.jpg){kind=link}
All Souls Lounge
All Souls Lounge is a cocktail bar at 282 Derby Street in Salem. The menu centers on vintage cocktails, cold beer, plus gourmet grilled cheese. The room has a pressed-tin ceiling with booths and a bar.
Neighborhood
North Shore
Salem still goes out after October. Walk Derby, Essex and Washington.
On the North Shore the night means Salem, three downtown streets of bars and live-music rooms, and it does not stop when October does, so plan the way home first because the last trains back to Boston leave well before the bars close. In our Beer Index a typical beer here is $9.
Top picks in North Shore
All 31 places in North Shore
Filter
31 places
Typical beer $4.50
Anchor Pub & Grille, a neighborhood pub at 20 Cabot Street in Beverly, has a big wooden bar with pool tables and darts, per Phantom Gourmet. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seats at the bar are first come, first served.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Beverly · about 11 min walk (estimate)
- big wooden bar with pool tables and darts source
- breakfast, lunch and dinner source
- weekday breakfast served until 10:45 AM source
- bar seats are first come, first served source
Bent Water Brewing Company
Bent Water Brewing Company at 180 Commercial St is Lynn's first brewery and taproom. Boston magazine says the founders chose the former Lynn Lumber Yard as the site of their first commercial brewery. The magazine singled out Lynn Light, a crushable extra pale ale.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
River Works · about 19 min walk (estimate)
Bit Bar Salem
Typical beer $8.50
Bit Bar, an arcade bar at 278 Derby St in Salem, opened in 2016. The lineup mixes 50+ vintage games, craft cocktails, local beer and creative comfort food. Its live programming includes music nights and drag shows.
Bonefish Harry's Seafood Saloon
Beer from $5
Bonefish Harry's, on Cabot Street in downtown Beverly, bills itself as a fun, sometimes loud, tiki bar. The menu focuses on West Coast-style seafood and tacos. Phantom Gourmet's profile mentions lots of tiki drinks and margaritas.
Brodie's Seaport
Saturday brings a jam with Danny Mac at 7pm to Brodie's Seaport, a Derby Street restaurant and bar in Salem. Posted prices are cash prices, and a card check will be 3% higher. A 20% gratuity may be added for parties of 5 or more.
Coastal Mass Brewing
Coastal Mass Brewing, a five-barrel microbrewery and taproom at 95 Rantoul Street in Beverly, pours a perpetually changing menu of handcrafted microbrews. USA Today ranked it among the best new breweries in America in 2019. Patch says it was founded in 2017.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Beverly · about 4 min walk (estimate)
Couch Dog Brewing Co.
Couch Dog Brewing's taproom on Lafayette Street in Salem is focused on Asian-inspired ales. One magazine called the Perilla IPA an instant standout. The taproom is a dog friendly space.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Deacon Giles Distillery
Deacon Giles, a distillery at 75 Canal Street in Salem, calls its in-house cocktail bar a destination unto itself. Its founders lead tours and tastings on most Saturdays, from mid-September to early November.
East Regiment Beer Company
East Regiment Beer Company's Salem taproom on Church Street has a covered patio that is heated and dog-friendly and open in all four seasons. The food comes from Crazy Good Kitchen, which works out of the taproom.
Far From The Tree
Far From The Tree, at 108 Jackson St in Salem, calls itself a craft cider house established in 2013. The taproom also serves beers, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. Its calendar has live bands, food pop-ups, plus trivia and craft nights, per Witch City Today.
Typical beer $8.25
Finz Seafood & Grill overlooks Salem Harbor from 86 Wharf Street on Pickering Wharf. The raw bar serves local oysters, clams, chilled lobster and crab. The city's Destination Salem listing also mentions raw and sushi bars.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Salem · about 13 min walk (estimate)
- raw bar with local oysters, clams, chilled lobster, colossal crab and jumbo shrimp source
- raw and sushi bars source
- overlooking the Salem harbor source
- listed at 86 Wharf Street, Pickering Wharf, Salem source
- https://www.hipfinz.com/
- https://www.salem.org/listing/finz-seafood-grill/
- https://www.northshorechamber.org/members/finz-seafood-restaurant-grill/
Gentile Brewing Company
Gentile Brewing Company in Beverly calls itself a family-owned and operated nano craft brewery. Northshore Magazine described the taproom as having a low-key industrial-chic vibe. The building on Park Street was once home to the Creesy Shoe Factory.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Beverly · about 3 min walk (estimate)
- family-owned nano craft brewery source
- well-behaved dogs welcome source
- RunABV run club since 2018 source
- low-key industrial-chic taproom (Northshore Magazine) source
- once home to the Creesy Shoe Factory (Northshore Magazine) source
- blonde, IPA, porter and stout at opening (Northshore Magazine) source
- English-style brewing methods (Northshore Magazine) source
Granite Coast Brewing Company
Granite Coast Brewing at 77B Main Street in Peabody has a brewery, a taproom, a patio and space for pop-up restaurants. Two friends began brewing it as a hobby in 2012. At opening, guests were generally asked to bring their own food.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Gulu-Gulu Cafe
Gulu-Gulu Cafe sits right behind the Samantha statue at 247 Essex Street in Salem. The cafe offers artisan coffee, craft beer, light fare, plus live music. Extensive vegan and gluten-free options are available daily.
Koto Asian Fusion
Witch City Today lists punk shows, karaoke, DJ nights and trivia at Koto Asian Fusion on Washington Street in Salem. The menu has specialty sushi rolls, Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes, sake and cocktails.
Lynn Auditorium
Lynn Auditorium sits inside Lynn Memorial City Hall, a large Art Deco structure at 3 City Hall Square. The hall has a seating capacity over 2,000. It was constructed in 1948 and 1949.
Mercy Tavern
Beer from $5
A share of every tab at Mercy Tavern on Derby Street goes to organizations that help the community. Its own site describes a neighborly gastropub. The about page talks up the most storied live music tradition in Salem.
Notch Brewery & Tap Room
A brewery, tap room and beer garden at 283R Derby Street in Salem. Witch City Today describes waterfront seating with European-style beer and food. It is the first exclusively session-forward brewer.
O'Neills Pub & Restaurant
O'Neill's, an Irish pub and restaurant at 120 Washington Street, has been a cornerstone of Salem's Irish community since 2000. The weekly schedule includes a 50cent Wing Night. Another regular is Karaoke with ND Productions.
Off Cabot
Off Cabot, a small performance venue on Wallis Street in Beverly, holds 125 seated and 150 standing guests. Its calendar spans comedy, music, magic and drag, plus storytelling, burlesque, game shows and dance nights. The site puts it just a few blocks from The Cabot.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Beverly · about 8 min walk (estimate)
- a few blocks from The Cabot source
- opened in 2022 with John Tobin Presents source
- capacity of 125 seated and 150 standing source
- comedy, live music, magic, drag, storytelling, burlesque, game shows, dance parties source
- joint venture of The Cabot and John Tobin Presents (Boston Globe) source
- idea for a dedicated comedy venue (Boston Globe) source
- also drag shows (Northshore Magazine) source
Olde Main Street Pub
The kitchen at Olde Main Street Pub on Essex Street says every dish is made from scratch. The bar pairs an excellent Scotch and Whiskey selection with an extensive cocktail and Martini list. Beer comes as local and specialized draft and bottled beers.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Hours on the venue's site: Mon 12 PM-1 AM; Tue 5 PM-1 AM; Wed 3 PM-1 AM; Thu-Sun 12 PM-1 AM
Salem · about 8 min walk (estimate)
Red's Kitchen + Tavern (Peabody)
Beer from $3
Red's Kitchen + Tavern at 131 Newbury Street in Peabody has a dining room and martini bar with draft beers under one roof, its site says. A 2013 Patch review described a winding diner counter facing the open kitchen. In 2012 Patch reported it seats 175 patrons.
Rockafellas
The site for Rockafellas, a restaurant and bar on Essex Street in Salem, advertises a Murder Mystery Dinner Show. Tickets include a three-course dinner and live comedy show. The regular menu covers fresh seafood, Black Angus steaks, salads and flatbreads.
Sea Level Oyster Bar
Typical beer $9
Sea Level Oyster Bar's waterfront restaurant on Pickering Wharf has two floors with views of Salem Harbor, its site says. The raw bar serves local oysters, littlenecks, chilled lobster and jumbo shrimp. In 2016 the owner told CBS Boston about garage doors that open to the outside.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Typical beer $9.50
Sea Level Oyster Bar at 1 Market Square in Newburyport promises New England seafood and sushi. Newburyport.com's guide describes a front patio facing Market Square. Out back, tables overlook the boardwalk and Merrimack River beyond the lawn.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Newburyport · about 26 min walk (estimate)
- New England seafood and sushi source
- 20 craft beers from Newburyport Brewing Company and Ipswich Ale Brewery source
- historic Firehouse Building in spring 2017 source
- front patio across from Market Square source
- boardwalk and Merrimack River just beyond the lawn source
The Babe
Typical beer $9Closes 10 PM-1 AMHours on the venue's site
Sandwiches at The Babe, a downtown Salem bar, come on bread from Virgilio's in Gloucester. The bar is walk-in only. Its programming includes local and touring artists, plus karaoke and themed immersive events.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Hours on the venue's site: Fri & Sat 11 AM-1 AM; Sun-Thu 11 AM-10 PM
Salem · about 11 min walk (estimate)
The Cabot
The Cabot, a nonprofit performing arts theater at 286 Cabot Street in Beverly, was billed when it opened in 1920 as having the most impressive auditorium east of New York for its size. As the Ware, it brought vaudeville and silent movies to Beverly, per WBUR. A magic show ran there every Sunday for nearly 37 years.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Beverly · about 11 min walk (estimate)
- mission to preserve the historic theater source
- 150-seat Wallis Street venue for comedy and live music source
- music, film and arts source
- nonprofit performing arts venue at 286 Cabot Street (Wikipedia) source
- most impressive auditorium of its size east of New York, opened 1920 (Wikipedia) source
- Ware Theater brought vaudeville and silent movies (WBUR) source
- Sunday magic show ran nearly 37 years (Creative Collective) source
The Roof
From the top of The Hotel Salem, The Roof looks out over Salem's streets and harbor. Open in season, it builds its menu on strong drinks and simple food, like tacos and rice bowls. Northshore Magazine named it Best Bar for City Views.
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
Salem · about 6 min walk (estimate)
- Salem's only open-air rooftop bar and restaurant source
- seasonal space with an outdoor kitchen source
- tacos, rice bowls source
- Best Bar for City Views source
- expansive views of Salem’s streets and harbor source
- strong drinks and simple food source
- Best Bar for City Views, Northshore Magazine 16th annual awards source
Village Tavern
Typical beer $9
Village Tavern is an American tavern in downtown Salem whose After 9 menu is all priced under $9.99. It has three full-service bars and a spacious patio. The Tap Room has four Diamond tournament style pool tables.
Witchside Tavern
Witch City Today calls Witchside Tavern, at 283 Derby Street in Salem, a comfort-food restaurant with a witch theme. The listing mentions appetizers, entrées, and brunch plus a full bar. The tavern's own site says it will stir up spells and snacks alike.
Nothing matches those filters.
Map: venues and train lines
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap. Lines and stations: MBTA. Venues without a confirmed address match are not pinned.
About North Shore
Where to start
Beverly adds a real theater, and the rest of the coast is quiet.
Derby Street is the harbor side. Mercy Tavern books a different local act each night. It holds the room until 1am on Saturday. Bit Bar Salem has 50+ vintage games. Note that it goes 21+ after 8pm. All Souls Lounge sits under a pressed-tin ceiling. It pours vintage cocktails and cold beer. Notch Brewery & Tap Room has waterfront seating. It is open seven days a week.
Essex Street is the live-music strip. Village Tavern has three full-service bars. Its site lists 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, every day. Gulu-Gulu Cafe was established in 2005. It books live local bands and singer-songwriters through the week. Rockafellas stays open Friday and Saturday until 1:00am. The kitchen closes at 10:00pm. For a quieter pint, Olde Main Street Pub is off the main tourist drag.
Washington Street has the cocktails. The Babe programs jazz, drag trivia, karaoke and a vinyl night.
Beverly is the show town. Off Cabot opened in 2022 as a sidekick to the 850-seat Cabot, so one ticket can mean two rooms. It seats 125, or 150 standing.
Getting there and home
Salem and Beverly are on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Check Last Train before you settle in for the night.
Late food
Koto Asian Fusion lists a late-night menu Friday to Sunday. Village Tavern pushes late night cheese pizzas. Brodie's Seaport keeps its bar open to 1am. The kitchen closes at 10pm. More in Eat Late.
Prices
Our Beer Index lists a typical beer at $9 across 7 bars with a listed price (range $4.50 to $9.50); how we count.
History and background
Wikipedia calls Salem a residential and tourist area. Witch City Today's guide covers the full month of Haunted Happenings in October, and the bars below work the other eleven.
Cannabis
Across North Shore, the Index has 15 licensed stores where an eighth runs about $25. Adults 21+ only. Consume only on private property, and do not drive. See our Cannabis Index. Data: Glass (glassintel.xyz).
Getting around
The Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station serves Lynn Interim, Swampscott, Salem and Beverly, among other stops. Be warned that the last trains back to Boston leave well before bars close, so for a real night out in Salem or Beverly the plan is a ride home, a sober driver or a hotel. Check Last Train and the MBTA Trip Planner, and decide how you are getting back before you order the first round.
Sources for this page
- https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Newburyport
- https://api-v3.mbta.com/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Massachusetts
- https://witchcitytoday.com/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/mercy-tavern
- https://www.mercysalem.com/pub/about/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/bit-bar-salem
- https://bit.bar/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/all-souls-lounge
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/notch-brewery-tap-room-salem
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/village-tavern-bar-grill
- https://villagetavernsalem.com/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/gulu-gulu-cafe
- https://rockafellasofsalem.com/about-us/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/olde-main-street-pub
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/dire-wolf-tavern
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/hallowed-ground
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/the-babe
- https://thecabot.org/offcabot/
- https://thecabot.org/
- https://witchcitytoday.com/venues/koto-asian-fusion
- https://www.brodiesseaport.com/contact-2/