Best friends Heidi Hawkes and Kim Keim drove in from Weare and joined the long line of customers to get a table at the new Cedar & Main Tavern in Contoocook on its opening day.
They sat a corner table on the tavern’s patio overlooking the Contoocook River, enjoying the warm sun, plates of garlic nachos, and crisp ciders.
“The atmosphere, the energy, the food, just all spot on,” Keim said.
For 18 years, Brian Cressy had envisioned transforming the building into a riverside gathering place where neighbors could come together, enjoy each other’s company, and take in river views and the iconic covered bridge in the village.
“I wanted to do something really cool for my town,” said Cressy, the tavern’s owner. “It was like the one thing missing in the village, having a really nice neighborhood gathering place.”
The renovated establishment at the former location of the Covered Bridge Restaurant opened its doors last Friday with seating for 90 guests inside and another 90 on its outdoor patio. It joins the village’s collection of local businesses, including a coffee shop, café, and boutique stores.
Inside, the décor combines rustic charm with industrial style. Reclaimed barn boards line the walls, wooden barrels accent the space, and warm Edison bulbs cast a soft glow, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both cozy and contemporary.
“Warm tavern atmosphere is what I was trying to go for,” said Cressy. “It’s not a young hangout or a retiree hangout. It’s a place for everybody.”
After months of watching workers transform the building, locals from Hopkinton and surrounding communities were eager to get a look inside.
Hawkes said they landed “the best seat ever,” while experiencing attentive, friendly service from Cressy’s team.
“I’m all about supporting local communities, especially small businesses,” Hawkes said. “Hopkinton probably needed something like that. I had a great time.”
The menu at Cedar & Main Tavern features classic pub fare, including burgers, turkey club sandwiches, and chicken parmesan, while also offering a few unexpected twists.
On the appetizer list is bao buns stuffed with crispy pork belly, Asian slaw, and cucumbers.
“I didn’t want my menu to be too pretentious,” Cressy said. “It’s a very small town. I wanted that neighborhood tavern feel, comfort food.”
In the few days since the tavern opened, the Black and Blue Steak Tips, tossed in Creole seasoning and topped with blue cheese, crispy bacon, and scallions, have quickly become a customer favorite.
“We weren’t starving, so when I go back, I definitely want to dive in,” said Keim. “But everything I saw coming through, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, that looks so good.’”
The idea for Cedar & Main first took shape with Cressy’s late friend Shane Melanous, a former kitchen manager at the Common Man Restaurant. A decade ago, Cressy purchased the space on Cedar Street and later leased it to the eclectic Contoocook Covered Bridge restaurant, which closed in 2022.
Once the tavern settles into its rhythm, Cressy hopes to host live bands on the outdoor deck and hold events like wine pairings and whiskey dinners.
“I wanted us to be like a kind of a destination on the river and I think it will be,” he said.
