Southwick Inn

CHICKPEAS: 3

The Southwick Inn is not an inn.  It is really a bar.  We occasionally meet up with friends for drinks at the Inn, but my first time eating dinner there was a few weeks ago.

The Southwick Inn has a large horseshoe shaped bar that seats 25 people.  The rest of the area is carpeted, with the exception of a small dance floor (I have never seen anyone dancing, but I hear it does occur).  There is occasionally live music, and there are always TVs on various games.

The best part by about the Inn, by far, is the people watching.  There is no real stereotype for the patrons.  On any given night there will be men and women who are young and old, dressed for a night on the town or dressed for hunting.  Prime people watching.

The food was pretty typical of a bar.  We ordered nachos, a buffalo chicken salad and a tuna melt.  The nachos were on round tortilla yellow chips, and the toppings were layered (not just on the top of all of the chips).

Half-eaten nachos

The buffalo chicken salad definitely had a kick.  I would order it again, but ask for it on a bigger plate/bowl.  The salad was piled too high on the bowl making it difficult to eat. 

Buffalo Chicken Salad

The tuna melt was pretty standard, although the bread was better quality. 

Tuna Melt

We will definitely go back for drinks, but I will warn you... this isn't everyone's scene.

Tunnel Bar

CHICKPEAS: 4

Grasshopper Martini

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Tunnel Bar in Northampton with friends.  The Tunnel Bar is known for their martinis and gets its name from actually being in a tunnel.   As you walk in on the street end, there are sets of tables and armchairs on both sides.  The bar is about halfway down the tunnel, complete with stools. The clientele varied in age, though mostly in the late 20's or older range.  If you are claustrophobic, this bar might not be a good choice.  Otherwise, it has tons of character and is a fun spot.

It can be a little tough to find free parking in Northampton on a weekend night, but there are pay lots available. We got there around 8:30 and were able to get a table and two chairs for our party of four.  We watched like vultures and eventually got a table and four chairs.  I would recommend getting their early if you are with a big group and want to be able to sit.