A New Waterfront Restaurant and Bar in Newport Set to Open Next Month

A New Waterfront Restaurant and Bar in Newport Set to Open Next Month

A new waterfront bar and restaurant is slated to open in Newport next month — by some familiar faces. 

“The Quencher” has been under renovation at the location of the old Celtica for months, across from the Newport Yacht Club. 

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The brainchild of Scott Kirmil — the owner of Diego’s and Wharf Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar — and chef Joey Piotti, the concept of his newest establishment is “a bar with really good food.”

“We’re just getting toward the home stretch,” said Kirmil of working with Piotti on the finishing touches. “It’s been a process with delays and permitting and unexpected things that needed to be fixed. It’s an old building — but it’s coming out pretty well.”

 

Seizing New Opportunity 

The location of the former Celtica Public House at 95 Long Wharf Mall, adjacent to the Marriott Hotel and across from Perotti Park, had long been a fixture as a watering hole with locals and tourists alike. 

When the Celtica closed in 2022, Kirmil was made aware that the property was available — and seized the opportunity.

“We decided it needed to have that bar vibe, and we wanted to keep karaoke,” said Kirmil, of keeping some of the core elements of what made the Celtica so popular 

But when The Quencher opens, it will have a completely new look — and height. 

“We’re phasing in an upstairs deck,” said Kirmil, of taking advantage of the views of Newport Harbor. 

According to Kirmil, the new upstairs deck will be half-open and half-covered with heat and air-conditioning for the elements.

Then, there’s the food. 

 

 

Turning Vision Into Reality 

“Some of my favorites are places where I’ll go, ‘This bar has good food, who would have thought it?” said Kirmil. 

So along with Piotti, Kirmil said they came up with a concept of a “bar vibe, with Italian comfort food.”

The Quencher has already installed its Marra Forni wood-fired commercial pizza oven, and the kitchen staff is perfecting small plates from arancini to ravioli and more. 

Kirmil said like his other establishments, there will be gluten-free options. 

And music will play a central role in The Quencher’s vibe.

“We’ll play everything from 50s/60s doo-wop to rockabilly during service,” said Kirmil — who assured long-time Celtica fans there will still have karaoke.

“We’ve installed a whole new stage up front,” assured Kirmil.