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There’s a new hum in downtown Salem: Pintxos In The Alley, a compact bar-restaurant bringing Basque-style small plates and late-night energy to Commercial Street. Soft-opened September 11, 2025, it slots into a stretch where intimate cocktail spots are reshaping the after‑work crowd into an after‑hours scene—with a focus on precision, hospitality, and Iberian flavor.
The menu keeps each dish to seven ingredients or fewer—think patatas bravas, boquerones, jamón ibérico, and fast‑selling empanadas—paired with Spanish‑leaning vermouths, aperitifs, and a growing wine list. Behind the bar and line, owner‑bartender “Tommy” and chef Matt center a hospitality‑first ethos. Early feedback notes a mellow oldies soundtrack, balanced cocktails, and standouts like a smooth Old Fashioned and a cumin‑kissed taco paloma…