You may have noticed Concord’s newest splash of color right on Main Street. Arts Alley is a new attraction that features a rooftop bar, event space, and outdoor courtyard, turning a quick downtown stroll into a mini creative adventure. The vibe is friendly, walkable, and distinctly Concord—welcoming to families, small groups, date-nighters, and anyone who loves discovering local talent. Street and garage parking are nearby, and the alley itself is walkable and family-friendly.
Arts Alley plans to feature three distinct dining venues. At ground level, New England favorite The Friendly Toast offers all-day brunch and drinks – opening at the end of the month. In the courtyard, a retro diner called Rose & Rye is planned for construction to offer comfort classics in the artistic ambiance. On the second floor, you’ll find The Main Venue – a private indoor function space. For those looking for an elevated experience (figuratively and literally!), Rooftop Social is a rooftop bar with panoramic views of downtown Concord, craft cocktails, and small plates.
Despite its young age, the Concord community has already taken a shine to Arts Alley, in part due to its community events. From small concerts to hands-on workshops, there’s always something new happening. You can often find a local performer busking in the evenings and more formal music events occur as well. We recommend checking out their events calendar for all the newest happenings.
Looking to host an event? Arts Alley also offers private rentals of its second floor Main Venue and rooftop bar. The elegant and minimal styling of The Main Venue makes it a perfect setting for corporate events and dinners, but can also serve as a neutral starting point for distinct aesthetics and OTT décor (we’re thinking of you, brides-to-be). With a sweet spot capacity of 110, you can fit larger crowds in comfortably, but more intimate parties won’t feel overwhelmed. Arts alley offers rentals of the Rooftop Social bar and a whole buyout package if you want every corner of Arts Alley to yourself.
One of the best summer specialties of Arts Alley has been the micro arts market, held every Saturday . Think small footprint, big creativity: a rotating mix of local artists and makers showcasing prints, pottery, jewelry, illustration, fiber arts, zines, candles, small-batch goods, and more. It’s perfect for picking up a thoughtful gift or starting your own collection of Concord-made art.
There’s only a few more opportunities this season to go (the last opportunity is September 27), so be sure to swing by!
Insider tips:
Come early – The works are handmade and you don’t want to miss out on a limited run.
Bring a tote – you’ll thank yourself.
Plan to linger – the CAM artists love to talk process, and you’ll love learning the stories behind your finds.
Pair your Arts Alley visit with a loop of downtown: peek at the State House dome, wander into Main Street’s collection of independent bookstores and boutiques, and catch a show or gallery opening nearby. Everything is a short stroll away, and the pedestrian-friendly layout makes it easy to explore at your own pace.
See you in the alley!
Exploring Concord’s over 85 miles of hiking trails and open spaces is the perfect way to soak in the New England fall scenery. The cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage paint the perfect backdrop for a short (or long!) hike in New Hampshire’s pristine forests.
As the adage goes, April showers bring May flowers… but this year it decided to also bring more rain. Even if the weather isn’t ideal, there is still so much to do in Concord to beat the gloom! Read on to check out some drier options you can take advantage of this Spring.
Following the 1989 Challenger disaster, the NH legislature decided that a field trip destination would be the best way to honor the “field trip teacher” thus Christa McAuliffe Planetarium was born. Today, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (the name change came with an exciting expansion in 2009) offers 20,000 square feet of interactive exhibits to visitors to explore astronomy, aviation, and Earth and space sciences, an outdoor playground, a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket, a full-dome digital planetarium theater (one of only four in North America with a 10k projection system!), an observatory for sky viewing, science store, and a full complement of on- and off-site educational programs.
