Newport packs a lot of drinking into a few walkable blocks. The harbor wharves are where sailors, wedding parties and day-trippers end up. Broadway is where locals go. Then there are the rooftops, a 17th-century tavern and a lawn on Ocean Drive built for sunset drinks. This guide sorts the best places to drink in Newport by neighborhood, so you can plan a night without crisscrossing town.
Hours shift a lot between summer and winter here, and a few spots are seasonal. Confirm same-day hours, cover charges and live-music schedules before you head out.
Newport Bars at a Glance
| Bar | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Clarke Cooke House | Bannister’s Wharf | The classic Newport night out |
| The Studio Bar at Gardiner House | Lee’s Wharf | Upscale cocktails, year-round |
| Midtown Oyster Bar | Thames Street | Oysters and drinks on the decks |
| The Fastnet Pub | Broadway | Irish pub and live local music |
| Bar 12 | Broadway | Speakeasy-style cocktails and wine |
| White Horse Tavern | Historic Hill | A drink in a 1673 tavern |
| Cap Club at Hotel Viking | Bellevue Avenue | Rooftop views (seasonal) |
| The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn | Ocean Drive | Sunset drinks (seasonal) |
Harbor and Wharf Bars
The wharves off America’s Cup Avenue and lower Thames Street are Newport’s busiest bar zone, especially from May through October.
Clarke Cooke House
24 Bannister’s Wharf · The Cooke House is really several bars stacked in one historic building. The Candy Store sits at harbor level, the Midway Bar is upstairs, the Sky Bar is higher still, and the Boom Boom Room downstairs turns into a dance club late at night. In cold months the fireplace makes the Candy Store one of the coziest drinks in town.
Go for: your first night, people-watching, and a late finish.
The Studio Bar at Gardiner House
24 Lee’s Wharf · A polished hotel bar with a residential, art-filled feel and a cocktail list that changes with the seasons. It’s open year-round, which makes it a reliable winter pick.
Go for: a quieter, grown-up cocktail before or after dinner.
Giusto
4 Commercial Wharf · A modern spot with one of the better-looking bars in town and a strong cocktail program to match its Italian-leaning menu.
Go for: date night drinks with small plates.
Midtown Oyster Bar
345 Thames Street · A big, busy raw bar with two bars and multiple outdoor decks. Pair a drink with local oysters and you’ve covered both happy hour and dinner.
Go for: oysters, deck drinks and groups.
Skiff Bar at the Newport Marriott
25 America’s Cup Avenue · A casual harborside hotel bar with local beers, cocktails, a pool table and shuffleboard. Residents with ID get a locals discount.
Go for: an easygoing drink near the visitor center.
Want dinner on the wharf too? See our guide to 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, which has a full bar overlooking the marina.
Broadway: Where Locals Drink
Walk ten minutes up from Washington Square and the crowd changes. Broadway is Newport’s neighborhood bar strip, with pubs, cocktail bars and live music all within a few blocks. Not sure what to order? See our guide to what to drink in Newport, from ’Gansett to local craft beer.
The Fastnet Pub
1 Broadway · An Irish pub with live local music every week, a big patio, darts and pub food like fish and chips and chicken curry. It even turned up on screen in a Woody Allen film.
Go for: a pint, a session band and a no-fuss night.
Pour Judgement
32 Broadway · A beer-focused bar and grill with a deep tap list and a local crowd. Good bar food makes it an easy dinner stop too. Read our Pour Judgement Newport guide for the menu, hours and Sunday brunch.
Go for: craft beer and burgers.
Tavern on Broadway
16 Broadway · A gastropub with a serious whiskey shelf and a menu that goes beyond bar snacks.
Go for: whiskey drinkers and a relaxed meal.
Bar 12
12 Broadway · A speakeasy-style cocktail and wine bar from the owners of Tavern on Broadway, with a lounge feel and small plates.
Go for: a crafted cocktail in a low-lit room.
Caleb & Broad
162 Broadway · A cocktail bar and restaurant with around 20 specialty drinks, plus real mocktails for anyone skipping alcohol. There’s outdoor seating, and big games go up on the screen.
Go for: mixed groups and game days.
Norey’s
156 Broadway · A laid-back spot with a beer garden and live music.
Go for: a casual outdoor beer.
Rooftop and View Bars
Newport’s rooftops are the best sunset seats in town, but they depend on weather and season. Late fall through early spring, expect reduced hours or closures.
Cap Club at Hotel Viking
1 Bellevue Avenue · The rooftop formerly known as Top of Newport, refreshed in Hotel Viking’s recent renovation, with views over the harbor and the Bellevue Avenue area. The hotel also added the Skoal Room, an indoor cocktail bar that’s a good fallback when the roof is closed.
Go for: sunset views close to the mansions.
The Roof Deck at The Vanderbilt
41 Mary Street · A smaller rooftop on a Gilded Age mansion hotel, with cocktails and views toward the harbor. Access policies can vary, so check ahead.
Go for: an intimate, dressy rooftop drink.
The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn
590 Ocean Drive · Adirondack chairs on a sloping lawn above Narragansett Bay, with boats sliding by as the sun goes down. It’s a drive from downtown and seasonal, but nothing in Newport beats it on a clear evening.
Go for: the sunset drink everyone talks about.
Historic and Classic Bars
White Horse Tavern
26 Marlborough Street · Operating since 1673, this is one of the oldest taverns in the country. Low beams, fireplaces and a small bar make it a memorable stop even if you’re not staying for dinner.
Go for: history, and a drink by the fire in winter.
Pubs and Dive Bars on Lower Thames
South of the wharves, lower Thames Street has the town’s most unpretentious bars.
- O’Brien’s Pub (501 Thames Street): a popular pub with a patio and a big menu.
- One Pelham East (Thames at Pelham Street): a long-running live-music bar that stays busy late.
- Irish American Athletic Club (642 Thames Street): a friendly, cheap, very local hangout.
Breweries and Distilleries Nearby
If you’d rather drink beer where it’s brewed, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling is close to downtown, and Newport Vineyards with Taproot Brewing plus Ragged Island Brewing are a short drive away in Middletown and Portsmouth. Our Newport food and drink guide covers them in more detail. Plan a designated driver or a ride.
A Simple Newport Bar Crawl
- Sunset: a rooftop (in season) or The Studio Bar at Gardiner House.
- Dinner and drinks: Clarke Cooke House or Midtown Oyster Bar.
- Late: walk up to Broadway for The Fastnet Pub and Bar 12, or head back down to the Boom Boom Room.
Where to Stay to Walk to the Bars
The easiest move is to book downtown and leave the car parked. Our guides to hotels on Thames Street, downtown Newport hotels and hotels with harbor views all put you within walking distance of the bars above. If you are driving in for the night, see our free parking guide for the off-season.
Tips for Drinking in Newport
- Summer weekends get crowded fast. Arrive before 9 p.m. or expect lines at the wharf bars.
- Some bars add a cover on weekends or for live music.
- Bring ID. Doors in Newport check, even if you look well past 21.
- In winter, many places stay open but shorten hours. Our winter restaurants guide lists the year-round spots.
- Rideshare is available but thin late at night in the off-season, so line up a ride early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to drink in Newport, RI?
For a classic harbor night, start at Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf. For a local bar scene, walk up Broadway to The Fastnet Pub, Pour Judgement and Bar 12. For views, try a rooftop such as Cap Club at Hotel Viking or The Roof Deck at The Vanderbilt in season.
Where do locals drink in Newport?
Broadway is the main locals’ strip. The Fastnet Pub, Pour Judgement, Tavern on Broadway, Caleb & Broad and Norey’s are all within a short walk of each other and feel less touristy than the waterfront.
What is the oldest bar in Newport?
White Horse Tavern on Marlborough Street dates to 1673 and is widely described as one of the oldest restaurants and taverns in the United States.
Are Newport bars open in the winter?
Most downtown and Broadway bars stay open year-round, but outdoor spots like The Lawn at Castle Hill and some rooftops close or cut hours in the off-season. Confirm hours before you go from November through April.
Can you walk between bars in Newport?
Yes. Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf, Thames Street and lower Broadway are all within about a 15-minute walk, so staying downtown means you can leave the car parked.