The White Mountains is known more for its wildlife than its nightlife; however, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go looking for it. If you have come to the area to celebrate a special occasion—or maybe you have been on the trails all day and are ready for some liveliness—there are some great establishments that have vibrant atmospheres and live entertainment. There are also a number of theater and music venues in the area as well as events for nighttime exploration. We have rounded up a few fun options below.
Bars & Restaurants
North Conway & Conway
Moat Mountain Brewing Company
Moat Mountain Brewing Company is located in a renovated 1700s barn in North Conway. The business is known for its craft beers that include regular rotations, limited releases, and speciality batches as well as its smokehouse menu, which has barbecue, burgers, wraps, pizzas and more. Moat Mountain has a fun, friendly atmosphere and offers half-priced apps on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 3-5 p.m.
Open until about 8 p.m. on Sundays through Tuesdays (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays) and a little after 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
3378 White Mountain Highway, Route 16, North Conway, New Hampshire
moatmountain.com
Horsefeathers Restaurant
Horsefeathers opened in 1976 on the tagline of “Sustenance, Merriment & Cheer,” and it continues to deliver on that promise. The cozy bar setting makes you want to settle right in with a cocktail or beer. Food includes classics such as nachos and a variety of burgers all served alongside the signature “horsefries.”
Open until about 9 p.m. on weekdays (closed on Wednesdays) and a little after 10 p.m. on weekends.
2679 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
horsefeathers.com
Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub
This low-key pub has a wilderness-themed vibe and pub-style food. It also has a variety of cocktails and loads of local beers on draft. Post up at the bar, by the fireplace, or, when the weather cooperates, outside on the patio.
Open until about 9 p.m. on weekdays and a little after 10 p.m. on weekends.
2344 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
muddymoose.com
Delaney’s Hole in the Wall
This popular spot uses homemade family recipes, scratch-made soups, sauces, and breads, and locally sourced meats and vegetables. They also have sushi! The environment is classic sports bar with a number of TVs that are always tuned into the game, and occasionally there is live music and dancing on the weekends.
Open until about 9 p.m. on weekdays and a little after 10 p.m. on weekends.
2966 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
delaneys.com
Sea Dog Brewing Co.
This North Conway brewpub has a range of beers on tap, a full menu, and occasional live music.
Open everyday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.; late night menu on Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m.
1976 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
seadogbrewing.com
Tuckerman Brewing Company
Not a late-night spot but Tuckerman is a great hang for craft beer lovers. The venue is always hosting fun events and food trucks: On Thursdays, there are corn hole tournaments, Tuesdays are for trivia, and they host a few music events throughout the year, including the Mallett Brothers in August. Call ahead or check social media to see what’s in store.
Open on Mondays through Thursdays 2-7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 12-8 p.m.; and Sundays 12-7 p.m.
66 Hobbs Street, Conway, New Hampshire
tuckermanbrewing.com
May Kelly’s Cottage
May Kelly’s is a traditional Irish bar and restaurant in North Conway featuring Irish country cooking. The outdoor patios have views of the Saco River and Whitehorse Ledge. You can’t help but order a Guinness during their live-music sessions on Sunday afternoons.
Open Thursdays 4-9 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays from noon until 9 p.m.
3002 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
maykellys.com
Jackson, Glen & Beyond
Shannon Door Pub
Located in Jackson Village since 1953, the Shannon Door Pub is rooted in the community. It has been open for so long for good reason: the pub has for great food, spirits, and live entertainment weekly. Check the schedule to see who is playing. Shannon Door also serves food a little later than most places—dinner until 9 p.m. and bites until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Open until about 10 p.m. on weekdays and a little after 11 p.m. on weekends.
9 Spancil Hill Road, Jackson, New Hampshire
shannondoor.com
Wildcat Tavern
Wildcat Tavern has both dine-in and to-go options off a full menu that includes wings, burgers, steak tips, scampi and more. It has weekly entertainment and can get pretty busy on the weekends, so try to get there when the music starts.
Open Tuesdays through Fridays 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 12-3 p.m. for lunch and 5-10:30 p.m.
94 Main Street, Jackson, New Hampshire
wildcattavern.com
The Original Cigar & Bar
Located in North Conway, the Cigar Bar is a popular evening haunt because it stays open late on the weekends. You can enjoy a cigar, a drink, and the game, or you can shop for cigars and take them to go.
Open Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
3425 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
facebook.com/theoriginalcigarbar
White Mountain Cider Company
This charming, award-winning restaurant and bar is known for its craft cocktails and wine selection. Pretty much all of the ingredients on the menus are locally sourced, and the vibe inside is warm and inviting throughout the year.
Open Thursdays through Mondays from 5-9 p.m.
207 US-302, Glen, New Hampshire
ciderconh.com
Red Fox Bar & Grille
The Red Fox Bar and Grille is located in the heart of Jackson Village and across the street from the Jackson Covered Bridge. Many opt for the wood-fired pizzas and are rarely disappointed.
Open Mondays through Fridays 4-9 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 9 p.m.
49 Route 16, Jackson, New Hampshire
redfoxbarandgrille.com
302 West Smokehouse & Tavern
Across the Maine border, but only a 20-minute drive away from some of our rentals is the 302 West Smokehouse & Tavern. The venue is family owned and operated, has weekly specials, and hosts creative events and contests throughout the month.
Dining room open Thursdays through Mondays from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.; Tavern is open until about 10 p.m.
636 Main Street, Fryeburg, Maine
302west.com
Shovel Handle Pub
Part of Whitney’s Inn, the Shovel Handle Pub is situated inside a restored post-and-beam barn built in 1842. The pub offers three level of dining, craft beers, cocktails, and live music with views of Black Mountain Ski Resort.
357 Black Mountain Road, Jackson, New Hampshire
shovelhandlepub.com
If you are bar hopping, always remember to drive responsibly, or take a ride service. In our area, there are a number of options including Lyft, Uber, and Fast Taxi. (link to: https://www.fastaxi.net/)
Theaters & Music Venues
M&D Playhouse
M&D Playhouse is a year-round local theater that brings productions to the valley that include hilarious comedy shows to creepy ghost stories. Shows are typically in the evening, allowing you a chance to grab dinner first. The playhouse also has a full-service bar with snacks and cocktails.
2760 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire
mdplayhouse.com
The North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse
The North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse is a nonprofit in Lincoln, New Hampshire. The venue has plays, musicals, comedy shows, and more. Jean’s also has a number of shows and workshops geared toward children and teens.
34 Papermill Drive, Lincoln, New Hampshire
jeansplayhouse.com
Weathervane Theatre
Opened since 1966, Weathervane Theater features Broadway musicals, cutting edge and classic dramas and comedies, new works and more. The productions are performed by resident actors who are passionately dedicated to bringing quality theater arts to the White Mountains.
389 Lancaster Road, Whitefield, New Hampshire
weathervanenh.com
The Colonial Theatre
A little further away but still fun to incorporate if you are doing a day-trip further north is the Colonial Theatre. This venue is home to arts, film, music and culture in Bethelhem and also has live music acts as well as movies throughout the year. The historic theater is on New Hampshire Registry of Historic Places and was named “Best Vintage Movie Theatre” by Yankee Magazine.
2050 Main Street, Bethelhem, New Hampshire
bethelhemcolonial.com
Outdoor Music in Fryeburg
Another option just over the Maine border in Fryeburg includes two outdoor concert series. In the summer, the town hosts summer concerts on Tuesday nights in Bradley Park. (They are small but enjoyable!) If you are looking for a bigger show head to the Fryeburg Fair. In the fall, this event is enormously popular, attracting 200,000 people annually. At night, there are large evening concerts on the grandstand. Past shows have included Lady Antebellum, Charlie Daniels, and Clint Black. Check the calendar of events before you go.
1154 Main Street, Fryeburg, Maine
fryeburgfair.org
Outdoors at Night in Winter
Night Skiing at Cranmore
Many skiers head home after the sun sets on the slopes, but night skiing is a spectacular choice for those looking for a quieter ride. Cranmore Mountain Resort offers night skiing on select nights, so check the website for details. There is nothing quite like riding a chairlift up a practically silent mountain side and skiing down beneath the lights and stars.
239 Skimobile Road, North Conway, New Hampshire
cranmore.com
Ice Castles
About an hour away in North Woodstock, you can tour real life ice castles. This manmade wonder filled with tunnels, turrets, slides, and fountains is illuminated by a rainbow of lights. Children will love playing on this frozen playground and taking walks through the woods, including a Mystic Forest Light Walk and Winter Fairy Village.
24 Clark Farm Road, North Woodstock, New Hampshire
icecastles.com/new-hampshire
Ice Skating
There is nothing quite light skating around under a starry sky. In North Conway, Schouler Park has nighttime ice skating, but you do need to bring your own skates. Nestlenook Farm in Jackson has skating on its Emerald Pond under the lights. They offer skate rentals and skate sharpening. Call ahead to make sure the weather conditions are right.
Schouler Park
Main Street/Whit Mountain Highway, North Conway
conwaynh.myrec.com
Nestlenook Farm
66 Dinsmore Road, Jackson, New Hampshire
nestlenookfarmsleighrides.com
Evenings Any Night of the Year
Now if you have explored all day, then chances are you will want to unwind back at your vacation rental. That’s great too, and there are a lot of ways to spend the evening at home. At Sunset Over Stanton, Blue Bird North Conway, Mountain Vista Retreat, and White Mountain, you can play board or card games by the fireplace. (Here is a list of all our rentals with fireplaces. Lani, is there a way to link this and the one below?) Many of our rentals have year-round hot tubs that you can turn on and enjoy an evening under the stars, such as Pear Mountain Lodge, Tin Mine Retreat, Mountain View Lodge, and Sunset Over Stanton. (Here is a list of all our rentals with hot tubs.) Whatever you choose to do, there are many ways to make it a night to remember.