Ask a Bartender: Where are the Best Beach Bars in New England?

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Pam Martin, GoLocalWorcester Ask A Bartender Columnist

If you couldn’t tell by the flood of Zac Brown Band lyrics in any of your social news streams, one of the most beloved things about summer time is having your toes in the water, and a cold beer in your hand. Despite everyone’s harmonious cry for a beer on the beach, most beaches in New England prohibit smuggling alcohol in your coolers. Sure, there are ways around that, but sometimes you’re too lazy to be inventive. Other times, maybe you run out. That is why we hold a special place in our hearts for the beach bars. Some are perfectly located on the sand, while others may require venturing beyond the parking lot, you might even have to wash your feet off in the outdoor showers before heading over. Either way, you will want to check out some of these fine establishments this summer.

McGuirk’s Ocean View Hotel, Restaurant, and Lounge – Hampton – Go for the drinks, stay for the food at this staple of Hampton Beach. Some people dream of shark attacks all year long—the drink, not the inevitable string of headlines from the Cape. The Shark Attack is a huge, goblet of a drink, garnished with a gummy shark, of course. Once the thirst subsides and the hunger sets in, grab a menu. They’ve got poutine! And of course lobsters in almost every variety you can dream of. The menu covers it all, and includes a few items paying tribute to the owners’ Irish heritage.

Coast Guard House – Narragansett - Once the beach day is done, and if you got there early enough, toss your best flip-flops on and walk a few yards over to the deck at the Coast Guard House. The drink menu is not overwhelming, but it is not disappointing by any means. My personal favorite is the “Life’s a Peach”, or the Coast Guard House Mudslide. The staff is generally happy to accommodate you. While you wait, you can enjoy the beautiful views and feel the breeze off the ocean. Sometimes there is a band setting up around dinnertime, but the setup is ideal so that you can generally be as close or as far away from the excitement as you want. Try the calamari and the crab cakes while you watch the sun go down and contemplate ways of sleeping on the beach.

Pancho O’Malley’s – Narragansett – Yes, I realize this is a bit of a stretch, but I couldn’t leave Pancho’s off the list. It’s not exactly on the beach, but it’s close enough. I stumbled upon Pancho’s when I was staying in Gansett, and I made sure to go back twice in one day. The staff is incredibly welcoming, and not in the “Tell me everything about your vacation” kind of way. The Irish pub signs that line the walls pair well with their excellent selection of tequilas and Mexican food. This is a great place to stop by after a day at the beach if you are local, or at least staying local.

The Beachcomber – Wellfleet – It’s impossible to go to the Cape, or to know someone who loves the Cape, and not hear at least two Beachcomber references. Rightfully so, I suppose. With drinks named the “Goombay Smash” and “Mooncusser”, it’s hard to avoid checking this place out, and perhaps falling in love. Set along the beach, tracking in sand is not something to worry about when you walk through the doors at this Wellfleet favorite. They keep the food menu simple, with a wide variety of both seafood and standard pub fare. If you’d like to really check it out without leaving your beach chair, go to their website and take a look at one of their beach, bar, or dining room streams. Not creepy at all.

The Sand Dollar Bar & Grill – Dennis Port – Family-friendly restaurant by day, and exciting dive bar by night! The service is great, and the drinks are strong. Come in before the live music starts and sample a stuffed quahog, or the Fireball Burger, you know, before the Fireball shots start pouring.

Stone’s Throw – York – Liquid breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this Maine favorite. The name says it all as far as location goes. The breezy patio set across the street from the beach is the perfect place to enjoy Maine’s finest blueberries on your waffle, in your Stones Throw Sangria, in your beer, in your Berry-Blue Salad, in your second round of sangria, and so on. Enjoy a drink by the far after a long day on the beach. It’s the perfect, peaceful end to a beach escape.

Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

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Ask a Bartender: Where are the Best Beach Bars in New England?

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