When you need a drink or a night out, naturally you head over to the local taproom, brewery, or cocktail lounge. After all, these are great places to go to hang out with friends, meet new people, or just sit by yourself and vibe.
It’s a fantastic way to restore your social battery while enjoying good food and drinks. You can plan a get-together, a date night, or set out on your own and see where the night takes you. Just be sure to drink responsibly when you decide to check out the taprooms, breweries, and cocktail lounges of Merrimack Valley.
Tavern in the Square
Tavern in the Square in Lowell was founded by three friends, which is obvious from the welcoming and down-to-earth atmosphere. It’s a place where friends can gather and be themselves while drinking locally-made beers and delicious cocktails. Come for brunch, dinner, or just drinks and have a great time.
On the drinks menu, you’ll find dozens of options to choose from. Featured beer on tap includes brews from local breweries and all over New England. You can get Stoneface American Porter, Lord Hobo Boom Sauce, Greater Good Brewing Pulp Daddy IPA, and more. If beer isn’t your thing, try the Old Fashioneds, sangrias, spiked seltzers, wine, and hard ciders. The selection is perfect for dates, night outs with friends, and get-togethers with family.
Epigram Brew Co.
Epigram Brew Co. in Tyngsboro isn’t just a brewery – it’s a destination! When you walk in you’ll experience a fusion of hearty pub fare and artisanal culinary creations. Most importantly, the tantalizing menu pairs perfectly with their handcrafted beers.
This sprawling 15,000-square-foot brewery is a haven for beer enthusiasts. Lagers, porters, IPAs, DIPAs, pilsners, sours, and more grace the drinks menu. Try Nectar Dusk, a honey porter is a satisfying dark beer sweetened just right with a touch of honey. For a milk stout, Divine is rich and velvety with decadent toffee, chocolate, and creamy oatmeal notes. You’ll find yourself coming back again and again to try the different brews in a vibrant atmosphere.
Rapscallion Table & Tap
Rapscallion Table & Tap in Acton is where artisanal comfort food meets craft beer. Gather with your friends and order a selection of appetizers to share, or catch up over a proper meal and drinks. The scratch kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and numerous vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, so everyone can enjoy themselves!
The food might be incredible, but Rapscallion was founded as a brewery first and foremost. The beer is the cornerstone of their business, with each batch lovingly hand-brewed and tested at their brewery in Spencer. For a light, balanced beer with notes of flowers and citrus, go with the Honey Ale. Meanwhile, the New England IPA is juicy and hazy with bright tropical flavors. Or go with a Harvard Larger (1898), which is the oldest actively brewed recipe in Massachusetts. Then there are the seasonal brews and the rotating selection of hard ciders. Can’t decide? Order a flight of four hand-brewed draughts.
Dirigible Brewing Co.
Are you a fan of beer? What about steampunk? Well, you can experience both of these things at Dirigible Brewing Company in Littleton! This steampunk-themed brewery will have you toasting your drink and tipping your top hat. At Dirigible, you’ll always be getting high-quality drinks as the ingredients are sourced from as many local farmers as they can find. They also have a unique brewing system where they brew one big batch of beer, and then make two flavors from it.
If you’re a person who loves trying new beers, this is the place for you. The flight lineup changes every few weeks, from new flavors to seasonal beverages, so there’s always something new on tap. For someone who prefers a little more consistency, there are a few mainstays you can enjoy. The 24 Porter is available year-round, and there are typically a larger and a few IPAs available if you don’t want to stray too far out of your comfort zone.
Lord Hobo Taproom & Restaurant
Over in Woburn, Lord Hobo Taproom & Restaurant is ready for your party. Featuring two indoor seating areas, each featuring an expansive 40-draft line system, it’s a fantastic place to meet up to watch the game, host private parties, or even stop in during a bachelor party. There are even recurring events like seasonal car shows, and “Steal This Glass” events that make a trip to the taproom all the more memorable.
Over nearly a decade, Lord Hobo has persisted in expanding and delivering innovative New England-style brews to their loyal supporters. The brews live up to the hype, too, with a massive selection that will suit the palates of both craft beer experts and novices alike. You can drink fan-favorite core offerings, limited and brewery-only Lord Hobo releases, and rotating guest taps for wine and cider. Try year-round releases from Lord Hobo like Bodacious Vagabond, Boomsauce, Juice Lord, 617, Life, and Angelica. Or you can ask about the limited releases, which feature everything from taproom exclusives and pilot batches of beers not yet available elsewhere.
Moonstones Restaurant
Looking for a more upscale drinking cocktail lounge? Moonstones Restaurant in Chelmsford is the perfect place to go if you want a romantic date night, a classy bachelorette party, or just an opportunity to treat yourself. With eclectic tapas, a spectacular Sunday brunch, a chef-driven dinner, a raw bar, and a metropolitan atmosphere, it’s an incredible place to stop in on a night out. Think global, eat local, and plan for a luxurious evening.
Start or finish your night at Moonstones with a craft cocktail. Try the Moonhattan, which is Moonstone’s house-infused signature cocktail made with Luxardo cherries steeped in American whiskey and sweet vermouth. You also have a great selection of beer including Lord Hobo Boomsauce, Smuttynose IPA, Allagash White, Kentucky Bourbon Ale, Mighty Squirrel Cloud Candy NE IPA, and more. Make a toast to a great evening and enjoy yourself at this beloved cocktail lounge.
No matter where you choose to get a drink in Merrimack, you’ll know you’ll have a spectacular selection of breweries, taprooms, and cocktail lounges. Be sure to drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive, and have a glass of water in between drinks to stay hydrated and act as a palate cleanser so you can fully appreciate the local flavors of some of Merrimack’s best brews and cocktails.
