Nightlife in Newburyport

Warm lighting blankets the rustic interior of Riverside Lounge, creating a relaxing retreat for enjoying a draft beer, cocktail, or full meal. The flickering flames of the fireplace invite couples to cozy up beside it as they share portions of lightly battered calamari and lobster mac and cheese. The bar, meanwhile, blends chic woodwork with brick walls and an inviting atmosphere where patrons can relax and sip one of 17 draft beers, a seasonal wine, or a pitcher of white or red sangria. A collection of sports-showing TVs decorates the bar like wreaths on a door, while outside the view offers the natural splendor of the Powwow River Waterfall, which flows adjacent to the lounge’s canopied tables and violin-playing sparrows.

The instructors at Dance Technics believe there's something to be learned and earned from all forms of body expression. That's why they teach myriad dance styles—everything from ballet to tumbling to hip hop—within their third-floor studio. There, students join in on classes divided by age and skill level, and show off their moves against exposed brick walls and padded floors. The classes can mix styles or focus on competitive dance, and range from 30- to 120-minutes. The instructors also offer private lessons for one-on-one practice or choreographing solo routines.

Chunky's Cinema Pub has been mixing the polished glimmer of modern technology with the gauzy glow of yesteryear for almost two decades. Eight screens mingle first-run blockbusters with themed throwback classics catering to children of the ’50s or ’80s. There, in the glow of the previews, is another testament to the melding of time—a contemporary dinner-and-a-movie setup brings with it the nostalgia of old-school drive-ins. Instead of traditional cinema chairs, individual cushy Lincoln Continental surround communal dinner tables, and the seats roll and recline to let guests maximize their comfort and customize their sightlines as they catch the onscreen action and pretend to be backseat drivers. At their tables, American pub snacks and entrées from the extensive menu spread out, combining movies with burgers, quesadillas, and steak tips.

While the theater blends old with new, Chunky's Bio Truck zooms into the future with a gas tank full of the 100% trans-fat-free canola oil used for cooking in the kitchen. The bio-fuel reduces the truck's greenhouse emissions and helps to decrease its carbon footprint, spreading an eco-conscious message to the community.

Kimberly Hybl-D'Alelio cultivates a community of strong and healthy yogis of all ages within her vibrant, wood-floored studio. Prenatal yoga classes help moms-to-be stretch and relieve back pain associated with pregnancy while helping babies overcome anxiety about having to take the SATs. Young children traipse through inspiring and creative yoga classes, and older kids learn tap, ballet, and hip-hop under the guidance of certified dance teachers. Adults shake their hips while toning cores in high-energy Zumba classes set to thumping, Latin-inspired beats.

The chefs at Essex Street Grille fill their menu with dishes ranging from fish to tempura shrimp and Jamaican pork tenderloin. They place these delectables on white plates and send them out into a dining room. Bartenders add to the scene by mixing dessert martinis with Godiva chocolate liqueur and Bailey's Irish cream. On Friday nights, a DJ blends tunes by diverse artists such as the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, and a family of whales.

The crackle of a grill and the gentle purr of beer spilling into a pint are very soothing sounds. That gleeful noise serves as a constant backdrop at The Peddler’s Daughter, punctuated occasionally by live rock or Irish music and pub trivia. The menu is varied, but everything orbits around the dishes you might find in the Irish countryside. Beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips nestle alongside shepherd’s pies filled with beef and veggies like the briefcase of someone who is only pretending to be an accountant. Burgers—topped with Guinness blue cheese påte, aged cheddar, or housemade hot sauce—vie for attention against the likes of bangers and mash. On the bar, light cuts through glasses of ruddy Newcastle, Old Speckled Hen, and Guinness.