SALEM, MA — A Salem restaurant is planning a new October event aimed at both residents and visitors as the city prepares for its annual Halloween season crowds.
Bernadette, a French-inspired spot on Washington Street, will host "Start the Night Salem," a complimentary nightly cocktail party in its bar area on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in October from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The event comes as thousands of people are expected to head to Salem in the coming weeks for the city's yearly Halloween-themed events in October. Bernadette owners Chef Aaron Chambers and Shanna Chambers said the idea is to create a place where tourists and locals can gather before heading out for the evening.
"The goal here is really about community and bringing people together," Aaron Chambers said. "We have amazing regulars at Bernadette, and I know when I'm in a new place I want to go where the locals go.
"We also understand that we sometimes can be a harder reservation to get when in town — so why not open our doors and celebrate with everyone in town tourists and locals alike by throwing a 90-minute-long cocktail party in our bar area with some amazing drinks and snacks before the evening kicks off."
Guests will be welcomed with a seasonal nonalcoholic sipper and warm cheese gougères upon arrival. Bernadette said it also will offer Harvest Punch, a selection of fall cocktails and a special menu of light bites.
"You don't have to stay for dinner, come try a few things with your friends or family, meet us, meet our staff, meet other amazing locals and others traveling from around the world and then get out there and enjoy the evening is Salem," Shanna Chambers said.
The Bernadette Bites Menu will include items such as Jambon-Beurre with Niman Ranch ham, Jasper Hill Farm Alpha Tolman, cultured butter and cornichon, Dressed Lucky Lip Oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette, Croque Forestier with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, comté, truffle, béchamel and onion jus, Roasted Local Beets with fig and pistachio, Country Pâté Tartine with Pommery mustard and cornichon, and Olive Tapenade with endive.
Guests also can order warm sourdough bread with house-made butter and black sea salt.
"This is a great way for visitors to try some great flavors from Bernadette in a fun meet-and-greet setting," Shanna Chambers said. "Depending on what they choose to order, it can be their food stop for the night, or just the beginning to a culinary experience in Salem."
Entry is complimentary, but the restaurant said guests must RSVP because of capacity, food preparation and staffing.
RSVPs can be sent to hello@bernadettesalem.com.
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