Best Bars in Boston

Backbar

A hidden craft-cocktail bar down an alley in Somerville's Union Square, beloved for inventive, well-balanced drinks and a knowledgeable bar team. Go for some of the area's most creative cocktails in an unpretentious, locals-favorite setting. Practical note: it's walk-in only with no reservations, and the entrance is an easy-to-miss orange door in the alley.

Bars

Bleacher Bar

A one-of-a-kind sports bar built into the back wall of Fenway Park's center-field bleachers, with a large garage-door window looking straight onto the field. Go for the unbeatable ballpark view and casual beer-and-bar-food experience even on non-game days. Practical note: it's first-come during games and fills fast, so arrive well before first pitch for a window seat.

Bars

CLINK.

A cocktail bar and restaurant set inside the Liberty Hotel, a converted 19th-century jail, with original iron catwalks and a cocktail menu nodding to famous prisons. Go for the dramatic historic architecture and the buzzy scene under the hotel's soaring rotunda. Practical note: the adjacent Liberty Bar in the rotunda gets very crowded on weekend nights, so come earlier for a seat.

Bars

Carrie Nation Cocktail Club

A 1920s-style Prohibition-era cocktail club steps from the State House, with Victorian decor, classic and craft cocktails, and a hidden speakeasy room behind the main bar. Recently named among the best bars in America, it's a polished yet lively choice for well-made drinks. Practical note: it doubles as a restaurant with billiards, so it works for both a quick martini and a longer evening.

Bars

Delux Cafe

A tiny, kitschy South End dive beloved for its low-key vibe, eclectic decor, and unpretentious crowd. Go for a no-frills neighborhood night out with cheap drinks and zero attitude. Practical note: it's cash-friendly and small, open evenings Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays, so it fills up quickly with regulars.

Bars

Hecate

A dim, candlelit underground cocktail bar from the team behind the Greek restaurant Krasi, themed around the goddess of magic with spirit-forward, mythology-inspired drinks. Go for the moody, immersive atmosphere and adventurous cocktails exploring smoke and spice. Practical note: it's tucked off the alley beside Krasi and open evenings Tuesday through Saturday, so reserve or arrive early.

Bars

Rooftop at the Envoy (Lookout Rooftop)

A seventh-floor rooftop bar atop the Envoy Hotel with sweeping harbor and skyline views, craft cocktails, and a lively Seaport crowd. Go for sunset drinks and the best outdoor scene on the waterfront. Practical note: it's seasonal-leaning and very popular in warm months, with heated igloos in winter; expect a wait without a reservation.

Bars

The Wig Shop

A neon-lit speakeasy hidden behind a working wig-display storefront in Downtown Crossing, with an edgy, romantic vibe and an inventive cocktail list. Go for the fun reveal and the late-night energy. Practical note: open nightly 5pm-2am; reservations for small parties are released about a week out, and a hidden steakhouse, Bogie's Place, sits next door.

Bars

Wink & Nod

A craft-cocktail speakeasy in the South End known for a rotating guest-chef kitchen residency that changes roughly every six months. Go for serious cocktails paired with a constantly evolving food program in an intimate, low-lit room. Practical note: open daily from 5pm; the entrance is discreet, so look for the address rather than signage.