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Field Guide to Boston
From bottle service to bar trivia, how to make the most of Boston nightlife
Boston is known for many things: its sports fandom, its many colleges, false Hollywood stereotypes of Irish mob warfare and its affinity for Dunkin' Donuts. But a super happening city nightlife isn't one of them.
About a decade ago, the satirical news website, The Onion, called out Boston for pretending to be a big city — and particularly what we think passes as nightlife:
“My favorite part is when those little guys and gals head out to bars on the weekend like they’re experiencing real nightlife!” he added. “Gets me every time.”
It's true that the MBTA stops running at 1 a.m., and most bars close by 2 a.m. (City liquor rules prohibit alcohol sales beyond that hour.) Still, Bostonians have quite a few options to find a good time.
Boston's reputation as a puritanical town could change soon. In 2023, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appointed a "night czar" to help invigorate local nightlife.
Corean Reynolds, director of nightlife economy, said she wants to make Boston after dark just as vibrant as it is in the daylight. She said it's about creating a so-called "third place" for everyone.
“It could be a bar; it could be a nightclub; but maybe it's meeting at a cafe to talk about anime. Maybe it's meeting in the park in Jamaica Plain and having a picnic dinner," she said on WBUR's Radio Boston. "That's what we're looking at. Nightlife is what you want it to be."
So, here are some quick tips for how to navigate Boston's nightlife scene:
Bars, clubs and dancing
Boston bars may close earlier than they do in the city that never sleeps, but there’s no shortage of hip nighttime destinations, from upscale clubs to semi-secret art gallery parties. Boston also boasts plenty of mellow and/or sober social activities.
If you’re looking for high-end nightclubs with bottle service and touring DJs — and don’t mind paying a cover charge — you’ll want to start downtown. Check out The Grand in the Seaport, Royale and Icon in the Theater District and Memoire at the Encore Casino in Everett.
If you want smaller parties and low-key vibes, here are several other options:
- La Fabrica Central, a Caribbean restaurant in Cambridge’s Central Square, features live Latin music and DJ sets in its front lounge and backroom nightclub; Wednesday is Bachata night, with a class that welcomes beginners and social dancing.
- Also in Central Square you’ll find Havana Club, a go-to spot for salsa and bachata, and Middlesex Lounge, which features underground DJs Thursday through Saturday.
- The Beehive on Tremont Street in Boston offers funky vibes, cocktails and live jazz.
- If you’re looking for a hang more off-the-beaten path, EXIT — a pop-up gallery in Allston — merges art and underground music in its popular all-ages parties.
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LGBTQ+ scene
Despite a decline in queer-specific venues, LGBTQ+ nightlife in Boston is still rich with opportunities for fun.
- Boston institutions Club Cafe and Jacque’s Cabaret have historically served a gay male clientele, offering a mixture of drag, comedy, Broadway show tunes, karaoke and, in the case of Club Cafe, dance parties.
- On Thursdays, the Midway Cafe in JP is home to Queeraoke, a dance party and karaoke night that started as a lesbian party but has since adopted a more inclusive stance.
- Dorchester gastropub dBar transforms at night into a gay club with frequent drag performances, the occasional leather party and “show tune Tuesdays.” Be sure to check dBar's nightlife Instagram to get details on upcoming parties and performances.
- In Central Square, beloved alternative nightclub ManRay is open after an 18-year hiatus, catering to gay, leather and kink communities as well as fans of new wave, goth and industrial music.
Games, trivia or sober fun
Nightclubs aren’t your thing? Check out a movie series or film festival at one of our many excellent independent movie houses, or even a reading at an indie bookstore.
For something a little more social or activity-based, here are a few suggestions for some offbeat nighttime fun:
- Try Roxy's Arcade, a Central Square bar and '80s nostalgia trip tucked within a grilled cheese shop, where you can play vintage arcade games like Pac Man, Mortal Kombat and pinball.
- Itching to break out your 20-sided die? Check out Boston's board game bar Tavern of Tales, where you can rent a room to run your D&D campaign or just grab a board off the shelf and play.
- Ice cream and chess may seem like an unlikely combo, but it's a recipe for fun at J.P. Licks at 659 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain. From 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays, this ice cream chain's original location hosts a chess night. The event is free, the atmosphere is friendly, and it's a great way to meet other players. (Submitted by WBUR reader Jamie Williams.)
- Boston lives up to its reputation as a scholastic city with a trivia night at practically every bar in town. Boston.com asked its readers to share their favorite trivia spots, and they came up with an eclectic list of trivia nights that incorporate everything from Harry Potter fandom to limbo.
- MFA Late Nites and First Fridays at the ICA see the storied museums transform into hip destinations with DJ sets, performances by local musicians and poets, art making, food and, yes, alcohol. (These events often sell out, so it’s a good idea to get tickets ahead of time.)
- For social dancing in a sober setting, try the twice-monthly BIDA contra dances at the Masonic Temple in Cambridge’s Porter Square.
For more on ways to have fun — and find your people — in Boston, read our community guide.
This article was originally published on September 11, 2023.
