Temple Records ★ 4.5
$$$beacon-hill{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '17:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:00', 'thursday': '17:00-00:00', 'friday': '17:00-01:00', 'saturday': '17:00-01:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
Temple Records on Temple Place runs a Japanese-style listening bar inspired by 1950s Tokyo rooms. A bartender-curated vinyl programme of jazz, Japanese pop and ambient runs over izakaya snacks.
Tip: Whiskey cocktails are the order. Reserve via the website for the listening counter; the front bar takes walk-ins.
State Park ★ 4.3
$$cambridge{'monday': '16:00-01:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-01:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-01:00', 'thursday': '16:00-01:00', 'friday': '16:00-02:00', 'saturday': '10:00-02:00', 'sunday': '10:00-23:00'}
State Park in Kendall Square is the Big Dipper Hospitality basement bar with shuffleboard, a deep jukebox and vinyl-only DJ sets three weekends a month including Cafeteria and Soulelujah residencies.
Tip: Soulelujah DJ night is the marquee Saturday. Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10:00; bar runs to 02:00 Friday and Saturday.
Bleacher Bar ★ 4.0
$$kenmore-fenway{'monday': '11:30-00:00', 'tuesday': '11:30-00:00', 'wednesday': '11:30-00:00', 'thursday': '11:30-00:00', 'friday': '11:30-02:00', 'saturday': '11:30-02:00', 'sunday': '11:30-22:00'}
Bleacher Bar on Lansdowne Street sits beneath the Fenway Park bleachers with a one-way garage-door window straight onto centre field. Burger and beer menu runs to midnight on weekdays, 02:00 on weekends.
Tip: Game-day window seats book by lottery on the website. Off-day walk-ins are easy; arrive 30 minutes before first pitch for the field view.
The Tam ★ 4.3
$beacon-hill{'monday': '10:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '10:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '10:00-02:00', 'thursday': '10:00-02:00', 'friday': '10:00-02:00', 'saturday': '11:00-02:00', 'sunday': '11:00-02:00'}
The Tam on Tremont Street is the Theater District Irish dive with a cheap pour, a long bar, an unmovable jukebox and a 02:00 close every night of the week.
Tip: $4 well drinks before 21:00 most weeknights. Cash gets the friendlier nod; the back of the bar holds the regular crowd.
Highland Kitchen ★ 4.5
$$somerville{'monday': '17:00-01:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-01:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-01:00', 'thursday': '17:00-01:00', 'friday': '17:00-01:00', 'saturday': '17:00-01:00', 'sunday': '17:00-01:00'}
Highland Kitchen on Highland Avenue has poured craft cocktails and Southern-leaning American comfort food in Somerville since 2007. Upscale dive feel, no reservations, a killer jukebox and a 01:00 last call.
Tip: Kitchen closes 22:00, bar runs to 01:00. Mai Tai is the canonical order; the back booth fills first on weekends.
Charlie's Kitchen ★ 4.2
$cambridge{'monday': '11:00-01:00', 'tuesday': '11:00-01:00', 'wednesday': '11:00-01:00', 'thursday': '11:00-02:00', 'friday': '11:00-02:00', 'saturday': '11:00-02:00', 'sunday': '11:00-01:00'}
Charlie's Kitchen on Eliot Street has run a Harvard Square dive since 1951. Diner-counter cheeseburgers downstairs, college bar upstairs and a beer garden out the back. Cheap, dark and unbothered.
Tip: Double cheeseburger and a tall PBR is the order. Upstairs bar runs late; the beer garden opens spring through autumn.