99 Best Bars in Boston, Massachusetts

The name of this mega sports bar, which stays open 1½ hours after TD Garden events, pays tribute to the many Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics championship banners that are hanging from the rafters of the TD Garden right next door. From the biggest indoor LED TV screen in New England to the second-level TopGolf Swing Suites to excitable game-day crowds, everything here is supersized. The beers, burgers, and other bar classics won't disappoint.

An underground bohemian bistro featuring delicious food, libations, and live music nightly, The Beehive is nestled under the historic Cyclorama building. Nightly live music includes a mix of jazz, blues, R&B, electronica, reggae, latin, country, cabaret, and burlesque, while patrons enjoy craft cocktails and wines and dine on Mediterranean meze platters, daily special pastas, and comfort entrées. If jazz is your jam, don't miss the weekend live jazz brunch from 10 am to 3 pm (there's a 5% fee for performance time); Sunday night features blues with Bruce Bears and Friends.

Your true-emerald Irish music pub pulls in devoted locals and all fans of craic (enjoyable environment). Enthusiastic staff and professional bartenders expertly pour Guinness on tap and serve comfort food (some of the best fish-and-chips in the area, bangers and mash, Irish stew, shepherd's pie). Dark decor; a tiny, sunny, west-facing patio; an old-wood library bar; and slate specials add to the allure of live Irish music—acoustic groups—most nights in both the front and back rooms.

You can have two completely different experiences at The Fed—midweek and not. Tuesday through Thursday the "British-inspired cocktail bar with a sophisticated New England twist" tends to be absolutely jammed with nearby finance and banking workers, but over the weekend, the vibe is a bit more quiet. With low lights, leather high-top stools at the bar, and a fancy take on casual food, you'll feel like you're truly out for a night on the town. And don't forget the divine cocktails.

This excellent Downtown wine bar is small in size but big in reputation, regularly winning accolades, including another James Beard award nom for its wine program in 2024. Owner Haley Fortier and her staff will walk you through a rotating selection of natural wines from small producers, from, really, anywhere. Pair a glass with some crudo or tinned fish, but definitely make a reservation before showing up.

The shows are never the same at this popular comedy spot. The Main Stage’s new show, Stanley Mugshots, weaves audience suggestions into comic improv and topical sketches throughout the 90-minute performances held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The NXT Cast is full of new faces in Boston comedy every Sunday and Wednesday, and if you like your humor with a side of raunch, check out the Saturday midnight show for a little (okay, a lot of) adult humor. Most shows (ranging from $15 to $28) tend to sell out, so get here early or call ahead.

Family owned and operated since 1909, J. J. Foley's Cafe (or "Foley's," as regulars call it) is one of the most authentic Irish bars in Boston. There's an intimate dining room, as well as a more casual bar area where everyone from former Boston mayors to Justin Timberlake have enjoyed a pint. Better yet, it's open until 1 am. The pub food is great; order a sky-high plate of loaded nachos if you dare.

There's nothing traditional about Jacque's Cabaret, an institution for more than 60 years. Nightly drag-queen shows draw bachelorette parties and locals looking to swill cocktails from plastic cups. Be sure to make reservations if you're going in a group, and don't show up late; they may give your table away if you aren't seated before showtime. Because of a long-running licensing dispute with sleepy Bay Villagers, the whole carnival shuts down nightly at midnight.

This nightclub boasts five ever-active performance spaces and has nicely carved out its niche as one of New England's most eclectic alternative-rock venues. National and local acts vie for the large upstairs and cavernous downstairs rooms (ska band Mighty Mighty Bosstones got its start here), while intimate combos play ZuZu's, Corner, and Sonia. There are also DJs, belly dancing, folk, jazz, country rock, and dancing. Nightly shows at 8 pm usually run $15 to $55, and most are general admission--standing only. Fuel up for all the dancing at Middle East restaurant, which is only open for dinner.

For those looking to avoid Boston's ultrasceney clubs, Middlesex is a welcoming, laid-back night club for all sorts of people looking to dance the night away. A range in cover (usually around $10) kicks in for DJs spinning crowd-pleasing EDM, house, techno, and hip-hop until 2 am.

In order to score 90 minutes at a table in this exclusive bar (the waitlist to get in is booked up months in advance), you must be dressed up, charm the person guarding the door, and most important, first find the entrance—it's not obviously marked. Craft cocktails have a flair for the dramatic, made with unique premium and small-label brands, creative liqueurs, and other interesting juices, syrups, and ingredients. The food is fantastic, but secondary to the cocktails.

This stunning flagship bar in the 1912 Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel is a see-and-be-seen hot spot, with the original sky-high coffered ceilings, catbird views over Copley Square, and top-notch bartenders. Inside, coveted barstools are filled with an upscale crowd, while outside in warm weather, patrons can sit at outdoor tables while perusing a menu of signature martinis, single malts, shareable platters, and desserts. People-watch and enjoy a panorama that encompasses the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church in this historic spot.

Leather seating and dusky lighting enhance the mood at this sophisticated Waterfront bar. The cocktail menu includes a long list of punches, slings, and juleps, wines and ports by the glass, single malt scotch, and well-balanced mocktails. If you're looking to splurge, try an ounce or two of Louis XIII de Rémy Martin or a San Luis Potosi mezcal. There is a limited menu of small plates and oysters, or you can snack on the complimentary chips, olives, and nuts delivered to your table.

Lively and contemporary, Shojo puts a shine on its little corner of Chinatown. This family-owned, edgy nightspot serves imaginative Asian-inspired cocktails using ingredients like house ginger beer, sesame-infused rye, and pea sprouts. While this place is a bar, do not overlook the kitchen: chef-focused small plates put a spin on traditional Asian preparations. The bao are incredible, as is the Shojonator (order it to find out what it is!).

Tucked away on a quiet street in Fort Point, Spin offers a lively afternoon or evening filled with Ping-Pong, excellent scratch cooking (shared apps to sliders), and great cocktails (lots of nonalcoholic options available); it's 21 and over after 9 pm. Although walk-ins are welcome, reservations are highly recommended if you want to play Ping-Pong (tables are for 2--10 guests). Expect a little bit of neon signage, a little bit of graffiti, and a whole lot of people.

This place is not what you'd expect from a typical sports bar—there are no grungy booths or sticky floors. Instead, you'll find an upscale setting that's very much entrenched in the heritage of local sports, from its design and its Trophy Room (yes, with lots of trophies) to high-def TVs that encircle the main bar. It can be quiet in the afternoons, but once the evenings or weekends roll around, this place gets packed. Chilled oysters, 2 whole pounds of pork belly carnitas, and a lobster roll are just a few of the offerings. If you're a liquor lover, try the select bourbon, whiskey, or tequila on the rocks.

Spend a gorgeous summer afternoon or early evening at Trillium Brewing's seasonal beer garden, situated on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Expect a crowd—it's generally mobbed, especially considering it's both dog and kid friendly. Food trucks park nearby or you can bring in your own noshes. On tap find a rotating selection of 16 Trillium craft beers, from hoppy to sours.

A rare gem for jazz and blues fans, Wally's Café, founded in 1947, is the oldest continuously operating family-owned jazz club in America. Patrons may see nostalgic stars like Branford Marsalis or Esperanza Spalding drop by, because the place is internationally renowned for its steady stream of heated performances by local bands and guests. Wally's diverse crowd attracts regulars from the South End and Roxbury, and music-hungry students, especially from Berklee College of Music. It's jammed for the nightly jams, and there's never a cover. Arrive early if you want a seat, because the line can be brutal. Sessions begin each night at 5 pm, then bands take over from 7 pm to 1 am. Monday it's blues; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday are funk; Thursday it's Latin jazz salsa; and Friday and Saturday it's jazz.

The glorious matriarch of North End cafés, glistening with marble-topped tables, mirrors, and shiny machines, lets you glimpse la dolce vita on Hanover Street as baristas pump steaming espresso machines from 7 am until midnight. Skip the frenzy at tourist trap Mike's Pastry next door; relax as you sip caffe latte or grappa and nibble authentic gelati and pastries–-tiramisu, sfogliatelle, cannoli. Cash only, per favore.

This area favorite lounge in a brick Fort Point Channel warehouse offers a short beer, wine, and food list, but no cocktail menu. Patrons rely on the highly knowledgeable bartenders to concoct libations on the spot according to drinkers' preferences. The space has an underground, modern speakeasy feel. Chat with the bartender to create your perfect drink; hint: if you like creative Manhattans, ask for a "Fort Point."

In the heart of student heaven, the Sunset looks, at first glance, like any neighborhood hangout. But venture inside and you'll be bowled over by its good promise to host the "365-days-a-year beer festival" with a staggering 500 choices of beer, 112 of them on tap. Forget pallid domestics: try an unpronounceable but appetizing brew from faraway places—seasonals, cask-conditioned, Belgians, wheats, stouts. If you're really thirsty, order a "half-yard"; if curious, order a flight sampler. There are ciders and meads, too. Brewing excellence is matched by fine eats like steam burgers and mile-high nachos served until 1 am.

Although it's named for the amendment that ended Prohibition, this long-standing, convivial bar is no speakeasy. Its location right across the street from the State House draws a mixed crowd of legislators and locals, but not too many tourists since it's a bit off the beaten path. Beer, burgers, steak tips, and fish-and-chips are on the menu. Check out the JFK booth in the back, a favorite spot where the former president used to meet colleagues. Anyone looking for a no-frills bar where you can loosen the tie or fit in with jeans, this is your place.

This local hangout tries to be seen as a dive bar, but it's much too nice and too new to be called one. The menu features bar bites, hearty entrées, and a burger of the week, all made from scratch in the kitchen, while the bar serves craft beers on draft and craft cocktails. To find the 4th Wall from Tremont Street, look for the small, brick building with a gable roof squeezed among much taller buildings.

Dinner and a movie has never been easier at this one-stop shop for flicks, food, and fun. Purchase tickets online and select your own, specific, comfy seat, which, incidentally, reclines and has a back warmer in it. Settle in and order a soda, milk shake, or cocktail, a bottomless bowl of real buttered popcorn, and myriad other snacks and meals. The roster of films changes by the day but includes new releases, classics and cult classics, animated films, and some obscure selections only playing at the Alamo.

Just 20 feet from the water, this open-air public gathering space is also a performing arts venue and open-air wine and beer garden. The two-story venue is full of swings, huge pillows set against stone terraces, lounge sets, and a grassy lawn for relaxing and sipping cocktails.

Beantown Pub cleverly posits itself to be "the only pub in the world where you can drink a cold Sam Adams while viewing a cold Sam Adams." And it's true, since this casual bar sits across from the Granary Burying Ground where the Founding Father is interred. The bar is always lively no matter the time of day. It's a fine place to watch multiple sports events on television, shoot pool (bring some quarters!), or people-watch. There's also a standard pub menu, usually served until midnight. Fun fact: Beantown Pub cooks up baked beans and brown bread, a traditional Boston dish. No kids are allowed after 6 pm.

America's oldest continuously operating pub (founded 1795) is named after its original owner, town crier Jimmy Wilson, whose bell-ringing wooden sign still hangs on the wall. On the edge of the Freedom Trail, this glassed-in flatiron pub serves fried haddock sandwiches, burgers, and New England's favorite entrées, against a background of live music. Bands (and the occasional comedian) play each night downstairs, and DJs spin Top 40 for dancers Thursday through Saturday upstairs; there's karaoke every Tuesday. Expect long lines of twentysomethings on the weekends.

Better Sorts cherishes the artfulness of the cocktail form, from its mixology to the glass in which it's served—and you pay for the expertise. Sumptuous rooms create the illusion of being from another era, but on closer inspection are wholly contemporary—just check out the art.

Hung with 20 bright county banners, decorated with pictures of Ireland and portraits of Samuel Beckett, Lady Gregory, and James Joyce, The Rose draws as many tourists as Ireland-loving locals. Friendly Irish bartenders serve up pints, blarney, and far more Irish whiskeys (28) than Scotches (12). Nightly shows by traditional Irish and contemporary musicians confirm its abiding Gaelic good cheer, or craic. Dine on Guinness beef stew and fish-and-chips—all served by staffers with authentic brogues.

Watch the sun set over the Zakim Bridge as you peruse the extensive list of 34 rotating drafts, elite bottled beers, cask ale, draft wine, craft spirits, an extensive whiskey (Irish and otherwise) and bourbon list, and custom cocktails. Located along the Freedom Trail at the end of the Charlestown Bridge, this watering hole is a favorite among locals to hang out and watch the game (expect crowds).