The Ritz • Martha's Vineyard & The Loud Kitchen Experience

Oaks bluffs dive bar with live music, karaoke and Pickle Backs!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

The Ritz’s bartending team was exemplary: warm, quick-witted, and unfailingly attentive. They greeted each patron with warmth and quick wit, treating everyone as a guest rather than a transaction—precisely the kind of attentive service that hospitality research identifies as pivotal to a memorable evening. They treated patrons as guests, not transactions, and somehow kept a lively crowd even when no one was ordering. They checked in on me (I was alone) and even introduced me to a friend—textbook hospitality.
At the door, a different story. An older gentleman, a bouncer, fed up with counterfeit IDs, vented at three PYTs who looked about nineteen. Two IDs cleared; the third produced only a photo. Her friends suggested a passport; she balked and they left. The bouncer’s irritation then spread to patrons of all ages, souring the entry before anyone reached the bar.
The real disappointment was the karaoke. This is one of the island’s few weekday options—prime chance to create small-town magic for locals, seasonal workers, and lookie-loos.
Hosting karaoke well requires authentic enthusiasm and respectful engagement—encouraging singers of varying levels while keeping the room alive and happy, even when singing a thoroughly depressing love song. Some will go a step further and even harmonise with you while you sing (shoutout to a few select places in Brooklyn, Boston, Cali and Florida!) to ensure you sound good instead of sounding akin to a yowling feline. If you are incapable musically of such feats, one would assume that basic decency and courtesy and respect would be present.

At the Ritz, far from it. Johnny and friend offered instead a rotation of apathy and forced exuberance. The only time they seemed genuine is when they were talking down to individuals, and saints help the odd patron who dared ask when their song was up - Johnny rudely asked a young man why it mattered (intrusive much) and they were deliberately skipped. The older gentleman had an uncalled for attitude peppered with condescension that diminished rather than uplifted. Maybe standards are allowed to be kept low since the crowd has no taste - which brings us to the next contextual factor; the clientele.

The clientele skewed young and insular. Conversation among under-20s flowed mainly when motives weren’t musical; the prevailing courtship move was to sit too close and stare as if you were a television running music videos about the problems of the powerful. For a culture that valorizes non-familial, non-communal ties, the deficit in basic EQ was… instructive.

Great vib

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Great music!!
$5 cover charge
Crowded
Standing room only

Atmosphere: 5

Saw Rose’s band last night and she rocked! Great venue for live music! So much fun!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Crazy fun!!

Atmosphere: 5

This bar is an icon in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vinyard. We went for a glass of wine and to just hang out. I loved the vibe and the staff. The bar tender/ manager is just a very nice woman who never stops smiling and does a great job managing the bar and surrounding tables. We had already had dinner so just the wine on this night but it is place I’d want to keep going back to for sure.

While visiting Martha's Vineyard and strolling through town.....I heard some good music coming from this cafe and found myself making new friends once again. Hunty the raspberry margarita was IT. Thank you to MATT my photographer for capturing all my dance moves lol and KAREN for helping to make this a moment a time to remember. See you guys next time!!!

Fun little dive bar!

The Ritz is such a fun and lively spot! It has that classic, no-frills island vibe where you can just relax, listen to great live music, and have a good time. The bartenders are friendly and quick, and the drinks are strong and reasonably priced. It feels like one of those places where everyone is welcome, locals and visitors alike. If you’re looking for a casual, good-energy night out on Martha’s Vineyard, The Ritz is definitely the place to be. Always a great time!

Great local dive bar.

People!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

DJ Ricky Prime is the single worst DJ I’ve ever experienced. No idea how to change a song, played multiple songs twice, and was rude and touchy. Bar and drinks were fine though.

Fun, local spot to stop at for a cold beverage! The bartender was super nice and very helpful (forgot his name, but he used to live in Scotland if I'm not mistaken).

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Highly suggest ordering the LOUD nachos from Loud Kitchen at the Ritz to go along with your beverage of choice! The Doritos as the chip base is a GAMECHANGER!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Wings, Bomb a Beignet Bites VG, Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and Grits