Come to the Monadnock region for a taste of some of the best wine, beer, cocktails, and other spirits! Not sure where to go? Read this handy guide full of choices to choose your next fun night out!
Wineries
The Summit Winery (Westmoreland, NH)
Located 5 miles outside of Keene, The Summit Winery is the place to go for a taste of rich New England wine. Sourcing their grapes from all around the world, The Summit has the best selection of wine in New Hampshire from Black Muscat to Un-Oaked Chardonnay. There’s something for everyone here! The Summit also hosts an array of craft classes from local artisans as well as wine clubs.
Distilleries
Copper Cannon Distillery (West Chesterfield, NH)
Founded in 2018 and located at a scenic barn in West Chesterfield, Copper Cannon has made its mission to revive and continue to create the unique taste of New England-style rum. The distillery offers guided tours of the business as well as how their premium collections are made. They also host private events and tastings for those who appreciate the crafting of rum.
New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery (Winchester, NH)
Locally crafted, the spirits made in New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery (NESW) range from rum and vodka to bourbon and moonshine. NESW is dedicated to creating unique and superior-tasting spirits to add depth to any drink or cocktail. See how those spirits are made by going on a tour of the distillery and experience their exclusive, not sold-in-store liquors in their tasting room.
Cocktail Restaurants
Granita Enoteca (Keene, NH)
Dedicated to using high-grade ingredients from local farmers, Granita serves quality Italian food with modernized cocktails and award-winning wines. Located at the heart of Keene, you can enjoy your meal in Granita’s casual dining environment and never get bored of the drinks thanks to their handcrafted seasonal menus that are everchanging.
Dublin Road Taproom and Eatery (Jaffrey, NH)
Quality comfort food plus beer and wine plus an awesome view equals an amazing time at the Dublin Road Taproom and Eatery. Just down the road from Monadnock State Park and minutes away from Mount Monadnock, the Taproom is a great place for everyone with its large food menu, rotating draft lines, full bar of wine, and non-alcoholic options.
The Pearl (Peterborough, NH)
This Southeast Asian-style restaurant is not one to miss out on. With its seasonal menus (including gluten-free alternatives), its large array of wine options to perfectly pair with each dish, and a multitude of refreshing cocktails, The Pearl is committed to serving the best to its customers. Get your reservations in now as their indoor and outdoor dining is limited!
The Waterhouse (Peterborough, NH)
Dine by the stunning Nubanusit River and enjoy a casual dining experience at The Waterhouse. The restaurant focuses on serving meals with high-quality ingredients grown from their very own garden. Offering outdoor dining on its beautiful patio, patrons can eat delicious, healthy food options while also sipping on one of its rare selections of wines from around the world, house specialties, or classic cocktails.
The Stage (Keene, NH)
Featuring a contemporary American menu, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, and cocktails that are to die for, The Stage is a go-to spot for residents and visitors alike. Located in the middle of downtown Keene, this restaurant makes its customers the number one priority by serving both classic comfort food and high-end dishes as well as specialty cocktails. It even has its very own Martini Club (purchase 12 martinis, get the next one free!).
Chesterfield Inn (West Chesterfield, NH)
Have the perfect getaway in Southern New Hampshire at Chesterfield Inn. Claiming to be a romantic bed and breakfast, the inn is known for its relaxing atmosphere, hospitable staff, delicious food menu, and, most notably, its cocktails. Known as their “five most romantic cocktails,” the Chesterfield Inn has a drink for every type of romance: from drinks for long-lasting lovers to ones for the beginnings of a relationship.
The Hungry Diner (Walpole, NH)
As a farmer-owned restaurant, The Hungry Diner is committed to serving food made from local and sustainable ingredients grown at its sister business Walpole Valley Farms just five miles down the road. Taste the difference of their local comfort food and enjoy a drink from one of their 16 craft beers, biodynamic wines, or spirits in their dog-friendly outdoor or air-conditioned indoor settings. So, are you hungry?
Kogetsu (Peterborough, NH)
Looking for a restaurant with amazing Asian cuisine? Look no further than Kogetsu. Serving all kinds of Japanese and Chinese dishes (from vegetable maki to sushi and sashimi), Kogetsu has a wide range of options for Pan-Asian food as well as drinks. They host a variety of classic cocktails, exotic drinks, draft beer, and non-alcoholic alternatives. Come here for a real taste of extraordinary Asian cooking and spirits.
Coopershill (Peterborough, NH)
Visit Coopershill in the heart of Peterborough for the experience of a classic Irish pub. Opened in 2017, Coopershill hosts live music, serves traditional Irish food and pints, and is known for having the largest curated whiskey collection in all of New Hampshire. Not into whiskey? Have a look at their vast drink menu housing droughts, ales, cocktails, and wine and have a “deadly craic” of a time at Coopershill!
21 Bar and Grill (Keene, NH)
Known as one of the most popular bar and grills in town, 21 is a great place for groups looking for somewhere to relax and have fun. Lounge in its dining room, bar, or outdoor private deck; enjoy homemade pub-style food; and browse its large drink menu housing martinis, cocktails, beer, wine, and mocktails. Looking for a morning option? 21 Bar and Grill offers separate brunch food and cocktail menus for those who like to dine and drink early.
Copper Kettle To Go (Wilton, NH)
Copper Kettle To Go is an Urban American Fusion Restaurant, Cocktail lounge, and catering company that offers only the freshest ingredients locally sourced. You can visit their restaurant and lounge on Main Street in Wilton NH to experience their everchanging menu full of creative entrees and cocktails. The restaurant can be booked for private parties, holiday parties, and corporate outings with a menu created specifically for your party. Copper Kettle To Go also offers private tastings for those special events that need that extra care. The environment offers a very relaxed and friendly rustic/ industrial atmosphere where all are welcome and a deck that overlooks the Souhegan River with a huge train trestle that feels within reach. (Description written by Megan and Chris Gordon at the Copper Kettle To Go.)
Bantam Grill (Peterborough, NH)
Located in the Monadnock Community Plaza, Bantam Grill focuses on serving classic American and reinvented, modern Italian dishes with contemporary flair. Sister company to The Pearl, also located in the same plaza, Bantam takes pride in using locally grown ingredients; only the best for their customers. To complement those dishes, the bar is stocked with a variety of beer and wine. For those who are more into cocktails, their award-winning bartenders have you covered with a whole host of delicious drinks.
Sole’s (Keene, NH)
Don’t miss out on this fun, new speakeasy-themed bar and restaurant. Enjoy the immersive experience of the bar with its amazing interior design, admittance only through a black rotary phone outside (in true speakeasy fashion), and staff aptly dressed in 1920s attire. Honing in on the late-night scene, Sole’s B.A.R (Boots, Athletic Shoes, and Ruby Slippers) serves a variety of American and Italian food and embraces the craft cocktail with its large menu of beer, wine, and, of course, signature cocktails.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (Keene, NH)
A signature restaurant in the downtown area, Margaritas brings the food and culture of Mexico to Keene. They serve classic Mexican dishes such as carne asada, enchiladas banderas, and steak and chicken fajitas and have an extensive drink menu with beer, wine, and sangria. However, they are most popular for their margaritas (who would have thought?). With 26 different margaritas to choose from, there’s something here for everyone!
La Piñata Mexicana (Jaffrey, NH)
Less well-known than all of the previously mentioned restaurants, La Piñata Mexicana is an authentic Mexican-style restaurant Northeast of the heart of Jaffrey. Similar to Margaritas, they have traditional dishes like taquitos, steak asado quesadillas, and ceviche. Their drink menu features specialty cocktails with rum, vodka, and tequila as well as domestic, imported, and draft beer. While it is definitely a lesser-known option, La Piñata Mexicana is definitely a place worth visiting!
