Newport Rhode Island | Best Outdoor Bars
Newport Rhode Island Bars
No trip to Newport is complete without a visit to one of Newport’s best outdoor bars. As you relax, take in the sights of the spectacular Newport Harbor, and sip a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine, you will be glad you decided to vacation in Newport, RI. Whenever you next visit us, bring up this list of the best outdoor bars in Newport and let us know which one is your favorite.
The Rooftop Deck at the Vanderbilt Grace Hotel
Hands down the best view of Newport Harbor, Jamestown, and many other delights of Narragansett Bay. At this outdoor bar, you may enjoy a cocktail or glass of champagne while you watch the sunset over Newport Harbor. A must-do!
Pineapples on the Bay
Head out to Gurney’s (formerly the Hyatt) on Goat Island for jaw-dropping views of the Newport Pell bridge. While you’re sipping drinks and feeling like you can reach out and touch the bridge, this breezy, outdoor bar also features a big, grassy lawn for your munchkins to stretch their legs. If you get a little peckish enjoying the view, they serve a limited menu.
The Top of Newport Bar at Hotel Viking
A few blocks inland from the Vanderbilt Grace, you’ll find another romantic and elegant venue to sip a cocktail, slurp oysters, and take in panoramic views of Newport Harbor. This rooftop bar is a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike, and features live music several nights of the week. Menu here.
Midway Bar
Midway Bar at the Clarke Cooke House
In the heart of downtown Newport on Bannister’s Wharf, enjoy a beer or a cocktail while getting an up-close and personal view of some gorgeous sailing vessels. Order from the main Clarke Cooke House menu or nibble at one of our other favorite restaurants in Newport. After a drink, wander around the downtown wharves to shop and people-watch.
This notable spot at Waite’s Wharf is a bit off the beaten path, great for those of us who want a slightly quieter bar scene but still want to be on the water. Marvel at mega yachts, sigh at a sunset, sample seafood, and revel in the ocean breeze.
The Landing | Outdoor Bar
Enjoy drinks and food al fresco on Bowen’s Wharf right at the center of the action in Newport. Live cover bands and solo acts often play on warm summer nights. Though The Landing doesn’t quite have the ambiance of some of the other outdoor bars on this list — it’s basically a small bar and chairs set up on a patch of asphalt — the cozy space abuts the water so you feel like you have a front-row seat on the harbor. The Landing also has a more casual walk-in, walk-out atmosphere that may be what you’re looking for.
Portside
In the thick of the action in downtown Newport is Portside, a pint-size bar outdoor bar that is an arm’s reach from where our gorgeous 80-foot schooner Aquidneck is moored. We love catching a drink here while waiting to eat at Fluke, 22 Bowen’s, The Black Pearl, or another one of Newport’s restaurants. You may well see us pulling up a stool after a sail!
Most outdoor bars in Newport are open seasonally, so check their website, Facebook page, or call to make sure they’re open for business before heading out. Wherever you end up, an outdoor beverage is a fabulous way to cap off a perfect day in Newport. May your days be warm and breezy and your nights Dark ‘n Stormy!