Bars and Breweries in Salem, MA

Salem after dark is more than ghost tours. Downtown fits Irish pubs, cocktail lounges, taprooms and neighborhood taverns into a few walkable blocks, so a night out rarely needs a car, and the commuter rail back to Boston is a short walk away.

Below is every bar, pub, brewery and music venue we track in Salem, sorted by Google rating. Some are quiet enough for a real conversation; others are where the band starts late. Check each venue page for events and specials this week.

Downtown gets packed on October weekends. A weeknight visit is the local move, and you will actually get a seat at the bar.

19 places, sorted by Google rating