Nighttime activities in Boston

[Deni81]

Well I am flying up to Boston next week for a few days to meet with my graduate school advisor, start looking at apartments, etc. I only know one person up there, one of my old college roommates. We are probably going to grab dinner one of the nights, but otherwise i am on my own. I've been to Boston before, but this is my first time traveling alone. So to the Boston OLC folks, do you have any suggestions for restaurants, bars or general nighttime entertainment?

[Ciderhillnh]

GOod Life by Downtown crossing nice vodka bar downstairs and a great lounge upstairs really easy people that are down to earth and will speak to others outside their group

Beantown pub....great for billiards and a large crowd

If you want more sports stuff I suggest Jillians they have several floors bowling, billiards, sports on large screens, bars and the basement is dancing.

If you want more tailored suggestions, PM me Ill be happy to help.

[Empressallie]

The fanieul hall area is packed with bars (and college students...). The BackBay has some places frequented by a more professional crowd (Parrish, Flash's). The North End has great food and there is always someone interesting at the restaurant bar to chat with.

[emmyb]

I lived in Boston for four years. Great place! There is a great bar in Downtown Crossing called JJ Foley's on Kingston Street, right across the street from the Good Life. The bartenders are super friendly and there is a wide variety of people there. As someone else suggested, the North End is also a great stop. There is this cute cafe called Cafe Graffitti where you can get coffee, dessert, drinks. It's fun for people watching when the weather is warmer.

Lots of good restaurants, depending upon what you want. Harvard Square in Cambridge is also a good area to check out with some good restaurants. Not sure if you are into seeing live bands but there is a club in Central Square in Cambridge (not sure where you are staying but it is on the red line or the #1 bus) called the Middle East which usually has some really good bands playing.

Feel free to pm me. Where are you staying? What kinds of things do you like to do (seeing bands, music, dancing, etc)?

[meatwad]

I lived in Boston for four years. Great place! There is a great bar in Downtown Crossing called JJ Foley's on Kingston Street, right across the street from the Good Life. The bartenders are super friendly and there is a wide variety of people there. As someone else suggested, the North End is also a great stop. There is this cute cafe called Cafe Graffitti where you can get coffee, dessert, drinks. It's fun for people watching when the weather is warmer.

Lots of good restaurants, depending upon what you want. Harvard Square in Cambridge is also a good area to check out with some good restaurants. Not sure if you are into seeing live bands but there is a club in Central Square in Cambridge (not sure where you are staying but it is on the red line or the #1 bus) called the Middle East which usually has some really good bands playing.

Feel free to pm me. Where are you staying? What kinds of things do you like to do (seeing bands, music, dancing, etc)?

I've never been there, but Middle East is a really popular place to catch a band.

[yankeeyosh]

Oh, boston, boston, boston. I've seen a lot in this town over the last year.

I suggest checking out the Faneuil Hall area...such as Qunicy Market. Good restaurants there. Downtown Crossing is OK, but it closes down early (you will find out quickly that Mass. isn't exactly known for keeping late hours). The North End has some great Italian places, although they tend to be a bit expensive. The Back Bay has some trendy restaurants. There are a few exotic restaurants I've tried scattered about...like Afghani (Helmand at Cambridgeside), Peruvian (Macchu Picchu at Union Square in Somerville), Ethiopian (Addis Red Sea at Tremont Street in the South End - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), etc.

You might also want to consider crossing into Cambridge (my favorite boston town), and check out Harvard Square or Cambridgeside. Cambridgeside has the aforementioned Helmand, as well as other good places. One place at Harvard Square I recommend is the Hong Kong...it's actually a Chinese restaurant AND comedy club rolled into one.

When are you going to be in boston? Maybe we could meet up at some point...PM me if you're interested.

[Deni81]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate the suggestions. I'll be staying in the Back Bay/Copley square area which i stayed in last year and found to be quite convenient.

I love places with live music, good drinks and not too upscale of an attitude. Here in Orlando a lot of the places downtown are into the trendy, snobby, fake south beach vibe. I can't stand that.

I loved Cambridge when I visited last April. I only spent time during the daytime. I'll have to see about checking out its nightime offerings. When I am not at my grad school stuff during the day I want to do the Fenway Park tour. Anyone done it?? I'm looking forward to seeing a game there when I move.

I'm excited about getting there on Monday. I couldn't help but really like Boston area, liked it so much i am moving to the state in the fall.

[yankeeyosh]

I loved Cambridge when I visited last April. I only spent time during the daytime. I'll have to see about checking out its nightime offerings. When I am not at my grad school stuff during the day I want to do the Fenway Park tour. Anyone done it?? I'm looking forward to seeing a game there when I move.


I am doing the Fenway Pahk tour at the end of the month. I will shut up while in attendance...

[TinyDancer]

Awwww. . . I miss Boston!

I went back ~a month ago and we went to a restaurant in the North End called "Dolce Vita." I love the North End. . . and I've always had good food there. . . but nothing that memorable. "Dolce Vita" was memorable. We all had awesome food, and they had a guy playing the guitar and another guy playing the accordion that come around and play for everyone. At one point, a Boston police officer joined in singing with them and EVERYONE in the restaurant was clapping, singing, waving their napkins, etc. SO MUCH FUN. My face hurt from smiling all night.

This was on a Friday night though. . . not sure what it's like during the week. . .

I've been to a ton of bars there. . . and I remember the name of. . . none of them. I just know where they are kinda sorta. . .

Fun city!

[Empressallie]

La Dolce Vita is SO MUCH FUN!!! The owner there stands outside and says "If you don't love the food, you don't pay for it!". Of course everyone loves the food. The waiters are hot, the busboys adorable, they give you a wonderful bowl of mixed olives and at the end I got a hug from the old man.

It's the first (open windowed) restaurant on your right as you walk down hanover street. You should definetely check it out!

[TinyDancer]

at the end I got a hug from the old man.
Damn. . . I only got a kiss on the hand! ;):

Thanks for pointing out where it was! I couldn't even remember. . . all I know is that it was so cold that night that my friends and I were trying to find the closest place to eat from where our car was parked!