50 Best Cocktail Bars near Needham

“Wonderful restaurant with friendly prompt service and a wide variety of dishes for different tastes. The prices were also very moderate for the quality and quantity of food received. They also have a number of hard to find dishes: I thought the Stuffed Squash Blossom Flowers were in particular a great find.“

“I went there for lunch today. I really enjoyed it. They remodeled it beautifully, super friendly waitstaff and good food. I’m a vegetarian and my boyfriend is gluten free. The menu is extremely versatile which I definitely appreciate.❤️“

“I have been coming to the Hearth for many years...the staff is friendly, the atmosphere relaxing and comforting, and the food and beverages are from local sources, well prepared, tasty and satisfying. The owners and management have also shown a dedication to supporting the arts by encouraging local musicians to play at the restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“So glad we found this spot!! Food is true farm to table, fresh and absolutely delicious. We had the crab cake, beet salad, halibut and fish tacos, everything was fantastic, even the coffee with dessert was a notch above the rest!! Service was friendly and attentive, we will be back to see Courtney!! Thank you for an outstanding meal, it was a perfect relaxing evening to end a long week.“

“Perfection! I can't say enough about the magic-potion cocktails, flavorful dishes, cool vibe, fun staff and locals 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟“

“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.“

“We were only looking for a grownup place to meet friends after the Boston Calling concert for some drinks and to catch-up. There's very little available in this neighborhood, so Sloane's was our only choice, and we never expected it would be so flawless, inviting, creative, and showcase such hospitality. I could live just on their appetizers, meant to be shared for the table. They're fun and playful and flawlessly executed. An instant win were the cheese and onion popovers, and the tomato tart but even the pigs-in-a-blanket were clever and original. Loved the cocktail menu where even traditionally sweet options were crafted with restraint to highlight flavor rather than dulling the mouth with sugar syrup. We finished with a couple desserts and let me just say the banana cream pie should be mandatory at every table! Service was so smooth and unobtrusive, they never blinked even though we monopolized our table for rather a long time with our friends. Highly recommend.“

“We greatly enjoyed both our recent dinners at Puritan Oyster Bar. We arrived in time to take advantage of the half price oysters served 5-6 and then stayed for dinner. The oysters were the best quality and served beautifully. In fact all the food is presented well. I loved the cod in lobster sauce and my son loved the yellow tail tacos. A special green crab appetizer was delicious and served creatively in a large shell. Our server/bartender Kyle clearly cares about making the experience enjoyable and memorable for all the guests. He noticed that I wasn’t drinking my cocktail and he asked me about my preferences and then created a drink for me that I loved!“

“This place is the bomb. drove 2 hours to try it. service , food , and were phenomenal. Definitely coming back with friends. They even validated our parking.“

“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.“

“Great tapas / quite filling“

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“Extremely cozy ambiance in your classic dark lighting interior with lots of exposed brickwork and music playing at just the right volume. Service was excellent and two of my party enjoyed a couple of very well made cocktails but on this visit I opted for a can of beer . Prices were about right for the quality of the cocktails but a little steep for a can of beer . Would definitely visit again when I have more time to stay later and get a little more relaxed.“

“This was one of the finest dining experiences we’ve had. We’ve heard about Giulia for months now, reputed as one of, if not the best Italian restaurant in Massachusetts, which meant we had extremely high expectations going in. Combined with the difficulty of getting a reservation due to the popularity (with many nights waiting at 12am sharp hoping that I refreshed fast enough), and finally we had secured a reservation.

The food is heavenly. We ordered the erbazzone and grilled rosemary flatbread for appetizers, and both were so delicious— especially the erbazzone, which was probably the tastiest appetizer I have tasted. I still crave it as I am writing this, and my girlfriend feels the same way. The flatbread was also amazing, though the erbazzone trumps almost anything from the night.

My girlfriend ordered the vegetarian bucatini, and I ordered their famous wild boar pappardelle. Both pastas were excellent, though not as standout as the appetizers. It was really nice to note that they deducted the price for the vegetarian pasta from 28 (which would include meat) to 18, which we really appreciated.

Finally, we ordered the yogurt panna cotta with beach rose, toasted coconut and winter citrus for dessert. Oh my god, this is the greatest food I have tasted in eons. My girlfriend thinks it’s the best thing she has eaten (and we’re both very judgy with food!). Neither of us had thought we would enjoy anything rose-flavored so much, with the taste recurring with each bit of saliva, slowly dissipating with time. It is as if rose bloomed in our mouth, slowly melted to our tongues, and withered away as we bit away and let it wither. The sweetness gave way for the rose, and the rose enhanced the coconut and yogurt tastes. We should have ordered another one.

Overall, this was probably one of the top three meals in my life, and certainly best in the New England area. I HIGHLY recommend everyone to go, and honestly it might even be better to just order their appetizers and desserts without pasta. Their pastas are good, but the appetizers and desserts are on a whole different level. 11/10 experience. Also cute seatings outside on a beautiful afternoon. A shame we forgot to take pictures of the appetizers and desserts because they were SO GOOD. Keep in mind the portion size might be a bit smaller than you would like, but in my opinion it adds to the experience. I hope they get a Michelin recommendation at least, if not a star this year.

Hope this helps to anyone contemplating on securing a reservation!“

“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 really enjoy coming here for cocktails if in Fenway. Always seem to be an able to get a spot at the small bar. The bartenders are friendly and very attentive. Drinks are inventive but I usually have them make me classic off menu cocktails or let them take the reigns and surprise me.“

“Love Hopewell, my fiancé and I come here once a month, maybe even more than that. The food and drinks are excellent — if slightly more focus on cocktails than beers, fwiw. A little pricy (what isn’t nowadays) BUT they have a nice weekly (Thursday?) chicken sandwich special if you’re cost-conscious. Only detracting mark: beware the appetizers that use the cute little cast irons, I have a hunch (I.e., 2x time food poisoning last fall) that someone might accidentally be using grandma’s classic “wipe down” method instead of typical restaurant grade sanitization on their CI😅 But otherwise this place slaps so still 5-starred🤷‍♀️“

“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!“

“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!“

“Great pizza an salad plus awesome non alcoholic drinks !“

“classy drinks and awsome servers“

“I just had the hottest meal I’ve ever had. The waiter said “That is very very spicy”…I told him to say “very” three times to warn customers. The meal was AWESOME!!! Thank you 👍“

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

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“Beautiful interior and food was amazing. The staff and bartenders were very attentive as well.“

“Great Food , Good atmosphere“

“It’s an Internet celebrity restaurant, but it’s still worth trying. ?Environment, food, and service are both average. ?Spicy chicken, crispy tofu, and boiled beef are all fresh and well cooked, especially the chicken, which is spicy and fragrant. ??The price is OK? , in short, very good in the United States ?“

“Food and service are excellent!“

“An excellent dinner. Purple carrots! Lemon potatoes! Tahini mushroom with an egg! Blue fish! Good service. Guy ran down The block to return my bracelet which had fallen off! They give you the check in a Copy of the Constitution! Recommend but why are you not accessible! Such a contradiction of your stated philosophy. Should at least put it on your website with your apology“

“Taco 🌮 Pastor, grilled habanero salsa and a Modelo draft 🍻 for lunch.“

“Innovative and delicious.“

“Great pizza and staff. Chef worked her buns off. A great sign.“

“Excellent staff, cold beer and stiff drinks but don’t do shots with the 22 year olds at the bar! Fun times at this place!“

“Had a delicious dinner last night at Avenue and wish we had checked it out sooner. Amazing wine and cocktail. Tried the Brie appetizer and Avenue Flatbread, which were both delicious and unique! Spiro, our server, was so attentive and knowledgeable. Service was excellent! Wish we had room for dessert bc that also sounded great but I guess we just have to go back soon“

“We ended up being the only people in the restaurant, but what a cool spot! The rolls were packed with unique flavor that left us craving more!! We're big sushi people so this was exactly what we were craving. 🍣 One of the highlights of our trip to Boston!“

“I have lived in the Boston-esque area for twelve years and have eaten so many good meals, but the fish tacos here are the only meal I needed to have before my upcoming move out west(ern MA). Cocktails are fun and creative, service is 13/10, the XL portions of fries that require to-go boxes are the only fries I’ve ever found to reheat well, and if you’re lucky, Steve will be tending bar. I love going at the slightly quieter times but I’ll never gatekeep the euphoria experienced by a meal here. Bonus perks: Max & Chelsea have the best senses of humor, the murals on the patio are always amazing, the beer and wine selection are vast (also the mocktails!), and the decor always feels like your favorite “I Spy” book.“

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

“Here’s a revieWe had a decent meal at The Abby. The food itself was good, but we had a small issue with the salad. I had asked to substitute the fries for a salad, and while I appreciated the option, it came already dressed. I personally liked the dressing, but I usually prefer my salads without it, and would have appreciated being asked. Unfortunately, my partner didn’t like the dressing at all and ended up not eating her salad. A small thing, but it would’ve made a difference if they had checked with us first.“

“Thonglor — Come for the Khao Soi, Stay Because You Can’t Stop Eating It

If I could write a love letter to a bowl of noodles, it would be to Thonglor’s khao soi. The broth? Rich, silky, and just the right amount of spicy — like it knows how to flirt without burning you. The chicken? Falls apart like my self-control when I see this dish on the menu. And that crispy fried noodle topping? The perfect crunchy mic drop.

Order it once and you’ll spend the rest of your week wondering how soon is too soon to come back without looking suspicious.“

“Todo muy bueno y la atención de primera“

“One of the last true local venues in the Boston area. A Real club for real musicians to lay a solid foundation to create original music, build a fanbase and collaborate with peers.“

“This is the second time in one week my friend and I have chosen this restaurant as our destination for food, drinks, and merriment and we were not disappointed.The staff is a delight, both times we were greeted with a warm smile and they were very knowledgeable recommending dishes and levels of spice. The naan bread is delicious and the appetizers and entrees we ordered were amazing as well bursting with so much flavor. The cocktails were crafted with precision and so much passion from the wonderful bartender. The live music is great! We definitely recommend Chulo restaurant and plan on returning again and again!“

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

“Top notch experience from the moment we entered the restaurant and were seated. Excellent service, beautiful decor, delicious food. Everything was perfect. I will return!“

“Simulators are legit and it feels like you are outside playing on the actually course you've selected. It's a nice vibe and a great bar to watch games or golf on and the pizza is amazing. (get the sweet heat, it wont disappoint) They also offer leagues and spots for parties/events. If you're looking for a spot to work on your game this winter, grab a beer and watch some sports I highly recommend Birdie Bar!“

“One of the best cocktail bars I’ve been to in Boston.

Walked in on a Saturday evening around 8PM without a reservation. We were able to snag a table without a wait, but the place filled up pretty fast. Just like some of the best cocktail bars in the city, this spot knows how to weave savory notes into their drinks without overwhelming them. Almost everything we tried was excellent. Refined, inventive, and layered (except for Bangkok to Mumbai).

Kingston to Milan – Our favorite of the night. Essentially Negroni + passionfruit, but with a surprisingly creamy, savory finish. The smoothness likely came from Castelvetrano olives (with that signature mild and buttery note), but it almost evoked the yogurt-based cocktails that were once trendy in Seoul.

Amalfi to La Paz – A close second. Not a typical tomato-basil cocktail. Instead, the sweet basil cream and cacao combined into a rich, nutty, and savory aftertaste. It gave espresso martini vibes but with subtle vegetal undertones from the tomato.

Rio to Tokyo – In the same flavor family as Kingston to Milan, but with a milder savory profile. Notes of miso and coconut gradually emerged, which made it more interesting toward the finish than the start. Grew on me with each sip.

Bangkok to Mumbai – Seemed to be the most popular order around us, but the trio of mango cordial, jackfruit, and Calpico created an overly sweet, one-dimensional drink. No balance, no clarity, just an overpriced mango juice.

Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings – Solid bar snack. Nicely perfumed with lemongrass, but the chicken filling wasn’t very prominent. With only four snack options on the menu, this felt like the safest pick.“

“Delicious food and excellent service!!“

“This restaurant is dope. The interior is warm and inviting. It’s modern and chic. Definitely an elevated hipster vibe. A chill spot to hang out after work or nice date night. The food is bomb! For apps, I’ve never had a Chinese-inspired arancini. These crispy delights are addicting with their crack sauce. The sauce is a must have on the arancini. The salad is light and refreshing. The Kokoda is a well made dish. I never had blue fin tuna until I came here. The combo with the fresh fish with the acidity from the lemon juice and smooth finish of coconut sauce - oof, worth a try. There’s also another surprise about the Kokoda - there’s something called sea grapes 🍇 and were bursting of flavor and freshness. A nice addition to the dish. I could go for seconds with the Kokoda because it’s a bit small for me. I wish they made it 2x bigger so it could be more shareable with a date or with company. The Maine Uni was surprisingly delicious 😋. I honestly thought it was too expensive but after having it, it was an amazing amuse bouche (the perfect bite). I couldn’t believe that small bite packed so much flavor and complexity. It was balanced and left me feeling happy. Totally worth it. For mains, the pork belly adobo melts in your mouth. So good! The mushroom raviolis are my favorite out of this menu. The salted duck egg sauce is what makes this dish memorable. I would definitely eat this again. The bitter melon ratatouille is not my favorite because it wasn’t seasoned enough for me. It felt as though it was missing salt. The veggies were perfectly roasted though, but it didn’t quite smack like the other dishes. The ribeye is good, but not my favorite. I might be biased because I’ve had better at other places. For desserts, the pandan sorbet is tasty. I’m not a fan of the pandan taste. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but I enjoyed it because I love avocados and bananas and in ice cream form? No brainer. I wished they had a version without the pandan flavoring. I’m curious as to how it would taste then. The matcha cheesecake is surprisingly well-balanced. Not too matcha where it’s overbearing. The matcha is subtle while the richness of the cheesecake smacks just right and not overly sugary. The late night menu - I only tried the Chicharrón taco 🌮. The combo of crispy pork belly and the acidity from the lime is perf. Nothing else to say. Surprisingly really filling. I probably can’t have more than 2 of these tacos and I’m a pretty big guy. The drinks - I love the names and how they have a play on words. The blood orange and the banana espresso are my favorite. These drinks have enough booze and not too much where it’s offensive. Blood orange is enjoyable to drink and the banana espresso is complex with a chocolate finish. Their nice, clean cocktails. Service was awesome! The servers were friendly and quick. They regularly checked in with my wife and me. I don’t think I even had to do the awkward “please help us” lean at all. They were there when you needed them! Amazing 5 star service! You want a culinary experience. This place won’t disappoint.“