Drinks in Manchester
A guide to the city’s cocktail scene
By Erica Febre efebre@hippopress.com

The city of Manchester has more than 50 bars, from martini lounges to sports bars.

It seems like a lot, but with more than 100,000 people living in the city, that equals about 2,000 people per bar (and most bars can’t hold more than 200 people, so plenty of us would still be waiting behind a velvet rope outside if the whole city went for a drink).

Though the bar scene occasionally causes controversy in the city, the landscape of lounges and pubs, pool halls and dance floors is part of what makes Manchester a nightlife destination for city residents and folks from across the state.

“I’d like to see more upscale places in town. I’d definitely like to see more diversity in Manchester, too,” said Brendon McQuaid, 37, the former owner of Element Lounge, a spot in downtown Manchester still open under its new owners.

As far as different bars for different age groups, Manchester seems to have a pretty vibrant mix of ages. Aside from the urban clubs, like Envy Nightclub and Club Liquid (both downtown) that appeal to a younger, college generation, on any given night, a place like the Shaskeen (also downtown) will serve groups from age 21 to age 45.

“Manchester also seems to have cliques that hang out in various places,” said Tim Thibaultof Tnt Event Services, a company that provides security for some night spots.

“I usually go where the night is. I go for the crowds, not the music or dancing. I prefer 21-and-over clubs and a smoke-free environment. You can go just about anywhere and see people you know. It a small network of friends you always see out,” McQuaid said.

Beer for the brewmasters
For some in the city, beer is king. Here are a few of the spots known for taking their pints seriously.
• Bo’s Riverside (see also Milly’s Tavern), 500 Commercial St., 625-4444: located in the millyards, Bos’ Riverside is a new addition to Milly’s Tavern, offering a quaint and cozy back room that caters to the smoke-free crowd. Milly’s signature drafts and beers (as well as Milly’s menu of cocktails and mixed drinks) are also available at Bo’s.
• Milly’s Tavern and Nightclub 500 Commercial St., 625-4444: Milly’s has made quite a name for itself with its 12 signature draft beers, such as the ManchVegas and the Pumpkin Ale. Don’t think you like beer? Milly’s bartender can help find a brew for every palate.
• The Shaskeen Irish Pub and Restaurant 909 Elm St., 625-0246: Enjoy the Irish tradition of a cold ale at the Shaskeen, or learn traditional Irish dances accompanied by live music.
• Strange Brew Tavern 88 Market St., 666-4292: The Strange Brew offers 55 beers on draft plus additional varieties in the bottle. Knowledgeable staff can help you find new favorites.
• The Wild Rover 21 Kosciuszko St., 669-7722: Grab a fresh pint of Guiness or one of the other brews on tap. In addition to a nice ale selection, Rover bartenders also mix a fine cocktail.

Beer + fun
At these night spots, beer and cocktails are served with a side of good times — from pool to live music.
• Begy’s Restaurant 333 Valley St., 669-0062: Get your food to go, or stop in and play some pool, hang out at the bar, or enjoy the new live entertainment nights.
• The Black Brimmer American Bar and Grill 1087 Elm St., 669-5523: located in the heart of downtown Manchester, the Brimmer offers that casual yet classy smoke-free environment, with live music and dancing all night. The Brimmer offers a wide range of drink options, from beer and wine to a variety of mixed drinks.
• Breezeway Pub 14 Pearl St., 621-9111: If life is dragging you down, then join the Breezeway for Drag Queen karaoke, or just stop in for a nightcap and meet someone with similar interests.
• Empire Lounge 140 Queen City Ave., 666-0901: This nightclub and lounge is one of Manchester’s original establishments and it always has something new going on, from karaoke to live hip-hop performances and international dance nights.
• Envy Nightclub 1181 Elm St., 624-6800: Bringing an urban appeal to Manchester, Envy offers up a taste of the Boston nightlife with DJs and entertainers from the metro area.
• Grandstands 216 Maple St., 625-9656: After bowling at Stadium Lanes, head to Grandstands and enjoy a beer and some finger foods.
• Hooters Inc. 21 Front St., 222-9116: They’re known for their wings, right?
• Olympic Pizza and Lounge 506 Valley St., 606-5621: There’s pizza, live music in the lounge and cocktails and beer at the bar.
• P.J. O’Sullivan’s Inc. 300 S. Willow St., 622-8884: This place is packed on the weekends with just a pool table and bar, plus some sports on the television.
• Raxx Billiards, 1211 Elm St., 625-0029: There are only a few pool halls in Manchester and Raxx Billiards is one of them. With more than 10 pool tables and occasional live music, Raxx’s is the place to just hang around and play pool or sit back and have a drink. Raxx is also open seven days a week.
• The Steppin’ Out Lounge 342 Lincoln St., 656-9920: At one time a private club, Steppin’ Out has stepped back in with live entertainment seven days a week.
• The Uptown Tavern 1301 Elm St., 666-0909: The Uptown is a local favorite that supports various genres of live music.

Drinks + dancing
• Cinco De Mayo Restaurant 21 Central St., 645-0200: Spanish food, Spanish music and Spanish dancing, Cinco De Mayo is both a restaurant and nightclub.
• Club 313 93 S. Maple St., 628-6813: It’s all about living in the nightlife at Club 313, where the area’s hottest DJs are always spinning top 40 and the karaoke lounge is open for your amusement.
• Club Liquid 23 Amherst St., 645-7600: One of the few nightclubs in downtown Manchester that remains open on a Sunday evening, Club Liquid offers both food and fun to its patrons.
• Derryfield Restaurant and Lounge 625 Mammoth Rd., 623-2880: Need to get away from downtown but still have a good time? The Derryfield is on the outskirts of the city yet still provides a bustling nightlife with live music on the weekends.
• Don Quijote 333 Valley St., 792-1110: Salsa and merengue all night at Don Quijote or snack on Spanish food with a nice cold one in hand.

Fruit-forward
From margaritas to the scorpion bowl, these places know how to blend up a tropical treat.
• Cactus Jack’s 782 S. Willow St., 627-8600: A taste of southwestern appeal comes north at Cactus Jack’s. Kick back with a frozen margarita and pretend that it’s 90 degrees outside.
• KC’s Rib Shack (4,6,7), 837 Second St., 627-7427: Go to KC’s for premium, old-fashioned barbecue eats and take it down with a cold one. KC’s provides a full bar along with their famous southern pit-style barbecue, including a truly adventurous sweet, pink and fruity drink served in a small beach pail.
• La Caretta 545 Hooksett Rd., 628-6899: La Caretta offers those big frozen fruit drinks that can give you brain freeze along with an assortment of solid Mexican eats.
• Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant 1037 Elm St., 647-7717: Another place offering Mexican favorites, Margarita’s certainly has a variety of signature margaritas and more.
• Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse 1050 Bicentennial Dr., 625-1730: Big, overflowing platters of spicy Mexican food go great with daiquiris and margaritas.
• Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant 967 Elm St., 623-6767: This place not only has a full lunch buffet, but also has a full liquor license. Pork fried rice with a daiquiri or beer — the choice is yours.
• Puritan Backroom Restaurant 245 Hooksett Rd., 669-6890: It might be too cold out for ice cream but it’s never too cold for one of the Backroom’s wonderful mudslides, which come in a variety (minty, tropical, chocolatey and many more) of flavors.
• Siam Orchid 581 Second St., 647-5547: This West side Thai restaurant features a small but pretty bar and a menu of fruity drinks that go great with their spicier dishes.
• Yee Dynasty 830 S. Willow St., 625-5500: A full Chinese buffet and restaurant, plus a popular sports bar, Yee Dynasty is more than the typical oriental dining room.

Manchester-tini
Plenty of Manchester’s watering holes have jumped on the martini and cosmo bandwagon but a few make it their specialty.
• Commercial St. Fishery 33 S. Commercial St., 296-0706: located in the Manchester Millyard district, Commercial St. Fishery is an upscale smoke-free seafood restaurant offering an elegant and classy bar. In addition to martini drinks, Commercial Street Fishery offers beer, wine and mixed drinks as well as some tasty dessert drinks.
• Cotton Restaurant 75 Arms Park Dr., 622-5488: Another of Manchester’s classy smoke-free dining rooms, Cotton usually features a special cocktail or wine on its daily specials menu. In addition to it menu of martinis, Cotton offers a strong wine list and has bartenders who mix a darn good cocktail.
• Element Lounge 1055 Elm St., 627-2922: Reopened by new owners, the Element Lounge calls itself “the newest alternative hot spot” and offers a menu of martinis as well as other cocktails.
• Fratello’s Ristorante Italiano 155 Dow St., 624-2022: With Italian food and more, Fratello’s offers a famed martini menu (martinis that can be enjoyed on its deck in warm wather) and serves up musical entertainment on the weekends as well.
• Gaucho’s Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse 62 Lowell St., 669-9460: Eat and eat and eat until you can eat no more. Gaucho’s, with their unique table-side meat service, also offers an inventive martini menu and a unique wine list.
• Piccola’s Upstairs Lounge 815 Elm St., 296-4070: Right above the popular Italian restaurant, Piccola’s Upstairs offers a more laid-back setting with occasional live music. The restaurant below also offers an array of beverage choices including a refreshing limoncello.
• Tenderloin Room at Chateau Restaurant and Lounge 201 Hanover St., 627-2677: Come in for dinner and drinks or sit in the lounge and enjoy live music.
• Wally and Bernie’s 20 Old Granite St., 641-2583: WB’s is both casual and upscale with a deck open all year round. In addition to its impressive menu of martinis, WBs offers beer and other cocktails plus a changing menu of eats.

On the rocks
Check out these spots if you want it served straight up, no fussing around.
• Fairway Bar and Grill 1491 Front St., 626-7557: Sometimes just a good ol’ regular bar and grill is the best way to cap off the night and Fairway doesn’t clutter that need for serenity and peace.
• McGarvey’s Pub and Lounge 1097 Elm St., 627-2721: Inside McGarvey’s, the sounds of Elm St. are silenced and “lounge” takes on full definition.
• Salona’s Restaurant and Lounge 128 Maple St., 624-4020: Manchester has its fair share of restaurants and lounges and Salona’s is both — get some food or just enjoy a drink.

Sports nation
• Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill 34 Tarrytown Rd. 622-3644: Voted “Best Burger and Sports Bar” for the past five years by readers of the Hippo, Billy’s is the place to watch sports (TVs in the bathroom make sure you never miss a moment) and enjoy some good finger foods (try the sliders).
• Grand Slam Pizza 472 S. Main St., 622-5522: Yes, it’s a pizza parlor, but once the oven’s off the pool table and the bar fill with locals and sports is usually on the tube.
• Jillian’s Billiards 50 Philippe Cote Dr., 626-7636, 628-9097: This place is a complete fun zone with games galore and loads of TVs on which to catch whatever game is The Game at the moment. For the non-sports fan, there is live music on the weekends and plenty of pool tables.
• Johnny Bad’s Sports Bar and Grill 542 Elm St., 222-9191: Good bar food and good beer.
• J.W. Hills 795 Elm St., 645-7422: Pool tables, sports games on the televisions and a wraparound bar that gives a classy downtown twist to the sports bar theme.
• Season Tickets Sports Pub 554 Front St., 623-5757: The game’s always on at this West Side pub.
• Rocko’s Sports Bar and Grill 253 Wilson St., 626-5866: In addition to the sports, the beer and the eats, Rocko’s likes to keep it rolling with occasional live music performances.

Uncorked
Wine lovers and wine newbies can turn to the staff at these locations for help finding just the right vino.
• Hanover Street Chophouse 149 Hanover St., 644-2467, 606-5737: Very elegant and glamorous, the Chophouse is the place to wine and dine. Their wine list is extensive and knowledgeable staff can help guide you. The Chophouse also offers cocktails of all stripes and beer.
• UnWine’d 865 Second St., 625-9463: Wine and cheese (and a seasonally changing menu of excellent eats) are matched with a luxurious dining atmosphere and live jazz music. UnWine’d offers wine by the glass (including some of the harder to find stuff) and flights as well as an impressive menu of martinis.
• The Yard Restaurant 1211 S. Mammoth Rd., 623-3545: This restaurant features a traditional New England menu, live music entertainment on the weekends and a surprising wine list. Though not technically a wine bar, the Yard does offer wine lovers a chance to try something new..