Alfresco Thursdays in Essex (July & August) are just the thing to take a break from it all! Getaway for a magical evening of strolling, shopping, dining, toe-tapping, and having a Covidly responsible good time!
We ♥️ SX!
Post sponsored by Essex Board of Trade
Alfresco Thursdays in Essex Village!
1st stop: Fuel up with an iced coffee from Olive Oyl’s Cuisine
Soak up some live music
Live music is a lovely part of the Alfresco Thursdays magic!
Olive Oyl’s turns its patio into a stage, and dining tables are brought outside for an elevated parking lot dining experience. Enjoy a delicious boxed dinner and a variety of unique musical acts. Check their Insta for what’s coming up here.
Eat your way around Essex
Hot lobster rolls to-go from The Essex pop-up in the park
The Essex restaurant brings a pop-up experience to Main Street Park where Chef Colt Taylor is serving his award-winning “Connecticut Lobster Rolls.”
Summer cocktails & dining at The Griswold Inn
We had an incredible meal on The Griswold Inn‘s new outside terrace (+ a couple of watermelon Essex spritzers)!
The Gris (as it’s known) is a vacation experience in itself and we can’t wait to go back and spend more time there. The hotel suites are housed in 8 historic buildings on Main street and the Tap Room (originally a schoolhouse built in 1735) is filled with shanty swashbuckler decor right now. If you follow our Instastories you’ll have caught our new appreciation of pirate music.
The Gris has made it through wars, recessions, and depressions, and we’ll get through COVID-19!
Views for days at Carlson’s Landing
With nautical views overlooking the Connecticut River and a fresh new land and sea menu (they just opened), we can see that Carlson’s Landing is going to be a hit in the village.
Chef JP Dillon 
Shopping! Stores are open until 8PM
We popped into….
J. Alden Clothiers
Yummy clothes, original gifts, luxurious brands, and unpredictable preppy purchases!
J. McLaughlin
We always say, “If there’s a J. McLaughlin in town, you can be sure you’re in an Instagram-pretty part of the USA!”
You, Me & the Sea
Fresh, nautical design. Mommy + me prints. Original handmade jewelry and gems by the creative owner Joanna Reicher. AND… a balloon station!
Pough Interiors
Get inspired by all of the stylish home furnishings in Pough Interiors. Dennis and Adam can help you make your visions a reality in their design studio upstairs!
One N Main
A fashion-fix must be had at One N Main. The store is light and airy, filled with cute jeans, luxurious cashmere, and fun new lines. We picked up these cute Quilted Koala bags!
And last but not least, a shout out to Toys Ahoy, the village toy store!
Fill your eyes & ears at Melanie Carr Gallery
Before heading inside to soak up some beautiful artwork inside this working artist studio, enjoy some New Orleans style, honky-tonk blues piano by Jon Gordon outside. It’s a good time!
Melanine and Katherine 
On the dock @ the Connecticut River Museum
“Thursdays on the Dock.” Beer, wine, snacks, and dinner are available for purchase. Just bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy the music and spectacular waterfront views! Reservations for 5:30 pm at events.
Free Boat Docking!
Should you have a boat, you’ll be happy to hear that Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina is offering FREE docking from 4 pm to 9 pm. Just call the marina to reserve and mention “Alfresco Thursdays!” 860-767-2483
#experienceessex #essexct #destinationessex #alfrescothursdaysinessex
Pics: Lora Karam (thanks Susan Dee for taking pics of us!) / Words: Bev Canepari
I love the hidden treasures you bring to us that are right in our own neighborhoods. It looks like a lot of research, creativity and work and yet you make it look like fun! I look forward to your update each month. Thank you