Salem’s Best Bars: Historic Rooms, Craft Beer, and Cocktails

Salem’s bar scene is small enough to explore on foot and varied enough to suit a quiet pint, a serious margarita, or a properly made cocktail. The best stops cluster downtown, but each has a distinct role: hotel bars with dark wood and history, taprooms focused on lagers, and restaurants with beverage programs worth a separate visit.

Historic Rooms and Cozy Corners

Nathaniel’s Bar at The Hawthorne Hotel

Nathaniel’s Bar inside The Hawthorne Hotel is the classic Salem drink stop. The room has dark wood paneling, plush seating, and a formal but comfortable hotel-bar feel. Order a classic cocktail or a local beer; the bartenders can handle both. It gets busy in October and during peak tourist weekends, so go early if you want a seat and a quieter room.

Howling Wolf Taqueria

Howling Wolf is known for Mexican food, but the bar is a destination for tequila and mezcal. The margaritas are the main draw, including creative variations beyond the standard lime version, and the back bar has a deeper agave selection than most casual Salem restaurants. The room is colorful and dim, and weekends can get loud. It is a good post-sightseeing stop when you want something lively rather than polished.

Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Gulu-Gulu works as a cafe by day and a bar by night. The beer list leans on New England craft options, with wines and cocktails alongside. The room is mismatched and bohemian, and the schedule often includes live music, open mics, and art events. Check hours before a late visit, since the cafe-to-bar transition can vary by night.

Craft Beer and Brew Pubs

Old Planters Brewing Company

Old Planters is a downtown Salem brewery with a relaxed taproom and a range of approachable styles: lagers, IPAs, stouts, and ales. Flights are the best way to sample the board. Food trucks or local food partners often supply food, and the brewers are frequently around to talk about the beer. It is a community-focused stop rather than a tourist spectacle.

Notch Brewing Salem

Notch brings its session-lager focus to Salem. The taproom is bright and airy, with outdoor seating when weather allows, and the beer list leans toward European-inspired styles such as Helles, Pilsner, and Kölsch. If you want low-alcohol beers built for a long conversation, this is the Salem stop. It is also a useful counterpoint to taprooms dominated by high-ABV IPAs.

Cala’s Restaurant & Bar

Cala’s is primarily a restaurant, but its bar has a thoughtful beverage program. The craft beer list rotates and often includes New England producers, and the wine list is more ambitious than at a typical bar. The setting is upscale and comfortable, which makes it a good choice for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap rather than a rowdy night out.

Cocktails and Refined Drinks

The Derby at The Hotel Salem

The Derby has a modern, stylish room and a cocktail menu that mixes classic reworkings with house signatures. Bartenders are attentive and can steer you toward something balanced rather than overly sweet. It suits a date night or a polished evening with friends, and the location puts you in the middle of downtown Salem.

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall

Turner’s is a seafood restaurant first, but its bar is worth knowing for cocktails. The setting inside historic Lyceum Hall gives the room high ceilings and a maritime, old-Salem feel. The bar team makes solid classics, including a proper martini or gin and tonic, with quality spirits and fresh garnishes. It is a good place to slow down over one well-made drink.

Practical Notes for a Salem Bar Crawl

  • October changes everything: Salem is crowded in October. Weekdays and spring or fall visits outside October are calmer. If you visit in October, book tables when possible and expect waits.
  • Leave Essex Street: Essex Street is the main downtown route, but side streets hold quieter bars and better chances of finding a seat.
  • Check event schedules: Gulu-Gulu and other spots host live music, trivia, and art events. Check each venue’s own calendar before you go.
  • Drink local: Old Planters and Notch are the clearest local beer stops. Ask bartenders what is pouring from nearby breweries if you want to stay regional.
  • Walk downtown: Parking in Salem can be tight. Once you are downtown, walking is the easiest way to move between bars and historic sites.
  • Watch cafe hours: Places like Gulu-Gulu can close earlier than dedicated bars on some nights. Confirm hours if you are planning a late stop.
  • Non-alcoholic options exist: Newer cocktail bars and many restaurants now offer better non-alcoholic drinks than the usual soda or water. Ask what is available.

A Final Round

Salem’s bars reflect the city’s split personality: colonial history and a working downtown, old hotel rooms and new taprooms. Start with Nathaniel’s for the historic room, spend the afternoon at Old Planters or Notch, and finish with a cocktail at The Derby or Turner’s. The city is compact enough that you can do all three without a car.