With an ever-growing number of breweries, Portsmouth is well-established as a beer town. But sometimes you just need a good cocktail and fortunately, this Seacoast town has a good number of places to get those too. Here are three of our favorite Portsmouth cocktail bars — plus a bonus one worth visiting just across the river in Kittery, Maine.
Franklin Oyster House | 148 Fleet Street, Portsmouth | (603) 373-8500
Snag a seat at the busy bar where you'll have a bird's eye view of all the oyster shucking action. The craft cocktail menu features unusual liqueurs and housemade ingredients. e suggest the herbal "Last Meow" with Plymouth gin, catnip cordial, green Chartreuse, and lemon juice. Happy hour, seven days a week from 4-6 p.m., brings $1.25 oysters on the half shell.
The Red Door | 107 State Street, Portsmouth | (603) 373-6827
This hip cocktail lounge has something for everyone on its menu. The Tigerlily with vanilla vodka, coconut cream, and pineapple juice will please those looking for a warm weather escape (even if just in a drink), while the Saint Peter — Jameson, Barenjäger, lemon juice, and walnut bitters—will warm you up with its honey sweetness. Open Wednesday through Sunday evenings with live music every night.
Moxy | 106 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth | (603) 319-8178
The sister restaurant to Franklin Oyster House, the bar program at this small plates star features local liquors like Bar Hill gin from Vermont and New Hampshire's Art in the Age Snap liqueur. Go spicy with the Loco Hombre, a tequila-based Old Fashioned or bracingly tart with the Green Mountain Gimlet, a mix of gin and lime cordial.
The Wallingford Dram | 7 Wallingford Square #101, Kittery | (207) 703-4298
It's worth the 10-minute walk over the bridge to this wee speakeasy in Kittery. With its British-style pub vibe and long cocktail list, you'll never want to leave. Their Mai Tai is one of the best around and The Duke of Earl, with bourbon, Earl Grey tea syrup, citrus oil, bitters is perfect for a cold winter's night.
