Finding your way to Salem’s newest watering hole shouldn’t be a problem; just look for the long red awnings that dominate an entire block at one of the busiest corners of town.
Written by Jack Morris
Photograph by Anthony Tieuli
But for Tavern in the Square, if location isn’t everything, size certainly is. Walk inside this cavernous pub that doglegs from the dining room to the bar area, and you’re immediately hit with a media assault of 35 televisions. Flat-screen TVs line the walls in every direction. Clearly, you never have to worry about missing a game-any gameÂ-ever again. And for those sitting in the booths, customized viewing comes via mini-flat panels with the option for sports, entertainment, or family programs.
If you hate your television, this may not be the bar for you. But if you love beer, comfort food, sports, and having a good time with friends, this could easily become your home away from home. It’s a business model that has seen success at the company’s two other locations in Cambridge’s Central and Porter squares. Â With 30 beers on tap, over 135 items on the menu, and room for at least a couple of football teams and their cheerleaders, it’s hard not to see why.
The rotating seasonal beer menu runs the gamut from local favorites like Wachusett and Cape Ann to Long Trail, Gritty McDuff’s, and Magic Hat, as well as plenty of bigger domestic standards. Of course, with good beer comes great beer-drinking food like nachos, buffalo skewers, and beer-battered Cajun onion rings. But if there’s a good game on, don’t stop there. Aim for the country chicken pie, the homestyle meatloaf, or a stuffed bacon-and-blue cheese burger. Come Sundays, Tavern in the Square rolls out an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet table until 2:30pm.
It’s often easy to stay at home when there’s a big game on, but chances are Tavern in the Square has a much better selection of beer and food than what’s sitting in your refrigerator, and the atmosphere is probably a lot more lively, to boot. For Salem residents, the choice is a no-brainer. The big question is: what are you doing this weekend? 189 Washington St., Salem, 978-740-2337, taverninthesquare.com.-Jack Morris