The Front Porch Piano Bar & Restaurant

The Front Porch is split between a downstairs dining room and an upstairs piano bar where locals and visitors crowd in to sing along with the pianist. The menu leans casual American, burgers and seafood mostly, and the real draw is the live music and the energy of the room. It's the kind of place where you'll see the same faces night after night, and where a stranger next to you suddenly feels like a friend.

• Live piano and singalongs, not just background music.
• Clam chowder and calamari punch above their weight.
• Regulars and staff create a genuine community vibe.
• Solid cocktail program if you're staying for drinks.

Start with the spinach artichoke dip or crispy calamari. The clam chowder is heavy on clams, which is exactly what you want. For mains, the jerk spiced salmon is well seasoned and flaky, the burger is straightforward and solid, and the lobster mac and cheese is a large enough portion to split. If you're here for the scene, honestly, it almost doesn't matter what you eat.

Upstairs in the piano bar, it's packed and loud during live music, with the kind of noise that comes from people having fun rather than just talking. The downstairs dining room is quieter but tighter on space.

The kitchen keeps things simple: burgers, seafood, a few specials that lean into New England classics. A recent visitor praised the crispy calamari and jerk spiced salmon, while others have landed hits with the spinach artichoke dip and a clam chowder loaded with actual clams. Service can vary depending on how slammed they are, but when it's on, it's genuinely attentive.

Guests rave about the singalong atmosphere and the regulars who know the pianist. One recent visitor called it "a happy place with a vibe for relaxation and fun." Servers like Madison have earned praise for staying attentive even when the place is swamped. The crowd skews friendly and communal, especially if you're here for an event or closing night.