Best Bars In Boston

Photo Credit: Courtesy of F1® Arcade

Boston’s bar scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, offering everything from historic elegance to modern flair. Whether you’re sipping a handcrafted gin cocktail by a roaring fireplace, exploring a Japanese-inspired listening bar, or indulging in a gaming experience while enjoying cocktail artistry, here are the best cocktail bars in Boston to try now.

Photo Credit: OAK Long Bar + KitchenOAK Long Bar + Kitchen
Set within the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is a sophisticated destination for expertly crafted cocktails and an upscale dining experience. Cozy up a tufted leather bar stool by a roaring fireplace to indulge in a refreshing seasonal beverage such as the ‘Winter Smash’ infused with Maker’s Mark, Amaro Nonino, pomegranate, and lemon juice while sharing hearth-baked bread with honey butter and lamb tartare on Francese with egg yolk jam, fried capers, golden shallots, mache, and pink peppercorn emulsion.

138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Photo Credit: Temple Records

Temple Records
Inspired by the Japanese listening bars, this 32-seat listening bar offers a unique ambiance for music lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike. Located in the Fenway area, sip on Japanese spirits in an intimate space designed for curated audio experiences, paired with artisanal drinks. Snack on grilled pork ribs seasoned with gochujang and kimchi while you try the native spirit of Japan in the ‘Stay With Me’ cocktail infused with Iichiko and cherry blossom vermouth and taste the smooth whisky of Japanese kikori in the ‘Struttin’ cocktail blended with Campari, sweet vermouth, and strawberry.

17 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111

Photo Credit: Equal Measure

Equal Measure
Situated in Boston’s vibrant South End, Equal Measure is a sleek and sexy jewel-toned cocktail bar offering flavor-packed artisanal drinks and elevated shared plates. Sip on the crisp Winter Nectar beverage, a housemade apple juice infused with Tequila Ocho Plata and winter spices. Plus! Enjoy creative concoctions including ‘Not Your Mom’s Tomato Soup’ made with The Botanist Gin, clarified tomato, onion, bell pepper, and cilantro serrano oil and ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ with tequila, Aperol, lime, turmeric honey, and carrot greens olive oil. For snacks, you’ll crave the Old Bay-seasoned potato chips with caramelized onion dip and the Valdeon stuffed Peppadews with spicy Juanita peppers, Valdeon, tarragon, and orange blossom honey.

775 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215

Photo Credit: Marcelino’s Seaport
Marcelino’s
New on the craft cocktail scene, Marcelino’s recently opened in the Seaport offering a jewel box where cocktail enthusiasts can delight in bright and earthy sips including concoctions with Sazerac rye, Maison Rouge cognac, and mushroom butter and a refreshing watermelon cocktail with tart rhubarb topped with feta foam. Pair each beverage with their savory Mediterranean fare including the Saffron squid skewers and fresh tuna tostadas.

2 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Photo Credit: Hunter’s Kitchen and Bar

Hunter’s Kitchen and Bar
Located in South Boston, Hunter’s Kitchen and Bar showcases a cabin aesthetic with a rustic interior and all the comforts of Southern hospitality. Indulge with friends on honey butter cornbread, fried pickles with buttermilk dressing, popcorn chicken with Szechuan, garlic chili crunch, and honey mustard, and smoked spicy wings with buttermilk dressing, and more. Sip on refreshing drinks such as ‘Hunter’s Ranch Water’ with Milagro Blanco, lime, and Topo Chico, ‘Triple Six Mafia’ with Ghost Tequila, pineapple, sage, and lime, and ‘Sweet Tea Old Fashioned’ with Old Forester, sweet tea syrup, and peach bitters.

110 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

Photo Credit: The Koji Club

The Koji Club
Nestled in Brighton, The Koji Club is Boston’s first sake bar specializing in Japanese sake with a curated selection of traditional and modern sake cocktails. Sample a variety of sake styles from pet-nat to warm and aged, along with Japanese classic cocktails including a Lychee Martini infused Mizu Lemongrass Shochu, clarified lychee juice, and Amabuki Gin No Kurenai Junmai Ginjo sake and a Lemon Sour, a reimagined izakaya classic. Treat yourself to caviar service with Island Creek Adamas White Sturgeon Caviar with crème fraiche, seaweed, and salt Calbee potato chips. Plus! Snack on innovative Japanese bites such as Japanese curry empanadas and toasted mochi with nori and green pepper miso.

525 Western Ave #6, Brighton, MA 02135

Photo Credit: D16

D16
Set within a historic Division 16 police station tucked away in Back Bay, walk through an alley down a backlit hidden steel staircase to enter through discreet double doors into a modern, sleek underground lounge. A custom tile floor, ribbed glass accents, historical artwork featuring criminal mugshots, and a traditional palette of colors including dark blues, browns, greens, and golds adorn this swanky art deco space filled with a 27-seat center bar with a built-in clock and private intimate booths. Imbibe with creative cocktails including the ‘Tidal Bay’ infused with Appleton Estate 12yr, absinthe, Fernet-Branca, spicy ginger, and lime, and the ‘Jail Bird’ made with Bumbu, Campari, lime, blistered red chili, and pineapple. Pair these drinks with D16’s modern American tapas such as the steak house sliders, pork bao buns, and end on a sweet note with a frozen apple crisp.

955 Boylston St Unit A, Boston, MA 02115

Photo Credit: F1® Arcade

F1® Arcade
Start your engines for a cocktail lap at F1® Arcade, a thrilling simulation racing cocktail bar offering innovative internationally inspired classic and vintage Champagne cocktails. Sip on F1-themed cocktails such as ‘Smokin’ Lap’ infused with Russell’s Single Barrel bourbon, Hardy cognac, Alpine Walnut liqueur, and Nardini Amaro, and the ‘Pole Position’ made with Hendricks gin, Crème de Cacao, bergamot, egg white, champagne, and raspberry pearls while you embark on an F1 race simulator to compete against all skill levels.

87 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, MA 02210

Photo Credit: The Dark Bar

The Dark Bar at Boston Harbor Hotel
Slip into the moody yet alluring and charming old-school bar serving a historical classic cocktail—the punch, a popular Boston cocktail from the 1670s to the 1850s. Try a variety of punches including the ‘Rum Punch’ filled with Bacardi 8-Year rum, Captain Morgan spiced rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, Angostura bitters, and the ‘Boston Punch’ with Meyer’s rum, Goslings rum, orange juice, and simple syrup. For food pairings, devour a seafood tower in classic New England style filled with fresh catch oysters, topnecks, countnecks, jumbo shrimp, and tuna poke.

70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

Photo Credit: Fool’s Errand

Fool’s Errand
Situated in Fenway nearby Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall at Fenway, this microbar offers a playful approach to drinks and snacks offering a vibrant pre- or post-game venue before a Red Sox game or concert with unique concoctions such as the ‘Kali’s Vacations’ cocktail with tequila, mango, lime, hellfire bitters, tabasco, and ginger beer and the ‘Petrichor Day Dream’ with vodka, pomegranate, apple, lemon, and allspice dream. Fool’s Errand offers gourmet small dishes including a Wagyu beef hot dog on a brioche bun, its signature French Onion dip with crudité and sourdough pretzels, a decadent caviar service with 30 grams of California white sturgeon caviar, Lays potato chips, and sour cream and chives.

1377 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Photo Credit: Fight Club Boston

Fight Club Boston
Sip while enjoying an energetic game of Social Darts® that reimagines the traditional game into a fast-paced, multi-player adventure at Fight Club Boston. Breezy tropical cocktails lead the menu including the ‘Oaxacan Seaglass’ made with green chili house-infused Banhez mezcal, lychee, lime, and ginger, and the ‘Snapdragon’ with Ketel One Grapefruit-Rose, guava, lychee, lime, and dragon fruit. Tasty shareables include lobster Elote dip, buffalo chicken sliders, mini poke tacos, and more.

60 Seaport Blvd Suite 215, Boston, MA 02210

Photo Credit: FarmaciaFarmacia 
Embark on a cocktail journey at this cozy nine-seat bar in Boston’s renowned North End neighborhood, where each season unveils a new chapter of inventive cocktails. Each chapter draws inspiration from a specific spirit or destination, crafted with locally sourced and international ingredients, while all tinctures, syrups, and cold-pressed juices are made in-house. Delight in the current chapter’s offerings, such as ‘Holidays in Oaxaca,’ which transports you to a tropical escape with Calle 23 Reposado tequila, Yuu Baal Pechuga mezcal, mole, ancho, maple syrup, and burnt orange. For a seasonal twist, savor ‘You Knew This Was Coming,’ a wintry blend of Crop Organic Vodka, Atomic Coffee liqueur, espresso, Irish cream, butterscotch, and cardamom.

5 N Square, Boston, MA 02128