Kelly’s Restaurant

This place is one of the worst dives in Haverhill since the Back Alley burned down years ago. It’s popular with the townies and that’s about it.
Firstly, it’s away from the rest of downtown so you can’t barhop anywhere else and are stuck at this miserable place unless you want to venture a walk over the bridge to downtown at 11 p.m. The owner Dave is just bizarre. He refuses to run air conditioning even on the hottest of days, then tells you you can’t come in if your shirt doesn’t have sleeves because he doesn’t want the «gangs» coming in. Firstly, the only friends myself and I look like we’re in is the Apple Dumpling Gang. Secondly, turn on your damn air conditioning when its summer and there are 50 plus people in the bar. The pool tables are junk and so are the sticks, the karaōke is what brought me there, but it’s too loud to even have a conversation without going outside when it’s going on and the kid who runs it is the definition of Haverhill townie punk. Also the parking lot is where a ton of drug deals go down and people go in the area to smoke up, not the type of people I want around my car on a late night. I don’t often go to Haverhill for the bar scene anymore, but this place is off my list when I do, I’d recommend Peddlar’s Daughter or the Chit Chat if you’re looking for a watering hole in downtown Haverhill, but after all it’s Haverhill so that’s not saying much.

This is one of old local joints with no seats at the bar. Yup, you stand.
I’ve never had the food here and I really don’t know if they serve food anymore.
So, what gets me across the river to hit up Kelley’s? Local Bands.
Sometimes the offerings in my walking area are just not that good, seen too many times or non-​existent. So over the River I trudge.
Be warned it’s ca$h only and you can’t run a tab. The TV is an Olde Tyme rear projection so all the sports I’ve seen there have an early 1990’s look.
They have a couple decent whisk (e)ys on hand and the taps seem like they’re tended to regularly. They also have a fenced in smoking area out back that will make you feel like you’re in a dog kennel.
Kelley’s does Trivia on Wednesdays (The Professor Brothers) and karaōke (usually DJ Saint Julian) on another day that I forgot.
So, as long as some of my local faves play here I’ll be there, sometimes.

I disagree with the reviews below. Personally the owner Dave is not a nice person. I saw people behaving by themselves playing pool and Dave kicked them out and said” Ok get the F** out, this isnt a pool hall this is a bar”. And he had made them pay for pool so they were paying customers and he told them to never come the F** back again. He was horrible! These people were not causing trouble they were simply playing AND paying for pool but because they didnt drink he didnt want them in there. That is not how you do business. Horrible place to go, but its never crowded and I can now see why

First of all, Kelley’s Pub hasn’t been a ‘restaurant’ since before 2007. The new owner, Dave, was losing his shirt and decided to do things the way they were done at his former employer, the Chit Chat Lounge. Don’t fret-there’s a McDonald’s next door and a roast beef place practically across the street. This is a place to go after the concert, the movie, or whatever you did tonight, for a nightcap.
What Dave does do, however, is always takes care of his regulars. Cash only, the usual beers on tap (Including Sam Adams Cherry Wheat), people always seem happy with what they get here. There’s two pool tables, plenty of TV sets and an enclosed smoking area out back where you can take your drink. Tuesdays and (I think) Saturdays are dedicated to Karaōke. Thursday is open mic night, with a small but dedicated crowd who always comes.
Just be warned that Kelley’s doesn’t take any BS. Any hint of trouble (Over-​intoxication, making other patrons uncomfortable, provoking arguments, guys with no sleeves on their shirts) and you’re out. If, however, you know how to behave in public, like an adult, you won’t have a problem.
Overall, Kelley’s defines ‘hole in the wall.’ Maybe I have a biased opinion from the number of times my band has played here. But Kelley’s can be a nice alternative to the crowded downtown area. Always plenty of parking, and no big rush from other bars; Mostly just a core group of patrons who have known each other and the secret of Kelley’s for years. I hope it continues for awhile.

I’ve lived in Haverhill for awhile now and this past weekend was my first trip to Kelley’s. I had a great time. Bartender’s name was Dave I think and he was a wicked nice guy. Beer selection wasnt the best, but everyone seemed to be able to find something they liked. Live music was awesome, GREAT atmosphere.

Don’t go to Kelley’s expecting
a) the Kelley’s was 2 years ago, or 20 years ago
b) a shi-​shi bar or dining experience.
Go to Kelley’s expecting
a) familiar friends stopping in for a pint, a game of pool, to watch a game, or make a night of it.
b) couples on dates, sharing burgers.
c) old townies at the bar
All in all, you pay for what you get at Kelley’s. The beers aren’t expensive (they have PBR, afterall). The wines aren’t the best, but they do exist and are totally affordable. Mixers are just fine, and moderately priced.
The food is quite good, and certainly hits the pub grub spot.
Sometimes there is music, always pool, keno, sports on TV, and a popular jukebox.
I’ve had many fun nights there with friends.
Kelley’s was bought sometime last year and a lot of the characters who used to hang there, drink to oblivion, and hustle pool players are now gone. It’s on its way to being a classier, family type of place where patrons can expect economical, but clean and tasty fun.