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A light green cocktail is served in a martini glass on a marble bar, with a silver cocktail shaker to the right and bar shelves visible in the background
A cocktail at Galley Beach
Galley Beach/Official Site

Where to Get a Drink on Nantucket

Spritzes and sunset views; cocktails under a tree; palomas and quesadillas

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A cocktail at Galley Beach
| Galley Beach/Official Site

From a beach lounge with sunset views to a dog-friendly beer garden, Nantucket has plenty of drinking options — many of them outdoors — that take full advantage of what summer has to offer. Even if an intimate bar with nautical vibes or a moody pub is more your style, there are choices aplenty for cocktails, wine, and beer.

Here are 12 of the best bars on Nantucket.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

This map was originally published on August 16, 2019; it is updated periodically. The date of the most recent update appears above.

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Galley Beach

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While pricey (even by Nantucket standards), Galley Beach is one of the most scenic spots to have a drink on the island. Dip your feet in the sand while you enjoy a well-crafted spritz at the beach lounge and bar, open all day. The sunset views here are spectacular.

Drinkers and diners can make reservations 14 days in advance of their visit.

Windswept white sheets drape over lounge seating areas at Galley Beach on Nantucket
Galley Beach
Galley Beach/Official Site

Lola 41

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This bistro and sushi bar takes its culinary inspiration from countries found on the 41st parallel, including Spain, Italy, and Japan. The Japanese influence looms largest on the drink menu, where you’ll find a few Japanese beers, an extensive menu of sake, and cocktails like a cucumber vodka-based martini with sake, passionfruit, and lychee. And If you’re looking for a little taste of Nantucket without leaving Boston, check out its sister restaurant in the Seaport, Lola 42.

Drinkers and diners can make same-day reservations by phone.

A blur of a bartender passes through the center of the frame, with a view of the restaurant’s bar in the background, featuring several shelves of liquor, a variety of cocktail tools, and dark wood accents
Lola 41 on Nantucket
Lola 41/Official Site

Òran Mór

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Perched above an art gallery and an antique store, Òran Mór is quintessential Nantucket with its homey, subtly nautical decor. The intimate round bar looks like something out of a captain’s cabin, embellished with maritime quotes and illustrations. It may not look like a spot for trendy drinks, but the menu is creative and modern with a perfect mix of spirit-forward cocktails and more tropical, refreshing libations.

Òran Mór is requesting that customers are fully vaccinated. Reserve here.

A small round bar sits in the middle of a dimly lit room, with green accents throughout and wine glasses hanging overhead
Òran Mór on Nantucket
Òran Mór/Official Site

Tree Bar

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Tree Bar is nestled in a small courtyard next to Town and Queequeg’s, and outdoor drinkers have the option of ordering food from either menu. The bar wraps around the shady tree that gives this spot its name. Though the bar’s definition of “martini” is suspect, the cocktail menu is full of refreshing concoctions appropriate for the outdoor setting, with fun names like “A Shrub Is a Guy Who Thinks He’s Fly” and “Ancho Sunshine When She’s Gone.”

True to its name, Tree Bar is a bar wrapped around a tree. There is additional seating in the area, wooden tables with comfortable wicker chairs.
Tree Bar on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Ventuno’s Back Bar

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If you’re looking for outdoor drinking and craving an aperitivo or a glass of wine, look no further than Ventuno’s Back Bar. This charming outdoor bar behind Italian restaurant Ventuno is picture-perfect with its bright red chairs and white trellis strung with lights. The bar offers a short but stellar menu of cocktails and Italian wines by the glass, which can be paired with Ventuno’s delicious antipasti.

Drinkers and diners can make reservations here.

A crowded Ventuno’s Back Bar at night, with patrons mingling and holding wine glasses under string lights and white trellises.
Ventuno on Nantucket
Ventuno/Official Site

The Nautilus

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This is the spot for unpretentious and expertly crafted cocktails and a well-selected list of wines (and several sakes) by the glass. The reserve options come with colorful descriptions like “not your mother’s chardonnay” and “orange juice from Italian nuns.”

Drinkers and diners must make reservations, which are released daily at 10 a.m. and can be booked up to seven days in advance. The Nautilus is requiring customers to wear masks whenever they are not seated at their table.

An exterior view of the Nautilus, featuring worn gray shingles, vines and other greenery, and an open door, offering a glimpse of the crowded restaurant within
The Nautilus
The Nautilus/Official Site

The Proprietors

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If you ask anyone where to get a cocktail on Nantucket, the Proprietors will probably be the first place they mention. Michael and Orla LaScola ushered the island into the era of craft mixology with their numbered cocktail menu, like a barrel-aged white Negroni and a house-bottled gin and tonic made with toasted rice and green tea-infused Japanese gin. The wine and beer selections are equally notable.

The Proprietors is not requiring its customers to wear masks, but its staff will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Reservations can be made here.

An elegant black sign for the Proprietors is attached to a white building on a brick, tree-lined sidewalk
The Proprietors on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

The Club Car

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This longtime Nantucket institution underwent a complete revamp in 2017 when it reopened under new ownership. Set apart from the retro dining room, the marble-topped bar runs the length of the historic train car that gives the restaurant its name. Like the space, the cocktail menu is funky and playful, with unique takes on classics like the paloma (containing two tequilas and grapefruit three ways), and the Aperol spritz (made with, among other ingredients, pickled kumquats). The famous piano is still there, and as the bar fills up, patrons will inevitably start singing along.

Reservations can be made up to two months in advance online or by calling the restaurant directly.

A marble-topped bar stretches the length of an old train car, with dark teal walls and a patterned tile floor. A bartender stands at the end of the bar.
The Club Car on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Or the Whale

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Or the Whale (stylized as or, The Whale and named after the subtitle of Moby Dick) has a cheery and elegant dining room, with embellished white tiles and sea-blue accents. There’s a small but solid cocktail menu featuring classics like the Old Fashioned and Negroni done right, as well as a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass. If it’s a nice evening, opt for a seat on the spacious and charming back patio.

Reservations can be made here.

Against the backdrop of a faded brick building, the Or the Whale patio features a small covered bar and a variety of other seating options, including a sizable wooden round table. Lush greenery and string lights embellish the space.
Or the Whale on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Petrichor Wine Bar

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It’s not hard to find a good list of wines by the bottle on Nantucket, but if you want that same selection and quality without the commitment, head to Petrichor Wine Bar. Everything on the list of over 50 wines is available by the glass, served alongside a menu of appetizers and small plates perfect for pairing. Petrichor has a cozy but chic interior and a full liquor license.  

Petrichor is open on a first come, first served basis.

A lounge area with dark brown leather chairs, small round tables adorned with white candles, and a fireplace
Petrichor Wine Bar on Nantucket
Petrichor Wine Bar/Official Site

Millie's

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The drinks at Millie’s aren’t quite worth the trip out to Madaket alone, but the tacos and quesadillas certainly are, and it’s hard to beat the friendly vibe and sea views at this much-loved spot. In addition to margaritas, palomas, and the famous Madaket Mystery rum punch, Millie’s has a good selection of Cisco beers on tap and bottled Mexican beers, as well as a number of wines by the glass or bottle.

Millie’s is open on a first come, first served basis.

Round wooden stools are lined up along a wooden paneled bar at Millie’s, which has bright blue walls, a painting of Nantucket, and beachy vibes
Millie’s on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Cisco Brewers

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No trip to Nantucket is complete without visiting Cisco Brewers, located about two and a half miles from downtown. It feels less like a conventional brewery and more like an outdoor festival, with multiple bars, tents, and food vendors daily. (COVID-19 may impact this vibe. Call ahead to confirm day-to-day details.) It’s also child- and dog-friendly. If you’re without a car or bike, never fear; a shuttle van makes the trip from 23 Federal St. every 20 minutes. You’ll probably need it after you sample Cisco’s extensive range of beers or have a few Triple Eight cocktails.

Many people sit on wooden stools at picnic-style tables, some in the sun and some under Cisco-branded blue tents, drinking beer
Cisco Brewers on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Galley Beach

While pricey (even by Nantucket standards), Galley Beach is one of the most scenic spots to have a drink on the island. Dip your feet in the sand while you enjoy a well-crafted spritz at the beach lounge and bar, open all day. The sunset views here are spectacular.

Drinkers and diners can make reservations 14 days in advance of their visit.

Windswept white sheets drape over lounge seating areas at Galley Beach on Nantucket
Galley Beach
Galley Beach/Official Site

Lola 41

This bistro and sushi bar takes its culinary inspiration from countries found on the 41st parallel, including Spain, Italy, and Japan. The Japanese influence looms largest on the drink menu, where you’ll find a few Japanese beers, an extensive menu of sake, and cocktails like a cucumber vodka-based martini with sake, passionfruit, and lychee. And If you’re looking for a little taste of Nantucket without leaving Boston, check out its sister restaurant in the Seaport, Lola 42.

Drinkers and diners can make same-day reservations by phone.

A blur of a bartender passes through the center of the frame, with a view of the restaurant’s bar in the background, featuring several shelves of liquor, a variety of cocktail tools, and dark wood accents
Lola 41 on Nantucket
Lola 41/Official Site

Òran Mór

Perched above an art gallery and an antique store, Òran Mór is quintessential Nantucket with its homey, subtly nautical decor. The intimate round bar looks like something out of a captain’s cabin, embellished with maritime quotes and illustrations. It may not look like a spot for trendy drinks, but the menu is creative and modern with a perfect mix of spirit-forward cocktails and more tropical, refreshing libations.

Òran Mór is requesting that customers are fully vaccinated. Reserve here.

A small round bar sits in the middle of a dimly lit room, with green accents throughout and wine glasses hanging overhead
Òran Mór on Nantucket
Òran Mór/Official Site

Tree Bar

Tree Bar is nestled in a small courtyard next to Town and Queequeg’s, and outdoor drinkers have the option of ordering food from either menu. The bar wraps around the shady tree that gives this spot its name. Though the bar’s definition of “martini” is suspect, the cocktail menu is full of refreshing concoctions appropriate for the outdoor setting, with fun names like “A Shrub Is a Guy Who Thinks He’s Fly” and “Ancho Sunshine When She’s Gone.”

True to its name, Tree Bar is a bar wrapped around a tree. There is additional seating in the area, wooden tables with comfortable wicker chairs.
Tree Bar on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Ventuno’s Back Bar

If you’re looking for outdoor drinking and craving an aperitivo or a glass of wine, look no further than Ventuno’s Back Bar. This charming outdoor bar behind Italian restaurant Ventuno is picture-perfect with its bright red chairs and white trellis strung with lights. The bar offers a short but stellar menu of cocktails and Italian wines by the glass, which can be paired with Ventuno’s delicious antipasti.

Drinkers and diners can make reservations here.

A crowded Ventuno’s Back Bar at night, with patrons mingling and holding wine glasses under string lights and white trellises.
Ventuno on Nantucket
Ventuno/Official Site

The Nautilus

This is the spot for unpretentious and expertly crafted cocktails and a well-selected list of wines (and several sakes) by the glass. The reserve options come with colorful descriptions like “not your mother’s chardonnay” and “orange juice from Italian nuns.”

Drinkers and diners must make reservations, which are released daily at 10 a.m. and can be booked up to seven days in advance. The Nautilus is requiring customers to wear masks whenever they are not seated at their table.

An exterior view of the Nautilus, featuring worn gray shingles, vines and other greenery, and an open door, offering a glimpse of the crowded restaurant within
The Nautilus
The Nautilus/Official Site

The Proprietors

If you ask anyone where to get a cocktail on Nantucket, the Proprietors will probably be the first place they mention. Michael and Orla LaScola ushered the island into the era of craft mixology with their numbered cocktail menu, like a barrel-aged white Negroni and a house-bottled gin and tonic made with toasted rice and green tea-infused Japanese gin. The wine and beer selections are equally notable.

The Proprietors is not requiring its customers to wear masks, but its staff will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Reservations can be made here.

An elegant black sign for the Proprietors is attached to a white building on a brick, tree-lined sidewalk
The Proprietors on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

The Club Car

This longtime Nantucket institution underwent a complete revamp in 2017 when it reopened under new ownership. Set apart from the retro dining room, the marble-topped bar runs the length of the historic train car that gives the restaurant its name. Like the space, the cocktail menu is funky and playful, with unique takes on classics like the paloma (containing two tequilas and grapefruit three ways), and the Aperol spritz (made with, among other ingredients, pickled kumquats). The famous piano is still there, and as the bar fills up, patrons will inevitably start singing along.

Reservations can be made up to two months in advance online or by calling the restaurant directly.

A marble-topped bar stretches the length of an old train car, with dark teal walls and a patterned tile floor. A bartender stands at the end of the bar.
The Club Car on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Or the Whale

Or the Whale (stylized as or, The Whale and named after the subtitle of Moby Dick) has a cheery and elegant dining room, with embellished white tiles and sea-blue accents. There’s a small but solid cocktail menu featuring classics like the Old Fashioned and Negroni done right, as well as a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass. If it’s a nice evening, opt for a seat on the spacious and charming back patio.

Reservations can be made here.

Against the backdrop of a faded brick building, the Or the Whale patio features a small covered bar and a variety of other seating options, including a sizable wooden round table. Lush greenery and string lights embellish the space.
Or the Whale on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Petrichor Wine Bar

It’s not hard to find a good list of wines by the bottle on Nantucket, but if you want that same selection and quality without the commitment, head to Petrichor Wine Bar. Everything on the list of over 50 wines is available by the glass, served alongside a menu of appetizers and small plates perfect for pairing. Petrichor has a cozy but chic interior and a full liquor license.  

Petrichor is open on a first come, first served basis.

A lounge area with dark brown leather chairs, small round tables adorned with white candles, and a fireplace
Petrichor Wine Bar on Nantucket
Petrichor Wine Bar/Official Site

Millie's

The drinks at Millie’s aren’t quite worth the trip out to Madaket alone, but the tacos and quesadillas certainly are, and it’s hard to beat the friendly vibe and sea views at this much-loved spot. In addition to margaritas, palomas, and the famous Madaket Mystery rum punch, Millie’s has a good selection of Cisco beers on tap and bottled Mexican beers, as well as a number of wines by the glass or bottle.

Millie’s is open on a first come, first served basis.

Round wooden stools are lined up along a wooden paneled bar at Millie’s, which has bright blue walls, a painting of Nantucket, and beachy vibes
Millie’s on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

Cisco Brewers

No trip to Nantucket is complete without visiting Cisco Brewers, located about two and a half miles from downtown. It feels less like a conventional brewery and more like an outdoor festival, with multiple bars, tents, and food vendors daily. (COVID-19 may impact this vibe. Call ahead to confirm day-to-day details.) It’s also child- and dog-friendly. If you’re without a car or bike, never fear; a shuttle van makes the trip from 23 Federal St. every 20 minutes. You’ll probably need it after you sample Cisco’s extensive range of beers or have a few Triple Eight cocktails.

Many people sit on wooden stools at picnic-style tables, some in the sun and some under Cisco-branded blue tents, drinking beer
Cisco Brewers on Nantucket
Katie Faust Stryjewski/Eater

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