50 Best Cocktail Bars near Waltham

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

“Delicious food and excellent service!!“

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

“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!“

“We’ve been coming here since they opened. Their menu has evolved and it’s a go to for the Waltham/Watertown/Newton area without having to go into Boston.

The ingredients are fresh and the place is clean. Lately we’ve been going weekly for dinner and it never disappoints. Their liquor/drink selection is a great bonus as well!

Highly recommend if you’re in the area~“

“The food and ambiance was delightful. The gin basil smash was one of the best cocktails I have ever had. The beat salad and tuna tartare were both excellent, as well as the spaghetti vongole (one of my favorite meals). Overall a great night, pricey, knew that going in, but worth it.“

“Very very cool 😎. 😎. 😎 😎“

“We love city streets! The food is great and service is incredible. We had a huge house disaster and took a lunch break here. When our waitress found out, she comped our lunch! Can’t recommend it enough!“

“Amazing food, great service, love the outdoor dining area! Can't wait to go back!“

“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.“

“Oysters were AMAZING!! Crab salad was 10/10!! I get a Butter Lobster roll every time I see it on the menu at every restaurant. Sad to say I rate their warm butter lobster roll a 7/10. Our drinks were 10/10. Everything was so good. Our server was also great. Definitely would recommend and will return soon!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“The atmosphere is so beautiful and cozy it feels like a little hideaway. The vibe is always warm and inviting, and it’s the kind of spot you could stay in for hours without realizing it.

What really keeps me coming back, though, is the bar manager. Truly one of the best in the business… he’s personable and just a joy to chat with. He always remembers me and you can tell they care deeply about the experience and it absolutely shows.“

“We loved everything about this restaurant. We had a great table in the window, our server was so knowledgeable and her recommendations were outstanding and the food, the food!! We had a mix of meals, seafood, pasta, special truffle course, and the chocolate cookies. Every single bit was delicious. We will definitely be back - if we can get a coveted table!“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Even though our sole visit was for cocktails, it's still worth the time. The bartender was well informed, made fantastic recommendations, and took the time to thoroughly explain and try a variety of cocktails. The final dish was delicious. Without a doubt, I'll return here.“

“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!“

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“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 👍“

“Todo muy bueno y la atención de primera“

“This was our first visit to 80 Thoreau and we were very happy with the experience. The food was great with unique menu options. The service struck the right balance in terms of being there at the appropriate times. And the atmosphere and noise level was great even though the restaurant was full. We definitely had a nice time!“

“Great Food , Good atmosphere“

“Innovative and delicious.“

“Food and service are excellent!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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 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.❤️“

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

“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!“

“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?“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Tashan is delicious Indian restaurant in New England area in Bedford. It was my 50 th birthday I celebrated at Tashan. It was amazing food with best complaints from the owners of the restaurant and staffs. Thank you so much to owner and staffs.?“