In a recent article, WOKQ’s Kira Lew talked about how there used to be a decent number of restaurants in New Hampshire that were open 24 hours, 7 days per week. Now, she recognizes Red Arrow Diner in Manchester as the only remaining 24/7 restaurant in New Hampshire. Read the full article below, or click here to read this article on the WOKQ website.
Back in the day, there were a decent amount of restaurants that were open 24/7. If you had a craving for fried chicken and waffles in the middle of the night, you had OPTIONS of where you wanted to go to consume that delicacy.
Restaurants that are open 24/7 always thrive in college towns because college kids have the strangest sleep and eating schedules. I remember during my time at UMASS Amherst, we would always hit up the Route 9 after a late night of cramming for a test or more likely partying. I love a place that offers a full pasta dinner (with soup and a salad) at 2 am.
For the most part, 24-hour restaurants have become a thing of the past. Our archnemesis Covid transformed how many businesses operate, especially the restaurant industry. Staffing has become a huge obstacle, and restaurants are having a hard enough time finding kitchen and waitstaff for daytime hours, never mind the overnight shift.
If my research is correct, aside from a few 24-hour McDonald’s, Dunkins, and gas stations, the only place that you can grab a meal 24 hours a day in New Hampshire is the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester (their Concord, Londonderry, and Nashua locations are open from 5:30 am to 10 pm).
If I am wrong and there is another restaurant in the Granite state open 24/7, let a sister know.
I’ll never forget my first time at the Red Arrow Diner back in 2017 during our 5 Cities in 5 Days tour. When the staff found out I was a first timer, they rang a bell and made me wear this sticker (it was a whole thing!).
I made it a point to order the most ridiculous, carb loaded item they had to offer, which was a meatball sub with spaghetti ON THE SANDWICH (sorry for yelling), and I got mac and cheese as a side just because I could. As you can imagine, I took a big fat nap when I got home.
FUN FACT: Did you know that there’s a booth with my name on it at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester? I can’t believe they think I am important enough for such an honor, but it is by far one of the coolest things about me. I tell people at parties and strangers I meet on the street.
If New Hampshire is going to have only one 24 hour restaurant option in the state, I’m glad it’s the Red Arrow Diner because that place is EPIC.
PS: This year the Red Arrow Diner turns 100 years old, as their rich history began in 1922! Follow along on their Instagram to celebrate #100YearsofRedArrow