Hawthorne By-the-sea - Swampscott

We ate there on Sunday night, May 5, 2024 As usual we were warmly greeted by George the most gracious host, who patiently escorted us to our lovely table next to the window overlooking the ocean. We started with our drinks which consisted of hot tea, a Bombay martini and wine. Next came the fabulous fresh hot popovers served with oversized pads of real butter. We next enjoyed the most succulent shrimp cocktail, which was 4 very large shrimp along with delicious cocktail sauce, and also a General Glover salad. Our entrees, which everyone enjoyed immensely, were baked stuffed shrimp, a club sirloin, broiled scallops, and broiled haddock. For dessert we all shared the oversized picture perfect baked Alaska, which was cut into 4 ample portions. All of us were truly happy with our entire experience, and, in fact, I am dining there again tonight, Weds, May 8, 2024, with 3 other friends. We are all really looking forward to it Parking: The free parking lot is massive. Wheelchair accessibility: I use a cane myself but have been there with someone who uses a wheelchair, and she found the entire place to be wheelchair friendly, including the ladies room.

Haven’t been to the Hawthorne by the Sea in years. Went in for a light lunch and cocktails with a friend. I had a shrimp cocktail, my friend got the baked clams a la Anthony we both got the yummy Glover salad, of course popovers and marinated mushrooms it was all delicious. We also had delicious expresso martinis. Recommend going I think they may be closing which is sad.

Hawthorne By The Sea is a holdover from another era, and in spite of stories of its imminent demise, it seems to endure. Our food was good, if not especially inventive. The setting is quite nice, and service was good.

If I could give it 0 stars I would. The Caucasian older bartender refused to service me, even upon showing my ID.I am over 21, yet he was “uncomfortable” servicing me because he feared of “losing his job”. He didn’t approve of my ID and addressed that he will not look at any other forms of ID and refused to service us.I even tried opting out for even just a ginger ale to allow my friend to enjoy the bar, however he decided to service neither of us.The other bartender also refused to service us as well mentioning that “if we started with that bartender, then we should end with that bartender” which I found was rude. If the drinking rules and ID verification are that strict to lose a job, then I’d suggest getting an ID scanner/recognizer. I was willing to show more than one form of identification, but I feel as though the bartender was just racist and didn’t want to serve a person of color. I will take my business elsewhere.

This place is great with old school polish and service. Put on a shirt with a collar, be respectful, don’t bring loud children and the staff will treat you like royalty.