50 Best Cocktail Bars near Watertown

“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.“

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“It was my first time there and I had a wonderful evening. The service was amazing especially from my server Seamus. Seamus was so nice and very attentive, always checked in and gave a nice smile. It was a fun experience but I would go again even for the service alone.“

“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!“

“This was my second evening dinner at Branch Line, and it was as good as the first. Which is not easy to do, as an excellent first impression and first taste creates expectations it is hard to live up to. But they did. Location was perfect for a pre-theater dinner, as a group of us were going to a performance at the Mosesian theater, which is a 2 minute walk to a neighboring building. And the free covered parking is quite nice on a cold night. Reception and service were excellent. Food rich with flavor, and interesting. The rotisserie chicken - three varieties - is the signature dish, but all other in group ordered lamb, and were very pleased. Wines are interesting and fairly priced. Only reason I pulled pack one star on ambience was because it was a decidedly cold and windy evening, and our table was in the line of the entry door, so several at the table felt the need to bundle up a bit. No big deal. The place was packed and jumping. As it should be. Because we live two hours from Boston, I don't get there too often, but this is my top of the list go-to-when-in Boston restaurant choice.“

“Love everything, from warm chips and salsa to entrees and delicious drinks.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“food was amazing. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“

“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!“

“Sky is the most amazing bartender! Drinks were very unique but tasted awesome, this is my boyfriend and I’s second time here and we absolutely love it, we will always come back and look forward to the future menus. Thanks sky for such an awesome night!“

“Incredible place with incredible food and drinks! I love going to the original location in the North End, but this exceeded expectations. Luana, specially, was a fantastic server! Would highly recommend this location! Great food, drinks, and service!“

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

“This was my first time visiting Cactus Club Café and it was so great. From the moment we walked in through the doors to checking out we had a great experience. Our server Brittany was awesome, great energy, and very attentive. She also gave us great drink and food recommendations. I will definitely be coming back!!!“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Great tapas / quite filling“

“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.“

“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“

“The food was 10/10! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The service was immaculate from booking the reservation to the minute, we walked in we were greeted and seated right away. Our waiter was amazing. He went above and beyond, explaining all the dishes and drinks, and he was very, very knowledgeable. Even the chef came out to talk to us for a little bit and he truly is an amazing chef. Definitely recommend this restaurant. It is a 10 out of 10 would definitely go back in a heart beat. Try the patties! I 100% recommend the patties .“

“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!“

“Extra Dirty Cocktail Club is one of those rare spots that completely nails what a cocktail bar should be. The drinks here are the kind of cocktails you know you’ll never be able to recreate at home, and probably won’t ever have the exact same way again. Each one feels unique, crafted with real care and artistry.

And while the cocktails are the star, the food here deserves just as much credit. I’m still thinking about the Back Yard BBQ Act, our night the ribs were fall-off-the-bone perfect, and that cornbread was ridiculous.
The Fall Act with that cozy soup and the Gobblah, a Thanksgiving sandwich, French Dip–style, cranberry sauce on the side. The dishes feel like they’re designed to amplify the cocktails, not compete with them.

XDCC demonstrates that cocktails don't just have to be apertivos or night caps but can shine along side great dishes. The Acts change, the flavors shift, and every visit feels fresh and intentional. The creativity coming out of both the bar and the kitchen keeps me coming back, not to repeat something, but to see where they’ll go next.
Can’t wait for the next round.“

“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!“

“I love this place! My friends and I love popping in - whether a quick afternoon cocktail or a nightcap. The staff is so friendly and welcoming, and the vibes always feel so good. I’ve only had a few of the snacks but enjoyed each bite. The music is always at a great level where you can enjoy but also catch up with a friend. Bri (I may not be spelling correctly) was lovely to chat with! Don’t forget to scope out the pretty wallpaper in the hall or the daily trivia. See ya soon!“

“Amazing creativity on the cocktails!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“Great selection and the bartenders were awesome and knew their craft. And you can order food from any of the food options in the hall. I will definitely go back.“

“The food and drinks were excellent. 5:30 reservation right when they opened-probably wouldn't do that again. Everyone got sat at the same time and made for a long wait. Didnt get drinks until 5:52. Total dining time was 2 hours. Found street parking but I can see where this wouldn't be as possible during busier times of year. Bar is first come first serve and people start lining up around 4:30.“

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

“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“

“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!!“

“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.“

“So much fun! I highly recommend!“

“Amazing service, atmosphere and food. They had so many reservations but we're able to fit our little 2 person reservation in on a side table. Highly recommend the flank steak fajitas. I really enjoyed the open air abilities of the restaurant too. They can open all the windows and it feels like everyone is at an outside restaurant.“

“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.“

“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“

“When I read about this place opening I was excited. I was then lucky enough to go today, and boy it does not disappoint. Ambiance is Devine, the art deco is pumping through its veins and the cocktails are extremely well thought out. The space is compact, but open, and I’m not sure how they put on food as well, not that we tried any because the cocktails are a meal in themselves. Green and Yellow Chartreuse in stock is a strong sign that this place knows what is needed. Thank you team! You rock!“

“Innovative and delicious.“

“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!“

“Our afternoon tea at the Four Seasons was absolutely perfect. The food and drinks were so good, and Grace was truly a breath of fresh air. She was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel easy and personal. We honestly couldn’t have asked for better service and can’t wait to come back and be served by her again. I can not wait to go back for my next experience. overall 10/10 recommend“

“First time here and the shrimp tacos were delicious! French fries were thin and cooked perfectly.“

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