Thirsty Whale

Worst experience of my life. Not only did I get carded three times but after all my friends where on their 5^th drink and I (the DD) that did not even order a drink, the bartender came up to my boyfriend and said I was too drunk and had to leave. Worst service of my life even after I tipped over 50%. I will never go back there ever again

Went there for a drink was turned down. Had a designated driver. Will never go back. How unsocial can you be?! Only gave 1 star so I can leave a review for you to read. Don’t go. There are many better places in Newburyport.

What a great vibe this little local place has! Exactly what our family looks for when we travel — genuine, authentic and a little rough around the edges. Very friendly service and great handmade burgers. Our 9 year old said to make sure I say the «burgers are soooo big!» Perfect for a casual lunch.

The whole place smells of urine. The jukebox plays nothing but country. There really isn’t food there, and I am afraid to bring my wife inside even to ask for directions. Go to the Starboard Galley! It’s a better townie establishment.

Cool locals bar. Guinness on tap for $ 6.
Belly up to the bar and have a drink!
CASH ONLY.

Meh is right. Mom and I stopped in for lunch when in Newburyport for a few hours. The place seemed like it probably did well later at night as a drinking hole. Not the best food… not the worst. Generic and simple.

The Whale is where I go before or after eating elsewhere in NBPT. I have never thought about eating here. Its a bar. So I cannot comment on the food.
The place is straight up friendly. I have never felt unwelcome by the staff or patrons. Every time I go in here, I see just about the same faces. Its an inexpensive jewel in the heart of an increasingly expensive town.
You are likely to run into the local cops, firefighters, tour boat captains, mail men, yachties, store clerks and the local GBLT people hanging out here. Everyone seems to mingle. Nobody seems to stick to their clique.
Check your attitude and your income status at the door. You’re nothing special here.
But this is a special little place in the heart of Newburyport.

The bathrooms smell terrible and the lunch food is average. We had two of the most dull burgers ever. Skip this place.

It’s the Thirsty Whale in downtown Newburyport — one of the most beautiful small cities in the United States… what more can you say? The drinks are strong and the company of the locals gives it a flavor like no other. A friendly staff awaits you to take care of your drink order. I have not eaten there so I cannot comment on the food.

The Thirsty Whale is a DIVE BAR and should be judged as such. It’s a local, townie, hangout!
Exchange your license for a set of darts, lose your money to a game of buckhunter or blasting music from the ~new age~ juke box.
Be careful with the mixed drinks ’cause they’ll get ya. The staff are friendly, local and know this place like the back of their hands– don’t question them or else!

The Thirty Whale is a OK place for a drink or draft i guess. Seems like a local yocal place and the food is just so, so.
I got the shrimp taco’s and couldn’t even finish. Not because they were to big, but because they had a bad fish smell. My friend had the burger which seemed fine.
The kitchen was closing on this Friday evening at 6pm (NO FOOD AFTER 6 on FRIDAY???)
The place is not that clean and could use an make over.
It didn’t help that bad music was playing and it was very loud in the bar, although the resturant side was dead… that says alot
The waitress was fine and friendly which made the experience better. We are Tourist here for the week at the beach.
Don’t think I will go back.
maybe a better place for lunch??? go at your own risk…

Walked in and ordered one beer a piece. I went to the bathroom and came out tone told «you’ve been over served. Finish your beer and leave».
Considering since 10 am this morning I’ve had 2 beers I thought the bar tenders assessment was a bit irrational.
So as to not create any issues, we finished our drinks and left.
I understand it’s the owner/​bar tenders judgement as to who stays and goes. This bar tender, while not openly rude, had the personality of a bucket of chum.
Perhaps another day to visit, but I most definitely won’t be rushing back to indifferent service and questionable judgement.

The Whale is the Best place for real people to have drinks!!! No bull! Don’t be a jerk, be friendly you’ll love every patron and employee! If you are a jerk you will just be that and treated as so… This may lead to you complaining about your service which will intern lead to every one in the bar hating you! So don’t be a loser

This is a fun bar with a lot of locals, if you can manage to get a seat because it’s also very small. The staff is great and the drinks strong, the food is average but overpriced. It’s a place to go if you’re in Newburyport looking for a quick drink or a place a bit less upscale.

The quintessential Newburyport dive filled with locals. My parents used to go here before I was born. Come for cheap pints and stay to mingle with townies. I couldn’t even tell you what the food is like because I wouldn’t even think to eat here.

Not a bad place, the beer they recommended (IPA from Ipswich) was good but when the bartender goes all cave man on you with one syllable grunts you kind of get the feeling they don’t like tourist. As a matter of fact nobody was friendly in this place so I passed it on to my friend that played for the Boston Bruins for 8 seasons that this isn’t a place you want to associate with.

Wasn’t a fan. We sat down and service was terrible, and the place was pretty empty so business was not the excuse. Another table walked out too by us. We had one drink and then decided against ordering because of the service. It is a cute little bar and I loved the name, but I wouldn’t do anything but drink at the bar proper here and I think I would pass by this place for Brine down the street or others instead.

I was day tripping up in Newburyport last Saturday, and went into the Thirsty Whale for lunch.
The place is not very big, with a restaurant on one side and bar setup across the wall on the other side. I had the lobster roll special ($ 16.99). It was not very big, and was served in a grilled hot dog roll. My point is it could have been a larger serving for the price, but it was still very good on the flavor side. I am pretty sure the fries were the pre-​cut frozen variety, so that was a bit of a downer.
Beer selection was good, and so was our server. Would I return to The Thirsty Whale? Most definitely, but will try something different on the menu next time.

Have always walked by with the hubby but have never gone in because we’re both not drinkers and the look from the outside and the name indicates alcohol. In Newburyport on a Friday afternoon with a friend in search of lobster rolls and saw the sign for Lobster Roll with Fries or Lobster Roll with Chowder so we both decided to give it a try.
We entered thru the bar into the back of the restaurant and were greeted by two hostesses/​waitresses who seated us immediately. It was 2 pm in the afternoon so it wasn’t very busy at all.
We ordered onion rings and an app and asked if it could come as an app and both ordered the Lobster Roll with Chowder. The onion rings came at the same time as the Lobster Rolls and Chowder. The onion rings were good, thinly battered and very hot. The Chowder was VERY tasty, creamy with a hint of bacon and though not loaded with clams and potatoes, it was just right. We were both pleasantly surprised! The Lobster Rolls were «average», nothing to rave about but also nothing to complain about.
Our waitress was attentive and very friendly, upon leaving she commented that it was her first day so given that, we thought she did a great job. Just a little mistake on the appetizer not coming out before our lunch.
Would rate it 3 ½ stars if i could based on the quality of the chowder. Can’t quite give it a 4 based on the atmosphere … typical watering hole, outdated and though not dirty, just «tired».

Been going here for years & stopped in the other night.
They make a great drink, none of that «measured shot» crap you see at so many restaurants. It’s a dive and that makes it fun. Good music and great section of beers. A mix of young and old, everyone having a good time.
Kudos to the bartenders for bouncing some dope that couldn’t handle his alcohol, no one wants to hear yelling and expletives when they are trying to relax and have a good time.