Cocktail barBeer hall$$$seaport-fort-pointMon-Thu 12:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
Harpoon Brewery's Beer Hall on Northern Avenue in Boston's Seaport has poured pints since 1986. Located in Seaport Fort Point. Order the harpoon ipa.
Signature drink: Harpoon IPA
Food: Beer hall pretzel and brats
Tip: Saturday tour at 13:00 includes the full brewery and four pours. The hot pretzel is the kitchen signature.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$beacon-hillDaily 17:00-02:00
The Wig Shop has run a speakeasy-style cocktail bar behind a fake wig-shop storefront on Temple Place in Downtown Boston since 2019. 1940s magazine-ad decor.
Signature drink: Absinthe Sazerac
Food: Snacks and bar bites
Tip: Find the unmarked door inside the wig storefront.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$somervilleTue-Sun 17:00-23:15, closed Monday
Backbar in Union Square Somerville has poured artful cocktails behind an unmarked door in Boston since 2011. Order the greek mastiha milk punch.
Signature drink: Greek mastiha milk punch
Food: Snacks
Tip: Walk-in only, no reservations. Last call 23:15. Order from the staff-pick chalkboard for the best off-menu drink.
Cocktail barSports bar$$$kenmore-fenwayMon-Thu 11:30-24:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-02:00, Sun 11:30-22:00
Bleacher Bar on Lansdowne Street sits beneath the centre-field bleachers at Fenway Park in Boston's Kenmore Square since 2008. Located in Kenmore Fenway.
Signature drink: Pint of Sam Adams Boston Lager
Food: Pub food and burgers
Tip: Reservations on the website during Sox games; arrive 2 hours before first pitch. The garage-door window opens onto the field on rainouts.
Cocktail barTapas bar$$$south-endMon-Sat 17:00-23:00, closed Sunday
Julio de Haro's Estragon on Harrison Avenue has poured Spanish gin-tonics and tapas in Boston's South End since 2008. Boston Magazine Best of Boston 2023.
Signature drink: Spanish gin and tonic with juniper
Food: Spanish tapas
Tip: Happy hour 17:00-19:00 weekdays runs half-price tapas. The lounge is the walk-in seat; book the dining room for parties.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$beacon-hillSun-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00
Yvonne's reopened the historic Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in Downtown Boston in 2015 as a modern supper club. Order the aviation cocktail.
Signature drink: Aviation cocktail
Food: Globe-trotting small plates
Tip: The library room is the quiet cocktail seat. Sunday and Monday nights are the easy walk-in slots.