The best bars & nightlife in Merrimack County

Just over in Franklin, Waterhorse Irish Pub leans into Irish warmth with a carefully curated craft beer lineup and a deep bench of Irish whiskey, from familiar pours to rare finds. Friendly staff help you explore, so it’s easy to turn a quick pint into a proper evening.

From the Tilton newsletter, October 13, 2026

Vulgar Brewing Company keeps it traditional but never boring, pouring clean, drinkable beers with a few dependable core taps and plenty of style detours.

From the Tilton newsletter, October 18, 2026

Highland Mountain Bike Park is the spot for lift-access laps, mellow cross-country spins, and progression-friendly features like the indoor training center and bag jump. Rentals and coaching make it beginner friendly, while experienced riders can chase speed, new lines, and that just-one-more-run feeling.

From the Franklin newsletter, October 5, 2026

Kettlehead Brewing Stevens Mill is the Franklin outpost pouring award winning beer with a food menu that goes beyond brewery snacks, including artisan wood fired pizza. Keep an eye on the Franklin taplist, grab a table, and settle in with something you’ll actually crave tomorrow.

From the Franklin newsletter, October 11, 2026

Highland Pub is the go-to at Highland Mountain Bike Park for a cold beer and a legit refuel between laps, or a laid-back debrief after a full-send day. Expect hearty, no-nonsense eats, trail talk at every table, and the kind of energy that keeps you hanging out.

From the Franklin newsletter, October 9, 2026

Blasty Bough Brewing Company pours characterful beers brewed on McClary Hill Farm, with rotating taps like Moonbat Juice IPA and Nae Borra, plus the occasional BlastyTrad concert upstairs. Cozy vibe, legit hilltop views, and a 2025 Editors’ Choice nod make it an easy local favorite.

From the Barnstead newsletter, September 29, 2026

Moonlight Meadery & Hidden Moon Brewing has settled in at Over The Moon Farmstead in nearby Pittsfield, pouring international award-winning meads alongside fresh nano-brewed beers across 16 taps and a farm-to-table menu, with mountain views that tend to turn quick stops into linger-a-while evenings.

From the Barnstead newsletter, September 22, 2026

Nok Vino has a tasting room officially pouring vivid, soulful New Hampshire wines, with flights, local snacks, relaxed winery tours, and great vibes, plus a wine CSA, events, and educational resources. Perfect for a low-key Concord evening when your seltzer just isn’t cutting it.

From the Concord newsletter, August 15, 2026

Feathered Friend Brewing just dropped CONE-10, an easy-drinking pale ale crafted with the NH League of Craftsmen and NH Potters Guild, a heartfelt tribute to potter Dwight Graves with bright citrus, pine, and zesty tropical notes.

From the Concord newsletter, October 27, 2026

New Hampshire Cider Works has an on-site press running through fall and winter, turning hand-picked apples into UV Treated cider that tastes like actual apples, not sugar water. During open season you can grab it at the orchard or find it at various area merchants, which is dangerously convenient.

From the Concord newsletter, October 6, 2026

When you want a night that tastes like New Hampshire this week, New England's Tap House Grille pours 48 rotating craft beers from New England breweries, runs a legit scratch kitchen, and the Evelyn Raw Bar brings fresh oysters and crudo... basically your midweek upgrade.

From the Concord newsletter, September 6, 2026

Shara Vineyards makes natural wine with an earth-first, hands-on approach, the kind you’ll actually want to open on a Tuesday. Keep an eye on new releases and hit area farmers markets or their site to snag a bottle made, quite literally, with love.

From the Concord newsletter, October 10, 2026

Cheers Grille & Bar keeps it easy this week with a menu that swings from seared ahi wontons to classic burgers, mac n' cheese and steak-and-potatoes, plus a full bar that does a mean Bloody Mary with bacon. Grab a table on the patio and unwind downtown.

From the Concord newsletter, October 24, 2026

The Forum Pub nails the essentials with juicy burgers, saucy wings, and good beverages, all wrapped in a funky Penacook vibe with local art. Trivia Tuesday nights, live music on weekends, and an Acoustic Circle on Saturdays make it a reliable go-to for relaxed hangs and actual conversation.

From the Concord newsletter, October 13, 2026

Rooftop Social is Arts Alley's breezy perch for inventive sips, neighborly chatter, and live tunes, with the Sam Adams Summer Concert Series kicking off August 12. Slide in after work, catch the sunset, and let Concord feel just a little cooler for an hour.

From the Concord newsletter, October 20, 2026

Housed in a former cinema with a legit bar, BNH Stage at Capitol Center for the Arts nails that cozy, up-close energy locals love, with a steady stream of live music, indie theater, comedy, and screen nights that make weeknights feel like an event.

From the Concord newsletter, October 15, 2026