50 Best Cocktail Bars near Needham

“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.❤️“

“We would like to give a higher rating and hope to in the future but there were several areas that could be improved:

1) My husband and I sat on the patio next to the front door. We used to come here alot when it was Petit Robert. They have done a nice job of changing it from French country bistro to modern upscale Italian, still very cozy. It was a lovely evening but it was disrupted by 2 young boys running in and out of the restaurant yelling the score to some game. They continued to yell up and down the sidewalk and climbed the lamppost. It really ruined the vibe. It was surprising that their parents (inside) nor the staff said anything to them. We could over hear the table next to us also commenting about this raucous behavior.

2. The service, although super friendly was slow. We waited for quite some time to place our order and for the bill. I never got the ice that was requested. Perhaps this is because of thr busy crowd on a Friday night.

3. The majority of our dishes were outstanding. The grilled squid appetizer was the best we have had in awhile. The squid was very tender and went perfectly well with the sliced fennel and lemon vinaigrette. My husband's wagyu dish was also beautifully executed. It was cooked to the perfect medium rare and paired nicely with the garlic sauce. Sides included lightly seasoned crispy fingerling potatoes and broccolini also cooked to perfection. I ordered the house special, lobster in vodka sauce with house made pasta. This was the biggest disappointment when the other dishes were so well delivered. The pasta was over cooked and mushy. The sauce was a bit sweet and there were only a few small pieces of lobster claw meat. This was surprising since the dish was more expensive than the wagyu. When the hostess checked in on us, she was gracious in offering to get us something else. I went with the black truffle wheel since we had seen other tables ordering it and the waitress had said it was her favorite dish there. Indeed it was incredible and did not disappoint! The pasta was not overcooked and the sauce was to die for! I loved it and would come back just for that dish alone!

When the bill came out, we assumed that they would have comped us for the lobster dish since that was what we didn't like and had sent it back despite their offering us to take it home. But instead, they had comped us for the truffle dish ($26), which was just over half of the lobster dish ($44). Seemed like a strange unprofessional practice.

Overall we still loved 3 out of 4 dishes so would still come back. Hopefully there won't be screaming kids and perhaps the wait staff would not be as slow.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“The oyster selection is great! I also had the crab risotto, which was delicious even though the garnish didn't suit my taste. I had a gin and blueberry cocktail from their menu which was wonderful and so cool to watch the bartender work from the low bar seating. Also El was my party's server and they had great energy-- really friendly and knowledgeable without being too stuffy, which in a place like this can be a fine line to walk. Will definitely be back soon!“

“Came for lunch on a Monday and had our choice of seating. We opted for a booth, but the rest of the space was bright and airy and seems to be suited for groups of most sizes.

I got the Blackberry Bumble mocktail and the Sweet Potato Chickpea sandwich. The drink was tasty, as was the food. It came with a huge side of curly fries, which I was too full to finish.

Service was friendly and quick, and the bathrooms were nice and clean. I wish I could give 4.7 stars though, because by the end of our meal, there were tiny little gnats flying around and crawling on the table. Otherwise a lovely meal!“

“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.“

“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“

“We really enjoyed our dinner at Saigon Babylon! I think it’s one of the better places I’ve been to in Boston in terms of food, ambiance, and location. The drink options were really fun and tasted delicious. Although the menu was small, there was a good variety. The food had a lot of flavor and felt very unique. Finally, the service was a little slow but everyone was really kind and welcoming. I would definitely come back!“

“Had an amazing time tonight, I am so happy my friend recommended us visiting this establishment. The atmosphere was welcoming, the music choices were spot on and I cannot emphasize my appreciation for the staff. Our server Nicholas (also a bartender) made our time at brick and mortar so special and was extremely attentive. In my humble opinion he not only deserves the world but also recognition (don’t know how much he is being paid but double it and everyone should tip him please) for his ability to make the night special and fun. The potato chips were delicious and crunchy. The Mexican radio had me hooked, and was extremely smooth. Would come again, and recommend it to others!“

“Great tapas / quite filling“

“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!“

“A bar with top-notch service and truly skilled and knowledgeable bartenders. We sat in the cozy back patio, which added to the relaxed, welcoming vibe. The food was far beyond your typical pub fare — flavorful and thoughtfully prepared.

They had an impressive selection of whiskies, tequilas, and digestifs, all at very reasonable prices. I was lucky enough to try the Fortaleza Winter Blends 2023 and 2024 side by side, and the bartender was kind enough to label the glasses so I could compare them properly. Cocktails were excellent as well.

For food, we ordered the Baby Iceberg Salad, Pork Sausage Roll, Denver Steak Frites, Roasted Cod, Risotto, and Chicken Sandwich. Everything was delicious — my steak was cooked perfectly to temp, and the fries were crispy and well-seasoned.

One person in our group wasn’t sure about the doneness of their chicken sandwich since it looked slightly pink in the middle (which seemed normal to me for a chicken thigh sandwich). Our server handled it perfectly — he offered both a replacement and a refund without hesitation. The manager, Daren, also came by to explain that they carefully temp all their chicken straight from the fryer and use high-quality organic meat. To top it off, they even sent out a complimentary flan for dessert.

Overall, our experience at Tall Order far exceeded expectations — fantastic service, great drinks, and delicious food. We’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Elevated casual cocktail bar with a creative and seasonal cocktail list.

Stopped by around 7PM on a Friday, just before it got super-crowded. There was limited seating indoors (just two tables plus the bar and some couches), but the small terrace seats overlooking the square were a nice touch—especially if you’re visiting on a warmer evening. The bar itself was stylish enough for a proper cocktail night, but also relaxed enough to feel cozy and unpretentious.

As for the drinks, they seemed to do frequent rotations to keep things fresh (Some of the hyped-up favorites from the past were no longer available). Of the three we tried, the Fairmount Flip was our favorite. As described, it was a full-bodied, creamily cocktail reminiscent of the classic Montreal egg & cheese bagel sandwich. An impeccable mix of sweet, salty, and creamy that somehow just worked. The other two cocktails we tried leaned more generic.

Overall, it was the kind of place that elevated our casual night out without ever trying too hard. Definitely a place I’d return to after dinner for a nightcap or even just to grab a seat on the terrace and unwind.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Excellent experience. The food and service was great. I will definitely recommend Premiere to my friends“

“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🤷‍♀️“

“What I meal. Would love to go back and try more options. The best I thought was this porchetta flatbread with heirloom tomatoes and pesto. The meat melted in your mouth basically. Everything else was great including the seafood pasta special, mushroom pasta and roasted veggies. Couldn't pass up on the roasted fig ice cream either which was also spectacular.“

“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!“

“I was excited to find this restaurant. I am severely allergic to nuts and fish and they are nut and fish free in their Brookline restaurant! The food is delicious, the wait staff are so nice, and I didn’t have to worry about my allergies! Highly recommend.“

“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 👍“

“Food and service are excellent!“

“Innovative and delicious.“

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

“Had a last-minute birthday dinner here for 10. They were really busy but squeezed us in when they heard it was my birthday. The food was beautiful - I had tried the brilliant NYC outlet before and this did not disappoint. Fresh and varied flavours, great price, fast as lightning. The incredibly friendly staff sang me happy birthday, and even gave me a small gift! What more could I ask for?“

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“We come to Boston every 6 months, this restaurant is within walking distance of our hotel and our go to place. Such great food amd amazing service! We love our waiter Robin!“

“Great Food , Good atmosphere“

“classy drinks and awsome servers“

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

“Stayed in Brookline for the week and ended up here by happenstance my first night there. One of the best pubs I’ve ever been to and some of the best food I’ve had in a long time! A big shoutout to Greg’s mom for the beef stew🤌 Whether you’re there for a great pint, to catch a game, or just some good craic, Hamilton’s is the place to be. I’d fly back to Boston in a heartbeat just to eat here again.“

“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“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“great place to pack all my fans love the staff looking to perform here sometime in the near future“

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

“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“

“We were at JP Licks a few weeks ago and saw Bluefin across the street. It was new to us, and I checked out the menu on the website. My husband has A Thing for salmon BLT and frankly I do too, so when we saw that and salmon burgers listed we knew we'd want to check it out.

Yesterday we had our chance to go in for a late lunch/early dinner around 3 pm. We were the only people dining in, but other folks stopped on to get fresh oysters (and mussels?) to go. The atmosphere is pleasant; it's a small space, but they've made it feel airy and open.

The person at the counter was friendly and the service was great. I didn't order a drink with my sandwich and when I went back to him to buy a can of soda or something, he asked if we'd like glasses of ice water. (Not providing it by default makes sense to me, since some people don't want it and it's just wasteful then!)

I got the salmon BLT and my husband decided to try the burger. They came with a simple side salad of greens with a mild dressing, maybe just oil and salt? The sandwiches were delicious. The BLT was probably the better of the two but that's only because smoked salmon is so good. Whatever sort of bread they use on the BLT makes exceptional toast too.

The prices were comparable to similar fare in the area and the portions were good.

I didn't get any photos of the space or our food this time, but we plan to go back and will try to remember. I've seen a number of little places come and go in that location, but I hope Bluefin will be there to stay.“

“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!“

“Good food and drinks; excellent service“

“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.“

“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.“