New Hampshire
New Hampshire – Bars Nightlife and Entertainment.
New Hampshire. Internationally famous for the “New Hampshire primary” – being the the first state to vote in the US presidential elections. It was also the first state to declare independence from Great Britain in 1776, and one of the original 13 that founded the United States of America. More firsts ? Yes. New Hampshire was the first US state to have its own state constitution, and is still the only state with neither a general sales tax nor personal income tax.
So it is absolutely no surprise that the state motto is “Live Free or Die”.
Located in the region of the northeastern United States of America it is named after the English county of Hampshire. Nicknamed the Granite State, its capital is Concord, and largest city, Manchester.
New Hampshire has seven distinct regions: Great North Woods, White Mountains, Lakes Region, Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee, Monadnock, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. All are worth a visit as each offers a unique character with various conservation areas, historic sites, wildlife, scenic vistas as well as interesting nightlife, festivals and entertainment.
New Hampshire is not party-rich, but Portsmouth has a decent nightlife scene – especially in the summertime. Waterfront bars, breweries, and even a dance club catering to University of New Hampshire students. The Market Place and Downtown seem to be the most lively areas. Try Bananas for top 40 type dancing, the Tiki bar for basic dress down fun, the Portsmouth Brewery for the most cosmopolitan feel, Tequila Jacks for the best singles scene, and the Press Room for the best Live Music. 21 is still the age limit for alcohol, and ID is quite “firmly” requested.
Within a 15 minute drive south you will find Hampton Beach where dive bars, dance clubs, cheap beer , and ‘trouble’ are much more likely to be found. It’s a popular tourist destination and the busiest beach community in the state. Ocean Boulevard, the main street along the beach, includes many shops, bars, several seasonal hotels, and the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. The Ballroom hosts many national acts throughout the summer months and has dome for some 100 years. It was recently placed in the top 30 for ticket sales in venues under 3000 seats, so the quality of entertainment is very high. As the entire of New Hampshire only has 18 miles of coastline – enjoy.
Since 1988 the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, acclaimed as “One of the Top 100 Events in North America”, has helped put New Hampshire on the map as a vacation destination. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival has a profound effect on seacoast businesses, the community, and the overall economy of the area. Bars, Restaurants, lodging, shops, and businesses in general depend on the Seafood Festival, which has grown to be bigger than the “4th of July” celebrations. The Festival, held the weekend after Labor Day, attracts some 150,000 visitors and creates a brilliant party atmosphere.
One of the biggest crowd pleasers in New Hampshire is Laconia Motorcycle Week, a motorcycle rally held in every June (since 1916 ish) and which draws a crowd of up to 400,000. For racing enthusiasts, less than 8 miles will get you get to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway at Loudon (originally named New Hampshire International Speedway) an 1.058 mile (1703 m) oval track which has hosted NASCAR racing since the 1990s.
Some of the other major festivals in New Hampshire are:
Nashua Labor Day Tournament & Festival
Nashua, New Hampshire.
September.
Heifetz International Music Institute
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
June – August
Six-week summer music program for gifted students of violin, viola, cello, and piano. Public concerts by celebrity faculty and students.
Prescott Park Arts Festival
Jun – Aug (annual)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Prescott Park Arts Festival presents live music, theatre and dance on the banks of the Piscataquis River in Portsmouth and runs from June to August.
The festival has a long history of presenting the arts with no fixed admission, which means that many people get their first experience of live performance here – where classical ballet rubs shoulders with rock ‘n’ roll.
Cochecho Arts Festival
Dover, New Hampshire
July – August
The annual Cochecho Arts Festival is a summer long music series that takes place in the heart of Dover, New Hampshire. They have two series – the Tuesday Children’s Series, and the Friday Evening Concert Series.
Cheshire Fair
East Swanzey, New Hampshire, July – August
A fair with entertainment for everyone. Agriculture, demolition derby, rodeo, rides, food and lots of educational exhibits.
Lancaster Fair
Lancaster, New Hampshire, August – September
A 138 year old 6 day fair located in northern New Hampshire on the VT & NH border. Held every year during Labor Day weekend. Free children events are held each day during the fair.
Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September
Numerous sea music performers present music and song from the maritime world. As in years past, the 9th annual festival will be held at venues in downtown Portsmouth’s Market Square area and Athenaeum, All-ages event with audience participation encouraged!