Riverworks Restaurant: Newmarket tavern unveils stylish makeover with new upstairs bar

NEWMARKET — The interior of Riverworks Restaurant and Tavern underwent a facelift, one that owners Marcy and Scott Moreau said offers a unique blend of rustic and refined ambiance.

Scott said one of their major goals after purchasing the restaurant at 164 Main St. in 2022 was to make “the upstairs space more functional to give it some energy.”

“It is such a beautiful space up there, and nobody could see it,” he said. “Because it was only a dining room, there was a lack of the tavern/bar vibe that the Riverworks is known for.”

Scott said the renovation transformed the second floor and gave the space some “air-ness,” while keeping to the original identity of the nearly two-century-old building.

The couple added a full-service bar and upgraded seating with modern and refined light fixtures to the exposed wood beams.

“Prior to the renovation, the walls were quite dark, the blinds didn’t work – also, why do you need blinds when you’re open at night? – the chairs were mismatched and broken, and the tables were wobbly,” he explained. “After the renovation, the tables are level due to the technological advance of adjustable legs, we’ve lightened up the space with paint and added the coziness of a fireplace insert.”

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Owners say renovation will offer 'a greater experience for all'

Scott said the biggest change was removing the existing string lights around the entire perimeter of the second floor and replacing them with chandeliers that hang from the vaulted ceilings.

“When we did that, it opened up the entire room, really showcasing the timeless architecture above and shining a light – pardon the pun – on the exposed beams and stone work above,” he added.

Built in 1840, Scott said the 10-week renovation did anticipate finding “something unexpected” because of the building’s age. However, he said the “structural challenges” were quickly resolved.

“Because of the dramatic slope of the floor, they had to pull up some of the original hardwood flooring in order to level it,” he added. “Instead of scrapping the flooring, we repurposed it to wrap around the bar walls. In addition, we reused a mantle that had been taken down in another area of the dining room – we’re proud that we were able to keep remnants of the renovation for other purposes as an homage to the ownership before us.”

What the renovation did not do, according to Scott, was increase the number of seats upstairs.

“But the quality of the seating is so heavily improved that we were willing to sacrifice less customers for a greater experience for all,” he said.

Scott said one of the goals of the newly improved upstairs space was that he didn’t want someone to feel like they’re “missing out” on something based on where they choose to sit.  Whether customers choose to go upstairs or down, he wanted them to feel like they’re in “the same restaurant with the same staff, the same menus and the same attention.”

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Riverworks owners celebrate two years of ownership

Known for its classic chicken tenders, the Riverworks Restaurant and Tavern has been around for more than three decades.

The Moreaus purchased the restaurant in 2022 from Jennifer Jarvis, who ran the eatery for 10 years after buying it from Mary Robertson.

The couple was no stranger to the restaurant as Marcy was a longtime employee. The restaurant, Marcy said, is home to a very tight-knit community, having served customers of generations and knowing their names, orders and drinks by heart.

On April 18, the couple celebrated their two years of ownership.

The response to the recent renovation, Scott said, has been “overwhelmingly” positive.

“We wanted to ensure that the old feel remained while still trying to modernize that space,” he said. “I think we’ve done that.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Riverworks Restaurant: Newmarket tavern unveils stylish makeover