Frequently Asked Questions

Do you require reservations?

Reservations for our Dining Room are welcome, but not required.

We have a casual atmosphere and want you to be comfortable here. If it's a Friday or Saturday night -- or some other special occasion -- you may want to call ahead to ensure faster seating.

Can you accommodate large parties?

Yes. Large parties up to 80 people are welcome. Please contact us at 603.425.6665 so that we can get things squared away for you.

Do you have a kid's menu?

Our restaurant is family-friendly, with a reasonably-priced kid's menu that includes chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hotdogs, and more.

Do you sell gift certificates?

You bet. Every December and sometimes in July, you can purchase a gift certificate for Pinkerton Tavern. For every $25 in gift certificates you purchase, there's a $5 gift certificate for you.

Do you have a lounge?

Yes. We have a full-service lounge with both barstools and tables, a fireplace, television, and all the good company you'd expect from your neighborhood tavern.

Where should we park?

Our parking lot can accommodate many vehicles. Overflow parking is next door in the lower lot. To get there, just turn left out of our parking lot and then left again into the lower level parking lot.

Is your building handicap accessible?

Yes. Our historic building's wide door openings as well as our table-and-chair seating make for easy maneuverability throughout our restaurant's main level. A curb cut and permenant handicap-accessible ramp at our entrance accommodate wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility as do our handicap-accessible restrooms.

Do you have vegetarian options on your menu?

Yes. We regularly have vegetarian offerings on our menu. One of the benefits of being a family-owned restaurant is our ability to serve "off-the-menu" dishes. If you don't see something that catches your eye, we can always see what our creative chefs can do to please you.

Do you have function rooms?

Yes. We regularly cater parties up to 80 people. Learn more about our function rooms here.

Do you cater?

Yes. You can learn more about our catering services here.

Why are you called Pinkerton Tavern?

Our restaurant is housed in the lovely 270 year-old building originally constructed by brothers James and Edward Pinkerton. The brothers lived here and went on to found Derry's Pinkerton Academy.

How many fireplaces do you have?

There are 6 fireplaces.

Is Pinkerton Tavern haunted?

Though there are rumors that a ghost lives here, not everyone agrees that the Tavern's building is haunted. Even so, we like the idea of a friendly ghost watching over us. In fact, we call our "ghost" Rachel.

How old is the restaurant's building?

Built by James and Edward Pinkerton, the Pinkerton Tavern building is 270-years old. After James and Edward moved on, their home came under the ownership of Hood Dairy Farm.

Two fires altered the building from its original state. In the 1940's, a fire ruined the homestead's barn and much of the house had to be restored. A small fire in the 1990's was rumored to have been started by a ghost.

Other rumors have the historic building playing a key role in the Underground Railroad.

In recent history, the building housed an unfinished furniture store and two other restaurants -- the Green Forest Inn in the 1990's and briefly Neet's -- before becoming Pinkerton Tavern in 2002.

Who are your current owners?

Guy and Jen are a husband-and-wife team whose personalities and passion for the restaurant industry are, aside from the food and prices, what bring fans of Pinkerton Tavern back regularly.

As Jen likes to tell it, Guy is "old" and has been working in the restaurant business "forever." In fact, he's a pretty spry guy, whose creative genius in the kitchen is what makes the Tavern's menu so special. Guy has been in the restaurant business since 1976.

According to Jen, Guy needed young labor and found Jen, working in the restaurant industry since 1992. They worked together for many years, married, and opened their first catering business together in 1998. Their successful catering company led to the opening of Pinkerton Tavern in 2002.

Don't see the answer you were looking for here?

We're happy to answer your questions at 603.425.6665 or at info@thepinkertontavern.com.