50 Best Cocktail Bars in Boston

“POE-LENTA RESTAURANT REVIEW:

Poe-lenta at the Time Out Market in 401 Park is a place that really impressed me. The portions were exactly right, filling without being overwhelming, and the flavors came together beautifully. Every bite felt balanced and carefully prepared, turning a simple dish into something memorable.

The service was outstanding. My food was ready within two minutes, which is incredibly fast, and the staff were genuinely kind and attentive. They even took the time to show me photos of the different meals before I ordered, which made the whole process much easier and more enjoyable. That kind of personal touch made the visit feel special.

One thing to keep in mind is that they only accept card payments, no cash, but for me that was a small detail in an otherwise excellent experience.

Overall Poe-lenta is absolutely worth trying if you are visiting Time Out Market or spending time around Fenway. Between the perfectly portioned dishes, the rich flavors, and the welcoming staff, it is the kind of spot you want to return to again and again.“

“The Dungeon Master Roll the Dice“

“food was amazing. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“

“Farmacia just leveled up thanks to Suzi’s magic touch. Her cocktail menu is like a pharmacy for the soul. Prescriptions include laughter, flavor, and a buzz of pure creativity. If you haven’t tried one of her drinks yet, you’re missing out.“

“This was my first time visiting Cactus Club Café and it was so great. From the moment we walked in through the doors to checking out we had a great experience. Our server Brittany was awesome, great energy, and very attentive. She also gave us great drink and food recommendations. I will definitely be coming back!!!“

“Service is excellent and my salmon was perfect. Apps are good but smaller in size. Beer is cold. I would recommend you visit.“

“Great experience on the simulators with my 12 year old son. Great, friendly service and enthusiastic, helpful staff.“

“Better Sorts is a great spot to hang out. The decor is great, it’s chill, and the drinks and snacks are great. The space is beautiful and the details, like glassware and cocktail accessories, are top notch. Hidden gem I. Downtown Boston!“

“Great tapas / quite filling“

“Had dinner at Lucy's while adventuring and it was hands down incredible! Everything was outstanding. The staff, the food, the environment, right down to the ice cold water and beer! 🤣 I will definetly be going again, because I wanted everything on the menu! Thank you Lucy's!“

“I love this place! My friends and I love popping in - whether a quick afternoon cocktail or a nightcap. The staff is so friendly and welcoming, and the vibes always feel so good. I’ve only had a few of the snacks but enjoyed each bite. The music is always at a great level where you can enjoy but also catch up with a friend. Bri (I may not be spelling correctly) was lovely to chat with! Don’t forget to scope out the pretty wallpaper in the hall or the daily trivia. See ya soon!“

“Amazing creativity on the cocktails!“

“Extra Dirty Cocktail Club is one of those rare spots that completely nails what a cocktail bar should be. The drinks here are the kind of cocktails you know you’ll never be able to recreate at home, and probably won’t ever have the exact same way again. Each one feels unique, crafted with real care and artistry.

And while the cocktails are the star, the food here deserves just as much credit. I’m still thinking about the Back Yard BBQ Act, our night the ribs were fall-off-the-bone perfect, and that cornbread was ridiculous.
The Fall Act with that cozy soup and the Gobblah, a Thanksgiving sandwich, French Dip–style, cranberry sauce on the side. The dishes feel like they’re designed to amplify the cocktails, not compete with them.

XDCC demonstrates that cocktails don't just have to be apertivos or night caps but can shine along side great dishes. The Acts change, the flavors shift, and every visit feels fresh and intentional. The creativity coming out of both the bar and the kitchen keeps me coming back, not to repeat something, but to see where they’ll go next.
Can’t wait for the next round.“

“Had one incredible night this past weekend The management and staff were amazing! A truly fantastic experience. Thank you!“

“Emily is the BEST server. She was so attentive and thoughtful. Her suggestions regarding the menu were spot on, the food was delicious, and she surprised us with a birthday treat for our friend. The atmosphere is cool and we would definitely go back.“

“Great menu. Beautiful presentation of excellently prepared choices. Delightful competent staff. You’ll be lucky to have Carlos as your waiter.“

“The atmosphere is so beautiful and cozy it feels like a little hideaway. The vibe is always warm and inviting, and it’s the kind of spot you could stay in for hours without realizing it.

What really keeps me coming back, though, is the bar manager. Truly one of the best in the business… he’s personable and just a joy to chat with. He always remembers me and you can tell they care deeply about the experience and it absolutely shows.“

“Great selection and the bartenders were awesome and knew their craft. And you can order food from any of the food options in the hall. I will definitely go back.“

“My husband and I had dinner last Sunday night. It was a beautiful experience with impeccable service. I am going to remember my quail dish for a very long time. Highly recommend“

“So much fun! I highly recommend!“

“The wait staff is incredibly friendly. We heard the onion rings were heavenly. We were not disappointed. However the salad we ordered and shared was one of the best salads I have ever tasted. I think it was the Hot Cold Chicken Salad. Absolutely delicious! After 10 pm the sandwiches are half price and they all looked delicious too!!“

“First time here and the shrimp tacos were delicious! French fries were thin and cooked perfectly.“

“extremely attentive staff, our meal was brought very promptly. bathroom could accommodate my wheelchair easily. we loved spending a special night there, and are already looking forward to our return visit“

“We went to Ward 8 before a concert last week and it was wonderful! The drinks were delicious, the food was delicious and came out hot. The servers were attentive and the atmosphere was great! We can’t wait to return.“

“A treasure of a restaurant on busy Cambridge St - walk through the door and you’re in a different world. Servers quickly become friends. Great spot for a romantic dinner for two but still a place where a solo diner feels welcome. Wonderful menu with choices for the adventurous and not so adventurous eater. My new favorite spot for lunch or dinner in Boston.“

“When I read about this place opening I was excited. I was then lucky enough to go today, and boy it does not disappoint. Ambiance is Devine, the art deco is pumping through its veins and the cocktails are extremely well thought out. The space is compact, but open, and I’m not sure how they put on food as well, not that we tried any because the cocktails are a meal in themselves. Green and Yellow Chartreuse in stock is a strong sign that this place knows what is needed. Thank you team! You rock!“

“Our afternoon tea at the Four Seasons was absolutely perfect. The food and drinks were so good, and Grace was truly a breath of fresh air. She was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel easy and personal. We honestly couldn’t have asked for better service and can’t wait to come back and be served by her again. I can not wait to go back for my next experience. overall 10/10 recommend“

“We were a family of three visiting Boston and after reading through the multitude of choices of restaurants and reviews, Clink was on my list to get reservations. This restaurant is in the Liberty Hotel, which if you've been to NYC it has the same vibe as the Roxy Hotel and the Beekman. I made reservations for a Saturday night at 7:15 and when we arrived the restaurant only had a few other couples there dining. I'll address this more at the end. Our server recommended a few choices of cocktails. My husband chose the Barrel Aged Old Fashioned and I chose the Crime of Passion. Both were excellent!! Both cocktails were by far the best we had the entire trip, and we had a cocktail or two at dinner each night during our five-night stay. Hats of to the bartender making those!! Although we really didn't see an appetizer that we could agree on we were served some outstanding rolls and butter. I'm not a big bread fan, but these were hot, soft, and had a great flavor. For our dinners I chose the Crispy Skin Farm Raised Salmon, my husband chose the Hand Cut Pasta Bolognese, and our son chose the Gulf of Maine Blue Cod. We all agreed each dish was prepared and presented perfectly and all three had wonderful flavors with no complaints. We didn't think we had room for dessert until we were told the options and one option was Peach Bread Pudding!! We found room for dessert and in hindsight wish we asked for one to go for the next day. It's a must try!! The atmosphere was great, the service was great (and the manager was walking around making sure everyone was enjoying themselves), the cocktails amazing, and the dinner and dessert was wonderful, so this left us asking "why is this place not packed on a Saturday night"? The only hiccup was when you walked into the hotel lobby it felt like they were having air conditioning problems, but the restaurant was not having that issue. So hopefully this was just some weird off night for this restaurant and hopefully more people have a wonderful experience like we did and leave great reviews. I know that if we come back to Boston, Clink is on our list to dine at again.“

“Amazing food, great atmosphere. Ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes with lemon whipped cream and sausage, my partner ordered the Croque Madam. Would highly recommend all of it. What a great place!!“

“one of the best meals we've had in a long time. highly recommend.“

“A true hidden gem for cocktail enthusiasts! If you’re passionate about mixology, this place is a must-visit. Saul is an absolute master of his craft—his passion for creative, thoughtfully crafted drinks shines through in every interaction. He not only serves exceptional cocktails but also takes the time to share the stories and inspirations behind them, making the entire experience unforgettable.“

“Food was great and delicious and the staff were excellent“

“I love it there I drive from Springfield to Boston just to get my wigs from them and they have great deals“

“Nice and chill environment.“

“Awesome Dumplings!! Great Service!☺️“

“Piatti buoni e curati , cucina meditteranea ben interpretata“

“I had the Hot honey glazed chicken sandwich. It was the best vegan sandwich I’ve ever eaten and I’ve had a lot of vegan sandwiches.“

“thanks to Ben, we were able to see all that boston has to offer! we very much enjoyed our VIP tour!“

“Had a great night at the place, service was exceptional from Madelline and the other waitrons. Accidentally spilled my drink and they offered to replace it for me at no exra charge. Food was amazing as well, highly recommend you check it out.“

“Excellent food with very friendly and efficient wait staff“

“A perfect spot to unwind after work! Fun mixed cocktails with classic food. Highly recommend.“

“10/10–same rating I would give Sarma! The mortadella app was fantastic (honestly I didn’t think I liked mortadella but this stuff melted in your mouth!!), and the cappelletti was unlike anything I have had before! The panna cotta was so special (we ordered all three desserts and they all were amazing!)! Everything was great!“

“Probably one of the best meals ever. From oysters to bread pudding! So amazing! A burst of flavor in every bite! Go out of your way if you have to , you won’t regret! 💕“

“Here for work, missed lunch traveling, was at the bar/restaurant right at open at 4 for just a quick bite. Ordered the lobster roll (when in Rome, right) and it came loaded with both lobster and a huge side of fries. Wasn’t expecting all of that, left fries even. Lobster could have used a pinch of salt but no complaints really.“

“Went for brunch and adored it. The service was amazing, our waiter Jason N was great and ensured we enjoyed our meal. The breakfast sandwich was delicious! I’d love to come again, even just for a drink when the weather is nice because the balcony is beautiful!!“

“Everything from start to finish was lovely. The decor is perfect, the tea choices were well thought out and the food was delicious. We highly recommend and will be back!“

“Perfect small wedding reception venue. Margie was our angel for the day and the planning days. She and all the staff were attentive to all requests of the planners and the wedding party. She assured us it would be wonderful and she was right!“

“Great Experience at Bully Boy!
We had an awesome tour and cocktails with Luke — super informative and fun. The tasting was great…even had one we’d never tried before. Really enjoyed the whole experience and look forward to sharing Boston Whiskey with Colorado!“

“My absolute favorite restaurant in Boston. Was my favorite when I lived here and continues as my favorite must-have when I come back to the city. The food is always phenomenal - favorites include the jamón ibérico (it’s like if meat was candy!), gambas (shrimp), setas (mushrooms), dátiles con jamón (essentially bacon wrapped dates), maíz (corn, I recommend getting “off the cob” for less mess/zero hand holding), the empanada, and the cod croquettes. But you really can’t go wrong!
But on top of the outstanding quality of the food, you must also consider the incredible service and people who work here. Jonathan at the host stand is beyond welcoming and helpful. Bartenders Oscar and David are gems, always attentive enough to know you’re cared for. And so many more, never had a bad experience in my many times here.
Could not recommend more!“

“Fabulous food. Great coffee. What more can you ask for???“