It’s officially outdoor dining season. And what better way to celebrate summer than to grab a drink and an appetizer with friends? We’ve got a roundup of enticing al fresco Island spots that are perfect for sipping and snacking.
Edgartown
The Pelican Club
(at Faraway Martha’s Vineyard hotel)
6 Kelly Street
508-627-6300
Open seven days
(weather dependent),
noon to 10 p.m., food noon to 9 p.m.
farawaymarthasvineyard.com
@pelicanclubmvy
Striped umbrellas are a universal sign of fun, and The Pelican Club has it in spades. This outdoor bar has ample space to gather with friends, thanks to the expansive landscaped patio with tables and banquettes and a smaller bar with barstools meant for perching. The menu is geared to sharing, with small bites, appetizers and sushi. The drink options are endless, from craft cocktails and wine and beer to a long list of tasty mocktails (including our favorite, the grapefruit nojito). Snack on chicken satay, tequila fired shrimp or a few rainbow rolls and enjoy the energy of an Island summer. Reservations available and encouraged.
Atlantic Fish & Chophouse
2 Main Street
508-627-7001
Open Wednesday - Monday, noon to 9 p.m.
Island Social Club open 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
atlanticmv.com
@altlanticedgartown
Atlantic Fish & Chophouse looks out on Edgartown Harbor, with an old-school vibe and cocktails and food to match. From the classic (espresso martini, spritzes) and the reserve cocktails (ristretto Negroni) to an expansive wine list, there is something for everyone. Share a few appetizers such as shrimp cocktail and a dozen Katama Bay Honeysuckle oysters, along with the sea breeze. Night owls might prefer the Atlantic’s late-night venue called the Island Social Club, with high-end drinks and bites such as beef tartare and caviar- and truffle-topped French fries, served from 10 p.m. to midnight and a live DJ on select dates.
The Hemingway Bar
Behind the Bookstore
46 Main Street
774-549-9123
Open seven days, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (weather dependent)
btbmv.com
@behindthebookstore
Walking down the brick-and-tree-lined path to the Hemingway Bar is an only-in-summer moment. And sitting on a barstool sipping a craft cocktail among the towering trees is even better. This low-key spot is a perfect stop on the way to dinner; don’t miss the matcha martini and the cucumber Collins. (Brunch cocktails are available too.) No reservations accepted for the bar but you rarely have to wait long.
Harbor View Hotel
131 N. Water Street
877-624-7992
Open seven days, 5 to 10 p.m.; Drinks and bar bites noon to 9 p.m. at Behind the View; 5 to 9 p.m. at Bettini Bar
harborviewhotel.com
@bettiniedgartown, @behindtheviewmv
Drinks just taste better with a view, and Harbor View Hotel’s wide, welcoming veranda is a prime location for enjoying a summer evening in Edgartown. White rocking chairs and inviting couches dot the covered porch and the lighthouse makes a great backdrop for photos. Order from the bar bites menu at Bettini restaurant bar or the Behind the View bar and head outside. There’s nothing like an order of perfectly crisp French fries or savory pork & chive dumplings to accompany the dazzling gin-based golden hibiscus, the Bettini gin and tonic (a stunning take on the classic), or the flora spritz mocktail.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
31 Dunes Road
508-627-2663
Dunes restaurant open Thursday – Tuesday, 5 to 9 p.m.; reservations highly recommended.
Poolside Grill open seven days, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(through mid-Sept.)
winnetu.com
@thewinnetu
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, The Dunes restaurant’s second-floor wooden deck has a spectacular view and an ocean breeze, with an extensive menu for light bites, such as roasted oysters and lobster tacos. And don’t worry, heaters and blankets are available for those chilly nights. There’s a full bar and wine list but also plenty of specialty cocktails to sample, including the Winnetu sangrita and Summer on the Vineyard. If you prefer a midday meetup, grab a drink and a bite from the poolside grill. Non-hotel guests are welcome at both spots; take a water taxi (reservations required) from Edgartown to make it feel like a real getaway.
OAK BLUFFS
The Sweet Life
63 Circuit Avenue
508-696-0200
Open 5:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday
sweetlifemv.com
@sweet_life_mv
Tucked in an old Victorian home, Sweet Life is a lovely spot for an elegant cocktail. With a large, tented outdoor area, plan a drinks night, rain or shine. The cocktail list is sublime, with six types of Negronis (including the divine seaside Negroni) and the inventive, tequila-based menta melon. (There are also several delicious and unique mocktails available.) Shareable plates include local oysters, local bay scallop crudo, fluffy housemade focaccia and rich and luscious duck liver mousse. You’ll be tempted to stay for dinner for more of chef Hal Ryerson’s seasonally inspired cooking.
Nomans
15 Island Inn Road
508-338-2474
Open Thursday – Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
nomansmv.com
@nomansmv
If a very cool backyard is your preferred vibe, meet your friends at Nomans. With picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, this low-key spot is a perfect place to sip a pint of beer while playing a round of cornhole or Jenga. The cocktail menu features house rums (The jungle bird is a must-try) as well as a long list of draft beer and wine. Share an order of the gooey queso and chips or chewy Bavarian baked pretzel with cheese dipping sauce and sit back and soak up summer. Dogs are welcome.
Lookout Tavern
8 Seaview Avenue
508-896-9844
Open seven days, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
lookoutmv.com
@lookouttavernmv
A local favorite, Lookout Tavern is known for their excellent sushi (a perennial Best of the Vineyard winner) and award-winning lobster rolls. The entire restaurant is nearly all outdoors and overlooking Nantucket Sound, so it’s a great way to wait for your friends arriving at the Oak Bluffs ferry dock. The Lookout has a full bar and an extensive specialty drink list that includes the beloved Lookout rum punch. There are drink and appetizer specials Monday – Friday, 3:30 to 5:50 p.m. This is a no-reservation spot so be prepared to wait!
Nancy’s
29 Lake Avenue
508-693-0006
Open seven days; Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday,
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
@nancysrestaurant_mv
nancysrestaurant.com
The always-buzzing Nancy’s is a summer staple in Oak Bluffs. The best seats are upstairs where you can look over the Oak Bluffs Harbor while having a drink. Nancy’s is famous for their dirty banana (a mudslide with a banana) and their margarita. Or you can opt for a pint of Buddha Pale Ale. Add some snacks – a platter of chowder fries, fresh sushi or a Mediterranean sampler plate – and call it a day. They don’t take reservations but there is ample seating.
Vineyard Haven
El Barco
16 Union Street
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday – Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.
elbarcomv.com
@elbarcomv
A few blocks from the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal sits El Barco, a casual open-air spot made for summer. With plenty of shareable food plates (such as the addictive chips & queso, crunchy fried calamari and savory elote), the only decision left after securing a barstool is which drink to choose. The frozen margarita is a must-try, but the spicy el diablo cocktail is not to be missed. Dos Equis on tap is a no-brainer. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic choices, including Mexican Coke® and four flavors of the Mexican soda Jarritos.
Garde East
52 Beach Road
508-687-9926
Open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.; brunch served Friday – Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; cocktails served Friday – Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m.; extended hours beginning mid-June
(check website)
gardeeast.com
@gardeeast
For a vacation feel right on the Vineyard Haven Harbor, meet for a bite and a cocktail at Garde East. Sample your way through their “docktails” menu on the comfortable couches in the courtyard, from a stool on the upper deck or with your toes in the sand of their private beach. Sip a glass of rosé (or one of dozens of wines on their extensive menu), a beach bellini or a classic martini, and share a platter of oysters, tuna poke or pommes frites. Sit back and watch the boats go by.
Laura Holmes Haddad is a former cookbook editor and regular contributor to the Vine.
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