How to Enjoy the Nightlife in Worcester, MA
Worcester’s downtown is compact, so it’s easy to hit more than one spot and find great drinks, delicious food and live music in the area. But to make it even simpler, here are two itineraries for how to enjoy the nightlife in Worcester, MA – one covers the northern side of downtown, with the other focusing on the south end.
No matter which part of the neighborhood you find yourself in, you won’t be disappointed.
Take in the Northern Nightlife in Worcester
Nostalgia is a powerful force, and that’s what Free Play Bar Arcade is banking on to get folks in the door. That, combined with the fact customers don’t have to hoard quarters to get in on the fun (they get unlimited play on around 100 arcade and pinball machines with a modest cover charge) makes the 21-and-up spot a perfect place to get the blood flowing and night going.
After a couple of rounds of Pac-Man, head a few blocks southwest for dinner at Deadhorse Hill. The rotating menu, which changes weekly, has been known to serve dishes inspired by Italy (like seafood carbonara); India (fried tikka masala cod); Jamaica (jerk chicken with pineapple hot sauce); northern Africa (ras el hanout lamb shoulder and couscous); and Mexico (wagyu steak with mole).
Its cocktails are equally creative: When was the last time you’ve seen milk punch combined with overproof and pineapple rum topped with Cynar foam?
If you can’t nab a table at Deadhorse Hill or you’re in the mood for something more down-home than upscale, try Off the Rails, a live music venue, listening room, restaurant and bar.
The venue, which opened in 2021, accommodates 600 guests, and its abundance of old barrels and guitars as decor brings a Nashville vibe to the Northeast. Off the Rails offers a casual dining experience with a focus on barbecue, burgers and bar fare.
Try the pulled pork or brisket (both come as a platter or a sandwich); the Yee-Haw Burger (a double cheeseburger topped with bacon, barbecue sauce and “an onion ring cowboy hat”); or loaded tater tots.
The music side of the venue hosts line-dancing lessons, performers like Struggle Jennings and Afroman, and the occasional stand-up comedy show, making Off the Rails a great one-stop shop for dinner and entertainment.
On the other end of the music venue spectrum is Worcester’s historic The Palladium, which has been welcoming guests for almost a century.
Since its opening in 1928, the space has served as both a cinema and concert venue, which can accommodate over 2,000 guests. It’s hosted such legendary acts as the Three Stooges, Prince, B.B. King, Cypress Hill, Misfits and Slayer, and is home to the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, which is now in its 25th year.
Soak in the Southern Nightlife in Worcester
Before heading farther down Main Street, hop over to Shrewsbury Street and visit Wormtown Brewery for a taste of local beer culture and a history lesson. In lieu of calling the outfit “Worcester Brewing Co.,” its founders co-opted the name “Wormtown,” a phrase coined in the late 1970s to designate Worcester’s underground punk scene.
The name has persisted through the decades, eventually coming to refer to the city itself. The brewery is less venerable (though having opened in 2010, it’s still a fixture) and offers a quartet of IPAs year-round, plus seasonal and specialty brews.
Less than a quarter-mile away, diners will find Wormtown brews on the menu at VIA Italian Table, which serves regional Italian cuisine in an upscale dining room. Here, the entrees are traditional (call ahead for the suckling pig dinner that serves up to eight) and the wine list is absolutely massive.
After dinner, head about a mile south to Worcester’s Canal District for your pick of libations and live music. Boland’s Bar and Patio opened its doors in early 2023, and while the traditional Irish pub hasn’t been in business long, it is known for perfectly pouring proper pints of Guinness – a skill never to be taken lightly. Its Dublin-born owner also regularly books live music and offers weekly open mic and karaoke nights.
Other bar options nearby include Electric Haze, a hookah bar that offers regional brews on tap and brings in live bands, drag performers and the occasional happy-hour yoga class.
Steel & Wire is a cocktail bar with a compact menu focusing on a rotating roster of seasonal creations such as spring’s In Bloom (chamomile-infused gin, Bénédictine herbal liqueur, hibiscus syrup and lemon) or Milk of Mischief (a milk-washed concoction made of coconut rum, Demerara sugar syrup, bitters and pineapple).
Conversation with Steel & Wire Founders
Longtime bartender and Worcester native Frank Inangelo and wife Mara Inangelo launched Steel & Wire cocktail lounge in May 2022, with the aim of creating a true local watering hole with a focus on cocktails.
Why did you decide to open Steel & Wire?
Frank: I’ve worked as a full-time bartender since 1997. I particularly like the technical side of crafting drinks and understanding the role of each ingredient. I’m also fascinated by the history of cocktails and the evolution of recipes. It was always my dream to open my own bar, and I’m grateful to do it in my hometown.
How would you describe the bar’s vibe?
Mara: We call it a cocktail lounge because that’s our focus, but we’re also a local bar with a lot of regulars. You’ll see friends or a couple come in, and one will have a cocktail and the other will have a shot and a beer. Or you’ll have a regular come in during the week for a beer or a glass of wine. But on Saturday night, maybe it’s date night or they’re feeling like something special, and they might have a cocktail.
Do you have a guiding principle for your beverage program?
Frank: Creative but approachable is our goal. When you come in, you’re going to get a delicious, balanced cocktail, but the ingredients are recognizable and have a broad appeal. There are some amazing drinks out there on Instagram or in magazines, which really push the envelope, and I love to see that. But when you think about your everyday experience, at your local spot, it’s got to taste good and be affordable.
What’s the most popular drink at Steel & Wire?
Mara: Right now, people are loving espresso martinis. It’s interesting because it’s a cocktail that supposedly came from London Fashion Week; it was made for supermodels in the ’90s. But now it’s almost like an old-fashioned or a martini — all ages, all types of people love them.
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