Welcome to Salem’s #1 nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Salem. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Salem is a famous city in Essex County, Massachusetts. It is situated in the North Shore area and emerged as one of the most crucial seaports in the United States of America. Salem also became a leading seaport in the 1700s and witnessed robust fishing, trading, and shipbuilding growth. Salem is a residential as well as an attractive tourist spot. Scores of tourists throng Salem to enjoy the scenic views it offers.
When you visit Salem, you will come across several beautiful spots and places of significance. It includes Pioneer Village, Maritime National Historic Site, House of Seven Gables, Willows Park, and Peabody Essex Museum. Salem is also known for its notorious witch trials that occurred here and in the surrounding Danvers. Danvers was then part of Salem. These incidents used to take place some 450 years ago.
Sneak peek of Salem
When you travel to Salem, you can indulge in several fun activities. First, you can visit the highly popular National Park. Second, you will learn real stories of sailors, revolutionary y War privateers, and traders who brought the wealthier of the world to the USA via Salem’s port.
Punto Urban Art Museum is yet another popular place in Salem. It has an open-air museum that showcases 85 giant murals and 40 world-famous artists. It is barely a 5-minute walk from downtown, and you do not have to shell out any money to explore it. It also houses the stunning Chestnut Street that is also the first planned city in the USA.
A visit to Ropes Mansion Garden is a must if you are in Salem. The garden was created way back in 1912. The place attracts several budding photographers. You may spend some leisure time here by reading, relaxing, and glancing at the stunning flowers in the vicinity.
Salem comes alive during Halloween. Halloween is a viral event in the city and celebrated not just for one day but for 31 days in October. The entire month’s residents participate in massive celebrations with costume parties, tarot reading, magic, witch shops, and haunted houses, among others. Salem, in other words, can be aptly called the Halloween City.
Culture of Salem
According to a recent report, the population of Salem in the year 2020 was recorded at 43,134. Salem is the 28th largest city in Massachusetts. It has witnessed a rise of 4.34% in its population since the last census in the year 2010.
The population density in Salem is 5,201 people/square mile. The average household income in Salem is recorded at $87,095, and the poverty rate is registered at 14.68%.
When it comes to the racial composition of Salem, it is recorded at 79.02% whites, 7.4% other race, 6.60% Black or African American, 3.78% two or more races, 2.51% Asian, and 0.63% Native American.
According to reports, 77.98% of residents in Salem chiefly speak the English language, while 22% of residents speak other languages. In the non-English languages category, the most spoken language in Salem is Spanish. Nearly 14.23% of residents speak the Spanish language.
The people in Salem have turned to manufacture and retail.
Large-scale manufacturing of tanning, cotton, and shoes take place in Salem. Leading author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem in 1804 and wrote the popular books “The Scarlet Letter and “House of the Seven Gabled. These books are considered classics now.
Nightlife in Salem
When it comes to exploring the nightlife of Salem, you can find plenty of options to make the most of your time. The city does not only look eye-catching during the day, but the city’s nightlife is also equally happening and full of life. The vibrant city has carved its identity as a unique place for nightlife lovers who do not want to miss out on entertaining bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
You may find a myriad of economic bars, restaurants, and attractive nightclubs that will suit your budget and meet requirements sans any hassle.
Find below some of the most excellent alternatives that will be ideal for your date night, romantic getaway, or just some fun with your friends:
Best bars in Salem
Several tremendous and top-rated bars have mushroomed all across Salem city that will fulfill your need for a fun-filled night with your loved ones. The bars provide everything that will delight your taste buds. Below are some renowned bars available in Salem and worth a visit:
All Souls Lounge
Two locals founded All Souls Lounge bar as they have a great love for the community and industry in which they live and work. The two created the bar to celebrate and pay tribute to the former neighborhood bars. The bar follows the standards of old-school hospitality. When you visit the bar, you cannot miss the tremendous welcoming environment.
The cost of the food and drink available at the bar is economical. The bartenders provide sincere service and make you feel warm. You can enjoy friendly conversation with cold bar with your friends and loved ones. The bar welcomes its guests with the quirky saying lines, “we welcome all who still have their souls and even some who do not.”
When it comes to the variety of foods available at the bar, it includes gourmet hot dogs, vegan fare, and top-class grilled cheese. In addition, you can order red beans & rice, quinoa & sweet potato chili, beef chili, and pretzels, among others. In drinks, the bar offers vintage cocktails, wine, and beer, vodka, etc.
Timing: Monday to Friday: 5 pm to 1 am, Saturday-Sunday 11:30 am to 1 am
Address: 282 Derby St Salem, MA 01970
Website: https://allsoulssalem.com/
Contact number: (978) 306-7906
Tavern in the Square bar
Tavern in the Square is a leading full-service bar situated in several locations across the Boston Metro. If you are traveling to Salem, you can visit the bar with your friends and loved ones to have some pleasant moments.
The food available at the Tavern in the Square is excellent and cooked fresh every single day on the site. The menu is vast yet affordable. The bar can be an ideal spot for you to meet a date for a drink, enjoying games with friends, or just relax with family for dinner. The environment is full of fun.
To keep your safety on top, the staff disinfects surfaces between visits. Some of its stunning features include complimentary appetizers during your birthday month and lunch rewards. For example, if you buy 5 lunches, the sixth one becomes free.
You can order smoked wings, chicken quesadilla, nachos, BBQ chicken pizza, classic pizza, chopped greek, sandwiches, burgers, fish chips, chicken pasta, etc. In fact, you can try relish lunch/dinner, brunch, dessert, and drinks when you visit it. In addition, it offers craft cocktails, spiked seltzers, fishbowls, towers, wine, bottled beer, etc.
Timing: every day 12 pm to 12:30 am
Address: 189 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
Website: http://taverninthesquare.com
Contact number: +19787404441
Sea Level Oyster Bar
You can plan your perfect event with Sea Level Oyster Bar. Choose this bar for your upcoming social gathering and corporate dinner, as it happens to be an award-winning bar. It offers an unmatched selection of the best seafood. It has a vast selection of drinks that includes beers, cocktails, wines, etc.
The extensive menu in the bar consists of baked lobster mac & cheese, shucked oysters, steak fries, ahi blackened seared tuna, steamed lobster, stuffed lobster, fried seafood, tacos, fried coconut shrimp, etc. It offers reservations as well.
Timing: Sunday to Thursday: 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. Friday to Saturday: 11:30 am to 11 pm
Address: 94 Wharf St, Salem, MA 01970
Website: https://sealeveloysterbar.com/
Contact number: +19787410555
Restaurants in Salem
Salem houses several renowned restaurants on all budgets. You can visit one of them to grab your favorite drink and enjoy the tasty food in downtown Salem. You can also mingle with locals, world travelers, and others. Below are some famous restaurants that you can consider:
Broadie’s
The restaurant offers lunch and meals to satisfy your cravings and provides table service, outdoor seating, a full bar, wine, beer, etc. You can also access free wi-fi in the restaurant. It is a non-smoking restaurant and accepts Mastercard and Visa. You can enjoy burgers, sandwiches, snacks, sauces, craft cocktails, etc.
Timing: Sunday to Saturday: 10 am to 1 am
Address: 10 1/2 Lowell St, Peabody, MA 01960-5412
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BrodiesPubPeabody/
Contact number: +1 978-977-9988
The Friendly Toast
It provides nightcrawlers with creative meals that too in a unique environment. You can indulge in unlimited fun and incredible dining experience in the morning, noon, or night. The restaurant provides the freshest ingredients sourced locally. In addition, the restaurant is environmentally friendly.
You can order Bloody Marys and Mimosas, Toast Classic Bloody, Pickle Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary Flight, Honey Mimosa, Market Square Mimosa, etc. You can also taste the wide variety of drinks available, namely cucumber Tequila, tequila, double espresso vodka, etc. In brunch, it offers chicken and waffles, french toast, and fried hash brown bowls stuffed with scrambled eggs, etc.
Timing: Monday to Thursday: 8 am to 3 pm. Friday to Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm. Saturday and Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm
Address: 50 Independence Way Danvers, MA 01923
Website: https://thefriendlytoast.com/
Contact number: (978) 705-7953
EJ Cabots
The American restaurant is vegetarian-friendly. It has the capacity of accommodating nearly 50 to 75 people, including seating at the bar. It offers excellent service, and the staff is quite welcoming and friendly. You can also opt for reservations for parties of six and more.
It provides a vast variety of dishes, including seafood stuffed mushrooms, panko-crusted chicken fingers, half rack house-smoked BBQ ribs, grilled Portobello mushrooms, fries, etc. For drinks, you can order vodka, grapefruit vodka, lime vodka, ginger beer, olive juice, butterscotch liqueur, etc.
Timing: Monday to Thursday:4 pm to 9 pm. Friday to Saturday: 4 pm to 10 am, Sunday 11 am to 3 pm
Address: 282 Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915-4528
Website: https://www.ejcabots.net/
Contact number: +1 978-969-3792
Nightclubs in Salem
Salem is also famous for its nightclubs. Tourists love to throng these nightclubs and enjoy the time to the maximum with their loved ones. Below are some popular nightclubs:
The Lobster Shanty
It has been in existence for the last 32 years. It offers you delicious food and beverages. On the other hand, it also provides excellent food quality and outstanding services. The Lobster Shanty welcomes anyone who wants to relax and have fun. Its patio also welcomes pets. It takes all measures during these difficult times that may include sanitizing the tables and chairs. It offers access to wi-fi, parking and does not take reservations. You can buy alcohol. The price range is average.
Timing: every day 12 pm to 12 am, Monday 11 am to 12 am
Address: 25 Front St, Salem, MA 01970
Website: http://www6.lobstershanty.com/?template=simple2c&tdfs=1&s
Contact number: (978) 745-5449
Havana Club
this nightclub is a terrific place for people to meet and dance. It is also a winner of Boston Magazine’s best dance party in 2016. It can accommodate 340 people. Havana club allows people who are fully vaccinated. You need to show proof of your vaccination when you visit it. You can also host your birthday, outings, and bachelorettes parties at Havana Club. It offers parking facilities as well.
Timing: Monday to Tuesday: 8 am to 12 am. Wednesday: It remains closed. Thursday: 8:15 am to 1 am. Friday to Saturday: 9 pm to 2 am.
Address: 288 Green St Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: havanaclubsalsa.com
Contact number: (617) 312-5550
Frequently Asked Question
Is Salem worth visiting?
Salem is a stunning place where you can visit several sites of historical importance. It houses many mesmerizing museums. You can definitely spend quality time visiting the world-famous museums. In addition, you can indulge in some great shopping and visit popular restaurants.
What is the best time to visit Salem?
The best time to visit Salem is in October. You will come across a complete calendar of haunted happenings that may include costume balls and ghostly guided walking tours.
Is Salem worth visiting during Halloween?
Yes, you should consider visiting the place during Halloween. Also, Halloween takes place in October. You will witness additional energy in the atmosphere during the Halloween season. You must consider a trip to the historic city as and when you get an opportunity.
Conclusion
Salem has emerged as a popular tourist destination, and over one million tourist visits the city every year. A large number of people schedule their trip during Halloween time to witness the incredible energy and atmosphere. The food is economical, and you can satisfy your appetite without spending much.
If you have a liking for ghosts, this is your city. It has a horror movie museum and many others that have yet to open. You will come across diverse people in Salem. It is a beautiful place, and you must consider visiting it once to explore its museums and unique culture.