Salem Massachusetts insiders guide to restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping and living for tourists and residents.

Special Events / Festivals
None listed
Music
Friday May 9th

Steve Wark (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Rock City Band (rock, blues, soul 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Cherry S/T (rock) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
DJ Seth ( indie / 80’s / pop / alternative 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
Dave Retro (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster Shanty
The Austin Torpedoes (good ol’ American music 9pm) @ Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost Daze (dance, pop, hip-hop 10pm) @ O’Neill’s
New Life (dance / pop / 80’s / rock) @ Rockafellas
Matt Tentindo (singer / guitar) @ Spirit’s at 300 Derby

Saturday May 10th

Janine [...] Continue Reading…

Leslie’s Retreat
96 North Street
978.744.9495

There is plenty of competition for breakfast in Salem, we went to Leslie’s Retreat so you don’t have to.

The first thing you notice about Leslie’s is that you just walked into a piece of history. Named after the famed Redcoat retreat of Colonel Alexander Leslie this rustic dining establishment looks like could be a tavern / pub from the late 1700’s with classy 1960’s accent pieces like the the Strohs beer lights. The dark woods, tin lamps, historical paintings, and portraits all lend to the colonial feel.

It was a slow Sunday when we [...] Continue Reading…

On this Cinco de Mayo I felt it only fitting to treat you to some true Mexican food in Salem.

Cilantro
282 Derby Street
978.745.9436

Take your existing notion of what a Mexican restaurant is and pitch it out the window. Cilantro is a great dining experience in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Upon walking in to this Derby St. eaterie, you are usually greeted either by a friendly hostess or the owner. There isn’t a bad seat in the house and usually if you are a party of 2 you will be seated by the large windows overlooking the street. If [...] Continue Reading…

No ladies, this post isn’t about that guy you dated last summer, it has much more depth and style.

Since 1875 on the first Saturday of May the masses gather in sleepy Louisville Kentucky to wear big hats, drink Mint Juleps and watch a little horse race at Churchill Downs - The Kentucky Derby .

Known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, this 1 1/4 mile race for 3 year old pure breed horses is a spectacle to behold. The grandstands are chock full of A listers from the sports, entertainment, business and political worlds. [...] Continue Reading…

Special Events / Festivals
Salem Signature Cocktail Competition
We blogged about this event last week. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Complimentary shuttle service provided by Salem Trolley in case you get a little tipsy when trying all the delicious concoctions. Partial event proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

Music
Friday May 2nd

Christy Bluhm (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Sad Marvin (rock, blues, soul 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Starlight Grey (rock) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
RSVP ( alternative/ experimental / electronica 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
TBA (rock 8pm) @ The Lobster [...] Continue Reading…

Salem, Massachusetts is one of those places where everyone seems to be outdoors all the time. But, what happens if you are visiting on a day when the weather is not cooperating? Here is our list of 10 things to do (in season) when the weather sucks.

(c) Speakerscorner

Take a trolley ride - It might be a rainy spring or fall day, but the trolleys are still up and running. You can kick back in the enclosed vehicle and still get a great tour and history lesson.
Check out the Salem Visitors Center - with free literature, mini-movies, exhibits and [...] Continue Reading…

Special Events / Festivals
The 16th Annual Walk for HAWC
Help Abused Women and their Children by walking around town. Registration Sunday at 11am walk starts at Noon.
Music
Friday April 25th

Maggie Scott (jazz 6:30-9:30pm) Mamadou (afro-beat / reggae / jam band 10pm) @ Bangkok Paradise
Demon’s Alley (rock / glam / punk) @ Dodge Street
Los Sugar Kings (mambo-salsa dance party 9:30pm) @ Edgewater Cafe
Machine 475 (electronica / pop / rock 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu
Delvis (rock / folk / pop) @ The Lobster Shanty
Soul Baby (r&b / funk / soul 9pm) @ Lyceum
Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm) DJ Lost [...] Continue Reading…

Things are starting to ramp up at TheSalemInsider.com and we are looking to take on a summer intern. This is the opptunity you have been waiting for. Where else can you make your own schedule, go hear live music, have some cocktails, take some pictures and get college credit?
TheSalemInsider.com Summer Internship Program
TheSalemInsider.com seeks undergraduate & graduate applicants for our 2008 Summer Internship Program. Interns will work in all areas — account service, public relations, field reporting and op-ed. Applicants are required to submit writing samples and photography / graphic design knowledge is a plus.

A summer [...] Continue Reading…

Here is an event that TheSalemInsider.com can really get behind. In fact, the Salem Cocktail Competition goes hand in hand with some of the various specialty drink reviews we have done. It also keeps in the spirit of what we are all about, informing you about the best that Salem has to offer from the perspective of those that live and play here in the Witch City year round.

Here is the scoop: on Sunday, May 4th from 5-8pm for a nominal $20 ($30 at the door) you get to walk on a mini pub crawl and [...] Continue Reading…

Special Events / Festivals
The 1st Annual (?) Salem Save Our Schools/ Birthday Bash staring DJ Ondrej!
Tickets are available at the door for $10. All proceeds benefit the Salem Education Fund. The 1st 100 people will get their very own birthday cupcake! The 1st 25 people get a FREE t-shirt! Raffle prizes have been donated from some Salem businesses! Come dance with the world famous DJ Ondrej! The wild and crazy guy from Czech Republic returns to cruise and swing successfully in his tight slacks!

Music
Friday April 18th

Steve Wark(jazz 6:30-9:30pm) The Speakeasys (rock, [...] Continue Reading…