The best bars & nightlife in Portsmouth

15 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Nightlife · 15 places · showing the latest additions first

Vino e Vivo

Nightlife

Cozy option for creative dishes inspired by French cuisine, plus wine and cocktails.

163 Water St (Exeter)

Cozy option for creative dishes inspired by French cuisine, plus wine and cocktails.

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Bright, cozy Mediterranean spot serving wood-fired steaks, chops and fresh seafood dishes.

325 Lafayette Rd (Hampton)

Bright, cozy Mediterranean spot serving wood-fired steaks, chops and fresh seafood dishes.

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Relaxed hangout presenting diverse craft beers & inventive bar bites in a quaint, homey setup.

853 Lafayette Rd (Hampton)

Relaxed hangout presenting diverse craft beers & inventive bar bites in a quaint, homey setup.

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Cozy brewery offering its own craft ales and lagers alongside gourmet hot dogs and other eats.

2 Center St (Exeter)

Cozy brewery offering its own craft ales and lagers alongside gourmet hot dogs and other eats.

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Dwyer's Pub

Nightlife

Equal parts locals bar and Irish pub, Dwyer’s Pub nails the friendly hang with proper pints, craft cocktails, and comfort plates like fish…

96 Bridge St

Equal parts locals bar and Irish pub, Dwyer’s Pub nails the friendly hang with proper pints, craft cocktails, and comfort plates like fish and chips or pan seared scallops. When you want easygoing service, a solid pour, and zero fuss, make this your weeknight rally point.

From the Portsmouth newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Live-music venue featuring craft brews & Mexican chow in an 1832 meeting house with a beer garden.

5 Granite St (Newmarket)

Live-music venue featuring craft brews & Mexican chow in an 1832 meeting house with a beer garden.

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The Wilder

Nightlife

Sophisticated gastropub featuring a range of New American plates, inventive cocktails & draft brews.

174 Fleet St

Sophisticated gastropub featuring a range of New American plates, inventive cocktails & draft brews.

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Intimate hangout for live music, beer & inventive pub fare in exposed-brick & wood quarters.

77 Daniel St

Intimate hangout for live music, beer & inventive pub fare in exposed-brick & wood quarters.

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An intimate, modern performance venue annex to The Music Hall Historic Theater with a cafe & bar.

131 Congress Street

An intimate, modern performance venue annex to The Music Hall Historic Theater with a cafe & bar.

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Black Trumpet

Nightlife

Intimate bistro serving globally inspired dishes in rustic, romantic digs with an upstairs wine bar.

29 Ceres St

Intimate bistro serving globally inspired dishes in rustic, romantic digs with an upstairs wine bar.

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Casual, low-key, local bar featuring karaoke, pool tables and friendly service.

111 Daniel St

Casual, low-key, local bar featuring karaoke, pool tables and friendly service.

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Easygoing venue with outdoor seating for typical American fare, plus draft beer & cocktails.

43 Pleasant St

Easygoing venue with outdoor seating for typical American fare, plus draft beer & cocktails.

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The Goat

Nightlife

American eatery prepping unique burgers, BBQ fare & whiskey in rustic digs with live country music.

142 Congress Street

American eatery prepping unique burgers, BBQ fare & whiskey in rustic digs with live country music.

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Casual bar & grill featuring traditional New England-style seafood & multiple TVs for sports fans.

115 Mirona Rd

Casual bar & grill featuring traditional New England-style seafood & multiple TVs for sports fans.

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Cava

Nightlife

Rustic-chic bistro & wine bar offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas, a tasting menu & chef's table.

10 Commercial Alley

Rustic-chic bistro & wine bar offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas, a tasting menu & chef's table.

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