The Press Room

We stopped in after dropping a child off at school and this burger was BANANAS! It was light and amazingly delicious. They had a band upstairs on this Sunday night but we thought we’d eat in the downstairs area and enjoyed the old school hip hop music.

We just had a great evening at the Press Room at 77 Daniel St in Portsmouth, NH. It was our first visit. We were in the upstairs area for a music show and foodies. Everyone was super nice, our food was delicious and I’m really looking forward to going back again soon! We parked in the Hanover St lot and walked the short distance to the venue. I liked the elevated stage so you could see the talent from almost everywhere. We got the last two seats at the bar and were psyched to see there was a large viewing screen above the bar too, so yay. The sound was great! I give the Press Room two thumbs up! The hubby got the chili wings and I got and awesome beets salad with steak. So yummy! I loved how hey had a large ice water dispenser on the bar for people to stay hydrated. Next time we’ll get there earlier to, hopefully, sit by the stage. I forgot to take pics of our food! Sorry! The wings came in a sizzling cast iron skillet! The is place is winners!

Any place that takes a chance on live poetry and bands playing original material gets five stars off the bat. The food was great too.

The Press Room is the perfect place to be for a nightcap in Portsmouth. Serving the community for 5 decades, it is an institution, and a favorite with locals. The nightly live performances on the second floor are superb; the eclectic mix of bands and performers make this a great place to gather for a night on the town. The place has gone through extensive renovations in the recent past and has great acoustics. Set up in an old world brick structure, the atmosphere is very cozy and offers a very warm and inviting vibe. The service is outstanding; one of the Managers, Joe, in particular is very affable and brings great passion and energy in running the place. You do need to buy tickets in advance for the shows, and given the small venue size, most times they are sold out, especially with bands that have a local following. They have an interesting selection of cocktails, worthy of note are the Espresso Martini and Bananas and Blow.

Intimate music, gets crowded, always fun! Looks like complete make over with original vibe! We went to see a local band, Kings Highway from Hampton area. Great sound and light system. Although it was packed, service was great! Food was also delicious! Go and have some fun!!!!

We are in the restaurant downstairs while there was a live music performance upstairs. The soundproofing is very impressive as we barely heard it while eating. The food was fine with fair prices.

The food is really good. The service was great. I love the atmosphere there.

We sat at the bar to have a drink and have a bite to eat before going upstairs to see a band. The food was great, attentive and friendly service. Great place to see local bands!

Stopped in for a drink, it was packed on a Saturday night. They have an upstairs that seems to do ticketed events on Friday and Saturday. They were doing an emo night but it was sold out. We got a couple drinks and ended up getting a seat. Overall fun bar, with good vibes.

02 November 2024 Nice bar.... good atmosphere. No soap in the restrooms...... informed a member of staff and used the bathroom an hour later and still no soap. The irony was they had all those "Staff must wash hand after using bathroom" posters plastered about the place. Pretty disgusting really.... the place was buzzing, prices aren't cheap..... they must have made a fortune on a Saturday night and couldn't be bothered to take care of the restrooms.

Went here for the cure cover band show. Decided to have dinner there as well. Had a sandwich and it was very tasty. Drinks were good and service was good but all business. The band was great, and the DJ afterwards was pretty awesome.

If you're looking for a bar that lets obliterated patrons stumble into traffic with no issue but refuses entry to people with legal IDs just because they "look young," then congratulations, you've found the perfect spot! We weren't even trying to drink--we were just there to retrieve our friend who was upstairs, drunk, and alone. We explained this to the bouncer (the one with piercings and tattoos), who had accused my friend of having a fake ID, called us bitches, and threatened to call the cops. In response, we literally told him to go ahead and call the cops to verify that the ID was real. Instead of doing his job like a rational adult, he flat-out refused and told us to get out. Meanwhile, multiple groups of absolutely wasted people were stumbling out the door, clearly past the point of reasonable service--but apparently, that's not a problem? So just to be clear: Blackout drunk patrons falling over themselves? Totally fine! Young-looking person with a legitimate ID? Immediate threat to society. If this place spent half as much effort enforcing responsible alcohol service as they do power-tripping over legal customers, maybe they wouldn't be such an embarrassment. Avoid this joke of a bar.

Definitely a quaint little bar hangout spot. The service was fantastic even though it was crazy busy with an event ongoing. The staff was incredibly helpful with some guests who needed assistance getting in as well.

Great improv the night we went. And the food was delicious! We were going to eat downstairs in the main dining room but they had a guitar player and it was so so loud we couldn't even hear ourselves talk. Thank goodness we got to eat upstairs.

Had a nice pub food and also happened to be there at lunch for their specials. Everyone that served us was wonderful..

Fun little concert venue. Super intimate setting for shows, good sound and light shows. They allow re-entry which is awesome for set break. Affordable night out. 18$ to see the Magic Beans.

It was open late, that is what brought us. The service was terrific and the food good. It was noisy in a good way.

Cold drafts, bartenders friendly and efficient, open and full length windows that open to the street.

Had the fish & chips. Chips were good but fish definitely needed a bit of salt (and I really don't like salty food) but the kicker was the batter - it wasn't the usual beer batter but a denser one which seemed good but it wasn't cooked through so the inside of the batter was raw dough. Had to just eat the fish. My gluten-free friend was not happy that both the chips and nachos are (unnecessary) cooked with wheat. So beware that the gluten-free options are very limited.

Have been going here for many years. Happy to see they are still having music--upstairs and downstairs. The veggie burger was still fine but the wine prices are too high. $14 for a small glass of house wine (the menu doesn't even tell you what it is) is a bit much.

Great spot for a great cocktail. Clean tables and friendly staff made for enjoyable quick stop for a post dinner drink.

This looks like a bit of a dive when you walk in. But it is actually decent. I would have loved to give it 5 stars, but the food was in need of some help this evening. Ordered the Down East Cider. Very good. Sweet with a tart finish. Next ordered the chili. Came out nice and warm, full of meat. Decent taste, lots of heat. Red pepper flakes in my teeth after eating it. Yummy. Entrees for both of us were the steak tips. They were served with a potato and seasonal veggie. Tonight was grilled Brussel sprouts. The sprouts were good. Not a big fan of them so congrats there. The steak tips were ordered medium. Some parts were medium well, others were barely medium rare. Not very warm either. Likely sitting in a cool area too long. Cook did not flip the pieces right either because one end was over cooked and one end was under cooked on multiple pieces. Did not catch that until digging into our second pieces each. I order medium in hopes things come out on the plus side of medium rare. Seems no cook can get the cooking right on these. Service was good. Frequent checks with us. Do not come here looking for a lot of variety. Come here for a decent priced meal but make sure it is cooked right.

A quaint jazz themed cocktail bar in downtown Portsmouth. The cocktails are always excellent here. Haven't had food yet as I usually stop in before dinner elsewhere, but the menu looks great I'll have to come back sometime for dinner. Overall I'd say it's a chill vibe with soft jazz music playing and it hasn't been overly crowded each time I've visited.

Always great food, atmosphere & cocktails! Have been here just for a bite and also concerts, both are great experiences.

Always fabulous, but top-notch Guinness on draft, corned beef Reubens,, & boiled dinner on St. Patrick's Day. My 1st day out via wheelchair after surgery & the servers & staff were beyond kind. Thank you ‍

I had a blackened sandwich not great, they have a great beer list,they to improve the food.

Great atmosphere. The music was wonderful, the server was attentive and very kind. We have many allergies and they were extremely accommodating to our requests and even substituted Aquafaba for the egg whites in our cocktail. A great place to hangout in Portsmouth. Lovely even on a Tuesday evening.

This place is FUCKING awful. Their drinks are overpriced. The music is hot garbage. Every song played by their "LIVE BAND" had 0 relevance to anyone in the crowd. After a while, they get tired of you and try to steal your money, telling their busted ass bouncers to throw you out of the bar for nothing after you just ordered 2 more beverages at their establishment. I will harass this establishment like they harrased me until I get my money back. Calling them has no luck....just tell you to call back.

We came in from out of town and popped in here. We got to see strangers connecting on common ground and had great drinks made by Tristan, who was working solo for the entire downstairs on a Monday night. Pretzels (not pictured) were fantastic, and their queso had a nice little kick. If you're looking for a good neighborhood bar, this is it.

Interesting place. Asking around in town, Press Room was recommended for live music. However, it is not accessible for mobility challenges. No elevator. No one was at the door so there was no one to ask until stepping up into the bar. The gentleman I spoke with was very nice. It turns out that concerts are up several flights of stairs. If you only want to sit curbside and eat, then it's fine but no live music or air conditioning (summer). Plan ahead to avoid disappointment. We didn't stay.

Go there sometimes, super crowded. Guy with slot of tatoos that flirts with every girl in front kinda doent pay attention. I brought like 4 girls with me and am wearing gucci head to toe., hes like wait.. i mean i could care less.. I dont really want special treatment but a little common courtesy. Its not Rochester after all. Bartenders cant make anything common Example ordered on nov 12 2022 Pina colada... Didnt know or wouldn't make mojito.... No clue I just said f it give me a martini. Which was mostly ice. Its a shame that they have a great bar and location and cant make drinks. Ill just drink before I go. Usually I can get a few Chambords or some 14 year old whisky for bout 3-7 per sample bottle. Dont waste your time at the bar Take glass of free water. Club is nice upstairs and open late If you want the common riff raff, i would recommend Press room and Daniels tavern 11-1am Don't wear gucci lol. Nobody cares. Because we live in NH and all people know is tjmax, Walmart and all you can eat wings lol

Bacon bacon bacon. Found this by chance after all the typical breakfast places were packed. Sat at the bar and they crushed it. Did I mention the bacon?

- my favorite bar in portsmouth - open late - it gets college-y at night on weekends - I'm told by staff it its more for grown folk in the early evening - theres a large variety of activities in this bar on any given day, check the IG - soul church is a dancing good time! everybody was dancing so carefree I had the time of my life - upstairs and downstairs are different vibes - good beer selection - apparently they have a kitchen, I had no idea

Nice rainy day pub. Had the Press Room cocktail which was really good. The girl next to me at the. At said her espresso martini was phenomenal. Bit of a splurge

Things were fine until the end of the night. Won't be back. Apparently they allow lots of cocaine to be done in the bathroom. If you love blow, this is the place for you!!!

Fun atmosphere and the staff was great. My 3 stars are for the portions. Fried fish had more Panko coating than haddock. My friends dish had exactly 3 steak tips. My $14 martini came in a wine glass and without the usual extra in a small shaker. We were both hungry an hour later.

I've been a patron of this community minded restaurant/bar for decades! Such a warm and welcoming space. Great music; good eats; fabulously friendly staff and diverse clientele. The by-donation (not required) Jazz Jam and open mike is not to be missed! Excellent! Open to all ages and levels of talent. The older more experienced musicians are often seen mentoring and supporting the youngsters. A feel good vibe all around.

Beautiful place, great location and clean rooms. Aaron at the front desk was incredible, super welcoming and friendly, very accommodating and knowledgeable of Portland.

Good sound, small venue, friendly people, great location. Also my favorite band in the world (The Sheila Divine), did I get pulled over by the popo on my way back to the lake ? You bet your ass I did, was I drinking and driving, absolutely not. This place is similar to the Sinclair but about a 1/5th of the size, which is fine by me. Portsmouth really is an amazing little town.

Wandered on on a rainy evening without a reservation on their soft opening. Had some incredibly crafted drinks and amazing nachos. The drinks were well balanced and very delicious. The nachos were flavorful and had layers of fresh salsa, cheese and beans on every chip. Hands down Best nachos in a long time. And let's not forget about Dan our server, he was attentive, easy to talk to and never forgot about us! I highly recommend the Press Room. We will definitely be going back. Thank you for having us! Kimberly & Alex :)

The press room is a really fun place to have a bite or just hang out and have a few drinks. They have a great draft beer list and make awesome cocktails. Foodwise they have a small but eclectic menu. I always find something tasty. The atmosphere is casual but hip. Always a good time.

Our very first visit to the press room! The staff was extremely friendly and quick. I ordered a vodka and cranberry juice, lets just say there was way more vodka than cranberry, so I ordered an additional cranberry juice to even it out a bit. My husband ordered the braised short ribs and they were cooked perfectly. I had wings and fries and both were perfect. The overall feel of the place was warm and inviting. It appears to cater to all ages. The one down fall for me was the very limited menu

Bartender Aaron is a living legend. The guy could have his own tv show. Remember Doug Coughlin from Cocktails? Yea that's Aaron. Guy makes a good drink, will tell you stories and keep you laughing all night. The food? Amazing. Best pub food I've ever had. The place is a gem. If you leads unsatisfied that's a you problem. This place checks all the boxes. Want to be a foodie? Go here. Like a small almost dive bar feel but a little classy, go here. Freakin gem!

I actually feel cheated because I had never been here before and I really enjoyed it. I had beef nachos and the Reuben sandwich and it was really good. Fun atmosphere it reminds me if someplace you'd see in Boston. Try it you'll love it.

The press room is an interesting night life spot. An upscale hole in the wall, hipster hangout, karaoke night, live music, private events...you name it. They seem to have a bit of everything for everyone. The three story bar offers food and drinks downstairs, drinks upstairs and a balcony overlooking the stage. It's a nice place for a mid week drink with a friend or a show on the weekend. A wide variety of beer, wine and cocktails are available. Recently had a sangria topped with champagne and it was delicious!

I cannot believe my experience at this establishment. The bouncer at the door with the tattoos and piercings began by complimenting my body inappropriately, after asking him to stop he harassed me verbally to which point I left. I cannot urge people to avoid this place at ALL COST. Especially young women.

The Press Room has stepped up their game with food and drinks! I recently had an exceptional meal (one of the specials) and delicious cocktails. The cocktails were surprisingly unique with perfectly blended ingredients. Still thinking about that meal. Now I look forward to more than seeing great musicians there!

Yessss!! We have been to Portsmouth many a time but this is our first stop at the Press Room. Sent the wife in to scope out the baby appropriateness and got the thumbs up.. As a side note we ended up here because we felt margaritas at Agave were not super seasonal..as we walked in I suggested "maybe you can get a dark and stormy.." BOOM!! Maine root ginger beer and goslings!!!!! Yesss Our server Jackie was awesome! Informative friendly real a great face to the pub!! Food- hummus was good. A bit less tahini then I like but good flavor. Lamb and chickpea chili was also very good. Entrees were a burger with sweet fries (yum) and a pulled pork flatbread (where is a friend to help you out when you need them!!). So needless to say this is a spot you should stop into as you wander around Portsmouth indulging in shopping and great food!

this place is a disgrace to the restaurant and event business. we had an event at this place and they shut it down within 20 minutes, without good reason. they stole 8,000 dollars from an organization, and a night very special to the members. they can all go to hell.

The food was outstanding! Delicious appetizers and sandwiches with an exceptional choice of beers and drinks of different kinds. The Chef and his staff clearly makes the food a priority and their costumers reap the benefits.

I would never normally write a bad review, BUT..... my most recent experience has guaranteed I will not be coming back to the press room. The bouncer was extremely rude and denied me and my friends to come Into the bar because we had out of state IDs. We were all well over 21 and he said the only way we could come into the bar was if we had a license to carry or passport. The only way we were allowed into the bar was for a 21 year old customer to vouch for us that our IDs were real.... Shouldn't a 35 year old bouncer know a real ID regardless of the state???? I wish I could say this kind of treatment was subjected solely to our group but after entering I noticed several other groups having to deal with the same hostility from this bouncer. The bartenders were very nice, but the bouncers created an unpleasant and uncomfortable environment.

Saw Laura Fox and Young Frontier here on a Friday night. They were awesome, loved the mix of sad and upbeat songs. Such a cozy and welcoming place. Folks sitting on the stairs, people dancing by the stage or hanging out on the third level looking down at the band below. Well worth the minimal $10 cover.

Although I miss the old Press Room and its charm...they have maintained the appeal and the improvements are solid. The food has taken it up a notch. The menu is broad for what some might consider "bar food". I wish they would bring back Michigans on Fridays. The upstairs (including balcony) are awesome and the sound is great. Their calendar of events is excellent and all the shows we have seen...from comedy to old local bands have been great. This is a solid option for a place to spend time and enjoy a night out.

I recently rediscovered the Press Room. It is again my favorite spot in Portsmouth. I am continually met with great food, quick service and a fun vibe. The music that comes through is great. I have actually had several great relationships blossom (plutonic, business and romantic) from my time at the Press Room. It just seems to attract good people. It feels like the local pub that's been around forever that has become the backdrop for humanity to create, cultivate and reinforce relationships and in that bonding something resonates in the space and it is as if the building soaks up the positive vibes and then redistributes it to its patrons. As I mentioned the food is killer, the staff is quick and thoughtful, the drinks are the way I like em, but it's the vibe and people that keep me coming back.

This is a review of the Press Room at lunch. If you really want to see the place in its best light, you'll go at night when a band is playing, but our little office felt like going out and we had never been to the Press Room. The food was good. 4 out of 5 of us were happy with the food and drink. The 5th one is hard to please, so this was really good. The service was quick and efficient. The atmosphere was that of an empty bar. It looked like a fun place, but hardly anyone was in there. It seemed clean. While we were there, some musicians came in and started playing some bluegrass up front. I was waiting to hear a medley of Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt tunes, ending with the theme song to The Beverly Hillbillies. It was good stuff and it wasn't loud enough to take over. I'll go back for sure.

I've seen a bunch of shows at the Press Room over the years and have always been amazed by the sound...so clear that you can hear every instrument, but not overwhelming for the space. My daughter's band was lucky enough to play there twice this summer and fall and not only was the sound amazing, but so were the sound guys and the entire staff. They made the kids feel like ROCK STARS and were so incredibly kind to them throughout the whole process. We have eaten there a number of times as well and admired the local art they always have on display. The Press Room is a place that AUTHENTICALLY supports local artists...both musicians and painters. I cannot say enough about the Press Room and their entire staff. We were lucky enough to work with Tristan, but every staff member we encountered there were so incredibly kind to the kids...celebrating them as young artists...and we can never thank them enough.

Mimsy and I stopped in for lunch today. I have not been in the press room for probably 15 years now. It has since been remodeled, and the atmosphere is nice and cozy. One really nice thing about this place is that they still have jazz and blues music played live, it hasn't turned douchey like a lot of other places in Portsmouth. The beer menu was heavy on IPAs, no ESB, and the fact that they carry PBR just pisses me off. It's a cheap shit beer that stupid hipsters like for some reason. Get that piss off your beer menu! You're supposed to be a pub for Pete's sake. I asked the server, who was very nice, if they had any ESB beer, and she did not know what I was talking about. Our server was otherwise attentive, we started with some buffalo wings and I got the burger, Mimsy got the fried chicken sandwich, Lily got a salad. Everything was OK, but, don't ask me why, they were hauling the empty kegs out of the cellar, bang, bang, BANG up the stairs, and delivering new beer in and out of the back door right there in the dining room area. It was cold out, about 20° and every time that dude propped open the door to bring in another dolly of beer, it gave us all a very bracing arctic blast. All of this during lunch service hours. That kind of thing should not be done during service hours.