Journalist and music critic Jen O'Callaghan wrote a wonderful article on the nightlife scenes in six NH cities and towns in the December 30, 2009 issue of NH Magazine.  Some excerpts:

Is There Life After Dark in NH?

A sleepy little state? Hardly

Take a quick tour of Manchester, Nashua, Keene, Portsmouth and Plymouth to get a sampling of the after-dark adventure that awaits night owls around the state. You can start with a nice meal or appetizers at the bar of a hip restaurant, move on to a venue with entertainment and finally get a late night snack. We’ve barely scratched the surface, but part of the fun of New Hampshire’s nightlife is in discovering bright new places to go. To do that, first you need to head out into the dark.

The barely year-old Studio 99 boasts live music or spoken-word performances almost every night of the week in its brand new Main Street location. Concerts are reasonably priced from $5 to $12, and audiences at the art space’s acoustic, bluegrass and jazz jams attend free.

Owner Elise MacDonald, a talented multi-instrumentalist in her own right, aims to create a space where listening is the priority. The venue serves nothing stronger than coffee, but brings in a wide variety of genres and acts to discuss over a late-night drink at a neighboring establishment. Recent performers have included Spider John Koerner, Ameranouche and Sit Down Baby!