It’s not quite the city that never sleeps, but Boston’s nightlife is vast and varied, catering not only to teeming masses of college students but eager yuppies and disaffected hipsters alike. Since this is a city founded by people that were so uptight the British annoyed them (Pot paging kettle...), we are still stuck with the blue-law mentality that anything that might be fun has to be completely controlled at all times. Thus, all of our bars shutter for the evening at 1 or 2 am. This would be fine for most people if the MBTA, you know, the way the majority of people get around in a city with little parking, didn’t manage to close BY TWELVE F*@KING THIRTY. After-hours joints do exist, but are for members-only, so when those lights come up and you are doing your best Last Call Shuffle to get a number—keep in mind cabs are as easy to get after closing time as Red Sox-Yankee ticks are on opening day. Despite these best efforts, though, the variety of bars, dance clubs, and live music venues keep growing, so you’ll be able to find just the right spot to be seen, be picked up, dance, throw some Red Sox-Yankee darts, or sit and share a pint with a friend while you catch a live band. Remember that clubs are always in flux, so it makes sense to call ahead and confirm what’s up before rounding up your crew and hitting the town.
Beer
Like Dunkin’ Donuts shops, you can’t throw a shillelagh in this town without hitting an Irish pub. Some of the best Guinness this side of the Atlantic can be found (usually poured by authentic Irish hands) at many of these fine establishments. Try The Junction (Map 10) or The Blackthorn Pub (Map 10), both in the Irish stronghold of Southie. If stout is not your thing, there are several good microbreweries around town including Boston Beer Works (Map 2), Cambridge Brewing Company (Map 26), and John Harvard’s Brew House (Map 20). Large (we mean large) beer selections can be found at Sunset Grill & Tap (Map 19), Bukowski’s (Map 5, 28), Roggie’s (Map 18), and, to a smaller degree, Christopher’s (Map 23), Pour House (Map 5), Cambridge Common (Map 20), and Doyle’s (Map 14). Redbones (Map 22) has a beer wheel you can spin if you’re having trouble making up your mind. If you insist on going straight to the source, take a tour and quaff some samples at the Harpoon (Map 11) and Sam Adams (Map 14) breweries.
Sports
Almost every bar in Boston becomes a sports bar when the Sox, Pats, and C’s are playing (and if the B’s ever get good again, we’ll add them to that list). It’s a good thing, too, since tickets to actual games are prohibitively expensive and the Sox decided to broadcast their games only on cable. If you’re desperate to see your (non-Boston) team or follow every March Madness game, try Sports Depot (Map 19), The Four’s (Map 1), Stadium (Map 10), Champions (Map 6), Game On! (Map 16), Tequila Rain (Map 16), or Lir (Map 5).
Elegant and Nice
Sometimes you just need to dress up and treat yourself to see how the other half lives. For a change of pace from drunken sports fans and bottles of Bud, or for a good way to impress a date, sip a cocktail in the refined elegance of Parker’s Bar (Map 3), City Bar (Map 6), or Rowes Wharf Bar (Map 4). Have a nice romantic evening taking in the view of the Boston skyline at Top of the Hub (Map 5) in the Prudential Center. Or don your coolest duds for some coctails and peoplewatching at Whiskey Park (Map 3) or Sonsie (Map 5). For exotic drinks in a far-out futuristic setting, don’t miss Diva Lounge (Map 22) in Davis Square. The newest nightlife destinations that usually have lines out the door are Clink (Map 1) located in the old Charles Street Jail and Bond (Map 4) in the Langham Boston Hotel. Bring someone awesome and loads of cash.
Dive
The smoking ban threatened the livelihoods of many a beloved Boston dive, and while some have revamped their image to draw in different crowds, the few hardy stalwarts are still alive and still dives. Go get lost at Sullivan’s Tap (Map 1), Silhouette Lounge (Map 19), Punter’s Pub (Map 15), or T.C.'s Lounge (Map 5), or more upscale dives that feature live bands like the Midway Café (Map 14). While not quite dives, good local color can be absorbed at the Sligo Pub (Map 22), Beacon Hill Pub (Map 1), and The People’s Republik (Map 27).
Live Music
For such a small city, Boston has a thriving live music scene, its local community of musicians nurturing each other and able to get lots of exposure in a wide array of venues. The Cars, The Pixies, Jonathan Richman, J. Geils, Guster, and Aerosmith are just a few decent names to come out of this town. On the flip side you can thank Beantown for torturing us with New Kids on the Block in the ‘80s and on behalf of all Bostonians we apologize for their recent reunion tour. Whether you’re in the mood for rock, blues, roots, punk, folk, rockabilly, jazz, or yes, even bluegrass, somebody in Boston is playing it. If you’re looking for country music—Rhode Island is south of here. Go find it.
While huge national acts play at the Garden and Comcast Center, many also opt for smaller venues like the 2,800-seat Orpheum Theater for its great acoustics. Berklee College has graduated the likes of Branford Marsalis, Quincy Jones, and Diana Krall, and at its Berklee Performance Center (www.berkleebpc.com, 617-747-2261) you can catch performances by big names and famous alumni or cheap concerts by teachers and students. Who knows? You may be watching the next John Mayer. Another place to catch national acts in a club atmosphere is the relatively new and incredibly awesome House of Blues (Map 16) that has eaten the club corpses of Axis and Avalon. If it’s summer, the best venue in all of Beantown is the Bank of America Pavillion (Map 11) right on the waterfront.
For jazz, you can grab dinner and a show at the classy Regattabar (Map 20) or Scullers (Map 19). Both in Cambridge, they host world-class performers. If you’re on a budget, check out smaller venues like Ryles (Map 28) in Inman Square, Good Life (Map 4) in Downtown Crossing, and Wally’s (Map 5) in the South End, a tiny neighborhood bar where you’ll sometimes find Berklee students sitting in with the evening’s combo.
Rock ‘n rollers head to Paradise Rock Club (Map 19). If the downstairs is packed, go upstairs for a bird’s-eye view of the band. If you get tired of moshing, the adjoining Paradise Lounge (Map 19) features smaller bands and food in a more relaxed setting. In Central Square, lines form out the door for T.T. the Bear’s Place (Map 27). At next door’s Middle East (Map 27), one of the coolest clubs on the planet, you can grab some grape leaves before heading to one of its three rooms of music. Harpers Ferry (Map 19) gets a good mix of rock, blues, and New Orleans funk. And if you’re pining for some old school blues and rock, head to the Cantab (Map 27) on the weekend for the still standing Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers. Smaller bars to catch a good groove include O’Brien's (Map 19), Midway Café (Map 14), PA’s Lounge (Map 24), and Great Scott (Map 19).
Folkies and singer-songwriters worship at the altar that is Club Passim (Map 20), a 40-plus-year-old landmark dedicated to promoting independent musicians. Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Muddy Waters have all graced its stage. Be warned that they do not sell drinks, just coffee, tea, and vegetarian meals. And if you’re dying to dust off that old banjo of yours, return to the Cantab (Map 27) on Tuesday nights for its bluegrass pickin’ party.
You can find reggae, hip-hop, and Afrobeat at Western Front (Map 27). Latin music and salsa dancing heat up Green Street Grill (Map 27), Mojitos Lounge (Map 3), and Milky Way Lounge (Map 14), which also hosts a popular karaoke night and skee ball.
Can’t decide what mood you’re in? For every kind of musical act, both local faves and national legends, Johnny D’s (Map 22) in Somerville reigns supreme. The Lizard Lounge (Map 20), a laid-back neighborhood hang in Cambridge, hosts an eclectic mix of music and performances seven nights a week, ranging from punk to acoustic, rock and roll, experimental, and poetry slams.
Many pubs and bars feature local bands or musicians, often for free or a minimal cover charge. It’s a great way to get to know the scene. Check weekly listings for schedules. Some worth paying a visit to are The Plough & Stars (Map 27), Sally O’Brien’s (Map 24), and Atwood’s Tavern (Map 28). Probably the best of these is Toad (Map 23). The room is small, and you usually have to sneak past the bass player to get to the bathroom, but the wide variety and high quality of bands make this a popular gathering place.
Clubs
That sound of hundreds of club kids crying out in frustration and pain is because the once proud Landsdowne Street club Avalon is no more. Tequila Rain (Map 16) (maybe the worst new business name in Boston), tries to pick up the slack but you’re now better off heading towards downtown. Central Boston has a smaller clusters of clubs in the Theater District (such as Venu (Map 3)), around Faneuil Hall (such as Parris (Map 2)), and in Downtown Crossing (the self-important Felt (Map 3) or the salsa heaven Mojitos Lounge (Map 3)). Even the Leather District is joining the fray with District (Map 4). If you’re in Cambridge, check out Phoenix Landing (Map 27), on Saturday for a hilarious ‘80s night. Jacque’s (Map 3) is Boston’s oldest drag club, with shows on most nights. Many clubs have 18+ nights and gay nights, so check their schedules.
Karaoke
Everyone’s got that one friend who cannot get enough of singing in front of complete strangers, and Boston provides quite well for them and their entourages. For the truly diehard fanatics, there are a few notable venues for you to prove your vocal mettle. Limelight Stage and Studio (Map 3) applies pitch correction technology so you can finally nail that high note from Don’t Stop Believing in front of a large crowd or in a private studio. Other worthy spots include the college-oriented An Tua Nua (Map 16), after-work Elephant & Castle (Map 4), Harvard Square’s Tommy Doyle’s (Map 20), and the touristy Purple Shamrock (Map 2).
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Posted By:
Charlie O'Brien
Photo:
Charlie O'Brien
J.J. Foley's
JJ Foley's is the oldest, continually family run Irish bar in the city of Boston. It was here almost 100 years ago that the Boston Police decided to unionize. Although there are 2 locations throughout the city (with the other location in between the Financial District and Chinatown), this bar has retained it's character and personality through the revamp of the South End. Don't be fooled by the fact that they now serve food and have a restaurant (with great pub grub) attached to the bar. You'll still find a variety of people huddled up to the bar ranging from young and swanky, to old and toothless. Whether you are one of the ol' regulars that has been a patron for 50 years, or a new addition to the South End, JJ Foley's promises to deliver one of the best dive bar experiences around.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Posted By:
Emily Doutre
Photo:
Emily Doutre
Lord Hobo
I'm ashamed to admit, I never had a chance to visit the fabled B-Side Lounge before it closed its doors last year (nevermind that I lived in Inman Square. I said NEVERMIND!). But its recently opened replacement, Lord Hobo, has got to be an adequate proxy at the least. I know it's not the cheapest place and the long, high top tables aren't always the greatest if you don't want to be social with strangers and yes, it does get crowded and loud, but that's only because it's so awesome, everyone wants a piece! And the beer list seems to have been plucked from my very dreams: Green Flash, a long list of Belgians, Founder's Breakfast Stout (perhaps the Holy Grail of beers!), and 27 other beer snob-approved brews. The booze list could stand on its own as damn near perfect (along side the 39 wines and 24 cocktails), but as if it were not enough, the fries--your choice of truffle, curry, or gravy--are fabulous and this Lord Hobo sure does know his way around a cheese plate--a nice surprise coming from a hobo. I know LH has some big shoes to fill from B-Side, but I think it has succeeded. It just doesn't wear sneakers anymore.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Posted By:
Emily Doutre
Photo:
Emily Doutre
Delux Café
Delux Cafe has been the best kept secret in the South End for years. With great food on a menu that rotates every 8 weeks, awesome music, low, low prices, and an old school ambiance (wood paneling covered in old record albums, Elvis memorabilia, and other assorted chotchkies; ladies room covered with pages from the children’s book Eloise), this place is like a mirage in comparison to its location, especially in terms of price. But recently I saw a blurb about Delux on the Phantom Gourmet and my first thought was, "Shit. They know." The fact is, it's not a very large space and now that Phantom went and told all the yuppies, it's only a matter of time before it becomes the "in thing" and all the tables are taken up by a bunch of squares in suits. The only thing that might stave them off is Delux's cash only policy. Just in case, my fellow hipster, I suggest you head down there right now and eat up the delicious Blueberry cobbler before the turf war begins.
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Posted By:
Patrick Hellen
Photo:
Patrick Hellen
The Happy Swallow
When you grow up with a Grandfather from Ireland, you tend to have a different view of Pubs than the average American kid. For example, I used to spend many a Saturday popping into the Happy Swallow in Framingham to play the various arcade and pinball games they had while my Grandpa grabbed a beer, chatted with the regulars, and watched whatever game happened to be on. I still go, and it's still a great quiet pub 364 days out of the year. That other day? We call it the Boston Marathon.
The Happy Swallow sits right along the Marathon route, so it always fills up to the gills with people excited to see the runners pass by 10 feet from their local watering hole. The best part is that as the race day wears on, the runners start coming in, to grab a beer in some cases, and to use the bathrooms in others.
If you're in Framingham, and you're looking for a casual relaxed bar, with darts, pinball, and a amazingly friendly group of pub goers, you'll do no better. Tell them I sent you, and a relative of mine just might buy you a beer. Mayyyybe.
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
Posted By:
Emily Doutre
Photo:
Emily Doutre
The Milky Way
Ladies and germs, it is my sad duty to report to you my prediction that the new incarnation of The Milky Way is not long for this world. I wanted to love it, really. When The Milky Way closed its Centre Street location earlier this year and said they were ditching the candlepin bowling for skee ball, I was fully ready to embrace it. But my heart broke when I checked out their new digs at the Brewery Complex. First of all, there was ONE skee ball alley (the old location had TEN bowling lanes). And the skee balls kept getting stuck, and a few times it neglected to acknowledge my earned points. The dance floor was still there, though unimpressive and small compared to its earlier counterpart. The Bella Luna dining aspect consisted of 95% two-person tables, which can be a problem if there are four of you. And despite the overabundance of wait staff, they weren't very productive. In its current state, I can't say the Milky Way has any saving grace that separates it from the 10,000 carbon copies in this city. And the impending Pac-Man/Galaga game isn't going to keep the ship from going down.
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