If you’re into exploring bars in cities like me, I got you! While I love exploring by foot, checking out museums, enjoying nature in the parks and eating at high-end restaurant, there’s nothing like a good conversation with a friend at a lively bar.
Boston has some pretty specific liquor laws, but that doesn’t stop locals and tourists alike from experiencing its bar scene. There are plenty of bars scattered throughout the city, including cocktail lounges, Irish pubs, wine bars, dive bars, drag clubs, and more.
Boston is one of my favorite places to visit, especially in the fall. From my experience, here are the coolest, must see bars to visit for a drink in Boston.
20 Must See Bars In Boston
Hecate
You’ll have a hard time finding a bar more unique than Hecate, at least in the Boston area. This other-worldly speakeasy is also one of the most exclusive bars in the city – it only seats 20 at a time (no standing room allowed) and usually fills up as soon as it opens at 6pm. If you’re not one of the lucky 20, don’t worry, there’s a waitlist. But you can count on that filling quickly too.
Before you can attempt to claim one of the coveted seats at the bar, you have to actually find the place. In the alleyway off Gloucester Street there is only one clue to the entrance of Hecate: the bar’s logo.
The bartender at Hecate serves intriguing cocktails that are mixed with unique yet surprisingly flavorful ingredients, like elderflower and Tropi-Cola.
Hecate is open Wednesday-Saturday 6pm to 1am. Click here for directions.
Bar Pallino
Bar Pallino is located in the basement of Faccia a Faccia, so it’s a great place to check out before sitting down for dinner. But it’s also a worthwhile destination all on its own.
Bar Pallino was inspired by modern Paris wine bars and it has the dark and cozy vibe to match. There are over 70 wines on their list, and if you have trouble deciding which to select, the bartender is eager to help. You can also go for one of several varieties of vermouths, mezcals, and amaros.
Bar Pallino is open Tuesday-Saturday 5pm to midnight. Click here for directions.
Drink
Drink is consistently recognized as one of the best bars in the country, so you can bet it’s one of the must-sees in Boston. When you visit this popular Fort Point establishment, you can expect a unique, individualized experience. You won’t find a single menu or drink list to order from. Instead, you’ll share your preferences with one of the master bartenders, who will then create an extraordinary, custom cocktail just for you to enjoy. How cool?
If that all seems like a bit too much, Drink also offers a collection of red, white, and sparkling wines, as well as plenty of craft beer.
Drink is open Wednesday-Saturday 5pm to 1am and Sunday 5pm to 11pm. Click here for directions.
Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar
Next Door is one of the newer gems to join the Boston bar scene. This speakeasy quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors, mostly due to its borderline theatrical presentation of numerous intriguing cocktails.
You can find the entrance to Next Door tucked behind Pazza on Porter, but you’ll need to know the secret code to get in. You’ll also need to dress up a bit. Athleticwear and beachwear like flip flops and tank tops aren’t allowed. Neither are baseball caps or hats. But this is one place worth getting dolled up for.
Next Door is open Thursday-Sunday 5pm to 2am. Click here for directions.
Baldwin & Sons Trading Co.
Baldwin & Sons is an award-winning lounge known for its elegant, dimly-lit library theme and delightful experimental drinks. You can find it on the 2nd floor of the Baldwin Mansion, a gorgeously designed structure that also houses Sichuan Garden II and The Baldwin Bar.
If you’re lucky enough to score a table (you’ll need to make a reservation in advance), you can indulge in some of the best Chinese food you’ve ever had, while sipping on an aesthetically pleasing cocktail.
The Baldwin & Sons Trading Co. is open Thursday-Sunday beginning at 5pm. Click here for directions.
Parlor Sports
In a city like Boston, a good sports bar is a must. Parlor Sports is frequently recognized as the best bar in Boston to watch sports. There are nearly a dozen TVs in the space, which isn’t all that spacious to begin with. But even when the bar is packed to capacity, you can still enjoy a decent view of whatever game (or games) are on the big screens.
Best of all, you’ll be surrounded by sports fans like yourself. So you can feel right at home as you enjoy a drink, some delicious bar food, and one of the most entertaining atmospheres in the city of Boston.
Parlor Sports is open Monday-Friday 6pm to 1 am, Saturday 12pm to 1am, and Sunday 11am to 1am. Click here for directions.
New Republik
New Republik is a watering hole in Inman Square that opened when The People’s Republik, an iconic Soviet-themed bar in Cambridge, closed in 2021. The bar’s manager wasn’t willing to give up on the establishment, which had been in business for two decades before COVID forced its doors closed. So, he teamed up with a fellow employee to open New Republik, which took both half the name and half the decorations from the original bar to the new location.
It was a risky but lucrative move, as New Republik is now one of the best bars in the city. People come from all over to enjoy the laid back vibe. And while you won’t find live music or gimmicky theme nights at New Republik, you will find a community of friendly faces just looking to have a good time.
New Republik is open Sunday-Wednesday noon to 1am, Thursday-Friday noon to 2am, and Saturday 11am to 2am. Click here for directions.
Trina’s Starlite Lounge
Also in Inman Square is Trina’s Starlite Lounge, one of the most popular hangout spots in the area and one that frequently graces the top of Boston’s best bars lists.
Trina’s Starlite Lounge opened in 2009 and has since become a Cambridge hotspot for tasty comfort food and strong mixed drinks. This is the place to go if you prefer a laid back vibe and classic drinks. No trend-setting cocktails here, but you really can’t beat the classics anyway!
Trina’s Starlite Lounge is open Sunday-Thursday 5pm to 1am and Friday-Saturday 5pm to 2am. Click here for directions.
Backbar
Meanwhile in Union Square, you’ll find Backbar, a staple that has been a Boston favorite for more than a decade. Backbar is an elusive hangout spot situated in Somerville between Bronwyn and the Independent. It’s a relatively low-key establishment, but it keeps things exciting by frequently changing its themed drink menu.
Right now at Backbar, a holiday-themed pop-up, Maccabee Bar, is serving cocktails celebrating Hanukkah.
Backbar is open Tuesday-Sunday 5pm to 12am. Click here for directions.
The Burren
The Burren is frequently included on lists of the best Irish pubs in America. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular bars in the area, partly due to nearby Tufts University.
You’ll find both locals and tourists enjoying the archetypal Irish ambience, complete with Irish sessions, during the day. Then, once the sun goes down, The Burren is usually packed with Tufts students who come for good drinks, loud live music, and a good time.
The Burren is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am to 1am, Friday 11:30am to 2am, Saturday 10am to 2am, and Sunday 10am to 1am. Click here for directions.
The Druid
For nights when The Burren is too packed for your taste, there’s another Irish pub just a short drive away. The Druid is one of the more authentic Irish pubs in the Boston area. The bar hosts traditional Irish sessions three times a week. Stop by during one of the sessions to enjoy the live music while you sip on Guiness and chow down on some Irish classics and pub food. It’s the place to go for a taste of Ireland in the center of Inman Square.
The Druid is open Monday-Friday from 12pm to 2am and Saturday-Sunday 11am to 2am. Click here for directions.
Bleacher Bar
Sports fans go nuts for Bleacher Bar, which is fantastically located beneath the centerfield bleachers in Fenway Park, just a few feet away from Ted Williams Red Seat. Patrons can enjoy delicious food and drinks with an excellent view of the park.
You can bet that Bleacher Bar is packed when the Red Sox are in town. But it’s a cool place that is worth seeing any time of year.
The Bleacher Bar is open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 am to 12am, Friday-Saturday 11:30 am to 2am, and Sunday 11:30am to 10pm. Click here for directions.
Shore Leave
Would you ever guess that you could escape to a tropical paradise without ever leaving Boston? Thanks to Shore Leave, a watering hole in South End, you can.
Shore Leave is a bar adorned with bamboo and jungle decor that offers an assortment of Tiki cocktails. If you enjoy fruity craft cocktails, you can order a classic like a Mai Tai, or you can try one of the bartender’s more creative mixed drinks. Regardless of what you’re sipping on, the vibe of this bar is one you have to experience for yourself.
The bar at Shore Leave is open Sunday-Wednesday from 5pm to midnight and Thursday-Saturday from 5pm to 1am. Click here for directions.
Brick & Mortar
Brick & Mortar is a spacious, speakeasy-style, brick-walled bar in Cambridge that is consistently named one of the best bars in Boston. They offer delectable bar snacks, like stuffed roasted wrapped dates and east coast oysters. But it’s the drinks that keep bringing people back. The small plates and mixed drinks are created using seasonal ingredients and locally-made spirits, and each one is as delicious as the last.
Brick & Mortar is open Monday-Wednesday 5pm to 12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm to 1am. Click here for directions.
PKL
Calling PKL a sports bar feels like a disservice–it’s so much more than that. In fact, PKL seems to have it all. The five pickleball courts are the main attraction, but the ginormous space also includes two bars and dining areas, a lounge area next to each court, and a separate lounge area away from the courts, aptly named The Faded Monkey Lounge. There’s also two shuffleboard courts and a cornhole area.
PKL is truly one of a kind. Locals and tourists alike are itching to experience it for themselves, so reservations are recommended.
PKL is open Monday-Wednesday 4pm to 10pm, Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday 12pm to 12am, Saturday 11am to 12am, and Sunday 11am to 10pm. Click here for directions.
Bubble Bath
Bubble Bath is a fun Champagne and wine bar that pairs each drink with a gourmet hot dog and popcorn. It’s unexpected, but that’s the point. Once you land a spot at the 13-seat bar, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted it.
Bubble Bath has a Champagne forward menu, as well as a wine list that includes red, white, and rosé wines. While you’re there, consider taking advantage of the beverage concierge. The wine shoppe at Bubble Bath has a few bottles from their private collection.
Bubble Bath is open Monday-Wednesday from 2pm to 9pm and Thursday-Saturday from 11am to 11pm. Click here for directions.
Bully Boy Tasting Room
When Bully Boy opened in 2011, it made history as Boston’s first craft distillery. You can go on a tour of the facility, then stop by The Tasting Room for some of the most delicious handcrafted cocktails.
At The Tasting Room, you can try a Bully Boy spirit by ordering one of the seasonal cocktails on their rotating menu. Each drink is made with fresh juices, local ingredients, and house-made tinctures.
The Tasting Room at Bully Boy is open Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Friday 5pm to 11pm, Saturday 1pm to 11pm, and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Click here for directions.
Rebel Rebel
It’s normal to have high expectations for a place named after a Bowie song. Fortunately, Rebel Rebel has repeatedly gone above and beyond expectations, and continues to be recognized as one of the best bars in Boston. But Rebel Rebel isn’t your average bar.
The Bow Market establishment in Somerville was a finalist in the Outstanding Wine Program category of the James Beard Foundation Awards. It was well deserved recognition for a bar that highlights lesser-known natural wines. From the minute you sit down at this intimate spot, you’ll be compelled to learn more about the unique offerings on display. All you’re asked to bring with you is an open mind.
Rebel Rebel is open Monday-Thursday from 4pm to midnight and Friday-Sunday from noon to midnight. Click here for directions.
Haley.henry
Haley.henry is a charming Downtown Crossing wine bar with an impressive selection of mostly old-world wines. This casual joint was named a 2020 James Beard Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Wine Program. It’s a casual spot, but a popular one, where you can enjoy charcuterie, tinned fish, and a refreshing glass of wine.
Haley.henry is open Tuesday-Thursday from 3pm to 11pm, Friday from 3pm to 12am, and Saturday from 12pm to 12am. Click here for directions.
The Bell In Hand Tavern
The Bell in Hand Tavern opened in 1795, which makes it the oldest continuously operating pub in America. It’s now a downtown icon that welcomes patrons who want good food, cold drinks, and a laid back, no-frills atmosphere. Weekends are a bit more upbeat, with live music and DJ.
The Bell in Hand Tavern is open Monday-Sunday from 11am to 2am. Click here for directions.
Despite strict liquor laws, Boston is home to some of the best bars in the country.
Have you visited any of the bars mentioned above? Or maybe there’s a place that you think should’ve been included. Tell me about it. I’d love to hear from you!
Planning your next getaway? If you’re interested in reading more about places that are worth visiting, check out my blog.