Sipping on a summer cocktail is always a little sweeter when paired with sea views and salty air. So make the most of your next happy hour with our picks for some of Cape Cod's best waterfront bars.
The outdoor gazebo bar at The Pilot House in Sandwich (pictured here) is the perfect way to unwind after a long and relaxing beach day. Enjoy signature cocktails like the Bikini Babe and Salty Squeeze while noshing on bites from the raw bar overlooking Sandwich Marina.
At The Pelham House in Dennis Port, start your summer evening at The Pool House, an oceanfront oasis where you can enjoy alfresco snacks, refreshing drinks and live music. Later, find your way to The Rooftop Restaurant at The Pelham, where you can take your meal and cocktails to the next level with sweeping views of Nantucket Sound.
Tucked through the Aquarium Marketplace at 207 Commercial St, Aqua Bar is a beloved LGBTQ+ waterfront deck bar with sweeping views of Provincetown Harbor. Grab a rail seat right on the water, order a specialty cocktail, and bring in food from nearby vendors like Big Daddy's Burritos or I Dream of Gelato. It's the perfect low-key harbor hangout.
The Beachcomber of Wellfleet is nestled in dunes just steps away from the beach. In fact, it's so close you'll be serenaded by the waves while enjoying your favorite drink on the patio of the converted lifesaving station. The seasonal bar has been named one of the best beach bars in the US by Coastal Living Magazine, and for good reason. There's live music several nights a week, the cool breeze and cocktails are flowing, and there's a large menu boasting such New England favorites as fried clams, lobster rolls and steamers.
In Hyannis, head to the Black Cat Tavern for views of the harbor or the “shack out back” for the best cocktail of all: lobster tail. On the outdoor deck at Fishermen's View Restaurant in Sandwich, your fresh sea snacks and gorgeous views often come with a rousing side of live music.
The Beach Bar over at The Ocean House in Dennis Port offers a chic yet casual gathering spot in an outdoor setting overlooking Nantucket Sound. The bar is open seasonally on the lawn, and offers an upscale small plates menu that includes a raw bar, sushi, gourmet pizzas, lobster and salads. Sit back with a mudslide while listening to the sounds of talented local musicians - the perfect way to end your day.
Located on the sands of Chatham Bars Inn's private ocean beach, the Beach House Grill's terrace views overlook Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic. The coastal-inspired menu consists of seafood classics, modern American and plenty of local produce (a must-try are the lobster tacos). The cocktail menu changes seasonally, and there's also a full beer and bar menu. Catch live music several times a week as you cool down seaside.
Panoramic views of Nantucket Sound make happy hour even happier at The Old Casino in Falmouth. Gather on the outdoor deck at this historic restaurant and bar, overlooking Falmouth Heights Beach and the island of Martha's Vineyard.
The Boatslip Beach Club is just steps away from Commercial Street, Provincetown's shopping district, making it an ideal meeting spot for a refreshing cocktail or a dip in the pool. The hotel is best known as a high-energy, LGBTQ+ friendly gathering place, and the pool deck, Buoy Bar and Tea Dance (the daily 4pm dance party) are all open to the public. At the bar, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the beach, ocean and plenty of eye candy.
Harwich's Wequassett Resort Outer Bar & Grille is a seasonal extension of the fine dining atmosphere the resort is known for. The spacious deck converts to an open-air dining room and bar in the summer, giving guests spectacular views of Pleasant Bay and nightly sunsets. Order a light cocktail with dinner from an impressive menu that boasts local oysters, seared tuna, thick burgers and lobster.
The Upper Cape is home to two waterfront dining options at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth. A little bit beachy, a little bit glam, The Lantern offers a massive deck overlooking the pool and white sand Old Silver Beach, which provides some of the most breathtaking sunsets around. For a no-frills options, try The Hatch, where you can don your flip flops for fried seafood, pub classics and a wide selection of refreshing cocktails - the perfect end to your Cape Cod beach day.
Over in Woods Hole, a laid-back atmosphere happy hour awaits at the Quahog Republic Leeside Pub, where you can soak in the harbor scenery as the sun sets. It's a great spot to stop for a pint or one of their signature margaritas before catching the ferry to the Vineyard, or on your return.