50 Best Cocktail Bars near Brookline

“Was in town for a few days and was told that this place was amazing ahead of time so managed to snag a reservation. Glad I did as it lived up to my expectations. The food was great, I recommend the crispy chicken skin to start. Those were some of the best crunch I've ever had. For the main, I went and tried the Crab meat fried rice and it too was awesome. Will come back whenever I get the chance when I'm in the area again. Book a reservation as I think they're always busy because of how good the food is. Oh, and the ambiance of the restaurant was really good too. It's a bustling restaurant but not too loud which is what I like.“

“Finally posting a review after many visits, including for private events. It's a magical space where every detail is thoughtfully curated. The owners are experimenting and pushing boundaries to create something special and different. The cocktails are off-the-charts, and the bites - when offered - have always been phenomenal!“

“Coming from France it was my first dinner at Ivory Pearl Great Delicious Extraordinary What a fantastic evening there ! And a special MERCI to Jared Conklin Christel“

“Great food and ambience. staff is the best. Love the decor! Can't wait to go back for another dj event!“

“Great please save service“

“Lots of TVs to watch the game“

“Enjoyed a delicious brunch here today - they also serve their regular menu all day. Staff was friendly, beautiful space.“

“The Dungeon Master Roll the Dice“

“From start to finish it was amazing. The drinks and food were delicious. Atmosphere was so unique and you felt like you were truly in another place. The bartender we had was so different than anyone we've ever met. His food and drink recommendations were spot on.“

“Didn’t realize the brisket sandwich I ordered was actually going to be beets, but it was still fabulous!

Love the outdoor area, especially for early evening dinner with kids.

They have sippy cups available if you ask.

Kid-friendliness: Sippy cups available upon request, not crowded at early dinner time“

“Sep 2024:

Not a bad spot overall. The appetizer was a bit underseasoned, and the heavy sauce overpowered the flavors. The fries were overcooked and felt more like scraps. However, the atmosphere was pleasant. Service was great!“

“Food: Everything was so well prepared and delicious. I thought the prices were very fair and you get a generous helping.

Cocktails: These were the true stars of the show, even above the already impressive food. My family went through almost the entire cocktail selection and everything was just amazing.“

“Definitely a spot that stands out, this place definitely has plenty of food options. It's a Saturday night and there's a live DJ not sure if this is a every weekend thing but it definitely did add to the atmosphere.
There are plenty of places to choose from so I can't say which one was better than the other but from others reviews each spot has its pros and cons.“

“Best cocktail experience in Boston! I worked with Phil to plan a private birthday event at Farmacia. Phil was incredibly responsive and easy to work with from my initial outreach. The cocktails are unique and perfectly crafted and the snacks were just as delicious. Phil is very knowledgeable, engaging, and truly elevated the experience for all guests. Will certainly be back for a night out or another event!“

“Love assembly row…this is a fantastic, yummy and fun addition! Great ambiance… staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend! :)“

“The server’s expertise really helped us know what to try. I highly recommend trying several dishes and splitting them between your party if appropriate. The butter lobster toast was like a lobster grilled cheese with butter on top. A burst of butter, grilled bread, cheese and lobster in your mouth. Delicate and rich. The swordfish pastrami was smoked and creamy. It tasted like an upscale turkey pastrami. Loved it with the pickles and hint of mustard. The “stuffie” croquettes were fried and cheesy. Again very rich and creamy. The Ox tail with creamed corn polenta was so good. It’s a do not miss perfect for splitting. And of course the butter lobster roll with fries and dressed oysters were also a must try. Bacon, butter, beef, and seafood. It’s rich but very satisfying when it’s cold and fall is upon us. There were 5 of us and the fusions of flavor were so perfect. It’s a must try when you in Boston. T“

“My boyfriend and I stumbled upon Siagon Babylon and it has easily become one of our favorite Boston restaurants. The plates are small and I recommend getting a couple to share (tapas style). We loved that each dish had classic southeast asian flavors, but was so unique. You will not find dishes like this anywhere else in Boston. Excited to come back for more!“

“I have been coming to Parla for almost a year, their cocktails and atmosphere are incredible, but the real reason I keep coming back are the staff. Hunter, Riley, Nick & of course Liam are all so personable, kind & funny, they are a pleasure to see every-time and a comfort knowing my drinks are in good hands. If you haven’t been here yet I cannot recommend it enough, their dice roll game is a fantastic feature that opened me up to new drinks and Parla is a staple in my weekends out now.“

“Literally best food and drinks ever!! Such a hidden gem in the city. The wings are INCREDIBLE, but next best are the pigs in a blanket and the sliders. Drinks never fail!! I’m here every weekend! Figie and Gabriella are the best. I recommend this place to all my friends!!“

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

“Amazing creativity on the cocktails!“

“Brick & Mortar is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Cambridge! From the moment you step in, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication. The ambiance is unparalleled, with cozy seating arrangements and just the right lighting to set the mood.The service here is top-notch, with staff who are attentive, knowledgeable, and always ready with a smile. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a novice, they make you feel right at home.I had the pleasure of trying their golden banana cocktail, and it was simply divine! Each sip was a burst of flavor, perfectly balanced and expertly crafted. And let's not forget about the food – it's delicious! From small bites to more substantial dishes, there's something to satisfy every palate.Overall, Brick & Mortar gets a resounding 100% recommendation from me. If you're in the mood for a fantastic drink and a memorable experience, look no further than this charming spot in Central Square. You won't be disappointed!“

“This dark looking speakeasy has a deceptive entrance on the street. The bar tenders know what they are doing - they made me an excellent Old Fashioned, and everyone else enjoyed theirs drinks too. The heavy wood paneling gives it a sober and sophisticated atmosphere. A great place to enjoy a cocktail or two.“

“Great place. Good ambiance and friendly bartenders and staff. Can’t wait to go back!!“

“Good food, but not worth the rushed experience.
My wife and I reserved a birthday brunch here. After traveling an hour, we were rushed in and out in just 25 minutes. The server was so rushed they missed several of our ordered dishes. The bill arrived right away, leaving no time to discuss the missing items.“

“I was really looking forward to dinner here after finally snagging a reservation, but perhaps I came in with too high of expectations or ordered poorly. The quality of the food was certainly excellent, but none of the dishes truly amazed me where I would crave to go back. Sharing notes so hopefully someone else will order better than we did:
Pizza Bianca with ricotta & hot honey - loved that it came out super hot, but unless you love ricotta I would try a different dip
Mortadella & house pickles - great quality but wouldn't eat alone; best paired with some pizza bianca (and ask for it to come out with the pizza bianca...otherwise you might have to wait for it like we did)
Trevisano salad - my favorite bite because the red wine vinaigrette does help cut through all the other rich dishes
Cappelletti - more al dente than I expected, and it was hard to appreciate on its on because it was too salty
Tagliolini - also more al dente than I expected and kind of bland, though the flavors actually came out better when I ate the leftovers at room temp
Bergamot Blush cocktail - really well balanced, my husband enjoyed this a lot“

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

“Amazing Brazilian bartenders. Great food and drinks both in and off the menu. Definitely engaged with the customer vs just seeing a money opportunity. I can’t begin to explain!! Great customer service is a rarity these days but they nailed it this afternoon. Came to visit Boston from Texas yet got an amazing opportunity to see why the land of opportunity has been a great success story from others abroad.“

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

“This place is amazing. Everything. We flew in and were so tired but it was my husbands bday so we had to get brunch… I’ve never had better pancakes, Benedict, avocado/salmon toast, bacon & egg sandwich… 5 stars for service, atmosphere and cuisine! We’ll be back and you should too!“

“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!“

“Nook is that place that you absolutely LOVE, and want to share, but then...you'd have to share??‍♀️

Cozy atmosphere, fab bartenders, and the tunes are always *just right*

For Sumer they're doing a "Road Trip" and every drink has a been a delight. I reccomend the Gamera Rises!, No Sleep, Toni + Candace and the Blackstone Brickle“

“I’m a tourist , found this bar && had the most relaxed vibe here , I was welcomed at the door , then I asked Corey to surprise me with a drink , told him a few likes && dislikes && he NAILED IT thank!!! Thank yall so much“

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

“Surprising, food was delicious. Fish and chips were soft/fresh very good, great actually. The Steak with fries was cooked perfectly, juicy. The cheese burger was the only good, the sauce was “ok” but again cooked perfectly. The waitress was great, perfect timing & smiling which is a small, easy thing to do that so many forget these days. Also the reservation was made for the wrong day & they were very understanding. Go try this restaurant, it’s worth the trip.“

“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.“

“Came here for drinks at the end of the night with two girlfriends and it’s such a warm and fun environment! We did have a situation where a stranger who had too many drinks lingered at our table for longer than desired, making us rather uncomfortable, but the bouncer immediately came by and removed him from the bar without us having to ask. The bartenders were also lovely and quick. Overall a really awesome place to go enjoy a few casual drinks at, but the staff is what makes it exceptional!“

“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!!“

“Epic vibe and fantastic food! 10 out of 10 ☺️“

“Well visited italian restaurant on the Harrison corner . On a busy Friday night we were seated outside with an interesting view of the eclectic crowd. Our server was prompt and busy but quite capable. We started with the arancini and corn which was tasty. The salt cod croquettes were more like fish and chips. The focaccia with the eggplant dip was flavorful. I came for the lobster paccheri but that was disappointing. The pasta was too al dente and difficult to eat. There was hardly any sauce and it was very under seasoned. There was plenty of lobster which was slightly undercooked like the pasta. The crab tagliolini had a nice lemon flavor on the other hand.“

“Outstanding Indian food, we are so lucky to have Masala in Union Square.“

“Amazing evening with delicious food and tasty drinks! Everything we ordered from the table side guacamole, Brussels sprout salad, tacos, margarita and sangria flights and dessert were incredible!
It’s also set up so beautifully inside so I’m already planning another dinner there next week.“

“Francisco and Jamal (hope I got the names right!) were great bartenders, had a lot of suggestions for things to do and see as Boston newcomers.

Great drinks and snacks, awesome vibe. If you're in the area and looking for a good spot to grab drinks, you can't go wrong here.“

“Our team went here for a work outing to do the ice cream making class and everyone loved it! Aaron took the time to explain some ice cream history\and how its made/their process while also keeping a group of 16 of us entertained. We then had the opportunity to make our own custom flavor and Sundaes after. I would definitely recommend this for your next team event!

Dietary restrictions: They were also great about working with someone on our team who had a gluten allergy!“

“Our favorite local Italian spot! Pastas and desserts are outstanding.

Dietary restrictions: They handle dietary restrictions very well! I have a tree nut allergy and was easily able to navigate the menu with little limitation. They do not have GF pasta FYI.“

“OH MY GAWD! Amazing place, the ambience is so chic. Yes its a gorgeous place to socialize, get amazing drinks but Dress to Impress here.
This place is a great place to distress after work.
I came here with my friend and left knowing so many amazing people. Haven't tried the food yet, when I do- I am certain it would be equally delicious. :-)“

“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.“

“Delicious food, very handsome wait staff.“

“No complaints at all about the drinks, oysters, or the service!

But what I will say is there's something about the way the space is set up that failed to put me at ease.

1) The construction of the building seems to involve a lot of very large concrete beams around the ceiling. This, coupled with the small number of huge speakers oriented at an angle, means that there are very loud spots and quiet spots in very close proximity, making for a slightly disorienting experience as you walk through the space to find a comfortable spot. I suspect a larger number of smaller speakers pointed downwards would help.

2) There were way too many barstools at the bar, making it difficult to get settled. The bartender helped us move a stool out of the way to have more room, resolving that issue. :-)

3) All or nearly all of the tables seem to be high-tops. More of a variety would help make the space feel more welcoming to people of different energy levels and abilities.“

“Great option for a relaxed Dim Sum Brunch!“