notable alternative
- Aruffo's, Notable alternative
- Union On Yale, Notable alternative
- Walter's, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Claremont
Packing House Wines is the better pick when wine is the point of the night; The Back Abbey is more useful when the group wants a casual meal with a livelier feel. For a lower-friction first visit, The Back Abbey is easier to slot into lunch or an early evening plan, while Packing House Wines reads more like a deliberate stop.
Viva Madrid and Aruffo's are stronger choices when the group already knows the cuisine lane it wants. The Back Abbey is the safer compromise when the table is mixed or the meal is part of a wider Claremont Village night rather than the entire reason to go out.
Union On Yale and Walter's are better cross-shops for readers comparing overall ambiance and group suitability. Choose The Back Abbey for casual energy and easy planning; choose one of those if the occasion needs a more structured dinner setting.
Explore Claremont
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Back Abbey guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Back Abbey
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Back Abbey | Claremont | No published awards |
| Packing House Wines | Claremont | No published awards |
| Viva Madrid | Claremont | No published awards |
| Aruffo's | Claremont | No published awards |
| Union On Yale | Claremont | No published awards |
| Walter's | Claremont | No published awards |
How The Back Abbey Claremont compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Back Abbey accommodate groups?
The Back Abbey is in Claremont and has daily hours, so check directly with the venue for current seating, reservation, or party-size guidance. For comparison while planning, Union On Yale is another option to consider.
What should a first-timer know about The Back Abbey?
Treat it as a casual Claremont stop. It is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 9:30 PM.
What should I wear to The Back Abbey?
Keep it casual. The dress code for The Back Abbey in Claremont is casual.
Is an earlier or later visit better at The Back Abbey?
Choose based on the posted hours and your schedule. The Back Abbey opens at 11 AM Monday through Friday and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday, with the latest closing times on Friday and Saturday at 11 PM. For another comparison, Packing House Wines may also be worth considering.
Is The Back Abbey good for a special occasion?
It is a casual option. If the occasion requires specific arrangements, confirm directly with the venue. Walter's and Union On Yale are other options to compare while planning.
What are alternatives to The Back Abbey?
Options to compare include Packing House Wines, Viva Madrid, Aruffo's, Walter's, Union On Yale. Use current venue information to decide which one best fits the timing, setting, plans for your outing.
