Best Outdoor Bars in New Bedford

It’s summer time in the south coast of Massachusetts.  New Bedford is one of the main hubs and attractions in south coast Massachusetts and one of the major launching points to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the Islands.  Each year, we only have a few precious months to enjoy the sun, beaches and my favorite part of living in New England (especially New Bedford) dining and drinking outdoors.

Let me say this plainly; I love having a nice cold beer. The only thing that’s more enjoyable than having good food and a cold drink inside my favorite bar is enjoying them outdoors.  I’ve put together a small list of some of the New Bedford’s best places to eat and drink alcoholic beverages outside.  I’ve also listed a few within a few miles of New Bedford and listed them in order of distance from the new Fairfield Inn, Marriot (for all you outta-towna’s).

Best Outdoor Bars In New Bedford:

Waterfront Grille: 36 Homers Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02740. (508) 997-7010.
www.waterfrontgrille.com (112 feet)

You can’t get much closer to the Fairfield Inn than this!  The Waterfront Grille is conveniently located almost directly out the Marriot’s front door and has quality food and drinks.  Visitors can enjoy the wonderful summer time air on one of the two outdoor patio areas.  Sit back with some refreshing drinks and enjoy the boating traffic that makes New Bedford’s fishing port the busiest in the country.  Waterfront Grille has entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, and Patio Parties and brunch on Sundays.  Click here for walking directions (or just walk out the front door of the Fairfield Inn).

Catwalk Bar and Grille: 34 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. (508) 994-3355.
www.catwalkbars.com (0.2 miles)

For a great view of the waterfront, personal roof deck bar, a chance to bask in the sun and catch a nice buzz, visit the Catwalk Bar and Grille for the only outdoor eating and drinking area roof deck.  Located approximately 25 feet above the sidewalk, Catwalk’s prized view is a must for all, but there’s no elevator or escalator to the top, so you’re going to have to haul cookies up two staircases to get there.  There is great entertainment almost every night of the week.  Click here for walking directions.

Candleworks Restaurant: 72 North Water Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. (508) 997-1294. www.thecandleworksrestaurant.com (0.3 miles)

Candleworks Restaurant in historic downtown is one of New Bedford’s more historic buildings/restaurants.  The building is called Candleworks because it is the actual location where workers made candles from whale oil that was once so treasured.  The restaurant is located just minutes from new Fairfield Inn, Marriot. This classy restaurant is also the only place where you can eat and drink outside around beautiful fire-pits that will make those chilly summer evenings more comfortable. Check out the food specials and nightly entertainment Wednesday-Saturday.  Click here for walking directions.

Cotali Mar Restaurante: 1178 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02746. (508) 990-0066
www.cotalimarrestaurante.com (1.8 miles)

Cotali Mar Restaurante is the only place on this list that I haven’t been a customer at, but after visiting it I was truly taken back. The outdoor area is beautiful and the largest outdoor bar area that I’ve seen in New Bedford. There’s a bar located outdoors (that seems to be open only on the weekends) and a fire place at one end.  I’ve never had the food at Cotali Mar, but when I talked to customers I knew eating outside they insisted that the food was “really good.”  Cotali Mar Restaurante looks amazing and has a beautful outdoor dining and drinking area.  Click here for driving directions.

Davy’s Locker: 1480 East Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02744. (508) 992-7359.
www.davyslockerrestaurant.com (2.2 miles)

Davy’s Locker has been voted best seafood 11 years in a row and has two outdoor seating areas.  There is a covered area attached to the main building, so you’ll be protected from the elements.  Approximately 50 yards from the main building is the famous Tiki Hutt and is located directly on the water.  The Tiki Hutt is truly a  place to hang out and get the most of those summer rays.  Davy’s Locker and Tiki Hutt are motorcycle friendly with private motorcycle parking spots. The bars are located right next to New Bedford’s south end beaches and historic Fort Taber.  Click here for driving directions.

Airport Grille: 1569 Airport Road, New Bedford, MA 02746. (508) 858-5295.
www.airportgrille.com (4.1 miles)

The Airport Grille is a wonderful little hot spot and is located at the New Bedford Airport that has constant flights to Cape Cod and the Islands.  Forget Legal Seafood because this spot puts them to shame.  This restaurant was once one of New Bedford premier dining establishments before it closed its doors. The good news is the restaurant is open again and better than ever!  With a new dining area has removable windows that turns this indoor dining area to a wonderful outdoor style seating area with all the coverage needed to tackle New England’s constant change in weather.   Personal fans above every table and a private outdoor bar help make this indoor/outdoor spot very desirable and make waiting for your flight to the Cape and Islands a breeze. Click here for driving directions.

Fathoms Bar and Grill: 255 Popes Island. 1 (508) 993-3400

Located on the water at 255 Popes Island, has become an integral part of New Bedford’s diverse collections of eateries. Known for its rich culture and historical fishing industry, New Bedford set the stage for Fathoms Bar & Grille to be the place where people can gather for great food and drink in a relaxed waterfront environment, where the conversations always run deep.

Best Outdoor bars just Outside of New Bedford:

The Ice Chest: 136 Huttleston Avenue Fairhaven, MA 02719. (508) 992-2337.
www.icechestbar.com (2.0 miles)

The Ice Chest is one of the areas busiest bar and grilles.  It’s a fun bar that serves great food.  The Ice Chest provides a wonderful outside deck patio located directly off the main bar room where you can enjoy ice cold beer, great food specials every day, live entertainment and nothing is overpriced.  The Ice Chest is extremely biker friendly.  Click here for driving directions.

The Pasta House: 100 Alden Road Fairhaven, MA 02719. (508) 993-9913
www.thepastahouse.net (2.3 miles)

Fairly new to the outside dining patio club is the Pasta House in Fairhaven.  The restaurant has great home-made pasta, food specials, and great drinks that you can enjoy on their outdoor patio.  The umbrellas provide shade and make this spot even more attractive.  Business casual dining, is the best way to describe the atmosphere at The Pasta House.  Whether you’re out with family and friends or just flyin’ solo, you’ll feel comfortable and at home on The Pasta House patio.  Click here for driving directions.

Black Bass Bar & Grille:  3 Water Street, South Dartmouth, MA 02748. (508) 999-6975
www.blackbassma.com (4.2 miles)

Located in the small, beautiful and wealthy town of Padanaram, South Dartmouth lays the Black Bass Bar & Grille.  The front of the building faces the Padanaram harbor and the interior is very small and quaint.  In the back is a large outdoor seating area.  Plastic chairs and tables that rest on crushed white shells and covered by a white tent, allow patrons the chance to enjoy the outdoors and relax with an almost beach like feeling. Click here for driving directions.  While you’re there make sure you take the time to walk around and take in this neat little town.

Down the Hatch: 56 Goulart Memorial Drive, Fairhaven, MA 02719. (508) 993-3434.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fairhaven-MA/Down-the-Hatch/98929694946 (6.8 miles)

Out of all the bars and restaurants on the list, Down the Hatch is the only truly seasonal establishment.  At the end of summer this bar shuts down, closes its doors and re-opens the following spring.  Down the Hatch is truly a beach bar with nothing indoor;  patrons simply eat, drink and play under a tin roof that covers the front area.  While the bar is out of the way, the drive is nice and the food and drinks are worth it.  There is live entertainment at different times of the week.  Click here for driving directions.

Turks Seafood: 83 Marion Road, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. (508) 758-3113.
www.turksseafood.com (9.5 miles)

Turks Seafood in Mattapoisett, has absolutely the freshest sushi and seafood around with a great indoor/outdoor patio.  This great little establishment also has live entertainment on Monday nights.  Click here for driving directions.

Wasabi: 747 State Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747. (508) 990-9588.
No Website (9.6 miles)

Good sushi and Asian cuisine with a very large menu, Sadly, Wasabi has a very small (and underused) outdoor deck/patio area. Click here for driving directions.

The Wave Restaurant & Bar: 210 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. (508) 748-2986.
www.thewaverestaurant.com (12.1 miles)

Located directly off the highway, The Wave is an easy spot to get to on the way to or from Cape Cod.  The bar has entertainment on weekend nights and a large patio to sit out on. The patio only open 7 days/nights a week during the late Spring, Summer, and into the Fall.  Their HDTV’s are perfect for sports fans. Click here for driving directions.

Gateway Tavern & Grille: 371 Marion Road, Wareham, MA 02571. (508) 291-6040.
www.thegatewaytavern.com (14.6 miles)

Gateway Tavern & Grille is Wareham’s greatest little secret with outstanding food, large portions and great prices. It’s a local spot that faces west right on the edge of a marsh (where its huge covered back deck is located). At dusk this is arguably one of the most beautiful scenes on earth.  The Gateway Tavern & Grille has no entertainment; just good service, food and drinks.  Click here for driving directions.

Hawthorne Country Club: 970 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747. (508) 997-3377
http://www.hawthornecountryclub.com/

The Hawthorne Country club reopened under new management on August 1st, 2012. There is now a restaurant with a full bar that has an amazing view of the golf course. The bar provides patrons service in the restaurant or to visitors that want to relax outside with new fire-pit seating that provides fresh air and a view of the greens. A new outside deck addition to the function hall provides easy access to the the outside bar area. The upgrade to the facility now allows for live entertainment, so expect live music in the future.

What are your favorite bars that provide outdoor seating in and around New Bedford? Post a comment and share this article!