The 5 Best Bars & Nightlife in Boston

Backbar is a hidden gem tucked behind a laundromat in Union Square, offering some of the most creative and well-executed cocktails in the Boston area at surprisingly reasonable prices. The intimate space has a neighborhood-local feel with knowledgeable, unpretentious bartenders. It's small and fills up fast, so arrive early or expect a wait. A true insider favorite that rewards those who seek it out.

Brick & Mortar is a dimly lit, intimate cocktail bar in Central Square that has been a Cambridge institution for serious cocktail drinkers. The bartenders are skilled and passionate, the menu rotates seasonally, and the atmosphere is genuinely cool without being pretentious. It's small and fills up quickly, so arrive before 9pm if you want a seat. One of the best cocktail bars in the greater Boston area.

Lone Star is a beloved Allston institution combining excellent frozen margaritas and agave-forward cocktails with a lively, unpretentious dive-bar energy. The frozen drinks are genuinely some of the best in the city, and the crowd is young, fun, and local. It gets extremely loud and packed on weekends, so go early or embrace the chaos. A quintessential Boston neighborhood bar experience.

Parlor Sports is a lively Inman Square sports bar that manages to be genuinely fun without feeling like a chain, with a strong local beer selection and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can watch a game, meet regulars, and feel like you've found a real Boston bar. Gets very loud during big games, and parking in Inman Square is a challenge. A Cambridge neighborhood staple worth knowing.

A sports bar tucked under Fenway Park's center-field bleachers, with a garage-door window looking straight onto the field. Fun for the novelty and a pre-game beer, but food is average and it's mobbed on game days. Go off-peak.