The best bars & nightlife in Boston
137 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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PJ Ryan's
NightlifeIrish pub featuring craft beer, whiskey & bar fare, along with an outdoor patio & sports watching.
PJ Ryan's
NightlifeShine Square Pub
NightlifeLively hangout featuring lots of TVs for sports plus bar games & casual American pub fare.
Shine Square Pub
NightlifeConley's Pub & Grille
NightlifePub grub & plenty of beers on tap are offered at this casual, Irish-style tavern with sports on TV.
Conley's Pub & Grille
NightlifeMcCarthy's & Toad
NightlifeSnug neighborhood hideaway offering suds, burgers & nightly live music to a hipster crowd.
McCarthy's & Toad
NightlifeHalfway Cafe
NightlifeLocal restaurant & bar chain serving American comfort food, burgers & pub grub in a casual space.
Halfway Cafe
NightlifeThe Burren
NightlifeFriendly, down-to-earth Irish pub offering live music, dancing & an ample menu of beer & pub eats.
The Burren
NightlifeCorrib Pub & Restaurant
NightlifeCorrib Pub & Restaurant has been serving Boston since 1988 with the kind of friendly, no fuss vibe that turns a quick pint into a lingering…
Corrib Pub & Restaurant
NightlifeGinger Exchange - Watertown
NightlifeFashionable outpost featuring a variety of classic Pan-Asian fare, sushi & cocktails.
Ginger Exchange - Watertown
Nightlife90+ Cellars
Nightlife90+ Cellars partners with highly acclaimed wineries across the globe to bring reliably tasty bottles without the fancy winery markup, from…
90+ Cellars
NightlifeBirdie Bar
NightlifeBirdie Bar is Waltham’s neighborhood indoor golf hangout with high-quality simulators, a full bar, and pizza to keep the round going. Sneak…
Birdie Bar
NightlifeJoe Sent Me
NightlifeSpeakeasy-themed neighborhood bar with beer, pub grub, trivia nights, games on TV & sidewalk tables.
Joe Sent Me
NightlifeMenotomy Grill & Tavern
NightlifeMenotomy Grill & Tavern leans into Arlington’s Revolutionary roots with a cozy floor-to-ceiling hearth, daily blackboard specials, and…
Menotomy Grill & Tavern
NightlifeCigar and Lounge
NightlifeRelaxed cigar lounge boasting a well-stocked humidor, leather couches & a large TV, plus free WiFi.
Cigar and Lounge
NightlifeFoundry On Elm
NightlifeTrendy brasserie-style gastropub for refined pub eats, craft beer & whiskey-centric spirit list.
Foundry On Elm
NightlifeChulo Restaurant & Bar
NightlifeBright restaurant with wood floor focused on Nepali & Indian food, serving lunch & dinner.
Chulo Restaurant & Bar
NightlifeThe Rockwell
NightlifePlays, concerts & comedy shows are presented at this comfortable 150-seat theater with a small bar.
The Rockwell
NightlifeSix Twenty-One Tavern & Grill
NightlifeLaid-back sports bar offers a varied menu of pub grub along with well drinks, beers & plenty of TVs.
Six Twenty-One Tavern & Grill
NightlifeDistrict Kitchen
NightlifeSleek, contemporary setting for creative Chinese fusion eats including vegan options plus cocktails.
District Kitchen
NightlifeMcGonagle’s Pub & Restaurant
NightlifeMcGonagle’s Pub & Restaurant pours the kind of pint that makes you text a friend, thanks to Irish-grade beer systems and a team that treats…
McGonagle’s Pub & Restaurant
NightlifeBoston Winery
NightlifeBoston Winery brings three generations of winemaking to guided tastings and food-and-wine pairings, crafting honest wines from premium…
Boston Winery
Nightlife3 Amigos Bar & Grill
NightlifeThe food & drink of Jalisco in Mexico is celebrated at this lively lounge for eating & relaxing.
3 Amigos Bar & Grill
NightlifeLower Mills Tavern
NightlifeCreative spins on American pub plates in a comfy spot with whiskey & frequent live music.
Lower Mills Tavern
NightlifeBoston Harbor Distillery
NightlifeAmerican-style spirits are crafted in a 19th-century waterfront warehouse with a tasting room.
Boston Harbor Distillery
NightlifeHugh O'Neill's Restaurant & Pub
NightlifeGame-watching, trivia nights plus occasional DJ tunes & live music are all on tap at this Irish pub.
Hugh O'Neill's Restaurant & Pub
NightlifeTirrell Room
NightlifeTirrell Room is a polished spot for weddings and big family moments, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Blue Hills and a photogenic…
Tirrell Room
NightlifeThe Crossing 9's
NightlifeThe Crossing 9's is Granite Links’ seasonal patio bar serving lunch, dinner and cocktails, perfect for a casual meet-up after a round or…
The Crossing 9's
NightlifeT'ahpas 529 Restaurant
NightlifeA menu featuring classic Spanish tapas & family-style dishes in a modern setting with a full bar.
T'ahpas 529 Restaurant
NightlifeThe Heights Pub
NightlifeThe Heights Pub keeps Arlington Heights happily fed with out-of-this-world, made-to-order pub fare, lots of beers on tap, and daily…
The Heights Pub
NightlifeChattermark Distillers
NightlifeChattermark Distillers is Boston’s Whiskey House, a veteran owned operation making every drop from scratch with locally sourced New England…
Chattermark Distillers
NightlifeRenegade's Pub
NightlifeRenegade's Pub is the East Boston spot locals sneak to when they want drafts brewed within 200 miles, a serious whiskey lineup, and pub…
Renegade's Pub
NightlifeKelley Square Pub
NightlifeKelley Square Pub is that friendly, no-fuss spot for Italian-American classics and legit house barbecue, from ribs and chicken with their…
Kelley Square Pub
NightlifeEtnias Bar & Grill
NightlifeCasual restaurant and bar serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
Etnias Bar & Grill
Nightlife8/10 Bar & Grille
NightlifeItalian eatery serving heaping plates of homemade favorites with wine in a casual, cozy setting.
8/10 Bar & Grille
NightlifeCunard Tavern
NightlifeHistoric East Boston space offering American plates with global style, craft beers & water views.
Cunard Tavern
NightlifeThe Quiet Few
NightlifeCozy, down-to-earth bar boasting a long drinks menu of whiskeys plus cocktails.
The Quiet Few
NightlifeThe Layover
NightlifeThe Layover is East Boston’s lush little escape with tiki cocktails, panoramic harbor views, and a walk-up window pouring craft beer and…
The Layover
NightlifePier 6
NightlifeThis casual seafood spot on the waterfront boasts a roof deck & a post-dinner singles scene.
Pier 6
NightlifeStewarts Pub
NightlifeA quick hop from Revere, Stewart's Pub brings Irish roots to a no-frills neighborhood spot with proper pints, homemade pub eats, a jukebox…
Stewarts Pub
NightlifeFaces Brewing Co.
NightlifeFaces Brewing Co. pours fresh house beer and keeps the vibe lively with a concert and events calendar that actually gives you a reason to…
Faces Brewing Co.
NightlifePearl Street Station Restaurant
NightlifeA renovated Boston & Maine railroad station houses this eatery & sports bar with a diverse menu.
Pearl Street Station Restaurant
NightlifeHook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
NightlifeCajun restaurant and bar serving seafood boils and other comfort food items in a down-home setting.
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
NightlifeValsos Table and Bar
NightlifeValsos Table and Bar mixes Latin zest, Italian comfort, and American cravings into plates like panko-crusted haddock, churrasco, and a…
Valsos Table and Bar
NightlifeMission Beach House Bar & Grill - Revere nails that local sweet spot, with elevated but unpretentious plates, cocktails built on fresh,…
Caffe dello Sport Eastie
NightlifeWhen you want real-deal espresso, flaky pastries, panini, gelato, and a screen showing soccer from pretty much everywhere, Caffe dello…
Caffe dello Sport Eastie
NightlifeEasy Pie Revere
NightlifeFrom Big Mac inspired MacDaddy to build-your-own combos on house-made dough, Easy Pie Revere leans into hand-stretched pies with creative…
Easy Pie Revere
NightlifeTryst
NightlifeIts name is the menu theme at this bistro offering New American plates, sleek digs & a popular bar.
Tryst
NightlifeBistro 5
NightlifeWest Medford’s Bistro 5 has an Heirloom Tomato Tasting and a Dine Out Boston 2026 menu, which basically means peak-summer flavors without…
Bistro 5
NightlifeArlington Brewing Company
NightlifeArlington Brewing Company is brewing community favorites, from Bike Path Pale Ale with Arlington-grown hops to Trafford Pub Ale, a World…
Arlington Brewing Company
NightlifeMedford Brewing Company
NightlifeMedford Brewing Company keeps it local and lively with approachable, tasty beers, Sunday Run meetups welcoming all paces, prize-hungry…
Medford Brewing Company
NightlifeAcitrón
NightlifeAcitrón keeps Arlington Center happily fed with family recipes done from scratch, bright salsas, and creative takes on classics. Settle in…
Acitrón
NightlifeLamplighter Brewing Co. - Broadway
NightlifeLamplighter Brewing Co. - Broadway keeps Cambridge happily hydrated with inventive pours like Birds of a Feather, Lamp Pils, and Tropic of…
Lamplighter Brewing Co. - Broadway
NightlifeDorchester Brewing Company
NightlifeDorchester Brewing Company pairs fresh pints with Boston’s Best View, plus cocktails and wine, smoky eats from M&M BBQ, and the…
Dorchester Brewing Company
NightlifeDistraction Brewing Co.
NightlifeDistraction Brewing Co. is where Boston locals duck out for fresh pours, a full tap list you can browse, upcoming events, and a taproom…
Distraction Brewing Co.
NightlifeParla
NightlifeParla is a speakeasy-inspired North End gem where Italian small plates meet wildly inventive drinks, from riffed-on classics to originals…
Parla
NightlifeTwisted Fate brewing Suffolk Downs
NightlifeTwisted Fate Brewing is pouring a fun mix right now, from crisp German pils and an easygoing kölsch to juicy New England IPAs like Paul…
Twisted Fate brewing Suffolk Downs
NightlifeThe Koji Club
NightlifeCasual bar for sake tastings, as well as small bites and Japanese whiskey, plus friendly service.
The Koji Club
NightlifeShay's Pub & Wine Bar
NightlifeLongtime garden-level pub serving Tex-Mex, sandwiches, plus beer & wine in cozy digs with a patio.
Shay's Pub & Wine Bar
NightlifeOFFSUIT
NightlifeOffsuit keeps it intimate and unpretentious with albums spinning, no password, no dress code, and cocktails that are anything but boring.…
OFFSUIT
NightlifeC-Side Bar
NightlifeThe menu at C-Side Bar swings from a juicy C-Side Sling to a seasonally tweaked Sunset Negroni, with Miami Vice and Papa Don't Peach…
C-Side Bar
NightlifeTavern of Tales: Café & Bar
NightlifeTavern of Tales: Café & Bar is that polished neighborhood spot where classic sandwiches and cocktails meet a legit board game stash. Grab…
Tavern of Tales: Café & Bar
NightlifeNotch Brewery & Tap Room - Brighton
NightlifeCasual brewhouse featuring a sprawling beer garden, plus pizza & samosa food trucks.
Notch Brewery & Tap Room - Brighton
NightlifeEqual Measure
NightlifeEqual Measure nails that sweet spot between adventurous and familiar, pouring culinary-minded, seasonal, sustainable cocktails over a back…
Equal Measure
NightlifeAvery Bar
NightlifeAvery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston serves craft cocktails and shareable plates in a warm, refined lobby lounge. When your week needs a…
Avery Bar
NightlifeSpoke Wine Bar
NightlifeNew England plates pair with an extensive old-world wine list in intimate digs with limited seating.
Spoke Wine Bar
NightlifeGrafton Street Pub & Grill
NightlifeStylish yet relaxed gastropub serving upscale comfort food, cocktails & a robust craft brew list.
Grafton Street Pub & Grill
NightlifeWicked Craft Co.
NightlifeWicked Craft Co. nails the sweet spot between chill hangout and late-night energy, with sandwiches, crafty cocktails, and cold beers in a…
Wicked Craft Co.
NightlifeWoody's Parkway Pub
NightlifeWoody's Parkway Pub is the kinda Everett sports bar that feels like your buddy’s living room, only with better wings, steak tips, tacos,…
Woody's Parkway Pub
NightlifeFarmacia
NightlifeStylish, intimate bar serving creative cocktails, snacks, and small dishes.
Farmacia
NightlifeFelipe's Taqueria
NightlifeCraving something fresh, fast, and friendly this week? Felipe's Taqueria wood-grills chicken, steak, and veggies over maple, oak, and…
Felipe's Taqueria
NightlifeBarlette
NightlifeBarlette is a tiny cocktail bar where you pick the base spirit and they build a seasonally inspired, classic-leaning drink around it, all…
Barlette
NightlifeIdle Hands Craft Ales
NightlifeFor a low-key pint that actually tastes like it cares, Idle Hands Craft Ales pours everything from Four Seam New England Style IPA to…
Idle Hands Craft Ales
NightlifeLittle Donkey
NightlifeChef-driven spot with cool vibe serving international small plates, plus craft brews & cocktails.
Little Donkey
NightlifeZUSAMMEN
NightlifeFrom the Momma's Grocery + Wine crew, Zusammen is a queer wine bar built for lingering chats, thoughtful pours, and the occasional live…
ZUSAMMEN
NightlifeTrillium - Fort Point
NightlifeTrillium - Fort Point keeps things easy with draft pours, a full menu, and hangouts across the taproom, roof deck, and patio. Bonus points…
Trillium - Fort Point
NightlifeDrawdown Brewing
NightlifeDrawdown Brewing keeps things easy for a local pint: a cozy taproom with fresh beer, low-key vibes, and a calendar full of happenings. They…
Drawdown Brewing
NightlifeSaloon
NightlifeRefined, speakeasy-style pub known for its beer & whiskey options also serves elevated bistro eats.
Saloon
NightlifeBrick & Mortar
NightlifeMixologists star at this hidden cocktail joint with an array of creative drinks in a sleek space.
Brick & Mortar
NightlifeMecha Noodle Bar
NightlifeMecha Noodle Bar does the kind of Asian comfort food that hits on a Tuesday, with rich ramen, soothing pho, fluffy bao, and cocktails that…
Mecha Noodle Bar
NightlifeMighty Squirrel Taproom & Kitchen
NightlifeMighty Squirrel Taproom & Kitchen drops juicy house brews, a legit kitchen, and even coffee bars with breakfast, so you can roll from latte…
Mighty Squirrel Taproom & Kitchen
NightlifeNight Shift Brewing - Lovejoy Wharf
NightlifeRelaxed venue for craft beers on-tap, pizza and gourmet sandwiches, plus outdoor seating.
Night Shift Brewing - Lovejoy Wharf
NightlifeLamplighter Brewing Co. - CX
NightlifeLamplighter Brewing Co. - CX pours Cambridge-born creativity with standouts like Birds of a Feather hazy IPA, Lamp Pils, and seasonal…
Lamplighter Brewing Co. - CX
NightlifeExtra Dirty Cocktail Club
NightlifeThink progressive cocktail tasting meets full dinner, curated start to finish. Extra Dirty Cocktail Club runs pre-paid, all-inclusive…
Extra Dirty Cocktail Club
NightlifeFool's Errand
NightlifeThink of Fool's Errand as Chef Tiffani Faison's playful, adult snack bar, where inventive cocktails meet indulgent bites and the whole…
Fool's Errand
NightlifeNight Shift Brewing - Everett
NightlifeJust down the road, Night Shift Brewing - Everett pours hop-forward favorites, limited test batches, and seasonal releases alongside hard…
Night Shift Brewing - Everett
NightlifePuritan Oyster Bar
NightlifeChic oyster bar and restaurant with seafood dishes, small plates, tacos and wine.
Puritan Oyster Bar
NightlifeColorful eatery (plus patio), serving small plates, including tapas and flan at lunch and dinner.
Backbar
NightlifeHip haunt serving eclectic bar snacks along with creative cocktails in a street art–adorned space.
Backbar
NightlifeDear Annie
NightlifeDear Annie is pivoting to a private, bespoke events space devoted to exceptional wine and hospitality, reopening in early September. Spend…
Dear Annie
NightlifeWhether you’re craving a dialed-in coffee, crispy pint, or a real-deal cocktail, Satellite - Craft Beer, Coffee & Cocktails Served with…
The Independent
NightlifeOver in Union Square, The Independent keeps things interesting with oysters, refined bites, and a rotating seasonal menu. The bar leans…
The Independent
NightlifeRemnant Brewing - Taproom, Cafe, and Smiles. has been brewing in Union Square since 2018, now with a Satellite spot in East Cambridge for…
Zuzu's Petals
NightlifeWine bar specializing in desserts as well as other snacks, plus vinyl records.
Zuzu's Petals
NightlifeNook
NightlifeIf this week calls for well-made cocktails and a deep bench of spirits, Nook has you covered with a wide, curated back bar. Slide in, chat…
Nook
NightlifeAeronaut Brewing Company
NightlifeBuzzy brewery/taproom offering craft suds to beer fans, along with live music & board games.
Aeronaut Brewing Company
NightlifeToca Chida Casa Sociale
NightlifeCraving a laid-back spot with real-deal flavor, Toca Chida Casa Sociale brings playful Latin plates, street tacos, and tableside guac…
Toca Chida Casa Sociale
NightlifeCafé Saint-Germain
NightlifeHop over to nearby Somerville for Café Saint-Germain, a cozy French spot doing buttery croissants, rich coffee, and real-deal comfort like…
Café Saint-Germain
NightlifeRebel Rebel
NightlifeTrendy wine bar in Bow Market spotlighting natural wines and featuring a patio.
Rebel Rebel
NightlifeTall Order
NightlifeCasual spot for craft cocktails and American bites like burgers, pasta, and steak.
Tall Order
NightlifeKowloon Restaurant
NightlifeSprawling landmark since 1950 offering Asian meals, mai tais & comedy amid kitschy Polynesian decor.
Kowloon Restaurant
NightlifeThe Substation
NightlifeCoworking space with a beer hall, also hosting private events and live performances.
The Substation
NightlifeChili's Grill & Bar
NightlifeFamily-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.
Chili's Grill & Bar
NightlifeMIXX 360 Nightlife
NightlifeEnergetic nightclub hosting local bands & DJs, with a dance floor & attached bowling alley.
MIXX 360 Nightlife
NightlifeChelsea Station Restaurant Bar & Lounge makes a beautifully converted horse and carriage firehouse your go-to for modern American plates,…
Kowloon Tiki
NightlifeKowloon Tiki brings the legendary Kowloon vibe right to Revere Beach with tropical cocktails, Asian-inspired favorites, and live DJs,…
Kowloon Tiki
NightlifeWusong Road Tiki Bar
NightlifeNew England and Asian fusion fare served alongside handcrafted tiki cocktails in a tropical setting.
Wusong Road Tiki Bar
NightlifeThe Great American Beer Hall
NightlifeThe Great American Beer Hall nails the trifecta of fresh beer, live entertainment, and crowd-pleasing eats, from gourmet pizzas to juicy…
The Great American Beer Hall
NightlifePuritan & Company
NightlifePuritan & Company leans modern American with classic New England vibes, from a legit brunch to the Puritan Oyster Bar for slurp-worthy…
Puritan & Company
NightlifeClerys
NightlifeClerys is that easy yes when the group chat asks where to meet, a one stop destination in the historic South End for a quick bite, a quick…
Clerys
NightlifeBarcelona Wine Bar
NightlifeExtensive array of Spanish-centric small plates & wine in an intimate setting; open late-nights.
Barcelona Wine Bar
NightlifeMoon Bar
NightlifeWhen you want Mooncusser-level flavor without the whole tasting-menu commitment, Moon Bar brings bright, globally inspired seafood plates,…
Moon Bar
NightlifeCarrie Nation Cocktail Club
NightlifeIf you crave a little Gatsby with your night out, Carrie Nation Cocktail Club nails the 1920s lounge feel, separate lounge and all, with…
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club
NightlifeBuff's Pub
NightlifeSince 1976, Buff's Pub has been Newton Corner’s go-to for legit Buffalo wings in a dozen sauces, cold beer, and Boston sports vibes. Local…
Buff's Pub
NightlifeBrick & Beam
NightlifeCraving an easy win this week? Brick & Beam is serving classic American comfort with casual elegance, from loaded tot skillets and Asian…
Brick & Beam
NightlifeBlossom Bar at Sichuan Garden
NightlifeWhen a weeknight needs upgrading, Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden brings dialed in drinks and punchy Sichuan plates that actually taste like…
Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden
NightlifeTommy Doyle's
NightlifeWhen you need proper pub comfort and a night that plans itself, Tommy Doyle's in Newton delivers scratch-made, Irish-inspired classics like…
Tommy Doyle's
NightlifeSip Wine Bar and Kitchen
NightlifeIf your group ranges from just a taste to bring the bottle, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen nails it with a creative wine program, thoughtful…
Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen
Nightlifehaley.henry
NightlifeDowntown Crossing’s Haley.Henry, a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Wine Program, pours thoughtful, small-production wines…
haley.henry
NightlifeDotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar
NightlifeDotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar nails that sweet spot where a legit raw bar, craveable burgers, and clever cocktails plus a solid wine list all…
Dotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar
NightlifeRose - International Tapas & Bar
NightlifeWhen you want a romantic spot with legit craft cocktails, Rose - International Tapas & Bar brings Eastie energy with international tapas…
Rose - International Tapas & Bar
NightlifeTres Gatos
NightlifeWhether you need midweek plans or a lazy night treat, Tres Gatos brings Spanish-inspired tapas built for sharing, friendly vibes, and…
Tres Gatos
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