Ale House
33 Main St, Amesbury, MA, 01913
Ale House Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Amesbury for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Amesbury for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Amesbury for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
33 Main St
Amesbury, MA, 01913 - Phone (978) 388-1950
- Website https://www.amesburyalehouse.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Chris B.
Had the baked cod based on a recommendation as I was walking in the door. Excellent and priced fairly. Kudos to Courtney behind the bar. She made it that much more pleasant with her service
(4)Heather W.
So, sometimes the problem with yelping & bragging about your favorite place is that now when you go you can't find a seat. Word is out about Ale House but we love it so much that we'll wait up to an hour for a table as long as those nice cold frosties keep a comin'! We eat here at least once a week. If you are a beer snob, you really can't beat this selection without having to drive to Boston or Portland. Rotating taps....lesser known styles....world-wide selection. I've discovered many many favorites here. They let us sample so we aren't stuck with a whole glass (or 6 pack at the store) when we are trying to expand our taste buds. Crowd is usually pretty mixed....locals, blind dates, couples, singles, old timers, youngins, girls night out and sportsfans (with the occasional masshole unfortunately). Plenty of space for standing, cocktail tables, long bar of stools or sit down (we keep saying one day we are going to sit upstairs for dinner but we love the bar). There's a handful of great staff that's been there awhile, and they sure know their stuff, but otherwise there seems to be a lot of turn over here. They always find great people but for some reason can never keep them long (management problem?). The music is pretty lame but the sort of playlist that everyone knows the songs to. Flatscreens are always broadcasting local games but it still comes off as more "pub" than "sportsbar". Menu is typical. Our favorites are pulled pork nachos with guac and the turkey club with sweet potato fries. We crave it on a pretty consistent basis. Can't figure out if it's because of the nachos or the beer selection, but we start the week out wanting to try a new restaurant and then always end up here.
(4)Paco J.
Really cool room and when you walk out the back door ... wait, what ... a waterfall and rapids to boot. The room is an old retail store or pharmacy with ceilings that belie a bygone era. Big big beer selection that changes constantly ( tho I wish they would bring back Slaapmutske). The Short Rib Grilled Cheese sandwich is to die for, which will happen sooner than later if you have too many. Convivial crowd made up of some locals, tourists and just about anyone thirsty in the Merrimack River Valley region. Worth the trip up to Amesbury.
(4)Christian M.
Great selection of beer, interesting flavors, and types, mostly ales, not much for Lager and Pilsner. Little on pricey side, but you pay for quality... Mixed drinks and wine, my friends swear by the Dirty Martinis. Food is good, changing up the menu regularly, adding some new things all the time. App's are good, the chicken fingers are yummy, little more on the nouveaux side of flavors. Just different enough to make it interesting. Entrees are tasty, tried and true staples, like Guiness Stew, meat loaf, pot pie, and other original dishes and flavors, changing per season. Good overall menu, lots o choice. Medium priced, but that bar bill will add up quick...
(3)David S.
Went to Ale House, hoping they still had a chicken dish I recalled most favorably. Instead, had the Ale House mac and cheese, which was highly recommended by the inestimable, pleasantly bearded bartender Evan. He talked the talk about his beverages, and was fluent with the food menu. I love/hate having such a great neighborhood tavern in a neighborhood other than mine; wish I could quietly sip away the afternoon, and not have to drive afterwards. Kudos to Evan, his cohorts, and management for creating a memorable pub experience. (Went back later that night with friends after a poetry reading in town....and the hits just kept on coming)
(5)Ted K.
I really enjoyed my evening at the Ale House last night. Their draft beer selection is the standard craft offerings; lots of local IPAs, bigger National brands, and some really good choice beers from overseas. Also a selection of bottled beers that are outstanding authentic Trappist beverages. Food menu is much more bar/pub food. Lots of fried stuff. All look good and a few lighter options with 3-5 salads available. Small TVs are throughout the restaurant. Great location with easy street parking.
(4)Roger K.
Yelp should have a slogan of "we're here for whatever Ales you. It seems that Sunday is NOT a day when you can visit breweries in the area of Massachusetts where we were. So, Yelp and GPS to the rescue. Arriving a little after noon, the restaurant appeared almost empty. We were warmly greeted by Katrina at the bar and provided with a very long list of beers on tap, maybe 30. We decided on pints of BBC (Berkshire Brewing Co.) Coffeehouse Porter ($5.50) and Founders Nitro Oatmeal Stout ($6.50). Tossed between probably four or more items on the menu, we asked Katrina for some suggestions and sure enough, she recommended a few of the items we were considering. My wife chose the Falafel Sandwich ($9.50). They must make their own flatbread on-site because it was so fresh, tasty, and rectangular. It was folded over, filled with delicious, crispy on the outside and flavorful falafel, tabouli, tomato, and dill yogurt. Katrina had provided extra dill yogurt on the side because she had told us how good it was. She was right. They also serve fresh-cut fries with the sandwich that are so good that you want to eat them before you even touch your sandwich. I'm a sucker for lamb, so when Katrina spoke highly of the Lamb Gyro ($9.50) there was no hesitation upon my part. Served on the same wonderful flatbread, and with those fantastic fries, the lamb was nice and tender, flavorful without being gamey, and served with the traditional onions, tomatoes, lettuce and tzatziki sauce. If we lived closer, I'm sure we would be regulars here. Great atmosphere, excellent service, delicious food, and good value. Go enjoy yourself there.
(5)Casandra M.
When we moved to town, I thought this was going to be my favorite bar. Came in on Monday nights steady for a while and really enjoyed the food and scene and bartender Geoff was great. Came in a couple more times and was so appalled by the service from the short blonde bartender (I forget her name) we go anywhere but the Ale House now. Hoping the management realizes how rude this woman is and gives her the boot!
(1)Laina S.
So my girlfriends and I had quite the gluttonous experience here. The food is fantastic and the beer selection is very impressive. The ambience is warm and welcoming and even though Evan the bartender was very busy for the volume on a Tuesday night we were very well taken care of. Evan is personable professional and efficient. There was a dish (of the 4 we shared ) that we didn't enjoy and the manager Eric swiftly handled it with such poise and tact that we ordered more dessert just to stay longer. Nothing but praise for this gem next to a picturesque waterfall in downtown Amesbury
(5)Josh M.
This place is great! Always a ton of good craft beers on tap, and the food is amazing. The specialty beers are always changing, so be sure to ask if they have anything special on tap or anything coming up soon. The people there are also very friendly and will always give you an honest input on food or beverage choices.
(5)Gevorg K.
My fiancee and I came here for a late lunch last weekend and we were very pleased with our experience. I loved their beer selection! Two full pages of drafts and a whole BOOK of options for bottled beer. I opted for a Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA and my fiancee had an Allagash White (both were drafts). The prices for the beer are a little higher than most places but not unreasonable. The average draft beers here ranged between $6-$11 for a 16 ounce. For food we started with the fried pickles. These were quite tasty. I'm not too fond of fried pickle spears, preferring the fried pickle chips instead and luckily the Ale House does chips and does them well. At about $6 these can't be beat. For our meals my fiancee had the short rib grilled cheese with fries which I took a bite of and thoroughly enjoyed. I had the Cuban sandwich that featured pork belly and it was one of the best Cuban sandwich I've eaten. The pork belly had so much flavor and was cooked perfectly. Their fries are a bit like McDonald's fries, but obviously made from real potatoes. I would call this a compliment as McDonald's fries are tasty, just questionable in their nature. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it was solid. Not amazing, just very good. I can't wait to return, hopefully for dinner next time as their dinner menu has an even greater assortment of dishes to choose from.
(4)Sarah F.
My husband and I visited here last Friday and glad we did. Our server was Kayla and she was awesome! Great smile and attitude, was very friendly and attentive his is always nice in a server. We ordered the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread, YUMMY! Basically a Hawaiian pizza with Buffalo sauce drizzled over. Was wicked yummy and just the right size for the both of us to split and still have room for dessert. I ordered the Lemon cake and it was wicked good as well. Only drawback is it came with Raspberry sauce and I am NOT a fan of it so I just ate around the sauce. I would definitely get again and ask for it without the sauce. As for the drinks they were very good. I ordered a Kamikaze and it came in a shaker glass like for a martini; I actually liked it served that way. Made me feel like I was getting my money's worth. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Ryane L.
One of my favorite stops in Amesbury. Good selection of beer & food. Reasonable prices, nothing that'll break your bank. The servers & bartenders are friendly & know the menu if you have questions. Stop in for just a beer @ their huge bar, grab an app or dinner as well.
(5)Stephen C.
*This review is based solely on the beer selection. I did not eat there* An overall excellent selection of drafts. It was eclectic yet not overwhelming like some places that think having plethora beers on tap is cool. A solid beer selection that's easy to absorb and isn't a daunting task in regards to deciding what to pick is always a fine equilibrium. Staff was wonderful and friendly. The decor was homely and had some wonderful angles and nooks you could crawl into. During the warmer months the back door viewing of the "waterfall" that's outside with very nice. And I believe they may even have some outdoor access during that time as well (not sure though). All in all, an solid bar and an exceptional experience.
(5)Bob B.
This place is great. The atmosphere is so cool. It's a large open space with exposed brick and beer flags hanging. The lower level has a fireplace and the upper balcony has a great view of the restaurant as well as a bridge over a waterfall. The beer selection is great with a bunch I never heard of. We had the poutine fries that were okay. They got cold fast. The cheese curds still had a chill to them which probably cooled the gravy and fries down. I had the short rib grilled cheese that was very good. My wife had the cheeseburger. She thought it tasted like a frozen patty. She still liked it. They served that on a ciabatta bun.
(4)Ali B.
Great place! I go there often because the service is speedy and friendly and the food is really good. They do a great job at being a local pub style restaurant with good food and good service.
(5)Patty C.
Awesomeness. Beer list is great.food is fantastic!! And if you're lucky enough to have Katrina for a waitress you've hit the jackpot!! (The five by the window aka the big ugly guy and the other 4 peeps.. Aka the drunks and the designated driver.) Above review was a few months back. Gone from 4 stars to 3. Not sure what happened to this place, but I take it all back!! Just left. Food was average. Very salty. And I won't even get into the beer I had!! Too bad. Won't be back.
(3)Brian C.
I've been to Ale House several times and have always been very impressed with both the beer selection and quality of food. Their Frites are a nice take on French fries and are thin cut with skins left on served with a few different choices of dipping sauces. I haven't tried the fried pickles but everyone I know that has says they are very delicious. The buffalo Mac & cheese is one of my favorites here. The atmosphere here is great with nice views of the Amesbury Mill Yard and waterfall.
(4)Kevin C.
Been here many times, love the beer selection and the food! My boyfriend always pines for the duck wings and the pork belly Cuban. I switch it up and have been let down seldom. Good service, great atmosphere! Only four stars because on our last trip the pork belly was switched out with ham. Equally as good, but not what was advertised.
(4)Catherine N.
First off this place has an amazing beer list. Not the best I've ever seen but still a very impressive collection for a small town North of Boston They also have a very interesting selection of draft beers that they rotate regularly. As a bonus, the food is also quite good. They have the typical pub selection but also a few unique standouts - like the mac & cheese or the ahi tuna. It is located in the heart of Amesbury among the old brick factory buildings and is very charming. You can even sit in the back (near the fireplace) and have a view of the river. I feel like every once in a while, when they are busy, things run a bit rough (i.e. inconsistent food quality and service). But it is still a regular hang-out for me and I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting. I have introduced a few people to it already.
(4)Joe C.
The food at Ale House is always exactly what I want. The buffalo wings taste baked almost with a smokey buffalo flavor with meat that falls off the bones. The haddock sandwich, the patty melt and the short rib grilled cheese are great sandwiches. It seems everything I got here was comfort food cooked perfectly with a small twist that made it better than I expected. The beer list is always changing and it seems there is some thought put into it.. I've found some new favorites at this establishment. I'd give Ale House 5 stars if their service was up to the quality of the food. It's not bad service, but as someone in the industry, I think they could be a little more attentive to the needs of the customers. The servers and bartenders are friendly, but I've found even when it's slow you have to work to get their attention. This can hurt their sales as well so I'm not sure why they aren't a little more on top of their guests needs. Again good, friendly service but attention to detail could help bring the place to the next level. I want Ale House to be Five Stars.. Great place to have in the North Shore.
(4)Jane D.
I'll be honest, I haven't eaten there in a while mainly for my dislike of their menu/lack of variety as I'm a vegetarian and there were literally very few options, and most were fried. I heard they did a new menu so I stopped by for a take-out sandwich. I ordered a portabello mushroom goat cheese wrap and it was 95% spinach- no lie.And to top it off, it was $11 - $1-2 more than any other sandwich/wrap on the menu, and it was only veggies. When I asked the bartender about it, she rudely replied, 'well, it is portabello mushrooms you know!' - ok that makes sense, but put some mushrooms in it!!! most of their updated vegetarian options are also fried... so def NOT the place for anyone vegetarian or trying to eat healthy...and not friendly service - that's a lose-lose for me!
(1)Pete K.
I wanna love this place, but it's been sliding downhill. I ordered the Chix Burrito special Saturday night. The white rice inside was a cold long tubular wad of rice, down the entire length of the inside of the Burrito. There was little sign of black beans or chix..... It was unappetizing and just really left me doubting whether there's a kitchen mgr watching/checking what the cook staff puts out.
(2)Janet J.
The past few times I've been to The Ale house, the food has disappointed us. We ordered the special salad with shrimp and mangoes. The mangoes were from a can and the shrimp had no flavor.
(2)Becky Y.
We love this bar.... They treat us amazing every time. The food and drinks are amazing.
(5)Allyson P.
Awesome experience. Had the chicken parm and a glass of pinot noir (castle rock, Oregon) very very tasty! A little pricey but we'll be back ;)
(4)Jed M.
We were staying in Amesbury for a wedding and found this place to eat lunch before he wedding. We ended up going back after the wedding for drinks as well. Pretty cool atmosphere. A few TV's and plenty of seating. Not too loud and doesn't have a gastropub feel which I generally dislike. For lunch I ordered the Pulled pork sliders which featured 3 different varieties and they were all good. The fiancée ordered the Roast Beef Dip and we both got fries. All around solid pub food. Awesome draft and bottle selection as well. They also do flights if you can't decide which was awesome since many beers on the list were local and I'd never tried them before. We ended up ordering a few Cisco sours from the bottle list to share with the table that night. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is a snafu with the credit cards at the end of the night. They gave us the proper bill, but ran our credit card on someone else's tab and gave us the wrong card back. We had to go back the next day, but luckily the other person was a local so we were able to resolve it before we flew out.
(4)Jim T.
I can't begin to explain how floored I was by my experience at this location and the sister location the "Barking Dog". After being refused service for no apparent reason at the first location (see my review of the "Barking Dog") we moved here. After about 5 minutes of waiting without service at one of their tables, we flagged down a server. She informed us that their "sister" bar had called ahead and told them not to serve us. She implied that she was only a server and that a manger had made the decision. Imagine our surprise when we asked to speak to a manager and found out it was none other. Aside from the absurdity of being cut off before even being served a beer at 10pm, on a quiet night, in a quiet bar, this manager was prepared to ignore us until we left, if we hadn't addressed her, we would have never known why we weren't being served. Maybe it was the guy with Parkinson's, next time we'll leave him home. Almost gave it 2 stars because of the decor and atmosphere. Changed my mind. I feel comfortable saying I've never had a more bizarre or irritating experience at any bar or restaurant before.
(1)Deborah F.
Some people may think that having a glass of red wine spilling all over your new pants ( of course off white ! ) would be a recipe for a disaster night. I am writing this review because of how classy the waitress and Steve, the manager on duty handled the situation. Back in the day, I waitressed at the Hilltop Steakhouse so I really appreciate how hard the waitstaff and management work. They immediately replaced my wine. He brought free dessert for the table. They said to see if I could get the pants cleaned but the stains were unable to come out. They wanted to make the situation right and offered to either pay for the pants or provide a gift certificate. I opted for the gift certificate because the service and food were outstanding ! I am looking forward to it. N Thanks for making lemonade from a lemon!
(5)K. Brooke Z.
The Ale house has a great light menu along with heavier fare. There is something for everyone--especially all the beer lovers out there. I loved the beer selection being broken down by style rather than brewery with a mini beer dictionary on the back...how fun! Try the haddock sandwich, its perfectly filling with great homemade fries on the side. The Spicy Fish Wrap I hear is also a good fish fix too.
(4)Lisa M.
The beer list here is amazing. It's constantly changing, I suggest following them on FB to check out the updates. The food is top notch too. I also want to call out their service. There was a small mix up with our order and both our waitress and the manager, who came over to our table, were extremely nice and apologetic. Mistakes happen, it's all how you handle them, and they were great. I've been here a few times and will continue to come back!
(5)Christy G.
This is my favorite place to eat in amesbury ! Always a generous amount. Very nice wait staff. Very strong mixed drinks.
(4)Richard B.
I come to this town every now and again, and hang out with my lifelong friends. We used to go to the bar next door before it closed and decided on this one over the 4 others that are within a quarter mile. They have an extensive beer list for the connoisseur. We did not try the food but the drinks were fine and the bartender was plenty knowledgable. The atmosphere and decor was kind of colorless, and my hightop stool had a short leg, the unlevel stool makes my review 3 stars instead of 4. The target demographic here seems to be The beer enthusiast that wants to sit and talk about how good their drink is and about all the others that they've had. Not a place for a casual bar goer or someone that typically drinks mass market domestics. You don't go to Ale House for a burger and a Coor's light, and that's ok.
(3)John N.
So... To start a business associate and I were in the Amesbury area for lunch on a weekday, and nothing looked appealing. Thought we had struck out and were ready to pack it up and head to a different area when we stumbled upon the Ale House! From the out side (granted we came in from the back) nothing to write home about, but that's not why I am here. I wish it was an after work event or I was off the clock! Beers, beers and more beers... What a selection! For all my malty mates out there as well, GREAT SCOTCH SELECTION as well being an "Ale House". Will be back to partake! Food was good, above the average "pub grub". I got the pulled pork sandwich and great things going on there! The fries are also very good. Good local spot all in all!!!
(3)Yelping W.
I understand this is a pub but they really should make an effort to have more healthy options on the menu. 6$ for a did salad on a plate? I guess your supposed to drink first then eat the food and it will taste better.
(2)Molly M.
GREAT PLACE! Stopped here randomly on my way back home today. Beautiful decor. Decent prices for large portions. Great wine and beer selection. Their quesadillas and pizza are amazing! Was impressed by how fast the food came out, especially because it was quite packed inside. The server was very helpful and attentive. Definitely going back soon!
(5)Jesse J.
Good place to grab a beer . They have a good selection of local craft beers . The food is good but not great . I have had a good burger here and the appetizers are good with a nice cold beer . But I have been here with my family for dinner a few times and was not that thrilled with my entrees . The service is always good . So I'll keep going back for the beer and burger .
(3)Rita S.
As a a local, living in walking distance of the Ale house, we love it here! Always friendly and knowledgable staff, great food and great beer selection. As a HUGE fan of Cuban sandwiches, I tried their new menu addition, and I'm VERY happy with their execution. The pork belly was fantastic, much better than some of my recent attempts at enjoying other Cubans elsewhere. Great job guys!
(5)Stephen T.
Stopped in for drinks. Great times Always look forward to returning.
(5)Jon A.
Maybe I'm spoiled, but I wasn't that impressed. I've been looking forward to vising AH for months, and happily drove a little out of the way on the return from a recent trip to Boston to have lunch here. Let's start with the beer selection: it's just okay. Sure, they have lots of bottles, but the taps aren't really much to rave about now that you don't need to travel too far to find places with a dozen local craft brews or 30 drafts or even 116! Head north up 95 and you'll find the Portsmouth Brewery, The Thirsty Moose ... or even Buffalo Wild Wings ... with a wider or more diverse selection. I was excited to see Slumbrew on tap, but was disappointed that it was the only local craft brew represented among the taps. On balance, the food was good. The much-raved-about short rib grilled cheese was dry and tasted more like pot roast than short ribs. The wings were good, but nothing special. The sliders, turkey club, and fish sandwich were all solid, and the pomme frites were outstanding. But ... the service? Lousy. We had a pleasant but slow and inattentive waitress. After taking our beer orders, she returned with the kids' sodas and took our meal order, then finally arrived with my wife's beer. My first beer selection was kicked, so I chose another and waited more than 10 minutes for it to arrive. The bartender doesn't appear to know how to pour a beer. My wife's snifter/chalice was about 50% head at 50% beer. My own selection was a draft more suited to a snifter than hers, yet it came in a pint glass. I don't particularly care what kind of glass my beer comes in (as long as it's clean!) but if you're going to use anything other than a pint glass to serve beer, you should know when each type of glass is appropriate. And never, ever, serve a beer that has too much head. On balance, The Ale House is not a bad choice if you're in the area and want some excellent beer and good food. However, it's definitely not worth going out of your way to visit.
(2)Tim N.
Fun atmosphere with great potential. Nicely varied menu. Food good but portions small. Great beer selection but pricey. Service is average.
(3)Joanna F.
I love hanging out here during the summer! Great food and great friends! A really nice atmosphere! From the second you walk in you feel welcome.
(4)Changun S.
+: good service, french fries are a must!, typical wraps and sandwiches, large selection of beers: draft -: street parking
(4)Charlotte S.
We were here with our BFFs. The husbands love the beer selections. We loved the decor and view. We had the pork grilled cheese, hand cut fries with homemade sauces, new Mediterranean pizzas and Amesbury steak. The service was spot on. The 4 of us cost $100. Great true comfort food with amazing atmosphere. Only drawback was the bathroom that looked like it had not been cleaned in a few days.
(4)Meghan P.
This had been a go-to spot for us for some time. Charming location reliable service and consistent food (though uninspired). Unfortunately tonight we had mediocre service (excluding the manger whom I did not recognize but tried her best to rectify a deteriorating situation) and tasteless lukewarm food. My grilled cheese was undercooked and dry (how does a pub mess up a grilled cheese...). We'll go back for the beer selection but not the food. I'm sorry to see this place taking a turn for the worst.
(2)Kerri Y.
This place is fantastic for its extensive list of beer, comfort foods, and cozy atmosphere! They also have a respectable mixed drink menu- lots of fun martinis and interesting combinations. What makes this place unique: This is also one of the few places I have seen Kielbasa (2 different dishes!!) as well as pierogis on the menu. The pierogis are very non traditional- served as an app, tossed in buffalo wing sauce and a side of blue cheese- and they sure are tasty. They have a kielbasa dish which is smorgasbord of traditional polish food (including more traditional peirogis) . There is also kielbasa mac and cheese (which I have not yet attempted). My favorite dish is the pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich. This is just perfect to cheer you up if you are having a bad day- warm melty cheese and very tasty pork on crisp bread. You will never be lacking fries if you they are part of your dish- you get a huge pile of smallish shoestring fries- and be sure to ask for their bourbon ketchup on the side! YUM!
(4)Ryan D.
stopped for lunch following our visit to the Seacoast Wineries - large selection of beers and a nice menu. and i left my sunglasses on the table we sat at and called ten minutes after we left - i got them back. we went at a weird time (2:30pm) and there were only about 15 people in there but i'd imagine it gets wild at night.
(4)Nancy S.
Grab a beer (big selection to choose from), Pub food with other options. The Patty Melt is usually ordered by someone at the table along with a ravioli. The chorizo with chicken ravioli is back. Everybody enjoys the Frites.
(4)Roberto V.
This is THE place to go for a great selection of beers, a great menu that extends past the usual pub menu and an unbelievably friendly staff. My wife and I have become regulars here. For over a year, we have visited the Ale House about once every two to three weeks. The hosts extend a friendly greeting upon entry into the establishment. Seating is usually easy to find for two or four - we either cozy up to the bar, find a high-top near the bar, or take a booth in the dining area. The Beer selection is extensive and impressive with over 30 (?) beers on draft, you will not recognize more than 10 names on the list - unless you're a total beer geek. The bottle selection dwarfs the taps. Be prepared to expand your frosty malt beverage horizons here. The food is equal to the task. The braised short ribs, either the entrée or the sandwich, are both incredible. The pan-seared filet is always cooked to order, the burger club is a favorite. The mac and cheese with bacon and portabella mushrooms is a far cry from the blue box mom used to make.... It is the best Mac n Cheese around. Bar staff and wait staff are very friendly, very professional and management will always chime in with a smile and a check in. A very well run organization from top to bottom. Highly recommended for all ages.
(5)Marty P.
Our family tried this place a few days ago and found the food wonderful,the staff knowledgeable and friendly, and the casual atmosphere just what the doctor ordered. Not to mention all the outrageous beers on tap. My wife got the short rib dinner. It was perfect. My daughter got a thin crust pizza (greek?) I think and it was yummy, and I a burrito that was to die for! What a great start for a night out. We'll be back soon.
(5)Jeannie M.
My husband and I recently dined at Ale House for a date night after a friend raved about it. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by every single employee we walked by. We went at about 6pm on a Friday night and it wasn't super crowded, which was nice. Right away, we loved the layout and decor. It as definitely our kind of place. From the outside, it looks pretty small but it's not! We were brought upstairs to our table. We unfortunately had the absolute worst table in the house. Upstairs all the way in a back, dark corner. It was nice for us because it was private, but we couldn't really check out the restaurant. The waitress offered to move us but we just stayed put. We were impressed by the beer selection. And even more impressed by the menu. We couldn't agree on an appetizer, so we each ordered our own. My husband ordered the Calamari and I order the fried pickles. He liked the calamari and the pickles were okay. I've definitely had better! It took us quite some time to decide on our entree. We were happy to get great feed back on the menu from our very sweet waitress and she was able to help us narrow our choices down. My husband ordered the Spicy Fish Wrap. He isn't one to normally order a wrap from a restaurant, but he really enjoyed it! I ordered the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and it was TO.DIE.FOR. The fries/frites are amazing and FRESH! The staff is very accommodating and friendly. The food is great. We are already looking forward to visiting again so we can try something new! Price wise, it wasn't bad. The two of us ordered 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and 3 beers plus over 20% tip, it was around $80. The area the restaurant is located in is really nice too. A quiet, downtown area. After dinner we walked to an ice cream shop and enjoyed a nice stroll on a hot summer night! :)
(4)Julie H.
The place is always super-packed. They have a very decent beer menu but they are quite overpriced. C'mon $7 for an IPA? That's not cool. The bartenders were definitely on their game and very willing to help. The bar is pretty big, but we have never actually been able to get a seat any time we go. We had to stand. The people who go there are pretty yuppie-uppity. I may or may not go back- it hurts my wallet. 2 brews each was over $30.00 with the tip. Eek!
(3)George L.
A couple visits here and I can say the food isn't ALWAYS great but some of it is. I loved the fried and baked fish. The Salisbury steak wasn't for me and the ravioli dish I tried last year also failed to impress. Fried pickles? Thank you very much. The beer selection is outstanding. Knowledgeable staff too. pass
(3)Girldrinkdrunk S.
Went with a group and got the cool round booth in the back. It was late lunch, so they were slow. We had a phenomenal waitress who remembered everything and was always close by. I can't remember everything we ate, though there was definitely veggie chili, a few salads and a couple onion soups. We each had a couple different beers/ciders. We'll be back in the area next week and will definitely stop by. It's a perfect spot for my lush of a family.
(4)Lauren V.
On a Saturday night, the Ale House gave us a "10-15 minute" wait quote and so we wandered off to the bar to wait. The beer list was pretty good, definitely the highlight of the evening. Craft beers, microbrews, meads and barleywine abound. (Although, note to drinkers of Southern Tier Pumpking - do NOT get the cinnamon sugar rim. The rim had some vanilla slime base that ended up all over the glass and consequently my hands, silverware, etc.) We were quickly served, the bartender noticed we were waiting for a table and, so, closed us out fast. Approximately three nanoseconds after sitting down with full glasses of beer, our waitress comes over to hand out menus and ask if she can get us drinks. My brother-in-law and I shoot each other bemused looks which she doesn't seem to notice. After an awkward three or four seconds of her looking at us expectantly, we decline saying that our currently full drinks are sufficient. She then asks if we are ready to order. We ask for a few minutes as one of our party is closing his tab at the bar (and we had not cracked a menu during our 30 second interchange). The menu was extensive enough but not very appealing. I wasn't particularly motivated to order a single item. I considered a plate of fries, but in the end went with pulled pork sliders. My BIL order chicken parm and my husband had a burger with a bruschetta app. The bruschetta tasted as though it could have been purchased from the frozen food section. Boring white bread, flaccid tomatoes and cold, tasteless cheese. My sliders were okay. Predominantly roll and not too much pork, onion or pickle. I got bored after eating 2 and "gifted" the rest to the table. Also, I didn't taste the chicken parm but the size of the chicken was alarming. It was almost ten inches wide. What cuts of chicken are ten inches wide? Freaky. The food, essentially pub grub, was also overpriced considering the quality. Sandwiches north of ten dollars seem ludicrous given the cheap ingredients. Throughout the meal our waitress came over repeatedly to see how we were doing. So much so that it got a bit annoying. There are only so many times you can be asked if there is anything you need within a 45 minute window. I appreciate the zeal, but I started to feel like a broken record of "we're all set, thanks!" In the end, our mistake was coming here for dinner as opposed to drinks. Friendly service and a well-stocked bar will ensure we visit for drinks in the future.
(2)Kenneth S.
I live in Newburyport and was stunned to be charged $11 for a Beefeater martini. The last time I was charged more was at Bradley Ogden's restaurant in Las Vegas. Just no need to charge such a ridiculous amount. Food was marginal at best so obviously will not be going back.
(1)Patrick R.
Fantastic selection of brews and reasonable prices. Diverse menu with some interesting items on there. Will def be back.
(4)Charmie S.
Had the haddock sandwich. This thing was huge. And greasy (the fish that is). Can't be too mad at the beer-battered-ness, either. The french fries were this odd mini-size, which the menu did not indicate. I was more in love with the town of Amesbury than this staple. If you do go, try the funnel cake fries. A real inventive dessert, that's awesome with ice-cream.
(3)Eric P.
This place just gets it right. From the outstanding beer selection to the food to the service, this place is just awesome. We went for the first time tonight on the way home from a long weekend trip to the White Mountains and were very impressed. Beer: We really love beer and even seek out special bars to find special brews. This place has a huge draft list and an even bigger bottle selection. What's great is they even give a description of beer types and ABV for every beer on the menu. Food: I was excited to see the short rib grilled cheese on the menu and our waitress mentioned it was one of her recent favorites. She suggested I try mushrooms on it and it was even better. The short ribs were well seasoned without being overly drenched in sauce. She had the french dip and it was just as good. By the way, the french fries are home made and I'm pretty sure the pickles are too since they were fresh and tasty. Service: Our waitress was friendly and helpful when it came to ordering food and drinks. The manager even came over to say hello and check up on us. Always a good sign. It was clear this restaurant cares about their customers when they put the Oscars on one of the TVs for a couple seated near us. All in all, a great comfortable atmosphere that was clean and well laid out. If we lived close by we'd be regulars. Too bad.
(5)Andrew G.
The food here is never good. I have been several times. The reason I keep coming back is the beer list. This is in fact an Ale House is it not? The last time I came here the nachos were burnt on the outside, and cold, un-melted cheese on the inside. MF GF's ceasar salad was inedible. She had two bites. You would have thought the waitress would have said something but just gave us our check. This place has potential. Nice atmosphere, great beer selection, but the food needs an overhaul. Everything comes with "Frites" which is their take on the french fry. Basically just oily skinny fires. The first time I went I did have an amazing filet cooked perfectly with a very surprising demi. That chef must have left as I havent had close since.
(2)Eric R.
Party of 3. Strange. Forty min. Never sat down. I'll go back. But... Weird. A review, in haiku.
(3)Bonnie B.
Perfect night out! I suggest checking out the outdoor seating in the summer time - great views of the Pow Wow. Love the fried pickles - perfect pub fanfare!
(5)Larry H.
I like the Ale House! Just a warm, cozy feeling. Food is very good for pub fare - drinks as well.
(4)Sean D.
Food was below average, beer selection good but tasting flights way overpriced. DO not order the buffalo chicken dip, mostly Boursin cheese, no buffalo flavor.
(2)Drew R.
The 5/5 is really because as a beer geek, I am exceedingly grateful to have a place so close to Newburyport with a beer selection as good as this. With the craft beer craze, I've been to places that have 40-50 taps but it's your standard craft six-pack selection. I can't complain, it beats choosing between Sam and Blue Moon. What sets The Ale House apart is the fact that they go out of their way to have the specialty choices. The choices are constantly rotating as well. It's clear too that they make a point in having choices for the less adventurous as well. The food is quite tasty as well - and they have very reasonably priced pub fare too. The customer service sometimes isn't great. It's also often very loud, the music is mediocre and finding a seat on a friday/saturday can be tricky. The beer leans on the expensive side too. The thing is...none of this stops me from loving the place. I absolutely love going there.
(5)Greg T.
I am not quite sure how this place can be so much better than their sister restaurant (Barking Dog), but they are like night and day. We have been to the Ale House a few times, and we were back again this past weekend. The 4 of us had nachos, onion strings, short ribs, shepards pie, steak frites and fried clams. All were really good, with the standouts being the short ribs (is there such a thing as a bad short rib? I don't think so...), shepards pie and onion strings. We always get the strings, and they are perfect every time. Not too greasy, but fried perfectly. Dessert consisted of the smores calzone which is a staple every time we eat here. Its just damn good. The chocolate could be melted more, but not reason enough for us not to order it again. We also sampled the funnel cake fries, which were like little bundles of fried dough joy. All in all, this place is a safe bet if you are in the area. We had a lot of beers as their selection is extensive, and the bill was still around $160. Not bad for 2 apps, 4 dinners, 2 desserts and at least 15 drinks. $160 is totally worth it when you know the meal will not disappoint.
(4)Andrew G.
When we have guests from out of town, this is the place we like to show them as I think it represents a lot of great things about Amesbury and what Amesbury has to offer. From the food, to the polite staff to even the very clean and vibrant atmosphere we have never been disappointed. Only took off one star due to the large cost of going here for a group. Food prices can be a little on the high side, but once in a while a treat for the whole family is great.
(4)Jenna L.
last time i was here, was over the summer and i wasn't exactly thrilled. my sister and i came in for a quick lunch. my sister ordered a gnocchi that was very good. i ordered 2 lobster sliders. the serving of lobster was barely a tablespoon full, inside of two stale dinner rolls. and for the heft price of $21 ! i can get to the brim stuffed lobster rolls or even a twin lobster dinner in beach area restaurants for the same price during the same season. waitress was flighty to boot. i would like to say i would probably be back, but i haven't even thought about the place until i signed up for yelp. hopefully things have changed.
(3)Bryan B.
I just moved to Amesbury and decided to sample some of the local fare. We walked through the center and stumbled upon the Ale House, right next to this psychic shop with half a unicorn in the window. Ok, I'll bite. We were sat immediately, even when it seemed the whole restaurant was crowded. The beer menu was extensive, including craft beers and mead. MEAD?! I don't care if it is expensive, it is a delicious treat I will definitely return for. I got some sort of coffeehouse porter which was great. We got a bunch of apps, including the fried pickles, BBQ tenders, fried calamari, and the nachos. The pickles are to die for, plain and simple. The vinegar from the brine mixed with the fry oil, with a touch of sour saltiness. The tenders were like anything you could make at home, and the calamari really left something to be desired. Not a whole lot of flavor, even with the banana pepper rings. The nachos were some of the better nacho apps I've had at a restaurant. Those were the first to go. The waitress talked us into a dessert, the s'more calzone. This is not a dessert you want to have by yourself, and even with two people, it would be a challenge. The four of us demolished it's doughy prison in the search for a gooey marshmallow and chocolate center, which would put a hummingbird into a diabetic coma. The two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on the side perfectly complimented the oozing marbled lifeblood of this dessert. We went back 2 days later with my mother. I had the patty melt, which was incredible. My mom had the fried haddock sandwich which she was also very happy with.
(4)Caroline M.
If you love trying unique beers , then this is place to put on your list! Bartenders are helpful with beer selections , offering small tastes of beers if you are unsure. The turkey burger, salads and other sandwiches are tasty. The frites are crispy and delicious. There are other drink selections if you have a non beer drinker in your midst... Ale house is a comfortable neighborhood hangout and a fun place to watch the game!
(4)Brown I'd G.
I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here, or drink for that matter. The must haves include the fried pickles, braised short rib, meatballs, and balsamic/bleu cheese fries. I can't say enough good things about the staff and management. All are friendly, accomodating, and really make you feel welcome. I've brough several friends here and they all say the same thing. Keep up the good work!
(4)Susan M.
My sister and I are regulars here for a reason: friendly efficient waitstaff, great management, and most importantly consistently good food and best house margaritas. We are always greeted by the management and made to feel welcome no matter when we dine there. I could go on for days about the haddock sandwich which is AMAZING, and the braised short rib entree which (along with the s'mores calzone) is what my sister and I would call execution food (if we knew we were gong to be "taken out", this would be last meal worthy). I'm a bit of a house margarita whore, and whomever mixes them here makes them PERFECTLY. Needless to say, this place is a favorite.
(5)Jenna M.
I have been to the Ale House for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu was a more limited menu, slower service. I would recommend going for dinner for the best selection. The service was fantastic for dinner. The lobster corn cakes were fantastic. I was watching all those "cute" little sliders go by, I chose them for my dinner. I am not one to typically order a cheeseburger out, so this was a rarity for me. The nice thing was you get (4) sliders and had your choice to mix-n-match them. The selections were pulled pork, rib-eye with mashed potato, and cheeseburger of course. The rib-eye/ mashed potato was my favorite. I aso recommend the frites with the blue cheese & balsamic, so yummy. I will definitely be back here, the dinner menu had so many choice that I want to try. We parked street-side, I am not sure if they have a parking lot, but parking was not a issue. PS I am not a beer drinker, but the selection looked amazing....
(4)Emily B.
We walked in and were really impressed with the beautiful space. The lighting and noise level were encouraging. We took a seat at the bar and looked through the large beer selection. We were disappointed at how little beer we were served for the money ($7.50 for 8oz). It took us a while to get the bartender's attention for food menus because he seemed too busy chatting with the other bartenders. When we got our menus, I was pretty disgusted - the pages of the menu were sticking together. They were covered with food particles and other crud. This was not a good first impression. We ordered the "oven roasted wings" which were clearly deep fried - possibly previously frozen. Our entrees were mediocre at best. The bartenders were really frustrating to watch throughout our meal. When we tried to make eye contact, they kept their heads down or continued to talk to one another. As a former restaurant employee, the phrase "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean" kept going through my head. I believe in second chances, so we will likely be back - just in case this was an "off" night.
(2)Andy B.
This place is simply incredible. The food is varied and delicious, the beer selection is the best I've seen for a place not called "Sunset Grille", the service was impeccable, and the ambiance was cozy without being deafening. Any place where I can order Breakfast Stout, 3 Philosophers, and Choklat while pairing them with fried pickles, poutine fries, and a kielbasa plate with perogies and bacon-braised cabbage is a must-go every time. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Tuck R.
Checked this place out based on the great reviews. PROs: KILLER beer list. If I was just going for beers, this would have 5 stars. Lots to choose from. Not the most I have seen, but the most around. Great atmosphere, cool decor. Loved the fried pickles and frites. CONs: Sandwiches are overcooked and soggy with grease (I had the pastrami). My wife's grilled cheese was boring, but she did enjoy the tomato soup.
(3)Felicia M.
Another "go to" spot for us in town when we feel like getting out for a great beer and some delicious food. We've been fans of the Ale House since they were in their old location up the street, and love the new space. Huge bar, plenty of seating. The beer selection is huge, my only nit is that I think they are a little on the pricey side. We had 4 beers last night between the two of us, and the bill with tip was right around $40. The food on the menu is consistent and good - some favorites are their dinner salads - the spicy chicken or the seared scallop. The beet salad is a great vegetarian choice. The ahi tuna entree is one of my favorites - a generous amount of properly seared tuna over wakame and cilantro rice pilaf. Lick my plate clean when I get this one. The steak frite is ordered by my usual dining partner many times and is never a disappointment. Marinated turkey tips are usually moist, and flavorful, kind of comfort food since they're served usually with mashed potatoes and green beans, all good with me! Similar to The Dog, we've found the menu specials to be hit or miss. The most recent item ordered off of the specials list was a 'hit' for sure - the mac and cheese (which I believe is now a menu item!)
(4)Patrick G.
Every time my girl asks me where i want to go for diner, my answer is inevitably "Ale House, Ale House, Ale House!!!" They have such a GREAT variety of beers on tap that they rotate constantly, providing the best selection of imports and domestic microbrews. This is beer lover heaven. The menu is broad and varied and the food always come out nice and hot. The service at the bustling bar is freindly, but could sometimes be a bit more attentive. The only other knock, is that a place with such a great atmosphere such have music to equal its surroundings. They have an excellent sound system, but lately they are playing too much cheezy 80's hair band junk. All in all, this is the liveliest and coolest place to eat, drink and be merry in Amesbury!
(5)Don M.
Bartender a bit of an a$$
(3)Danny L.
See my review of The Barking Dog.... This place is the same without the bad decor. It looks like a pizza place with a bar. Thats why they get a 3 instead of a 2. They food tastes the same at The Barking Dog.
(3)M. Dinne F.
Great diverse menu and an atmosphere my entire family enjoyed. My wife had the spicy fish wrap which was very fresh with great seasoning. My quesadilla had fresh ingredients and a good portion size. Our 7 year old had plenty to choose from and they were kid friendly. Add this to the great beer and drink selection and you have a winner..
(4)brian c.
It is a little small inside and they do have some outdoor seating. They do have a lounge-type area in the dining room as well. This place has an excellent selection of beers. I was amazed when I saw the amount of micro-brews they had on tap. They also have excellent food, as I enjoyed their fried clams and shepherd's pie. The place is a bit small, but the service is top-notch. Everyone is friendly and the bartender will let you sample the stuff on tap before you decide to buy. They also have a website that yelp does not list. Here it is: amesburyalehouse.com/scr…
(5)Elaine A.
The Ale house is another one of my go-to spots. This place is a traditional pub, in the "public house" sort of way: They love it when you pack into a booth and order beers all night. No complaints ever from the friendly waitstaff when you're not ordering food(although I overtip when I'm not running up with tab from the kitchen). They even have a lounge-style area with big cushy couches to accommodate and lazy session with you and your friends. Food: um, deep fried pickles on the menu. That's all you need to get me in the door. Their menu has both standard pub food, and some really classy entrees, done right. Their molten chocolate cake is amazing, too, with raspberry sauce drizzled over it. Beer: here's the best part. They have a huge beer menu. They have almost all of my go-to beers here: Alagash White, Wachusett Blueberry, Guinness, Sam and Sam seasonals. But, they offer lots of non-standard beers here on tap and by the bottle. Some of my favorites here include: *Spaten Franzikaner Hefewiezen - I'm a sucker for Hefs. *BBC Coffeehouse Porter - A great malty mocha-flavored nitro. Creamy and delicious. *Meantime Chocolate Porter - I love me a beer that tastes like chocolate cake. *Dieu Du Ciel Rossee D'Hibiscus - a great winey taste, with a flowery nose Their selection is huge and ever-changing, so come back often and give their different options a try. Fair warning though: great beer sometimes comes with a hefty price. Some of the beers are upwards of $30.00 for real rare specialties that require a lot of craftsmanship, shipping, or special ingredients or conditions. So be sure you're watching the menu prices when you order. Otherwise, cheers and enjoy.
(5)Anonymous F.
The thing about this place, is that it attracts a mixed crowd. All in the same dining room you have people wearing khakis, dress pants, jeans and sweat pants. Amesbury is a melting pot of economic status, thus it attracts all types of clientle. Ive been there for a couple of visits and I always leave satisfied. For starters, they offer a number of different soups. Their chili is very good and their Guinness beef stew is awesome. Other starters are their Ale House Belgian Style Frites which is just fancy for saying that they make their own hand cut french fries. Other favorites are their oven roasted wings, nachos and blue cheese buffalo sticks.....thats right, breaded blue cheese sticks thats are coated with buffalo sauce and served with ranch dressing....AWESOME. For entrees, their signature balsamic braised beef short ribs are good choice. Ive also had the steak frites which was very good, the herb roasted 1/2 chicken and the shepherds pie (not a real shepherds pie, made with short rib rather than lamb). Despite the fact that the shepherds pie was not a true Irish dish, it was absolutely delicious. They also offer a great pub menu, speaking of pubs......lets not forget the beer selection. Incredible......from irish beers, to dubels, to tripels....this place has it all. Draft, bottle, pilsner, lager, draught....anything you can think of. That alone is a reason to come back.
(4)Chris S.
Decor: The bar and adjoining seating were nice and comfortable. They had the fans going which made it a bit breezy inside. It was odd as it was cool and windy outside. They also have a standard seating area that we did not investigate but already had patrons who looked happy so we will give them a pending thumbs up. Low-key but well-done look and feel. Food: The beer is why we considered the 40min drive but the food menu is why we actually got in the car. Specifically, the Monte Cristo was excellent. It is on their hangover menu which is served until 4pm. It is served with home fries that are some of the best I have experienced. My girlfriend had the Breakfast Enchilada, which is much more of a breakfast burrito, and it was also good. For a beer focused environment the food quality was well above average and a great value for the money. Portions were more than fair. No experience with lunch or dinner here but will update my post after the next visit. Beer: The place is called the Ale House so we had high expectations. Great selection of taps and a nice variety of styles, breweries, and adventure. They also have a wide array of bottled beers. Skis or paddles are available for those wanting to try a little of everything. Is it the largest beer selection? No, but more than enough for 99% of the craft enthusiasts who don't want to drive to Boston to visit Sunset and their 100+ taps. Service: Very friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. They really seem to know their beer and that helps when the more obscure beers make it on the list. Food came out quickly and as requested. when it was time to close out they took care of us without a wait. Pricing: On the whole, very reasonable. The food seemed like a great value and the beer seemed like it was priced on the average side. The only exception is noted below on the pricing of skis. Issues: My only complaint in general is that when you get a ski they charge 1/2 the price per beer for 1/4 the amount of beer. When you finish a ski you will have consumed 1 beer but paid for 2. They explained it upfront so it wasn't a surprise. With that said I am all about value and this seemed like it wasn't. Other than that the only issue are the plates they use are a little small. We both had food falling off the plate. Don't confuse this with small portions as that is not the case. Plenty of food could use a slightly larger vessel. Overall: We are definitely coming back, definitely getting brunch, and definitely drinking more beer. Cheers, Chris
(4)D M.
Guess I should update. They have changed locations, much better now, but the food has gone a bit downhill as many can here have stated. So the rating stays the same. Go to Wild Bites, Phat Cats, Molise, or Crave for food in Amesbury, go to the Ale House for beer and beer only. Better - The atmosphere Same - The great beer selection Worse - Food, big disappointment lately
(3)MARY Q.
also to the point ......TERRIFIC great food, off-the-hook ale selection, knowledgeable servers, excellent prices.... can't wait for the summertime to sit out on the patio.
(5)Marissa A.
Went there because The Barking Dog was packed on Saturday night. And now I don't know if I'm gonna go back to the Dog, Great cheeseburger, great fries. And they had Allagash White. Bartender was very personable, service was great. It's Tuesday, and I can't wait to head back there on Saturday. And I'm bringing friends.
(5)Kat H.
My husband had raved about this place so many times that I'd sort of concocted my own idea of what exactly it looked like--a bit of the Wildhorse Cafe mixed up with Alchemy and the Peddler's Daughter's atmosphere. Not so. Not so at all. It has an almost ex-Bickford's like layout, but with a bar and a mini-lounge section (couches & all). Plenty of wood paneling, but not in the worst way; large windows face the parking lot & downtown. There's some decor, but it definitely didn't have the pub vibe I was expecting--really, I have to admit, I was disappointed. And if the atmosphere isn't up to scratch, can the food really be all that good? Turns out it can. Their beer selection was absolutely superb (24 beers on tap, I think?), and their food is outstanding. Really outstanding. I had their Coconut Curry Chicken Soup, and I very seriously thought about ordering a bowl to take home and have for lunch the next day. Hard core love for this soup--just the right amount of curry, vegetables, chicken, and plenty of coconut, and obviously homemade. Cannot count how many times I've ordered soups in restaurants only to have some manufactured syrup shoved at me...this was perfect even later at night. The Goat Cheese Salad was also amazing, with a beautiful chunk of obviously-fresh cheese; a good amount of apricots sprinkled around the perimeter of the plate; bright, springy greens; and a satisfactory amount of cashews that I had to chase around my plate for a while. You cannot spear those things! I got a few bites of my husband's prime rib sandwich, and more than my fair share of his frites--and these are the type that you need some great malt vinegar to sprinkle on them. Deserving. Our waitress was fun and super-friendly, and the service was quite fast; the band wasn't bad, and thankfully kept the volume to a reasonable level. By the time I'd left, any thought of disappointment had fled my mind, and I could only look forward to the next time I'll be back.
(5)Stacey M.
Went to the Ale House on a Saturday nite around 7ish. We didn't have to wait too long for a table so we decided to sit at the bar while we waited. There were 6 of us and 3 open spots at the bar - so the ladies sat - and the husbands stood! We were ignored for probably the first 15 mins we were sitting there...and it was busy - but not 10 person deep at the bar busy. I don't know if the bartender just couldn't be bothered with us b/c we weren't eating at the bar or what - but I hoped that wasn't a sign of the night to come. After a short wait (20-25 mins on a sat nite) we were taken to our table. The ambiance of this place is great.. Open, 2 stories, great details - and the menu is fun. You can tell that they like to have fun here, don't take themselves too seriously - but take their food very seriously!! We got a few appetizers - calamari and pork and cheddar dip. We finished both plates clean - so yea they were pretty good!!! Our waitress was very attentive and very accommodating as we had lots of questions and substitutions for our meals. The guys all got the same thing - it was a slider sampler of sorts - 4 sliders - roast beef and mashed potatoes, beef slider, lobster slider, and pork i think....and they all raved about them.. I got the sesame crusted tuna - which was also delish..but then we get to the good part - the dessert.... We ordered 2 desserts for the table - a chocolate lava cake and the smores calzone...which is hands down possibly the best creation ever made!!!! All in all it was a good time...will definitely be back -even if its only for dessert!!!
(4)Ann B.
We were at Salisbury Beach on vacation and took off looking for a store two nights before we were to leave. We found Amesbury and the Ale House. Not sure how we missed this beautiful little town tucked away in the hills and the trees with creeks running through it, but I am glad we found it. The Ale House is in the quaint village area and is a very nice, clean, well decorated bar/restaurant. They had a massive selection of beers (even Firestone-Walker from our home town). We started with just beer, then had some appetizers, which made our experience even better. Our bartender was very friendly and welcoming. He even brought us some beer samples to help us make our decisions. Beer was great, atmosphere was very nice and the food was good. I would come back here anytime.
(5)Rosy R.
i want to give this 4 stars- GREAT service, nice atmosphere- noise level good. BEST onion soup I have ever had-- BUT they have to get the grease out of the Belgian Pomme Frittes-- terrific fries- TOO GREASY. ALso the haddock sandwich was WAY too greasy-- not light and fluffy. Excellent home made tartar sauce. YesI will go back-
(3)Beth C.
Outstanding. Beer list a+++ and food a+++!
(5)Joshua C.
4.5 Stars! I loved this place! It was spacious and calm. The upstairs balcony gave The Ale House a totally different appeal. Clean floors, bar and bathrooms make it very appealing to visit. I thought the bar could use a bit better lighting due to the perfect restaurant ambiance, the bar was a bit dark. Their draft and craft beers were amazing. Plenty of tasty different brews with lots of flavor. I only went in for drinks however is the rest of the place is this good, I'm sure the food is great. There was a bit of a funky wet wood smell that I could not get over. Other than that, I recommend this Bar to anyone.
(4)Matt P.
We tried this place a few times. The beer selection is excellent, definitely the best in the area. Unfortunately, that's where the good part ends. The food is marginal, not bad but not great either. The service here was atrocious which was really disappointing. During our visits we sat with empty glasses for quite awhile before the server asked us if we wanted another. Our server was also kind of rude and certainly unpleasant. We won't be back, which is unfortunate considering their A+ beer selection...
(2)J S.
I give this the three-star ok. Some food is good, some isn't. The ale is always good. The wait usually isn't too long. Lively atmosphere with a lot of space so the bar area is not right on top of diners. Always see other families eating here as well as hipsters. Everyone gets along pretty well. Service has always been excellent. The simple "tip" for eating here is eat what is fresh. Eat the steak, burgers, etc., things that can't be made ahead. Go for fries, not mashed potatoes, skip the salads unless it's the steak salad. Chicken salad is not very good at all. The fries have been great the last 3 times we've been, but in the beginning I wasn't a fan. The beer selection is great.
(3)Nils M.
We love this place, it's our "local". GREAT beer selection, constantly changing, always a friendly staff, and the owners and managers know their regular customers and are always welcoming. Food is good too!
(5)Chris Q.
Went back for dinner with my girlfriend recently, got the same server as last time, and her performance is consistent, plus was cool with the fact we were in a little bit of a rush, and the beer still comes in a glass so that's good. I got the patty melt, she got the clam plate. I have to say i wasn't very impressed with the patty melt, the beef was flavorless and kind of greasy (how does that make sense?), i was a bit surprised, but it wasn't inedible. The clam plate was great though, the breading on the clam is a bit different, a bit crunchier which gave them a great texture. Tartar sauce had great flavor, and so did the coleslaw (and i hate coleslaw!). I feel this is a better weekend lunch spot when you want to have a couple quality craft brews than a dinner spot, but dinner is still pretty good.
(4)Emily L.
All right, 3 stars really isn't fair. I've experienced enough good food, drink, and service there that I have to upgrade. One of Amesbury's best restaurants.
(4)James K.
We have gone here several times now. Last night maybe the last time. We ordered simply nachos they came well done. I guess the cook was happy to send them out like that or couldn't spend four more minutes and send out proper ones. Wife order a very watered down Sangria which lack the fruity essence which it should have had. Our friend ordered sliders with sweet potato fries. He got his meal with regular fries they did bring out the sweet potato fries a frozen product. I guess if you want fresh hand made sweet potato you have to go next door.
(2)Matt H.
The Ale House is fine. I don't mean that as a criticism. In fact, the place offers just the sort of experience you would expect. It just doesn't wow. The run-down: The service was decent. My wife waited a bit too long for extra salad dressing, but our waitress was generally helpful. The menu was NOT as helpful. It's downright confusing. Their burger is listed as a sub-item under 'Club Sandwich.' Huh? There's very little design work here--kind of surprising for a place with such an intentional decor. Yeah, the decor. It's pubbish--brick, exposed timber... very much standard for the genre, but cozy nevertheless. The new location is nice, too; Amesbury is a pretty town, and the Ale House would make a perfect dinner stop after a day of shopping and exploring. Its large, street-facing windows look out on a quaint, almost European-feeling village. And the food? Like I said, it's fine. Sandwiches in the $10 range, appetizers a few dollars less than that. I'd say it's SLIGHTLY overpriced, but only by a dollar or two on each item. Still, it's no gastropub--you'll find no specials here, nor many quirky, "foodie"-targeted dishes. We would come again if we were in town, but I don't think we'd go out of our way.
(3)Topher D.
Good food, great beer selection, knowledgeable staff (who generally let you sample beers before buying). I'm a fan.
(4)Jonathan K.
The beer selection is great, it's hard to find a place with a good variety like this on tap north of the city. The addition of wild yeast ales rounds out the constant variety. The food is good as well, cream of celery root soup and shepherds pie are favorites of mine, although some dishes are overpriced for how much they serve. I am a huge fan of the beer selection though and this is my main draw...Southern Tiers "Pumking" being on tap is a treat like no other as was the Troegs "Flying Mouflan"...wish I lived closer
(5)Mark M.
I've visited twice so far, and both times were great dining experiences. On the first visit, I ordered the Braised Shortrib. This was a huge portion of fall-apart-tender beef in a delicious wine-infused sauce. So big, it looked more like a pot roast than a short rib. It was served over a creamy, tasty risotto. For an appetizer, we had the deep-fried pickles. As bizarre as that sounds to us New Englanders, they were fantastic. Slices of salty, tangy pickles dipped in a light batter and fried to perfection, with a spicy remoulade dipping sauce. You have to try it. Trust me. On my second visit, on a snowy Sunday night, we brought the whole family (3 kids, ages 9 to 14). We enjoyed listening to live Irish music while noshing on food from the pub side of the menu. My wife and I shared the "sliders" and fries - 4 mini sandwiches, which we got to choose among hamburger, pulled pork, or rib roast with mashed potato. The hamburger slider was a little overcooked, but the pulled pork and rib roast were great. A bargain at $9. A tomato basil soup was a bit too sweet and thick, but satisfying. My daughter had a tasty, if simple, cheese quesidilla. For desert, we all shared a slice of dense chocolate cake. A bit on the small side for $6, but so yummy - it was gone in seconds. But the big draw, for me, is the beer (this is the "Ale House" after all!) They have at least a dozen interesting and varied beers on tap - everything from Dogfish Head IPA to Leffe Belgian Abbey Ale to local favorites like Ipswich Ale. And a "kick -the-keg" special for $3. Plus dozens of bottled beers. Their beer list is published as a multi-page pamphlet. My understanding is that the owners, who also own the Barking Dog down the street, make sure there is no overlap between the beer selections of the two restaurants, both of which are extensive and phenomenally varied. Very impressive! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they DON'T HAVE A WEBSITE! What's up with that? I like to check out restaurant menus on-line, to see what their seasonal specials are, etc. It would also be nice to see the latest beer list on-line. The Barking Dog has a website - why not the Ale House? C'mon folks, get into the 21st century! Update: August 26,2009: THEY FINALLY HAVE A WEBSITE! 5 stars!
(5)Althea W.
Most places either have a good beer selection OR good food.. The Ale house has both! Great tap selection and extensive bottle list. Friendly attentive servers, nice atmosphere and good specials!
(5)Gwen D.
This place is right near my house and my boyfriend and I go there almost weekly. The food is great, better than the spot next door to it, and their beer list changes at least weekly. The beers are always interesting and I love that they are from local breweries. The prices are pretty reasonable as well. The bar staff is awesome, we had a waiter yesterday that was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the brewing processes and variety of beers.
(4)A B.
Amesbury has great food!! Ale house is awesome! Love the nachos!!
(5)Jeffrey N.
Best micro-brew restaurant in the area. Food is average. I would most likely go back to sit at the bar for food and drinks before I went back for a sit down dinner.
(4)Liz F.
This place has THE WORST FOOD. I really seriously can't believe it has four stars. I am hoping its because of their rather impressive beer list, which means next to nothing to me now that I have had several very very bad eating experiences here. Take for example the last time I was there. I ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese with bacon. The bread was pretty much raw and the cheese wasn't melted. The bacon was old and slapped on haphazardly. Worse still, I swear the tomato soup they served me was warm (not even hot!) marinara sauce. I have never EVER in my life been so disgusted with a meal. I sent it back, as did TWO other people in my party. For a while their fish and chips had been reliable and I would order them (only ever going at the behest of family members, for the beer of course) but eating their fries now is like being handed burnt potato skins, fried in dirty DIRTY oil. Disgusting. Not to mention the waitress spilled an entire glass of wine on one of my companions. Or the fact that my husband asked for a medium well burger, was served a RARE burger and when he sent it back, they seared the ends of each section of the sandwich and gave it back to him. So it was still rare. They couldn't even remake it. Probably because everyone else was sending their food back too. And just to make this EXTRA clear: I have been to this place many, many times. This is not a one off bad experience review. If you go here, get beer and beer only. You can't even rely on the french fries.
(1)Rebecca Y.
This new spot in Amesbury recently opened up. It is owned by the same people who own the Barking Dog in the spot where Tanya's used to be. The decor is minimal. Lots of windows. A little chilly inside. Booths, tables and a separate bar area. The food is upscale pub food. The nachos were made with already melted cheese (velveta or cheeze whiz) and soggy. The mini "burgers" were AWESOME. They come in four types: hamburger, cheeseburger, prime rib & mashed potatoes and pulled pork. ALL of them were very tasty. We will go back and definitely get those again. Worth checking out if you are looking for someplace new.
(5)Jennifer R.
Beer selection is great. Pub food and dinners good. Service is hit or miss.
(3)Ryan M.
The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming, and the beer list is simply unparalleled in the area. Great attentive (but not overbearing) service. Grab a Chimay trappist white and some sliders while you're watching a sox game.
(5)Ann B.
Found this place when looking to meet some friends staying in the area and overall, we were pretty happy with it. The menu is quite large, which usually isn't a positive sign, but everything we had was good. I tried the short ribs -- they were tasty and the accompanying risotto was quite good. The service is friendly if not as professional as I'd like. I'd give it three stars for food -- solid, but not great -- and an extra star for the large beer menu. Note that they take reservations for large groups only.
(4)Liz C.
I love me some Ale House -- crazy good selection of beers, and they've got some pretty tasty, unique things on the menu (Sweet potato quesadilla with figs & maple syrup is unique, but was a little too sweet to eat as an entree), but I usually stick to a few favorites, like the drool-worthy Shepherd's Pie. But.... and this is the only reason I take one star off... In recent visits, I've noticed the quality declining. When it first opened, the food was spot-on... you could tell they really cared about what they were putting on the tables. Now, I don't know if there's a new cook, or that they can't handle the volume in the new location or what, but the last few times I've ate here, the food has been bland. Most recently, I got the sliders, and the pulled pork ones had no taste, and the hamburger ones were cold. Also, there's no more Guiness Beef Stew on the menu? Booo! Despite a few minor disappointments they do remain one of my favorite restaurants, and I highly recommend the fried pickles.
(4)Ian C.
Once you venture North beyond Allston, Somerville, and Brookline, finding a place with even a decent showing of craft beer draft lines can be challenging. Go beyond that and it's even harder to find a place with great draft lines that also has great food. Go even further and try and find great draft lines, great food, and a great atmosphere. Enter the Alehouse in Amesbury. Just across the parking lot from its sister restaurant, the Barking Dog, the Alehouse boasts 24 draft lines, plus a newly added cask option, and each one is loaded up with unique, hard to find, or wildly popular craft beer. Matt does an awesome job at selecting the beers with a blend of domestic and foreign selections, and making sure the lines are cleaned and maintained regularly. The beers are never around long enough to lose any quality, and the details matter here as, whenever possible, all beers are served in the proper glassware from its brewery. On top of the draft lines, they have an impressive collection of beers in bottles. Don't expect to pay retail for the bottles, but when else can you sit down on a leather couch and have a bottle of Brooklyn Black Ops Imperial Stout brought to you. In addition to the beer, there is a diverse menu with some great choices. Try the Mill Yard Pizza or the rib-eye and mashed potato sliders. The atmosphere is a huge plus for this place as well. Casual, relaxed, and functional at the same time, it has a great seating section in the back lined with plush leather couches, along with an awesome patio. It's family-friendly as well, which is very important for us. Don't miss out on brunch here either. Starting at 11am on Saturday and noon on Sunday, a brunch menu is available until 4pm with some really cool creations. My recommendation here is the breakfast calzone. If you're even remotely interested in craft beer, if you're a huge craft beer fan, or you're just looking for something new with great food and ambiance, you owe it to yourself to give the Alehouse a try.
(5)Beth R.
Love the new spot, food is delicious as well as the service and drinks! Will definitely go back.
(5)Jeramy P.
Great food and great drinks. I love the variety of the menu.
(4)virgina b.
Wow!! we finally have a place to walk to and enjoy a great meal!! It probably was the best cheese burger I ever had!! The place is done with excellent taste, comfortable, service , and not at all rushed. Best of all has seating outside perfect for a nice summer night. This will be a hit .
(5)Michelle C.
A warm and welcoming environment. Delicious, homemade food (really actually homemade!) including soups, sandwiches, shepherd's pie. Amazing beer selection. Nice outdoor patio. Very friendly and attentive service. Two thumbs way up!
(4)Tim J.
The Ale House recently moved into the former Powow River Grille, right around the corner from the original. The new place is outstanding. They've had plenty of waitstaff on so service has been great. Beer selection is unheard of for a small town bar: 31 on draft/cask and working towards 200 bottled brews. Food has been great as well. Nothing negative to say up to this point.
(4)Patrick M.
Great food and a better beer selection. Went there when it was at its old location up the street from where it is now and man does it make a huge difference. The layout is more spacious than the previous location and Plenty of room for patrons and I've never waited for a seat and this place always looks full. Wait staff always seems a bit understaffed so the service isn't great but you're always going to get fresh beer and delicious food.
(4)