50 Best Cocktail Bars near Needham

“Five of us had an excellent dinner with good service. Small to medium place, right in town.

We came on a weeknight and shared some appetizers. Salad, arancini, tomatoes and mozzarella, all excellent. I had the eggplant parmigiana which came with a side of pasta that tasted homemade. The sauce was very good, an important test for any Italian place.

Vegetarian options: Typical for an Italian restaurant. Pasta, eggplant, salads and veggies. Not a huge selection, but two of us were vegetarian and enjoyed our meals.“

“We stopped for a quick bite and cocktail and can’t wait to go back. The menu is fun and doesn’t look/feel like an Irish pub but the menu reflect that it is and it’s upscale. We live 2.5 hours away but may have to visit for a day trip! I think you’ll do great and will be sought after for the vibe and decor too!“

“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.“

“Zoe was our server and she was absolutely amazing. Super attentive and a pleasure to get to know. The food was delicious and perfect for a last night dinner in Boston!

Dietary restrictions: I have celiac and the restaurant was super accommodating and respectful about cross contamination“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“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“

“Great tapas / quite filling“

“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.“

“We tried pizza Bianca, the famous salad and pasta with aged balsamic, and finally the ricotta cheese cake. Everything was vey good. The favorite dish was the pasta. I scored it 4/5 because I think the food portion was small. But definitely one of the best Italian dishes in the area! 👌“

“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🤷‍♀️“

“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.“

“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 👍“

“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!“

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“Great Food , Good atmosphere“

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

“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 ?“

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

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

“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.“

“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!“

“Innovative and delicious.“

“Food and service are excellent!“

“Todo muy bueno y la atención de primera“

“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“

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

“We went in a large group of 10 people. They were able to accommodate us seamlessly event though they probably have about 30 seats. The food came out quite quickly. All the dishes were all very delicious. We had chicken satay, spring rolls, larb chicken, fish cake, grilled squid, crying tiger, padthai, duck curry, chicken basil leaves, pad si ewe, Tom ka seafood, fried rice, hadyai fried chicken with sticky rice and mango sticky rice. Everyone really enjoyed the food. The service elevated our experience of eating here. I decided that this is my favorite Thai restaurant in Boston. Highly recommended.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

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

“Great local bar with solid drinks and great food.

Among the bars near Harvard Square, Abbey is my first pick for a laid-back drink on a patio. It’s just far enough from the noise, with reasonably priced drinks and, best of all, seriously good food. While the menu doesn’t push creative boundaries, they do the American bar comfort food done right.

Small bites like the Bacon Deviled Eggs and Pulled Pork Egg Rolls were tasty, but the entrée department was where Abbey excelled. Both the Salmon and Cod were outstanding—honestly, some of the best entrées I’ve had at a bar in recent memory. Each had an impeccable texture, almost as if delicately poached. The Salmon, paired with heirloom tomato risotto and a basil pesto vinaigrette, had a pleasant touch of acidity. Meanwhile, the Cod came with a potato scallion pancake, perfectly crisped and soaked in a shallot cream sauce, which added just the right crunch and salty punch to elevate the dish beautifully.

The crowd at The Abbey skews a bit older compared to some of the livelier Harvard Square bars, but it’s worth a visit f you’re after a more laid-back, cozy bar vibe. It’s popular among the locals, so if you’re hoping to snag a patio seat, I’d recommend going during off-peak hours.“

“wonderful people making the best of today💖“

“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!“

“Excellent food with a diverse menu, well made cocktails, and uncompromising service. We have been about a dozen times and have not had a bad experience. Already looking forward to the next visit.

Wheelchair accessibility: Large double door entrance with ample HC parking spots. Spaciousness interior.“

“We've been to Cedar House about a dozen times. We went looking for good pub food, fish and chips, burgers, etc., and were not disappointed. However, the nightly specials punch way above their weight. From frutti de mare, to fra diavolo, lamb stew, and shrimp ceviche, this is high end cuisine, at pub prices. The drinks, and service, are fabulous. See you next Thursday!“

“We went on a Friday night and the restaurant was not crowded - I think because it hasn't yet been discovered as it's off the beaten path, tucked behind the Alewife T station amidst the apartment buildings there. They have a lovely ambience with spacious outdoor seating and a fire pit as well as a spacious indoor dining area that doesn't make you feel crowded next to strangers. The restaurant offers a small menu but with very interesting flavor combinations - especially among their house cocktails - and there was something for everyone (vegetarian or carnivore). We ended up splitting several shareable plates and each one was a winner. And all of the servers were pleasant and attentive. It's now on our list of go-to places.“

“Lots of TVs to watch the game“