Harlow's Pub

Bar, Eatery

3 School St
Peterborough, New Hampshire, 03458-1441
United States

(603) 924-6365 | map
harlowspub.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.95
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
12
pDev:
10.89%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DrinkingDrake:
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Reviewed by DrinkingDrake from Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Went to this place a bunch while I was at Franklin Pierce. Saw some good music and talked to some interesting people and I am not just talking about the usual hippies you see wandering around there. There are some great people from the area that love to have a good conversation over a couple good beers. New Hampshire people love where they are from and will tell you all about it.
The decor is very unique with a lot of psychedelic art all over the place. A couple crowded round tables and tall tables. A small stage on one end with a small downstairs for only a couple tables.
Food is a little expensive but nothing ever let me down. Great burritos and nachos.
Of course only good beer. The only time I saw some cheap commercial brews were during packed concert nights. I got turned onto Geary's here with the HSA. I had a lot of Long Trail as well.
If you are driving through NH check this place out. Not only the staff but people are very friendly. Attracts a lot of local college people and interesting locals. In tiny downtown Peterborough, NH. Cedar Oaks is a small fine foods store within walking distance that also has a descent Belgian beer selection.
I haven't been since 2008 I'm thinking of making a trip this winter.
Dec 28, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.56 by papposilenus from New Hampshire

Aug 25, 2018
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Rated by ACDoes from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +12.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Cool place, funky and eclectic. Staff is friendly, the food is very good and the beer selection is robust. Nice outdoor area as well.
Oct 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.23 by stoppertb18 from Massachusetts

Jun 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by jco3 from New Hampshire

Dec 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by ScotNH from New Hampshire

Dec 11, 2013
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Reviewed by verdict603 from New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Harlow's is a pretty decent spot for the area. There are 8 or 9 taps with 4 of them rotating every couple months. Mostly New England brews such as Smuttynose IPA, Switchback, Peak, Gearys and other locals. Occasionally they have something more special like one of Harpoon or Smuttynose's small batches. The food is good, especially the bbq bacon quesedillas. Service is so-so, bartenders are good but the wait staff is slow. The guy who works security with the ponytail is rude and often unreasonable when bands are playing. Harlow's does have a nice stage with some decent music and a cool hippie vibe. Watch out for wooks!
Jan 13, 2012
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Reviewed by FrankLloydMike from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I've been meaning to stop into Harlow's for years. I can't remember when or how I first found out about the place, but I've stopped in Peterborough several times on the way to Keene or Brattleboro, and the timing has never worked out for a visit to Harlow's. This past weekend, after a hike up Monadnock, seemed the perfect time for a pint and sandwich on a sunny afternoon at the local haunt.

We strode in and, overcoming the seasonal desire to take a seat outside, found ourselves a spot at the far end of the bar in the eclectic, but uncluttered and airy room. Huge, old windows allowed ample light to filter through the array of leafy plants deep into the bar, and the side door next to us allowed the spring air to waft in, adding to the airiness that is perfect for a mid-afternoon bar visit. Beer and outdoors paraphernalia, along with other miscellany, crowded the tube-lighted shelf above the back of the bar and the walls around the space, with a large mural and accordion hanging on the back of the stage, which served as a children's play area during our visit. A variety of tables--large and round at the front, smaller and tall in the middle and slightly larger affixed to the walls near the bar--filled the space and offered a variety of drinking microclimates. Sitting at the bar, I remarked upon how the place fits in with similar, eclectic, ramshackle drinking holes that have won my affection: the Stone Church, Barley Pub, Eli Cannon's, Delux, Three Needs, the Press Room, and on and on. The relaxed nature and endless visual interest lends these places an air of intimate comfort and sense of timelessness, and Harlow's fits the bill precisely.

Service was attentive and friendly in that old New Hampshire way--frankness and humor supplanting verbosity, with eccentricity not being limited to the decor (word had it that the cook was not offering specials that afternoon due to being in a bad mood). The menu consisted largely of sandwiches and Mexican-style fare, and the avocado-vegetable sandwich I had was fresh and excellent.

The beer selection was good, especially for the area, without being extensive, and the quality was excellent, both beers being fresh and poured to the brim. Of the ten or twelve taps, half were local and half were macro imports--Guiness, Harp, etc. The menu stated that the locals rotated, and we had a Peak IPA (wonderfully hoppy and fresh) and Geary's HSA, whose presence an older gentleman patron excitedly proclaimed to his companions with a loud "Wow!" Several cans and bottles, mostly if not entirely craft, were also offered. I'd love to see the Newcastle replaced with Smuttynose Old Brown Dog and the Bass with Moat Mountain Iron Mike Pale Ale and so on, but as is there's plenty to hold the above-average drinker's interest. Harlow's would also make an excellent brewpub, I think, if the homebrewing bartender ever decides to go pro.

Harlow's seems to have taken the charm and eccentricity of a small, New England town and brought it fully to the scale of a bar. I'm glad I was finally able to visit the place, and that it was as enchanting as I had imagined, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit, whenever the road and life bring me back through Peterborough.
May 02, 2011
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Reviewed by Greenlabel from New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I had been in Harlow's about 7or 8 years ago and wasn't particularly impressed. I recently heard that they had improved their draft selection in the ensuing years so decided to give it another try on this cold December day. My conclusion - it has definitely significantly changed for the better.

The 10 tap selections are all craft or import. Currently the choice is Long Trail IPA, Otter Creek Porter, the brand new Pennichuck Engine 5 Red Ale, Gearys HSA, Wolavers Brown Ale and Woodstock Inn Oatmeal Stout (first time I've ever seen that in this area) for crafts augmented by the usual Guinness, Harp, Bass and Newcastle. I was sufficiently impressed by that mix that I didn't inquire about their bottle selection. By far, the best draft selection I've seen in SW NH where most locations will have only a few crafts - usually Sam Adams or Harpoon.

Service was friendly and the server was quite knowledgeable about the products. I'm told they usually rotate at least one tap each week so I'm looking forward to seeing what future offerings might be. Also was informed that IPA's and hoppy beers in general are their best sellers which agrees with my taste preferences. I wasn't there in the evening so can't comment on their live music nor did I sample any food. I'll be returning soon.
Dec 03, 2006
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Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
I live in Keene, so when there's a decent band playing, like...Jah Spirit & Roots of Creation my Girlfriend and I love to get to Harlow's to Dance and drink a few decent brews. The Selection is not overwhelming by any means, 8 or 9 decent brews on tap along with the stnadard stuff. No your not going to find Stone, or DFH or any of the top 50 beers.

The atmosphere is good, rustic feeling old building, good size bar area, although a bit cramped when a good band is playing. The Dance floor itself is usually spacious enough.

The service is average and the food is decent.
Jul 16, 2006
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Reviewed by noob from Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3
We went on a whim last Saturday afternoon. It was a sunny 45-50 degree, February day. Warm enough to enjoy a pint outside on the patio, where we could bring our dog!!!

Geary's HSA, Smutty IPA, two Wolaver's taps, Guinness, John Courage, and two other imports that I can't recall on draft... all served in shaker pints. Pretty standard bottle list.

Harlow's has a ton of character and was a total surprise to find in Peterborough, NH. I will be back next time I am in the area to check out the grub.
Feb 08, 2005
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Reviewed by konabrewer from Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -14.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
After living in Jaffery, NH for the last year or so, I was excited when Harlow's upgraded their establishment. The beer selection is average at best for most places, but remember this is NH. The have about 12 taps with most locals plus some niche imports. THey also have Ommegang which was what I drank typically while there.
The best thing is their live music and the people. The service is not amazing but everyone is so friendly and pleasant, you just want to stay a while. They often have great local musicians as well as out of town bands. Opan mike is tough for me, but sometimes you find a decent player.
Peterborough is quaint town with very little to do, so check Harlow's Pub and you won't lose you mind while there.
The soups are always excellant as well
Dec 18, 2003
Harlow's Pub in Peterborough, NH
Place rating: 3.95 out of 5 with 12 ratings