Whether you prefer brews, bubbles, wines, or whiskeys, there’s a bar for you in the City on a Hill. After all, "Cheers" was set in Boston for a reason.
LessThere are almost as many seats at the bar as there are rotating draft beers at the Bowery Bar. This local favorite in Dorchester’s Lower Mill neighborhood is perhaps most famous for its winning outdoor dining space, with tables, lounge couches, and seating at an open-air bar. But the vast whiskey program here is also noteworthy. The wine list showcases varieties meant to complement executive chef Dan Davis’s seasonally rotating menu.
Despite its intimate interiors, Krasi boasts one of the largest Greek wine lists in America, thanks to sommelier and wine director Evan Turner, who lived in Thessaloniki as a teen. Diners will find varieties from Liatiko to Savatiano, with a selection that showcases bottles from protected destination of origin areas, along with rare grapes.
Hop on the Orange Line and make your way to this laidback restaurant and cafe for a carefully curated international wine list. The vino pairs well with a chef’s choice tasting experience, drummed up by co-chefs Jeremy Kean and Philip Kruta (formerly of Boston favorites No. 9 Park and L’Espalier, respectively). Though the two have a fine-dining foundation, Brassica offers a more easygoing experience with creative locally sourced fare and cocktails.
If you’re craving a beer and burger, look no further than jm Curley, one of the city’s few late-night bastions of brews and bites—the kitchen is open until 1:30 am daily. While the pub vibe—exposed brick, a concrete bar top, and original wooden floors—is classic Boston, what’s on draft is always fresh and funky. The selection of local draft beers flowing from ten taps varies by season, as do fun cocktails by bar manager Oscar Simoza.
Beacon Hill is notoriously staid, but you wouldn’t know it stepping into Roxanne’s. Despite being just a stone’s throw from the State House, the lounge has a playful Oz-like vibe with vibrantly patterned wallpaper, textured banquettes, and a back-lit bar that makes the liquor bottles glitter. The focus is on craft cocktails with a menu that’s a passport stamper—rum from the Caribbean, tequilas evoking Mexico, and the aptly named In Tokyo, featuring vodka, matcha, vanilla, and fresh cream.
Boston is renowned for its Irish heritage and pubs. But the Haven stands out for being the city’s only Scottish bar and restaurant—and an ideal spot to watch Premier League Football. The Haven’s menu is all about Old Word-inspired specialties such as Scotch eggs, haggis ravioli, and Scottish salmon. To wash it all down, there’s a robust list of independent and top-shelf whiskeys, which diners can learn more about during Thursday DRAMnights with owner Jason Waddleton.
The dining room and menu at Troquet on South evoke a Parisian bistro, so it’s no surprise that the drinks follow suit. Bubbles lovers can rejoice, thanks to a hearty selection of by-the-glass Champagnes. Owner Chris Campbell is also the lead sommelier, and oversees what he’s dubbed “the grain and grape experience,” encouraging guests to pull up a barstool and stay awhile. Troquet’s extensive wine list includes varietals from France, where Campbell lived for almost three years.
Hue has quickly become one of the city’s must-visit haunts for cocktail connoisseurs since opening in spring 2023. There’s dinner and a show here in more ways than one, as bartenders stir up foamy and smoky cocktails across the three separate concepts that include the airy Rose Bar, an intimate supper club, and a secluded speakeasy with nightly music. Locally themed drinks, such as the Tea Party or the Huntington are on offer alongside globally accented plates.
Although Carrie Nation is one of the few places in Boston that offers wine by the carafe—a happy medium between a glass and bottle—there’s nothing middling about this sexy speakeasy. A visit here is like stepping back in time, which makes a signature old fashioned a logical choice. Beyond that, there’s an indulgence for every taste, including a refreshing southern mint tea with bourbon, lemon, honey, and iced tea. Don’t miss the pool tables, nestled in the back.
Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Scelfo gives Boston foodies serious bragging rights, thanks in no small part to this iconic bar. Nestled on top of Alden and Harlow, his Harvard Square dining institution, the Longfellow features elegant bar bites meant for sharing and pairing. The cocktail list is as stunning as the bar’s cathedral ceilings and Carrara marble bar top. Standouts include rum-based drinks such as the Control, with corn liqueur, smoked pineapple, and lemon.