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The Brass Menagerie

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Brass Union

Brass Union
70 Union Sq.,
Somerville, MA
(617) 623-9211
www.brassunion.com

As Shakespeare predicted about 400 years ago, now is the winter of our discontent. Of course by "now" we don't mean 2014, we mean the summer; when road trips, beach weekends and constantly losing our sunglasses make us feel like kids again.

Throw in our favorite childhood pastime (arcade games), and our favorite adult pastime (drinking), and you've got Brass Union, a brand-new Union Square joint (formerly The Precinct, and, before that, the Somerville police headquarters) that combines an upscale, old-school New York-style tavern, complete with brass accents and dark wood finishes, with a funky, interactive back lounge dressed in leather sofas and antique-style chairs, and featuring shuffleboard, board games and a tabletop gaming system that includes PAC-MAN, Donkey Kong, Frogger and more.

More: Bostons Best Bars with Board Games

The fun isn't limited to the great indoors, however, with a summer-essential patio housing oversized Jenga and Connect Four as well as cornhole. Of course setting new high scores is bound to work up a hearty thirst, something Brass Union is awfully prepared to deal with, thanks to 24 beers on tap and creative cocktails incorporating house-made syrups and sodas like the Green Line Extension (Bulleit bourbon, brandy, green chartreuse, bitters) and Rum & Smoke (Bully Boy Aged rum, house smoked lime juice, Orgeat, Gingiva).

More: E.S.P. Eat. See. Play. Boston

When your thirst turns to hunger, Executive Chef and Cordon Bleu graduate Jonathan Kopacz has crafted a very adult menu with American-style small plates like mackerel crudo, spicy shrimp in lemon garlic sauce and chicken liver mousse, plus main courses like lobster pappardelle and steak frites (an equally impressive brunch menu establishes Kopacz as a dual-threat).

Gourmet food, carefully crafted, cocktails, arcade games and patio fun? Let the games begin.

By Jesse Husid

Jesse Husid writes and edits E.S.P. Eat. See. Play. lifestyle content for CBS Boston.
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