50 Best Cocktail Bars near East Boston

“We got the Cuban and their popular burger. I think the Cuban far outweighed the burger on flavor punch. The fried pickles were delicious, home battered, not frozen from Sysco. Only gripe was our table and another table next to us waited for 10+mins to pay our check at the end of the night. It was busy so I understood but they needed an extra set of hands.

Would highly recommend to anyone, and I hope to return.“

“Hands down my new favorite restaurant in East Boston. Service, food and atmosphere were all on point. This place is a gem 💎“

“The food was fresh and fantastic! Service was excellent !“

“Had a wonderful dinner. Sat at the bar and were impressed by the sophistication of the bar offerings. Kyle, the bartender, guided us through the cocktails and menu. Everything we had was tasty, lots of layers of flavor, and the occasional kick of spice that lingered.“

“TOURIST’S TAKE!!! ——-> I recently visited the Time Out Market in Boston and had a great overall experience, especially when comparing it to the Lisbon location. One of the first things that stood out was how much cleaner the Boston market felt. Even during busy hours, the seating areas and food stalls were well maintained, with staff regularly clearing tables and keeping the space tidy. It made the whole experience more comfortable and less chaotic than what I remember from Lisbon. Pricing was another pleasant surprise. While food halls can sometimes feel overpriced in tourist-heavy cities, Boston’s Time Out Market felt noticeably more affordable. Portions were reasonable for the price. The variety of options was also a positive note. There was a strong mix of local favorites and creative concepts. It’s a good place to bring a group! The atmosphere was also better as there was a Red Sox game that evening so there was definitely excitement in the market combined with live music made it an exciting place to be. Overall, I’d give the Boston Time Out Market four stars. It’s cleaner, more budget-friendly, and offers a more versatile food selection compared to the Lisbon location!“

“The Dungeon Master Roll the Dice“

“The staff, service and food were all exceptional. The atmosphere is relaxing and the menu is very interesting, especially the cocktail menu. The presentation of the food is impeccable and the staff is very attentive, making sure the water is filled and that the check is ready when we were finished. A perfect balance and what every restaurant should strive to mimic. A must try if you want to find a place that is unique. Thanks to the staff for a fun evening.“

“The “cactus” (made of beef) burger was easily one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, perfectly cooked and seasoned. We also enjoyed the scallop / shrimp ceviche, though on the smaller side it still satisfied and has a delicious citrusy aftertaste. Drinks were amazing and served by the friendliest bartender, Miranda. Boston sorely needed a spot like this and at 500 Boylston it’s helping bring back the area. Can’t wait to visit again and try the remaining menu items. Great upscale atmosphere.“

“A wonderful tiki bar! We loved the food and creative cocktails.“

“food was amazing. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“

“I got the Salmon Entree. I am definitely going to get it again. Beautifully cooked salmon. The fried rice and bok choy sides were a perfect match for that salmon with the glaze and sauce. Must try it. I also tried the Pot Roast Mac and Cheese. Omg if you need comfort food this is it. The Popovers are amazing also. Everything I tried was delicious. The Chicken Wings, Spice Bag both winners. I can’t wait to go back again. Our waiter was excellent. Such good service. Supporting wait staff excellent as well.“

“Phil’s team always does a fantastic job. Well worth the money for a unique experience, delicious cocktails, and a charismatic bartenders who are experts in their craft. Every menu has a clear vision and creative plays on known cocktails, or just great brand-new ideas. You won’t regret booking a night here (or a season pass)! If you can’t get a reservation, late-night walk-ins are also an option. Huge shout out to Suzae, Trevor, and Skye who always make the night so much fun.“

“I’m not an adventurous drinker, but my husband is and we loved the idea of a mystery cocktail! He rolled the dice and now we’re hooked. I don’t drink alcohol, but Tuane helped me through and we brainstormed together for a delicious mocktail. When the mystery drink arrived she was so knowledgeable about it!
We’re definitely coming back soon. Thank you, Tuane!!“

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

“Perfect experience. I had a gluten allergy restriction that the staff catered to and I had no reactions. Cocktails were like others said, curated perfectly with the meals, we left full and satisfied. The desert cocktail was unlike anything I’ve ever had. Both of us want to come back and do it again when we are back in town.“

“Best food I’ve had from start to finish! We ordered several dishes to share (based on our waiter’s recommendations) and they all had unique flavors spiced to perfection. They were the kind of bespoke dishes that you know you could never replicate. Our fave was the Fluke. Even the mocktails were amazing! I can’t wait to go back!!“

“Giulia was amazing. Fantastic service, incredible food. From cocktails and the semolina cake sfizi which was the perfect small bite to start to the three desserts we shared around the table (affogato, orange blossom panda cottage, strawberry semifreddo) that generated debate over which was the favorite, every bite and every sip was thoroughly enjoyed. I will tryntonget a reservation every time we make it back to Boston!“

“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!“

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

“I only had the opportunity to have a single drink here. It was an old fashioned, which is so eady to make, but still usually screwed up. This was definitely a very good one, almost worth the ~$19 price. I will be back.

But speaking of backs, none of the seats have them -- those of us with back problems can't sit comfortably for long. Hence the three stars instead of five on atmosphere.“

“I feel like I’ve been transported to Paris the moment I walk through the door. Emily is awesome! The cocktails are wonderful—whether you’re in the mood for something unique and creative or a simple classic. But what truly sets Small Bar apart is its incredible ambiance. It’s warm, inviting, and the perfect place to relax and enjoy a great drink. The music is awesome!“

“Love the vibe! Great place to just get a drink, or eat to your heart's content. I have been holding Twisted Networking- Somerville, MA for a while in the side room- awesome! #askjo“

“Wink and Nod delivers exactly the kind of speakeasy experience you hope for when you duck down into a hidden bar. The real standout of the night was our bartender Jonathan — genuinely one of the best I've encountered in Boston. Personality-wise, he struck that perfect balance of engaging and attentive without ever hovering or making the conversation feel forced.
What impressed me most was his depth of knowledge. He walked us through several of the scratch-made liqueurs they craft in-house, explaining the botanicals and infusion process behind each one like he'd built them himself (because he probably had). When we couldn't decide between a few options, he took the time to actually taste-test ingredients with us and adjust recommendations based on what we liked — real patience, no rushing us along even as the place got busier.
The cocktails themselves were excellent: well-balanced, creative, and clearly made with care rather than just poured from a formula.
Then came the food. James Beard nominee Chef Valentine Howell's pop-up, Black Cat, brings a unique fusion of Afro-Caribbean flavors to the menu, and eating here felt like a spiritual experience. The menu offered so many tempting choices it was hard to narrow down. We started with the goat patties as an appetizer — seasoned to perfection, moist, and packed with flavor. We also ordered the griot, twice-cooked pork belly served with pikliz, pickled onion, and ti malice. It was tender and bursting with flavor, the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savor every bite.
We finished with the Jamaican ginger cake, topped with cream cheese frosting and a toasted coconut crumble — totally sumptuous and the perfect ending to the meal.
The owner even stopped by our table to check in and make sure we were enjoying ourselves — such a kind, welcoming touch that made the whole night feel even more special.
The drinks, the food, and truly exceptional service — made it well worth it. Will definitely be back. Hands down, 5 stars.“

“So much fun! I highly recommend!“

“Piatti buoni e curati , cucina meditteranea ben interpretata“

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

“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!“

“Love love love this place. I’ve been a frequent regular for a few months now and I can say that the drinks, food, and staff are always top notch.

They have one of the best burgers in town especially for late night! The pimento cheese is beyond delicious and at this point the bartender Mika always knows to throw it in for me the second I walk in.

The cocktail and mocktail list are pretty impressive too. If you like the mocktail “1, 2, 3, 4” you should ask one of the bartenders to make you the 5678.“

“Great tapas / quite filling“

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

“Great little bar which we stumbled across and then became our favourite! Great beer, great service, great food (wings and sliders were both amazing) and some top tunes. Save room for the chocolate brownie. It's epic. Love this place!!“

“Amazing creativity on the cocktails!“

“On Sunday, 14 June, a rainy afternoon, my husband and adult daughter visited Fool's Errand in the Fenway. While there, we were greeting by Matt, a talented bar-tender with a great personality & musical taste! Do not lose this guy! He is funny, thoughtful, skilled, and knowledgeable! We are grateful to him for making a couple of cocktails for us from recipes we'd brought along! The fancy cocktails and ambiance (great chandeliers) made this place the perfect place to hang-out! Thank you, and keep up the good work! We hope to visit again when we are back in the area!“

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

“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.“

“May 2026
I was anticipating an amazing wagyu beef burger given the $35 price tag, but it was very ordinary and forgettable. It was cooked well-done even though I asked for medium-well, and it had absolutely no flavor, not even a hint of salt and pepper. The fries were dry and not very good either. But the corn bread was absolutely delightful and probably some of the best I’ve ever had, and the pita bread with hummus and pimento cheese was delicious, as well. Overall, about 4 stars considering the appetizers saved the day, as the wagyu burger was a flop.“

“Such a cozy spot! The drinks are perfectly crafted. Sitting next to the fire place on a couch makes it far more inviting. With the shops and food right next door it makes it the perfect spot to hang with a friend or two (not the best for a large group) or a date !“

“Great spot. Large, spacious and Nicely decorated Restaurant. Extremely welcoming front desk. Professional staff. Excellent Margarita menu. Delicious food. I highly recommend. One of my favorite small details about this place is when you order the queso. It comes in a small cast-iron pot with a tea light candle underneath so you do not have to rush to finish the queso, it is going to be warm for as long as you want. Tacos are delicious. Just go and try it yourself“

“Food and service are excellent!“

“We were in Boston for one evening and stumbled upon this place - and we were so thrilled that we did! Four of us sat at the bar and received excellent service and expertly mixed cocktails. The ambiance was perfect - from the lighting to the decor. Highly recommend.“

“I'm glad I gave Hopewell another chance - the outdoor dining is so nice! I had a poor experience here years ago so was hesitant to return, but gave the outdoor dining a shot and was pleasantly surprised!

The chicken sandwich was banging, chip dip is awesome. Good cocktails. Not terribly priced either. I'll def be back - glad we have at least two solid outdoor options on Comm ave for the summer.“

“My new favorite local pub! Nellie has done an amazing job creating a cozy, classic dive bar with a fun, welcoming vibe. The renovations are beautiful, the bar is great, and everything is very clean.

Drinks were excellent, and the wings and tacos were delicious with generous portions. The staff—especially Nellie, Maddie, and Ellie—are incredibly friendly and make you feel right at home. We even had a great time chatting with locals and Scots in town for the World Cup.

Definitely becoming a regular spot—highly recommend!“

“I’m a huge Twin Peaks fan and this outside patio theme weekends are amazing! The staff is so friendly (I enjoyed nerding out about loving Kyle Maclachlan ) 😂 and it really makes being in the city so cozy. The playlist is spot on, and the menu and drinks are so to the show! Last night was my second time and it felt like I’ve been going there forever. Will definitely check out hopefully post Covid!“

“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!!“

“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“

“Let me tell you, the spa at Four Seasons is an absolute gem! From the moment you step in, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality that sets the tone for the entire experience. The breathtaking views, the tranquil steam room, and the luxurious pool make you feel like you've stepped into a heavenly oasis. And let's not forget about the chocolate snack bar - it's like a Willy Wonka spa, indulging your senses with divine chocolate bonbons! 🍫 But the real highlight? The massage. Oh my goodness, it was pure bliss! Shoutout to Michael, the incredible massage therapist, who not only worked wonders on my muscles but also started our session with the mantra 'All is Well,' setting the perfect tone for relaxation and reflection. As someone who's juggled years of building a business, navigating single motherhood, and being an immigrant, this experience was exactly what I needed. It taught me that it's okay when things aren't perfect - we learn, pivot, and evolve. I opted for the hot stone massage add-on, and let me tell you, it was phenomenal. Mike focused on my shoulders and lower back with just the right amount of pressure, addressing all my tension and knots. It was pure bliss from start to finish. Mike truly has a gift for his craft, and I left feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to take on the world. ✨“

“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.“

“The hype around this restaurant was insane. After weeks of trying, I was able to snag a reservation 30 days out and as the date got closer, I was sure I was in for a hell of a let down.

It was actually quite the opposite. We had a reservation for 2 at 8:30 pm and were seated within 10 minutes of our arrival (we arrived 15 minutes early). The restaurant does a great job of staggering their seating so the kitchen can properly flow and doesn't get backed up.

The atmosphere was really nice, warm and enjoyable. My wife and I were able to talk the whole time. The waitress was very kind and friendly. She kept us entertained and ensured our anniversary dinner was special. The drinks were really good and the food was ridiculous. Everything we had was amazing and I would be hard pressed to identify a dish I would consider not ordering to be able to taste something different.

This place is definitely worth the hype and am hoping I can snag another reservation in the months to come.“

“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“

“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!!“