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    Rip Tide Lounge

    3.8 (29 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars, Pubs
    Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Rip Tide Lounge Photos

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    My grandfather, Curtis Smith Hamilton. I never met him, and this is the only photo i have of him, at the Riptide!
    Courtney F.

    This is the bar that my grandfather, Curtis Smith Hamilton, used to enjoy until he died in 1985. When I took my father back to Marblehead for his 80th birthday, we learned a lot about his estranged father who was a local artist. He used to get hammered here and sell his paintings. He was extraordinarily talented and troubled. We came here to check out his favorite watering hole, and it did not disappoint. We even compared the only picture we had of him sitting in some bar to this bar -- it indeed was a match! This is a working man's bar, and it's timeless. They had a surprisingly good selection of beer. I will be back here the next time I'm in Massachusetts. Here's to you, Curtis Smith Hamilton, may you rest in peace.

    Liz P.

    The one. The only. The best place in town to destroy your liver. Local bar extraordinaire. Many things come and go in Marblehead but the Rip Tide remains the same. This is comforting. Especially after you've had a belly full of Madras. Hell, they may even name a drink after you if you plop your butt on a barstool for a decade or two... Remember, last call is 11:30. Damn those Selectmen. Enough said.

    Beers on tap. ..

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Terrible experience. New owners are incredibly rude. Food is frozen. Just make it at home. Vibe is terrible. Avoid at all costs.

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    4 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    18 years ago

    I love this place because it's a locals bar filled with chill people, good juke box music, and you can get a sea breeze in a pint glass.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Easily the finest drinking establishment in Marblehead. This is where the elite meet. Also, dollar hotdogs.

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    15 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Rip Tide Lounge

    Review Highlights - Rip Tide Lounge

    We came here to check out his favorite watering hole, and it did not disappoint.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The Landing Restaurant - Monkfish special - great flakey fish, the sauce was a bit more tart than expected but still a great combination.

    The Landing Restaurant

    3.4(370 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Absolutely amazing from start to finish! The service was exceptional, and every member of the staff…read moremade us feel welcomed and well taken care of. The mussels were unbelievable, the calamari was out of this world, and the grilled oysters were absolutely spectacular. The salmon was cooked to perfection, and the lobster ravioli was rich, fresh, and full of flavor. One of the best-kept secrets is that while the lobster roll and hamburgers aren't listed on the menu, they're happy to make them if you ask, and they're definitely worth ordering! If you're looking for incredible seafood, outstanding service, and a fantastic dining experience, The Landing is a must-visit. We can't wait to come back! Love from Scottsdale, Arizona!

    so far.... asked to be seated . waited . finally seated. rushed to order. ordered . was insisted…read morethat I order "everything at once. " It was neither dinner nor lunch so not understanding the rush other than the waiters agenda food slammed on the table. food ...mediocre. feel rushed - don't think waiters aused to non-rushed dining. view of the harbor ....good but some seats get the smell of diesel and gasoline - can't be avoided in a harbor but choose carefully abuts a parking lot on the side. rushed out . Bottom Line: 1-10 Food 5 View - 0utside 9 Service : 7 leisurely dining; 5

    Photos
    The Landing Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    The Landing Restaurant - Haddock, purse parsnip, asparagus in front. Munk fish, risotto, squash in back. Both so so delicious.

    Haddock, purse parsnip, asparagus in front. Munk fish, risotto, squash in back. Both so so delicious.

    The Landing Restaurant - Local Seaside restaurant

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    Local Seaside restaurant

    Sea Salt - Fried Dumplings

    Sea Salt

    4.6(51 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    We really enjoyed Sea Salt tonight. It is located in the basement and enter via the back. Once you…read moreget to their outdoor patio, you know you've arrived. What a lovely spot. The restaurant is deceptively large with a pleasant atmosphere. Service was prompt even on a busy Saturday evening and our server was enthusiastic about the food. I had the goat burger, which was absolutely loaded with goat cheese. I appreciate that they are generous, so be forewarned it is a delicious and messy situation. I also tried the Brussels sprouts, which were terrific. I snuck bites of my husbands truffle fries, which were also super good. My husband ate every bite of his sea salt burger, which he reported was very good between bites. Also worth noting that the burger patties were gigantic. We finished up dinner with an Irish coffee. Yum! Overall, this is a really good choice for dinner. I'd definitely recommend stopping by here for a meal if you're in the area.

    Sea Salt is the kind of place that just feels good to be at. The food is fresh and straightforward…read morein the best way -- easygoing but still packed with flavor. The ahi tuna poke was incredible, one of those dishes you could eat every day and never get tired of. I also tried the black bean burger and was blown away. I don't usually go for veggie burgers, but this one was fantastic -- flavorful, satisfying, and made me forget I wasn't eating meat. The service was excellent, too. Everyone was welcoming, attentive without being over the top, and just genuinely nice to interact with. It's rare to find a spot where both the food and the people hit the mark like this. Highly recommend Sea Salt for anyone who wants a great meal in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

    Photos
    Sea Salt - Maple Manhattan

    Maple Manhattan

    Sea Salt - Korean Style Chicken Tenders and Ahi Tuna Poke

    Korean Style Chicken Tenders and Ahi Tuna Poke

    Sea Salt - Bread

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    Bread

    The Tin Whistle

    The Tin Whistle

    4.2(109 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    What an unknown gem in Salem! It's not on a beaten path, but the food has got to be one of the…read morebest in town. We've been in before for their superior steak tips and burgers. We just went in and dropped a worthy $80 on lunch - 2 tequila mules, a special of buffalo bites (if u are lucky and these are on special again - order them!). Chicken kabob sandwich - juicy, perfectly grilled chicken and my husband got the mouth-watering pastrami sandwich. We packed half of it up for dinner tonight. I only gave 4 stars due to the lousy, noisy, raunchy bar flies. They couldn't care less about other customers as they were shouting and cussing away. Having a conversation with my husband was impossible. The bartender, who was 5 stars in her service to us, attempted to remind these people to stop yelling. I understand being a local, as I am one, and it makes me want to keep my favorite places in business. However, disruptive and rude bar flies should be shut out ff earlier and asked to leave or at the very least pipe down. Ultimately, I highly recommend anyone local or out of town to try The Tin Whistle for the food and service. Maybe try one of the tall comfy wooden booths would make for a better atmosphere.

    I would give 5 stars but they don't answer the phone for take- out…read more My new favorite dish is their Cajun chicken pasta. OUTSTANDING.. and a special shout out to Lydia who is on lunch shift. BRAVO

    Photos
    The Tin Whistle
    The Tin Whistle - Egg roll of the day, carnita!

    Egg roll of the day, carnita!

    The Tin Whistle - Jack Honey. Shots. What else would you expect from the Whistle?

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    Jack Honey. Shots. What else would you expect from the Whistle?

    The Barnacle Restaurant - Did I mention they serve draft beer?

    The Barnacle Restaurant

    3.6(311 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    "Here lie the roses in the ashes Deep as the barnacles that…read morecling Just like a lace that runs through everyone and everything" (Elvis Costello) This is a tough one to write up. The food was very good, and I thought my Steamed Mussels might have been the very best version of a favorite dish I ever had. The view of the harbor from the back counter was beautiful. But..........there were a lot of buts. First of all, The Barnacle is not a large restaurant, and the dining room was so crowded, with tables and chairs so densely packed into every square inch it's really quite difficult to navigate your way around the room. In fact, after we were seated at that back counter, a server asked us if we could slide over because another patron couldn't maneuver herself into an open seat. We placed our order - a cup of clam chowder ($8), fish tacos ($14.95), and those fabulous Steamed Mussels ($18.95). And then we waited. And then we waited some more. And then the couple who sat next to us hadn't seen a server yet, so the gent walked over to the bar to get his own beer. And then we waited some more. And then our server sheepishly walked over and said she never got around to placing our order with the kitchen, so would we mind reminding her what we ordered? Now look, we had no appointment to keep and didn't mind the view of the scenery. But truthfully, the wait and delay did slice into a big chunk of our metered parking fee. And it sure would have been nice to see their service lapse translate into some tangible consideration. How about a complimentary appetizer, drink, dessert, or a cost reduction or anything. But no, there was no consideration given at all. No attempt to make things right. I'd say forgetting to place an order and not realizing the mistake for half an hour is a fairly serious issue. A waterside restaurant on a hot day really should have done a better job with the crowd, and they clearly weren't up to the task. But... those plump heavenly mussels in a sweet, herb and garlic broth were divine, and influenced my rating decision for a four-star experience.

    One of our go to Local spots in Marblehead. Great location with a fabulous view of the Harbor and…read morethe lighthouse. Very friendly staff but the star of the show is the seafood. We ordered an order of steamers to share. Very good! For the main course, Fish and chops for me. As I had remembered from prior visits, the fish are outstanding. Very good cold water white fish /Haddock, cooked with a light breading so it doesn't overwhelm the fish. Fries were fine but again the star is the fish and definitely worth the visit!

    Photos
    The Barnacle Restaurant
    The Barnacle Restaurant - Fish tacos

    Fish tacos

    The Barnacle Restaurant - View from the seats at The Barnacle.

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    View from the seats at The Barnacle.

    Rip Tide Lounge - divebars - Updated August 2026

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