Boston bars are in the middle of a craft cocktail renaissance. With adventurous mixologists concocting their own bitters and infusions to create unique and delicious drinks, it’s easy to say that we are living in the golden age of the cocktail. So, whether you like your favorite drink shaken or stirred, muddled or blended, on the rocks (hand-chipped ice, of course) or neat, these fantastic Boston-area bars and their talented and creative bartenders will be sure to satisfy even the most discerning cocktail aficionado.
Top Cocktail Bars in the Boston Area
The Hawthorne – Kenmore Square
The Hawthorne
Hotel Commonwealth has two killer cocktail joints under its one roof – The Hawthorne and Eastern Standard. The Hawthorne is a swanky hideaway with cosy chairs and glamorous chaise lounges, plus a top notch drink list featuring cocktails such as Paper Plane, a refreshing concoction of bourbon, bitters, and lemon. Or get a little wild and order the Electric Boomerang Banana – a big blue blended drink made of white rum, creme de banana, and blue curacao. They also offer fantastic bar food and a really luxe vibe.
Eastern Standard – Kenmore Square
Eastern Standard
Stepping into the Eastern Standard feels like you’ve walked into a fabulous Parisian brasserie. It’s a beautiful space with a sprawling 46-foot-long white marble bar, high ceilings, red leather banquettes, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. They have a fabulous beer and wine list, and a whole host of sumptuous cocktails. Many of their drinks have a long fabled history, like their Rum Milk Punch – a blend of dairy and liquor that dates back centuries. They make theirs with a chai-tea infusion, banana, and citrus. Or pretend you’re Ernest Hemingway and down a – a daiquiri made with rum, lime, vermouth, cacao, and grenadine, that Hemingway used to live on while in Cuba. Boston Magazine named their Negroni and Pisco Sour as two of their favorite cocktails in the city.
Drink – Fort Point
Drink
Named the World’s Best Cocktail Bar at the 2013 Spirited Awards, this Fort Point craft cocktail heaven has a dazzling reputation that stretches far beyond Boston. The bar is part of star chef Barbara Lynch’s gaggle of beloved destination restaurants, including No.9 Park, B&G Oysters, and The Butcher Shop. Don’t come expecting the expected. Drink doesn’t have set cocktail menu. The top-tier bartenders encourage patrons to tell them what you like – sweet, bitter, sour, spicy – and what spirits you prefer, and they’ll create a bespoke cocktail that will knock your socks off. Not great at describing what you’re in the mood for? Boston Magazine recommends asking for a Whiskey Smash. Drink offers great food like a daily selection of house made charcuterie and steak tartare served on brioche topped off with truffle aioli and cornmeal fried egg yolk. They also have a wonderfully curated wine and beer menu. They also have Tiki Sundays on the second Sunday of every month starting at 4pm.
Wink & Nod – South End
Wink & Nod
Wink & Nod runs a scratch bar, where they prepare cordials, fresh juices, and infusions in-house, from scratch, on a daily basis. They have a fantastic cocktail menu with such standouts as the refreshing Indian Summer made of Nolet’s Silver Gin, St. Germain, Grapefruit, and house-made Ginger Beer. Or try the Scofflaw, made up of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Cocchi Americano, House Grenadine, Lemon, and Lemon Oil. Or for those seeking something more exotic, they offer a tiki drinks like the brilliantly named Grab a Zombie & Twist, a deadly concoction of dark rum, spiced rum, Amaro Nonino, Agwa de Bolivia, pineapple, and house falernum (a sweet syrup used in the Caribbean and tropical drinks).
Wink & Nod also has a “culinary incubator program” where, every 6 months, they bring on a new chef to run their kitchen. The current resident is chef Patrick Enage whose menu is heavily influenced by the cuisine from his native Philippines but, according to Boston Magazine, the menu also “includes flavors and ingredients from across the region, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Laos.” So take a culinary trip through Asia by sampling some mouthwatering options like Shrimp Bao Bun in a Curried-Mussel Liqueur and Prawns with Squid Ink Lo Mein in a Khmer Red Curry Broth.
Deep Ellum – Allston
Deep Ellum
Named by Boston Magazine as the perfect place for a “great late-night hang,” this lively bar has a fantastic, laid back scene full of 20-somethings, students, and the after-work crowd. Though they are widely known for their beer menu (they made Draft Magazine’s top 100 beer bars list in 2015), Deep Ellum also has an extraordinary selection of cocktails. They have seven different takes on the Manhattan, a classic cocktail made up of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Or try something more out-of-this-world like the Oaxacan Dead, their take on the tiki drink the Zombie, but made with Mezcal. They also have a great menu of comfort foods. They were, after all, named Boston Magazine’s favorite restaurant in Allston in 2013. Don’t miss out on the poutine, the soft pretzels with beer cheese, and the buffalo chicken wings. Deep Ellum is also one of the city’s most popular brunch spots – served from 11-4:00 PM during the weekdays and 10-4:00 PM on the weekend.
Take advantage of all Boston has to offer by living right in the heart of the action. Our Boston agents have fantastic exclusive listings throughout the city. Go to our website to look at the wonderful properties that are currently available or call 617.262.1414 to speak with one of our agents.