The Press Room

444

3706

1 year ago

Stopped here for a few drinks before having dinner at a nearby restaurant. My husband described this place as an upscale dive bar with craft cocktails, what looked like fantastic bar food with large portions, and an age-diverse hip crowd. Our bartender was friendly and the drinks were great. I had the Mango Crazy (a perfect mix of sweet and spicy) and my husband had the Fiction 101. read more

The Press Room - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Sierra S.

220

165

504

11 months ago

Came here for a drink after eating at a sushi restaurant down the street. Fantastic live music upstairs and overall a great vibe. The bartenders had great taste and their recommendations were great! Everyone that has mentioned that they are coming to this town. I have told them to go visit the press room for great live music and a good time. Hopefully I will make it back up sometime and get to enjoy this place again. read more

The Press Room - Down east cider - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Menu - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Why - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Luis R.

11 months ago

Came here for late night drinks, had a jazz band playing, great atmosphere, very mixed crowd but friendly people and drinks were also good. Would definitely come back. read more

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Cleo L.

2 months ago

I went to the Press Room last night to watch my boyfriend's band play. Even though we (all the bands and their people) arrived before the music venue was open the staff couldn't have been nicer or more attentive. Once we were finally ready to order food (our chaos, definitely NOT theirs!) it was DELICIOUS! I got the Brick Chicken and it was so good that I couldn't wait to be hungry again so I could eat more! The rest of my party all seemed to feel the same way! I wish I had gotten the bartender's name so I could give her a personal shout-out, she was fantastic! I will definitely be going back if I'm in the area! read more

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Danielle V.

Elite 26 All-Star

966

3966

1 year ago

The Press Room - Inside - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Marvin S.

177

263

2 years ago

The Press Room - But there is no soap...! - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Joel C.

Elite 25

1 year ago

Went here for the cure cover band show. Decided to have dinner there as well. Had a sandwich and it was very tasty. Drinks were good and service was good but all business. The band was great, and the DJ afterwards was pretty awesome. read more

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Ashley D.

126

143

2 years ago

Definitely a quaint little bar hangout spot. The service was fantastic even though it was crazy busy with an event ongoing. The staff was incredibly helpful with some guests who needed assistance getting in as well. read more

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Michael P.

2 years ago

Had a nice pub food and also happened to be there at lunch for their specials. Everyone that served us was wonderful.. read more

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King B.

300

858

2 years ago

Fun little concert venue. Super intimate setting for shows, good sound and light shows. They allow re-entry which is awesome for set break. Affordable night out. 18$ to see the Magic Beans. read more

The Press Room - Magic Beans drums - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Jillian G.

2 years ago

Cold drafts, bartenders friendly and efficient, open and full length windows that open to the street. read more

The Press Room - Open windows - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Sign out front - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Outdoor seating - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Kieryn Emilee H.

1 year ago

If you're looking for a bar that lets obliterated patrons stumble into traffic with no issue but refuses entry to people with legal IDs just because they "look young," then congratulations, you've found the perfect spot! We weren't even trying to drink--we were just there to retrieve our friend who was upstairs, drunk, and alone. We explained this to the bouncer (the one with piercings and tattoos), who had accused my friend of having a fake ID, called us bitches, and threatened to call the cops. In response, we literally told him to go ahead and call the cops to verify that the ID was real. Instead of doing his job like a rational adult, he flat-out refused and told us to get out. Meanwhile, multiple groups of absolutely wasted people were stumbling out the door, clearly past the point of reasonable service--but apparently, that's not a problem? So just to be clear: Blackout drunk patrons falling over themselves? Totally fine! Young-looking person with a legitimate ID? Immediate threat to society. If this place spent half as much effort enforcing responsible alcohol service as they do power-tripping over legal customers, maybe they wouldn't be such an embarrassment. Avoid this joke of a bar. read more

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Kay R.

1 year ago

Great improv the night we went. And the food was delicious! We were going to eat downstairs in the main dining room but they had a guitar player and it was so so loud we couldn't even hear ourselves talk. Thank goodness we got to eat upstairs. read more

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Chelsea F.

284

3 years ago

The Press Room - A rye old fashioned on the left and fiction 101 on the right. Very well made cocktails. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Julie P.

2 years ago

It was open late, that is what brought us. The service was terrific and the food good. It was noisy in a good way.

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DA W.

341

636

2 years ago

Have been going here for many years. Happy to see they are still having music--upstairs and downstairs. The veggie burger was still fine but the wine prices are too high. $14 for a small glass of house wine (the menu doesn't even tell you what it is) is a bit much. read more

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Alex W.

160

2 years ago

This looks like a bit of a dive when you walk in. But it is actually decent. I would have loved to give it 5 stars, but the food was in need of some help this evening. Ordered the Down East Cider. Very good. Sweet with a tart finish. Next ordered the chili. Came out nice and warm, full of meat. Decent taste, lots of heat. Red pepper flakes in my teeth after eating it. Yummy. Entrees for both of us were the steak tips. They were served with a potato and seasonal veggie. Tonight was grilled Brussel sprouts. The sprouts were good. Not a big fan of them so congrats there. The steak tips were ordered medium. Some parts were medium well, others were barely medium rare. Not very warm either. Likely sitting in a cool area too long. Cook did not flip the pieces right either because one end was over cooked and one end was under cooked on multiple pieces. Did not catch that until digging into our second pieces each. I order medium in hopes things come out on the plus side of medium rare. Seems no cook can get the cooking right on these. Service was good. Frequent checks with us. Do not come here looking for a lot of variety. Come here for a decent priced meal but make sure it is cooked right. read more

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Lauren T.

2 years ago

Great spot for a great cocktail. Clean tables and friendly staff made for enjoyable quick stop for a post dinner drink.

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Ella H.

182

3 years ago

Interesting place. Asking around in town, Press Room was recommended for live music. However, it is not accessible for mobility challenges. No elevator. No one was at the door so there was no one to ask until stepping up into the bar. The gentleman I spoke with was very nice. It turns out that concerts are up several flights of stairs. If you only want to sit curbside and eat, then it's fine but no live music or air conditioning (summer). Plan ahead to avoid disappointment. We didn't stay. read more

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Shaun D.

Elite 25

3 years ago

Had the fish & chips. Chips were good but fish definitely needed a bit of salt (and I really don't like salty food) but the kicker was the batter - it wasn't the usual beer batter but a denser one which seemed good but it wasn't cooked through so the inside of the batter was raw dough. Had to just eat the fish. My gluten-free friend was not happy that both the chips and nachos are (unnecessary) cooked with wheat. So beware that the gluten-free options are very limited. read more

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Rhiannon G.

Elite 22

5 years ago

The Press Room - Damn You Robert Frost cocktail - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Bar back - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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renje g.

417

2588

5 years ago

- my favorite bar in portsmouth - open late - it gets college-y at night on weekends - I'm told by staff it its more for grown folk in the early evening - theres a large variety of activities in this bar on any given day, check the IG - soul church is a dancing good time! everybody was dancing so carefree I had the time of my life - upstairs and downstairs are different vibes - good beer selection - apparently they have a kitchen, I had no idea read more

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Debbie K.

3 years ago

Great atmosphere. The music was wonderful, the server was attentive and very kind. We have many allergies and they were extremely accommodating to our requests and even substituted Aquafaba for the egg whites in our cocktail. A great place to hangout in Portsmouth. Lovely even on a Tuesday evening. read more

The Press Room - Waffle fries Haddock wrap - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Weekly Residency Swing Band - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Ravi M.

Elite 24

4 years ago

Go there sometimes, super crowded. Guy with slot of tatoos that flirts with every girl in front kinda doent pay attention. I brought like 4 girls with me and am wearing gucci head to toe., hes like wait.. i mean i could care less.. I dont really want special treatment but a little common courtesy. Its not Rochester after all. Bartenders cant make anything common Example ordered on nov 12 2022 Pina colada... Didnt know or wouldn't make mojito.... No clue I just said f it give me a martini. Which was mostly ice. Its a shame that they have a great bar and location and cant make drinks. Ill just drink before I go. Usually I can get a few Chambords or some 14 year old whisky for bout 3-7 per sample bottle. Dont waste your time at the bar Take glass of free water. Club is nice upstairs and open late If you want the common riff raff, i would recommend Press room and Daniels tavern 11-1am Don't wear gucci lol. Nobody cares. Because we live in NH and all people know is tjmax, Walmart and all you can eat wings lol read more

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Margaret R.

2 years ago

Always fabulous, but top-notch Guinness on draft, corned beef Reubens,, & boiled dinner on St. Patrick's Day. My 1st day out via wheelchair after surgery & the servers & staff were beyond kind. Thank you ‍ read more

The Press Room - St. Patty Fun - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Yum - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Boiled dinner - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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John C.

3 years ago

I had a blackened sandwich not great, they have a great beer list,they to improve the food.

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Kimber J.

216

3 years ago

Nice rainy day pub. Had the Press Room cocktail which was really good. The girl next to me at the. At said her espresso martini was phenomenal. Bit of a splurge read more

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R M.

2 years ago

Always great food, atmosphere & cocktails! Have been here just for a bite and also concerts, both are great experiences.

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Derek J.

Elite 23

163

403

455

7 years ago

Good sound, small venue, friendly people, great location. Also my favorite band in the world (The Sheila Divine), did I get pulled over by the popo on my way back to the lake ? You bet your ass I did, was I drinking and driving, absolutely not. This place is similar to the Sinclair but about a 1/5th of the size, which is fine by me. Portsmouth really is an amazing little town. read more

The Press Room - The Sheila Divine in lovely downtown Portsmouth NH - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Jane L.

3 years ago

Fun atmosphere and the staff was great. My 3 stars are for the portions. Fried fish had more Panko coating than haddock. My friends dish had exactly 3 steak tips. My $14 martini came in a wine glass and without the usual extra in a small shaker. We were both hungry an hour later. read more

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Michael P.

2 years ago

Bacon bacon bacon. Found this by chance after all the typical breakfast places were packed. Sat at the bar and they crushed it. Did I mention the bacon? read more

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nickolas l.

2 years ago

This place is FUCKING awful. Their drinks are overpriced. The music is hot garbage. Every song played by their "LIVE BAND" had 0 relevance to anyone in the crowd. After a while, they get tired of you and try to steal your money, telling their busted ass bouncers to throw you out of the bar for nothing after you just ordered 2 more beverages at their establishment. I will harass this establishment like they harrased me until I get my money back. Calling them has no luck....just tell you to call back. read more

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S B.

3 years ago

I've been a patron of this community minded restaurant/bar for decades! Such a warm and welcoming space. Great music; good eats; fabulously friendly staff and diverse clientele. The by-donation (not required) Jazz Jam and open mike is not to be missed! Excellent! Open to all ages and levels of talent. The older more experienced musicians are often seen mentoring and supporting the youngsters. A feel good vibe all around. read more

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Kimberly F.

5 years ago

Wandered on on a rainy evening without a reservation on their soft opening. Had some incredibly crafted drinks and amazing nachos. The drinks were well balanced and very delicious. The nachos were flavorful and had layers of fresh salsa, cheese and beans on every chip. Hands down Best nachos in a long time. And let's not forget about Dan our server, he was attentive, easy to talk to and never forgot about us! I highly recommend the Press Room. We will definitely be going back. Thank you for having us! Kimberly & Alex :) read more

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Angela M.

Elite 23

204

6 years ago

Our very first visit to the press room! The staff was extremely friendly and quick. I ordered a vodka and cranberry juice, lets just say there was way more vodka than cranberry, so I ordered an additional cranberry juice to even it out a bit. My husband ordered the braised short ribs and they were cooked perfectly. I had wings and fries and both were perfect. The overall feel of the place was warm and inviting. It appears to cater to all ages. The one down fall for me was the very limited menu read more

The Press Room - Naked chicken wings - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - French fries - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Press Room - Spare ribs - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Christopher B.

2 years ago

Things were fine until the end of the night. Won't be back. Apparently they allow lots of cocaine to be done in the bathroom. If you love blow, this is the place for you!!! read more

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Noel C.

Elite 21

254

7 years ago

The press room is an interesting night life spot. An upscale hole in the wall, hipster hangout, karaoke night, live music, private events...you name it. They seem to have a bit of everything for everyone. The three story bar offers food and drinks downstairs, drinks upstairs and a balcony overlooking the stage. It's a nice place for a mid week drink with a friend or a show on the weekend. A wide variety of beer, wine and cocktails are available. Recently had a sangria topped with champagne and it was delicious! read more

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Skyla J.

3 years ago

Beautiful place, great location and clean rooms. Aaron at the front desk was incredible, super welcoming and friendly, very accommodating and knowledgeable of Portland. read more

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Steven B.

5 years ago

Bartender Aaron is a living legend. The guy could have his own tv show. Remember Doug Coughlin from Cocktails? Yea that's Aaron. Guy makes a good drink, will tell you stories and keep you laughing all night. The food? Amazing. Best pub food I've ever had. The place is a gem. If you leads unsatisfied that's a you problem. This place checks all the boxes. Want to be a foodie? Go here. Like a small almost dive bar feel but a little classy, go here. Freakin gem! read more

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Jennifer C.

Elite 23

337

699

238

5 years ago

The press room is a really fun place to have a bite or just hang out and have a few drinks. They have a great draft beer list and make awesome cocktails. Foodwise they have a small but eclectic menu. I always find something tasty. The atmosphere is casual but hip. Always a good time. read more

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More info about The Press Room

77 Daniel St
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Directions
(603) 431-5186
Call Now
Visit Website
https://pressroomnh.com

View offerings

Hours

What time does The Press Room open?

The Press Room opens at 4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.The Press Room opens at 12:00 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The Press Room opens at 11:00 AM on Sunday.

What time does The Press Room close?

The Press Room closes at 1:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Wed 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day)Thu-Sat 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day)Sun 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does The Press Room take credit cards?

Yes, The Press Room takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Press Room have catering options?

No, The Press Room does not have catering options.

Does The Press Room have a drive thru?

No, The Press Room does not have a drive thru.

Does The Press Room have a happy hour?

Yes, The Press Room has a happy hour.

Does The Press Room serve alcohol?

Yes, The Press Room serves alcohol. Full Bar

Services

Is The Press Room by appointment only?

No, The Press Room is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does The Press Room allow dogs?

No, The Press Room does not allow dogs.

Does The Press Room have TVs?

Yes, The Press Room has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Press Room have bike parking?

Yes, The Press Room has bike parking.

Does The Press Room have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Press Room has outdoor seating options.

Does The Press Room have parking?

Yes, The Press Room has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Press Room wheelchair accessible?

No, The Press Room is not wheelchair accessible.

Does The Press Room allow outdoor smoking?

No, The Press Room does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does The Press Room have free WiFi?

Yes, The Press Room has free WiFi.

Ask the Community - The Press Room

What time does the kitchen close?

Mon - Wed 5-10 Thurs 12-10 Fri - Sat 12-12… Read more

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Can you eat during the shows? Or do you have to eat downstairs before the show?

Absolutely! We offer full menu both upstairs and down. Not all shows are seated so might be the only thing to consider!

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View All 5 Questions

Review Highlights - The Press Room

“We were lucky enough to work with Tristan, but every staff member we encountered there were so incredibly kind to the kids...”

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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Cure

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Make sure to book a reservation as this place is really busy and popular!…read more Items I ordered (as of 5/2026): - Lobster Mac and Cheese - $34 - This was really good. Fresh lobster with a great cheese combination. The crisp of the ritz crackers really brings the entire dish together. Good amount for the price. Would recommend. - Baked Artichoke Dip - $16 - Deliciously cheesy without everything feeling too heavy. Good amount of pita bread too! Would also order this again.

AWESOME food!! First dinner in Portsmouth with my fiancé and Cure did not disappoint!…read more The cornbread is to die for...it's massive though so don't let it ruin your appetite! I greatly enjoyed the seared tuna as an appetizer and had the French onion soup as my main dish. Both were fabulous and I would definitely get them again. My fiancé had the spring salad and duck--both phenomenal. The portions are generally pretty generous (everyone's entree around us looked massive) and the ambiance was really cute and quaint. Shout out to our waiter, Brian, who was a total joy to order from and had a really fun and attentive personality. Highly recommend!

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Food and drinks are incredible. Great atmosphere for a date night. The waitress was attentive and…read morethe atmosphere was intimate. Great for dinner.

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•$$

We made a same-day reservation at Moxy, not knowing it was restaurant week. The interior was cozy…read moreand colorful, and we were seated in the upstairs area, so we had a balcony view of the bar. For drinks, I got a glass of Malbec (which was very nice), but they also had many enticing cocktails and mocktails. The restaurant week menu consisted of 4 pre-fixe courses. For the first course, I chose the Salmon Tartare, which was fresh and tasty. It wasn't very salty, which I appreciated. I also tried my friend's carrot soup, which had a nice creamy texture with crunchy peas for contrast. For the second course, I chose the Mushroom Labneh. This one was awesome! Next was the Chicken Thigh, which was so juicy and paired well with the garlic sour cream. I also loved my dessert - Griddled Corn Muffins with wild blueberry compote. Service was friendly and seamless, and we left full and happy. Highly recommend for dinner!

Restaurant Week in Portsmouth was the perfect opportunity to try out Moxy. Plus an added bonus of…read more$42 for a 4-course meal made it more interesting. We found street parking close to the restaurant so that was great while paying close attention to the fact that street parking is not free in the area until 8 pm. I made a reservation and we were seated right away after we entered the restaurant. Our table was situated on the first floor so the area was small but we had enough space between table to have a private conversation. I started out with salmon tartare and it was my least favorite of all. I found the pita to taste somewhat stale and I ended up not eating it. Salmon was good but I did not find that cream cheese added to the dish. It might be a matter of personal preference but I wished I started out with something else from the menu. My shrimp scampi was delicious and I would come back for this dish. Pasta and sauce were great and shrimp were a nice size. I then went with the beef stew. I found the pastry to be somewhat salty but it balanced with the stew that was slightly underseasoned. Maybe it was intended to be that way. It was a decent dish overall. I loved the strawberry panna cotta. Their rhubarb chutney was beautiful and the dish was a great way to end my meal. I would come back to this restaurant in the future to try out their regular menu.

Inside

Salmon tartare

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Moxy Bread

Green Elephant

4.5(421 reviews)

0.3 mi

•$$

Delicious food and great ambiance. many choices and the service was great. Definitely a place to go…read moreback to for a wonderful menu with so many options!

Food was wonderful! All of it. The Thai Curry Puff appetizer was delicious, as was my Siamese Dream…read moreCurry. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his Green Curry dish. Service was great. I eat a vegan diet while my husband is mostly vegetarian - we both highly recommend you eat here. The one downside is that the chairs are pretty uncomfortable; however, not so much that they detract from 5-stars.

Interior of restaurant.

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Drinks for two.

Dwyer's Pub

4.4(52 reviews)

0.3 mi

Nice pub with some great food…read more I got the Haddock Sandwich ($17 as of 5/2026) which was light and crispy. Haddock was cooked perfectly and the fries that came with it were great (I enjoyed their honey mustard which you can request on the side). Their chicken sandwiches also looked awesome and I'd give that a go the next time I was here.

If I lived in Portsmouth, Dwyer's would definitely be one of my go to places. Just off the main…read morestreet, this Irish Pub is welcoming, has a great draft selection, and great food. We visited on Friday night and sat at a table as the bar seating was pretty packed. Crowd was pretty chill - a mixture of people in their 20's having drinks & apps, and then older couples/families enjoying dinner. We were happy to see Smithwicks on the draft menu, and we also got a Downeast cider with a caramel/cinnamon rim. We ordered the house made mozzarella sticks, which were ginormous, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and all around delicious. We all opted with different types of burgers - sliders, fried chicken, and a pub burger. All were served with fries and were perfectly cooked. The coating on my fried chicken was crispy and flavorful. Service was awesome - our glasses were never left empty! Best of all, Dwyers has a free jukebox packed with favorites. Looking forward to coming back on our next visit to Portsmouth - we'll definitely be trying the deviled eggs, wings, and fried oreos!