The Press Room — Restaurant in Portsmouth

Let’s talk about how amazing the Press Room is! After all we experienced thru Covid, my fiancé (now husband) and I decided we wanted to host a small, intimate family gathering/wedding (about 30-40 people) and we’re having such trouble finding a venue in Portsmouth who could accommodate our needs.

In walks Jamie and Zac, the Press Room Event Coordinator and Chef. Wow, just wow. Not only did they respond to our request immediately and deal with and answer my bajillion questions, they were so professional, kind and accommodating!

Now I’ve lived in Portsmouth for over ten years and I’m not gonna lie, I was blown away by how beautiful their private room upstairs is. Not only is the room gorgeous, but when you throw a party up there, you’re in your own world; you’ve got your own private bar, private bathrooms, a stage, a place to have a cocktail hour and a place to have a sit down dinner. I couldn’t have wished for a better place to host my event.

Now getting back to Jamie and Zac and the execution of our event. Jamie is just the best. She dealt with me bringing in my own linens and my own decor-she was beyond accommodating in allowing me to help set up and pulling off my vision. The Press Room is beyond lucky to have her; I am beyond thankful for her. I wanted a cocktail hour, she made it happen. I wanted a set up for a photo booth, she made it happen. Anything I requested, she worked with me to make it happen. And Zac, the Chef, is beyond talented. We really wanted something more intimate than a buffet so they went above and beyond to provide us with a family style dinner. Something they don’t typically do! And our family and friends are still raving about dinner, I don’t think they’ve stopped talking about the chicken and the steak tips and just the quantity of food in general. The service was top notch, they executed everything we asked for, I honestly don’t have anything negative to say.

I could go on for days about how amazed I was with my experience and how professional the staff is but the bottom line is, if you’re looking to host an event, don’t waste time and call the Press Room. I assure you, you will be beyond impressed. Thank you again! You guys...

This venue has become one of my favorites to work with and attend. Even at the height of the pandemic - the talent buyer for this venue was responsive, kept me updated and has continued to be a pleasure to work with. The install of the new sound system from a few year back is perfect for this 125 cap room and its location is clutch!

The food is very good, the vibe is cool, and the diversity of shows they have are great. In terms of the staff: they have definitely assembled a team of people who get how to run a bar/restaurant/venue of its size. It's not easy to do and meet all the expectations of others.

I stopped in last week and it appears they have a built in audience that just enjoys being at the Press Room in addition to those that are seeking out certain genres of music or a certain vibe for the evening.

They took a chance recently on having Dueling Pianos (which has been never there) and it was sold out way in advance and it crushed live. Super interactive, positive, and fun.

The up-and-coming shows to the room are an excellent combination of original music, cover bands, and DJs. They have something for everyone.

A place like the Press Room is the kind of room you want in every town! Keep up the good work...

I would be careful of attending any type of public music event at this location, especially if you are a young woman. Your safety is not something the owners or security members can guarantee. The restaurant owner does not take assault incidents seriously.

I have attended countless music venues around the country, and I can confidently state that I did not feel safe in this establishment. I was publicly physically assaulted on the second floor by another music attendee. After the incident took place, it was very clear that there was no protocol in place for this type of incident. There were no security guards that approached me, the owner was not on the premises, and the only thing I left with was a latex glove filled with ice. No police officers or EMS workers were called either. Weeks went by and I never even received an apology from the owner.

It wasn't until the owner received a negative review on here that he called me directly to apologize. When he finally called me to show remorse, it was clear he did not take me seriously and even went as far as questioned me for waiting so long to file a police report.

Again, I would make sure to be on high alert when visiting this location, especially as a...