The best bars & nightlife in Waltham

21 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Nightlife · 21 places · showing the latest additions first

Clerys

Nightlife

Clerys 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…

113 Dartmouth St (Boston)

“Clerys 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 drink, or even a bigger gathering. Put it on the weeknight rotation and let the catch ups take care of themselves.”

From the Boston newsletter, August 4, 2026

Paddy's Public House

Nightlife

Paddy’s Public House has that easy, everyone-knows-someone vibe plus the practical stuff Newton folks love like online ordering, e-gift…

95 Elm St (Newton)

“Paddy’s Public House has that easy, everyone-knows-someone vibe plus the practical stuff Newton folks love like online ordering, e-gift cards, and catering for when the crew descends. Pull up with friends this week, share plates, tell tall tales, and remember why the neighborhood pub always hits right.”

From the Newton newsletter, August 4, 2026

Moon Bar

Nightlife

Sophisticated outpost offering a range of seafood dishes, global wines & draft brews.

129 Columbus Ave First Floor (Boston)

“Sophisticated outpost offering a range of seafood dishes, global wines & draft brews.”

Carrie Nation Cocktail Club

Nightlife

A swanky 1920s-inspired setting, including a separate lounge, for upscale New England fare & drinks.

11 Beacon St (Boston)

“A swanky 1920s-inspired setting, including a separate lounge, for upscale New England fare & drinks.”

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Tommy Doyle's

Nightlife

Part of a local chain of Irish bars with traditional pub fare, regular live music & a trivia night.

349 Watertown St #1329 (Newton)

“Part of a local chain of Irish bars with traditional pub fare, regular live music & a trivia night.”

Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen

Nightlife

Creative wine program offering tastes to full bottles with small plates & entrees in a modern space.

581 Washington St (Boston)

“Creative wine program offering tastes to full bottles with small plates & entrees in a modern space.”

haley.henry

Nightlife

Stylish, intimate wine bar with light menu of cheese, crudo & imported varieties of tinned fish.

45 Province St (Boston)

“Stylish, intimate wine bar with light menu of cheese, crudo & imported varieties of tinned fish.”

Rose - International Tapas & Bar

Nightlife

Romantic spot serving tapas including ceviche and tacos alongside craft cocktails and beer.

397A Chelsea St (Boston)

“Romantic spot serving tapas including ceviche and tacos alongside craft cocktails and beer.”

nathálie

Nightlife

Small production & natural wines served with elevated light fare in a buzzy, stylish setting.

186 Brookline Ave (Boston)

“Small production & natural wines served with elevated light fare in a buzzy, stylish setting.”

Brewer's Tap & Table

Nightlife

Farm-to-table fare in an industrial-chic setting with an extensive local craft beer list.

256 Moody St

“Farm-to-table fare in an industrial-chic setting with an extensive local craft beer list.”

Thistle & Leek

Nightlife

Cozy gastropub serving American small plates ranging from steak tartare to octopus and spicy curry lamb meatballs.

105 Union St (Newton)

“Cozy gastropub serving American small plates ranging from steak tartare to octopus and spicy curry lamb meatballs.”

Barcelona Wine Bar

Nightlife

Extensive array of Spanish-centric small plates & wine in an intimate setting; open late nights.

525 Tremont St (Boston)

“Extensive array of Spanish-centric small plates & wine in an intimate setting; open late nights.”

The Cherry Tree

Nightlife

Colorful sports bar offering straightforward pub fare & a patio, plus trivia nights & karaoke.

1349 Washington St (Newton)

“Colorful sports bar offering straightforward pub fare & a patio, plus trivia nights & karaoke.”

Gray's Hall

Nightlife

Casual restaurant featuring burgers and veggie plates, along with a wine list focused on natural varieties.

615 E Broadway (Boston)

“Casual restaurant featuring burgers and veggie plates, along with a wine list focused on natural varieties.”

Krasi

Nightlife

Cool destination supplying contemporary Greek specialties & wines in industrial-chic surroundings.

48 Gloucester St (Boston)

“Cool destination supplying contemporary Greek specialties & wines in industrial-chic surroundings.”

The Dooliner Irish Pub and Restaurant

Nightlife

Eatery featuring traditional staples like shepherd's pie and fish 'n' chips, along with burgers and beer.

7 West St (Newton)

“Eatery featuring traditional staples like shepherd's pie and fish 'n' chips, along with burgers and beer.”

City Winery Boston

Nightlife

Wine bar with Mediterranean eats, plus an on-site winery, retail shop & acclaimed live music space.

80 Beverly St (Boston)

“Wine bar with Mediterranean eats, plus an on-site winery, retail shop & acclaimed live music space.”

Next Door Speakeasy

Nightlife

Dimly lit, cozy speakeasy, specializing in imaginative cocktails and fresh seafood dishes.

103 Porter St (Boston)

“Dimly lit, cozy speakeasy, specializing in imaginative cocktails and fresh seafood dishes.”

Democracy Brewing

Nightlife

Flights & pints of housemade beers, plus casual bites, in a vaulted room with a cozy, historic vibe.

35 Temple Pl (Boston)

“Flights & pints of housemade beers, plus casual bites, in a vaulted room with a cozy, historic vibe.”

jm Curley

Nightlife

Eatery specializing in innovative American comfort food, also serving beer, boozy shakes & drinks.

21 Temple Pl (Boston)

“Eatery specializing in innovative American comfort food, also serving beer, boozy shakes & drinks.”

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