5 Great Boston Bars and 5 Different Reasons Why We Love Them
Alibi Lounge at The Liberty Hotel
215 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(857) 241-1144
Hours: Daily 5pm-2:30am
website
Located in the Liberty Hotel, Alibi pays homage to the hotel's history, as it was previously a jail. Step inside this cool lounge bar and you see black & white, framed mug shots of such infamous celebrities as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Al Pacino. With jail bars separate the seating area from the bar area, it's an atmosphere unlike any other, that you soon won't forget.
Drink
348 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-1236
(617) 695-1806
Hours: Sun-Sat 4pm -1am
website
One of Barbara Lynch's three locations on Congress Street (the other two being Menton and Sportello), Drink is quite inconspicuously located in the basement, underground level of its sister restaurant Sportello. Just a simple black and white sign reading Drink alerts the visitor of where to enter. Despite its name, Drink has no real "drink" menu, but is known for it's inventive, fresh cocktails made by the bartenders, who are better called mixologists. Simply tell the mixologist how you are feeling, what type of liquor and/or flavor(s) you like, and he or she will whip up a curiously strong, unique drink especially for you. The bar also makes it's own ginger beer and various bitters. When ordering it's tough to not be tempted to include in your beverage the fruit or ingredient of the day that they are juicing or mixing up behind the bar.
Tasca
1612 Commonwealth Ave
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 730-8002
Hours: Sun 4pm -11pm; Mon – Thurs 5pm – 11pm; Fri-Sat 5pm – 12am
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Go to Tasca in Brighton for the quaint, authentic Spanish atmosphere and stay for the most delicious homemade sangria in the city. The list of tapas options is long and fulfills any desire for vegetables, chicken, or beef. Most are perfect to share 3-4 or order 2 plates just for yourself and indulge. On Mondays at 6:30 and 8:30 PM, the restaurant has a flamenco dancing group come in with a live show, including a singer and guitar player. This is a must for anyone who wants to enjoy the Spanish flavor in our very own city!
Sunset Grill & Tap
130 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-1331
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-1am; Sun 11am-1am
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Don't be deterred by the Sunset Grill & Tap's location near Boston University, as while the crowd is typically college students to mid-twenty something's, Sunset is a must visit for any beer lover. With over 100 beers on top (the largest in New England) and 300+ microbrews, you will find the best and most unique local and international beers. Don't believe me? Check out the full beer menu on their website. If tequila is more your thing, visit Sunset's sister restaurant Sunset Cantina just a mile down on Commonwealth Avenue, which boasts over 100 tequilas.
Ristorante Fiore
250 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 371-1176
website
Most native Bostonians and tourists alike visit the North End for the best, most authentic Italian feast and treats. Hanover Street bustles at all hours with noise of the city and smells of the "ristoranti". What you may not know is that there is an oasis amongst the strip at Ristorante Fiore -- a roof deck that mimics a cafe straight out of Italy. Here you can enjoy a quiet, more intimate alfresco dining experience that is not street-side patio seating, and with views of downtown. The deck has a full bar, including the infamous pineapple-infused vodka.
Jaime is a twenty-something blogger living, working, & shopping in Boston. Interested in all thing things stylish whether it be the latest fashion trend on the runways to the newest decor featured in home magazines, she blogs all about it, and tidbits of her life, at La vie…J'aime. Follow her on Twitter and Pinterest, as well.
