Bars & Clubs

• Place to Drink Alone

  Noir

  Shadowy hotel bars are settings built for storytelling. Dim corners harbor traveling intelligentsia, lounge-loving academics and abundant possibility. The bar lights provide a spotlight in the darkness, where a secluded customer is free to tie the strings of the evening’s plot together while ruminating over cocktails like the Black Dahlia or White Heat. Maybe it’s not what Marlowe would drink, but it’s where his night would begin.

  The Charles Hotel » 1 Bennett St., Cambridge » 617-661-8010 » noir-bar.com

• 20-Something Singles

  Ned Devine’s

  Ned Devine’s isn’t just another downtown bar. It’s a capacious entity that manager Mike Thomas says is designed to provide “three different atmospheres.” There’s the Irish bar, tricked out with woodwork imported from across the Atlantic; a more laid-back lounge; and the club, where live bands play every weekend to an audience of college kids and professionals still young enough to act the part. Regardless of where you stand, you’ll find a space offering exactly what you’re looking for.

  1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston » 617-248-9900 » neddevinesboston.com

• 30-Something Singles

  Towne Stove and Spirits

  It’s hard to slap a label on Towne’s two street-level bars. They have the walk-in accessibility of a neighborhood spot combined with the cachet provided by a big-time trio: developer Pat Lyons and mega-chefs Jasper White and Lydia Shire. And there’s a nifty craft cocktail list replete with whimsical touches—the Gypsy Dancer (“popular with the ladies,” says one bartender) is rimmed with honey crystals dispensed from a plastic Chinatown honeybear. The bar food is, of course, extraordinary. Lobster popovers, topped with succulent chunks of shellfish, are drizzled with Lyle’s Golden Syrup. It’s no wonder the place draws well-dressed flocks of the comfortably unattached.

  900 Boylston St., Boston » 617-247-0400 » towneboston.com

• 40-Something Singles

  Post 390

  The vibe here is neither achingly hip nor sedate. It’s relaxed and casual, right down to the dress code. Guests sip gimlets in business suits or jeans, and they all seem comfortable in their own skin. Bartenders are accommodating, and the gentle noise level allows conversation to stretch into the night. It’s no pickup joint, just a bar free of inhibitions. A slew of good-looking regulars meet at communal tables, enjoy Back Bay views and sometimes step over to the fireplace to chat up a new face in the crowd.

  406 Stuart St., Boston » 617-399-0015 » post390restaurant.com

• After-Work Drinks

  Hillstone

  It’s not just the downtown location that pulls in waves of thirsty office workers. According to general manager Tom Allen, “Our bartenders and servers are the friendliest faces in Boston.” That’s still probably not enough to sell a tough business crowd. What gets the job done is a top-flight bar program and a full-spectrum menu bookended by some unexpected favorites, with sushi and ribs drawing equal raves. Three hours of free validated parking after 3:30 pm (and just $5 for additional time) makes it easy to meet up for a drink, and there’s a six-table patio for soaking in a weekday’s last rays.

  60 State St., Boston » 617-573-9777 » hillstone.com

• Bar Games

  Jillian’s

  This the place for when you’re tired of the dive-bar pool table, its felt torn and stained like the soft-top on a junkyard Cadillac, or when you want the option to simultaneously bowl and watch the Sox on a TV screen bigger than a garage door. This 70,000-square-foot “food, entertainment universe” will have you orbiting more than 30 tournament-caliber billiards tables on the second floor alone. Take a break with a game of Ping-Pong or foosball, then check out the third floor with its 16 colorfully lit bowling lanes… and a dozen more pool tables. If you’re out for fun and games, it’s an evening right up your alley.

  145 Ipswich St., Boston » 617-437-0300 » jilliansboston.com

• Beer Bar

  Sunset Grill & Tap

  If you endeavored to sample one new beer every day, it would take you well over a year to drink your way around Sunset. More than 100 options are on tap at any given time, and they’re available by the shot, sampler, half-pint, pint, half-yard, yard or pitcher. The beer-loving staff will guide you through the roughly 380 microbrews and imports, not to mention meads, ciders and “beertails.” There’s an extensive menu of pub food and plenty of seating, though the place gets packed virtually every night. As patrons loosen up, they can lose touch with their inside voices, but if you’re craving beer more than quiet conversation, the Sunset is a must.

  130 Brighton Ave., Allston » 617-254-1331 » allstonsfinest.com

• Best-Kept Secret

  Peggy O’Neil’s

  Come for the steak tips, stay for the disco ball. Yes, this Field’s Corner spot may be a dive, but with a dance floor, a top-notch DJ, and extra-special features like a kitchen that’s open and serving until 2 am, you’re damn near guaranteed a good time. Here’s how Leslie the bartender sums it up: “It’s a fun place to be. I’ve bartended here for three years, but I’ve been drinking here for 15.” Cheers to that.

  1310 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester » 617-265-8846
• 

  Dance Club

  The Estate

  In the luxurious, large-scale surroundings of the Estate, you’ll feel close to the music: DJs spin cutting-edge mixes from an onstage booth surrounded by VIP tables. You’ll feel in good company: The unpretentious crowd is more concerned with dancing than with bottle service. And you’ll feel glad you arrived by 10 pm: No nightclub would be complete without an eye-catching line, but that doesn’t mean you ought to wait in it. Glamlife Thursdays attract a mostly gay/bisexual crowd. Fridays are for international revelers garbed in Gucci and Prada. And Saturday nights are packed with a diverse crowd of up to 700 people in which to lose yourself.

  Photo Credit: Natasha Moustache

  1 Boylston Place, Boston » 617-351-7000 » theestateboston.com 

• Dive Bar

  Galway House

  When a slug of Johnnie Walker Blue costs a mere $16, you don’t expect to sip it in posh surroundings. But it makes a hell of a chaser for the Heart Attack Special cheddar-chili fries. Dive enthusiasts won’t be disap-pointed at Galway House, where signage from a defunct television shop counts as decor, and at 10 pm the mood lighting changes from abrasive to dark. But, oh, the bargains. Single-malt Scotches start at $6, 40 imported beers under $5, and a new late-night menu (available ’til 1:30 am) offers pizzas for $7. During sporting events, the bar is jammed with a mostly local crowd watching five flat-screens. Local or not, anyone unen-cum-bered by pretense is welcome.

  720 Centre St., Jamaica Plain » 617-524-9677 » galwayhouse.net

• Gay Scene

  Guerrilla Queer Bar

  Think of it as a fabulous flash mob, or a pop-up with pride. Guerrilla Queer Bar’s playful raison d’être is to shake up a normal night out for revelers of any sexual persuasion. On the first Friday of each month members head to a chosen destination, and a hitherto straight bar becomes the new “it” gay scene for a single night. The guerrillas create a party, the regulars are cut loose from their routines and a bar tries on a totally new personality. Then the next month brings a new sortie soiree.

  bostonguerrilla.com

• Hot Spot

  Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar

  Lolita is tequila-trend hot. Habanero hot. A bonfire made of Nabokov paperbacks hot. Luckily, bartender Chris Whitney is ready to extinguish the flames with a Diablo Margarita. The man is a familiar face, having appeared on our Beloved Bartenders cover in 2009. Now he’s keeping pace with the crowds that pack the sultry, red-lit cantina, shattering ice for smashes, pile-driving limes for caipirinhas and shaking up more than a half-dozen varieties of margarita by the glass or the pitcher. Early in the week Lolita fills with Newbury Street shoppers. On Thursdays through Saturdays, Whitney says thirsty revelers “just blow the doors off this place.”

  271 Dartmouth St., Boston » 617-369-5609 » lolitaboston.com

• Hotel Bar

  Woodward at Ames

  Even on a quiet night, the bar at Woodward feels like a haven for the hip and happening. The bartender whips up an Aperol and rye smash for a friend from Back Bay Social Club. A waiter attends to a compatriot visiting on his night off. In the kitchen, chef Mark Goldberg turns out a burger-free bar menu focused on shareable plates like char-kissed flatbread topped with asparagus, mushrooms, onion and Parmesan. Then on party nights, the peace is mercifully broken. Check out an impressive lineup of DJs and the annual Cocktail Wars, which puts all the industry friendliness aside for an Iron Chef–style mixing battle.

  Ames Hotel, 1 Court St., Boston » 617-979-8200 » woodwardatames.com

• Irish Bar

  The Druid

  Tucked into the oldest wooden mercantile building in Cambridge is the ideal spot for a plate of bacon, eggs, and black and white pudding. In the evening, sure, go for the requisite Guinness, but don’t miss one of the city’s most underappreciated burgers. There are traditional Irish sessions and a weekly DJ night. Chatting with staff members named Mikey or Colm, remind yourself there’s a difference between an Irish bar and a plastic Paddy pub. Happily, you’re in the right one.

  1357 Cambridge St., Cambridge » 617-497-0965 » druidpub.com

• Lesbian Scene

  Milky Way Lounge at Bella Luna Restaurant

  When GM/co-owner Carol Downs talks about the scene at the Milky Way, the word “community” comes up a lot. Describing the monthly Dyke Night, she says, “It’s just packed—a great dance night for the community.” Sexy and Sophisticated, featured on the second Thursday of each month, is another popular event with “a really strong core audience” that appreciates the open-mike performances that evolve into another feel-good party. All patrons are drawn to Bella Luna’s creative cocktails and inventive menu, recently overhauled by new chef Sam Putnam. Formerly of Ashmont Grill and Foundry on Elm, Putnam has added vegan specials and gluten-free dishes to expand the appeal.

  284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain » 617-524-3740 » milkywayjp.com
• 

  Mixologist

  Joy Richard

  Richard’s love affair with bartending started back when she was 19 years old and waiting tables. “Occasionally, they’d throw me behind the bar,” she recalls. “I just loved it.” Years of experience later, Richard leads the charge at Citizen Public House, where her creations have attracted a devoted following of cocktail cognoscenti. She’s a founding member of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails), a veteran of Tremont 647 and the Franklin Cafe troika, and currently a vocal proponent of cognac and tiki drinks. So what’s bartender’s choice this summer? “Punches,” she says. “Sherry drinks, dry vermouth drinks, Aperol and St-Germain.” Richard has your work cut out for you. Better work up a thirst.

  Credit: Dan Watkins

  Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar » 1310 Boylston St., Boston » 617-450-9000 » citizenpub.com

• Neighborhoods: Allston

  Deep Ellum

  A near-instant classic, this four-year-old tavern (named for the Deep Elm arts district in Dallas, hometown of co-owner Aaron Sanders) combines forward-thinking food (root beer–braised pork belly, the “best wurst” plate) with timeless drinks (Hemingway daiquiris, aviations and seven versions of the Manhattan). A deck reinforces its status as the neighborhood champ.

  477 Cambridge St., Allston » 617-787-2337 » deepellum-boston.com

• Neighborhoods: Back Bay

  Parish Cafe

  Something old, something new, something borrowed. That formula has given Gordon Wilcox more success than most marriages attain, making him the patriarch of a restaurant empire (eight spots, including this one, the Rattlesnake and Bukowski’s). For almost 20 years, Parish has dished up a menu of sandwiches created by celebrity chefs to a casual, bustling after-work crowd drawn by nearly 100 beers and fresh confections, like a prickly pear margarita.

  361 Boylston St., Boston » 617-247-4777 » parishcafe.com

• Neighborhoods: Beacon Hill

  The Sevens

  Come early, come late, come often. The darts garner more attention than the food, but the beer, not surprisingly, is top-tier, including a house-brand Harpoon. Occupying the Charles Street site for nearly three-quarters of a century, most of it spent under the kind and generous hand of owner Jack Kiley, the Sevens is the best kind of neighborhood bar: a hangout.

  77 Charles St., Boston » 617-523-9074

• Neighborhoods: Brighton

  Brighton Beer Garden

  As the name suggests, BBG is primarily a beer hall, jammed with the post-college crowd. It boasts more than 100 brews, 50 HDTVs and roadside attractions like trivia, karaoke, DJs, live music and an honest-to-God sleight-of-hand artist on Thursday nights (wear your cheap watch)—all with no cover and pub grub available five days a week at happy-hour prices.

  386 Market St., Brighton » 617-562-6000 » brightonbeergarden.com

• Neighborhoods: Brookline

  Washington Square Tavern

  T.W.S.T., as some call it, is a 12-year-old pub that’s become a destination. Blessed with bookshelves, not TVs, the dark and woody interior is a cozy backdrop for upscale comfort food. Charcuterie, house-made sausage and crispy pork belly are current crowd-pleasers (and there are crowds, but no reservations). The tavern offers its own take on standards like the martini, Manhattan and Negroni, plus custom-made creations.

  714 Washington St., Brookline » 617-232-8989 » washingtonsquaretavern.com
• 

  Neighborhoods: Cambridge: Harvard Square

  Russell House Tavern

  This year-old spot, more elegant than most cramped Harvard hangouts, draws young and older professionals, academics and tourists. It’s a spacious gastropub with an outdoor patio, a bistro-style upstairs eatery and a subterranean dining room that’s dark, warm and decidedly sleek. The upmarket effort is evident in composed small plates, cask ales, and an array of Seelbachs, Scottish Plays and other glassfuls of amber liquids.

  Credit: Heather McGrath

  14 JFK St., Cambridge » 617-500-3055 » russellhousecambridge.com

• Neighborhoods: Cambridge: Inman Square

  Trina’s Starlite Lounge

  Hospitality is the star here. The simple, playful menu, featuring fried chicken and waffles and a Cuba de Tallahassee sandwich, is just what you want when unwinding. An inviting scene makes everyone feel like part of a happy if slightly dysfunctional family. It’s the place where industry vets show up, both after their shifts and for Monday brunch, when Bloody Marys and Fernet flow freely.

  3 Beacon St., Somerville » 617-576-0006 » trinastarlitelounge.com

• Neighborhoods: Cambridge: Kendall Square

  Lord Hobo

  Kendall Square has always been a crossroads for Cambridge hipsters and the professional suits that work in the area. Lord Hobo caters to both with $4 pints from Haverhill Brewery and craft cocktails like the Angelina (gin,
  St-Germain, yellow Chartreuse, fresh lemon, bitters). There are also nightly $5 appetizer specials, and $1 oysters from 5 to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday. It’s a stellar way to start exploring a menu that expands into kobe steak tips, burrata pecan pesto crostini and pork belly with pickled napa slaw.

  92 Hampshire St., Cambridge » 617-250-8454 » lordhobo.com

• Neighborhoods: Cambridge: Porter Square

  Toad

  For 18 years, Toad has been a tiny nightlife beacon for a hip, artistic set and musicians on nights off. Cousin to the Lizard Lounge (among the five Cambridge boîtes owned by the Christopher family), it’s touted local talent from G. Love and Jennifer Trynin to Morphine and Tracy Bonham. Guided by the hand of stellar booker Billy Beard, the bands are the biggest draw, with the microbrew selection providing extra incentive. Never a cover; almost always packed.

  1912 Mass. Ave., Cambridge » 617-497-4950 » toadcambridge.com

• Neighborhoods: Charlestown

  Ironside Grill

  Ironside feels airy and new, but it’s seen some life. At age 61, the establishment has been around since the days the Winter Hill Gang counted their ill-gotten gains on the bartop. Recent renovations added big windows, polished the woodwork to a glossy sheen and burnished the coffered ceiling. Monthly drink specials, friendly staff and an outdoor patio draw neighbors and a TD Garden faction willing to make the short walk across the Charlestown Bridge for some civilized fandom.

  25 Park St., Charlestown » 617-242-1384 » ironside-grill.com

• Neighborhoods: Dorchester

  Sonny’s Pub & Restaurant

  An Irish-themed fixture in Adams Village since 1968, Sonny’s is part sports bar, part family-fare restaurant (they even have an early-bird special). Among the karaoke, trivia and memorabilia standbys are prices that sadly aren’t seen much anymore: Try $2.75 beers and pizzas on Tuesdays. From an Irish breakfast to standout steak tips, it’s one-stop shopping for famished locals.

  750 Adams St., Dorchester » 617-436-9432 » sonnysfamilypub.com

• Neighborhoods: Downtown Crossing

  Silvertone Bar & Grill

  For 14 years, Silvertone’s greatest strength has been its staff, from owners to servers to bartenders ready with a warm greeting and a cold beer. The roast chicken and mac ’n’ cheese are still delicious, and an accompanying bottle of wine can’t be had at a better price. Consistency is key at this downtown gem that attracts a cast of regulars who add to the fun.

  69 Bromfield St., Boston » 617-338-7887 » silvertonedowntown.com

• Neighborhoods: East Boston

  Kelley’s Square Pub

  Flanked by a Brazilian market and two Mexican grills, the quizzically named Kelley’s (everyone knows the square as Central) is a welcome throwback. The walls are papered with autographed pictures—Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano and, uh, LeAnn Rimes—collected over the years by owner John Mastrangelo, an ex-pugilist. Check it out for pizza, charbroiled meats and an eclectic crowd befitting the neighborhood, where Kelley’s has hosted guests for 37 years.

  84 Bennington St., East Boston » 617-567-4627 » kelleyssquarepub.com

• Neighborhoods: Jamaica Plain

  James’s Gate Restaurant & Pub

  Named after the centuries-old St. James’s Gate at the Guinness brewery in Dublin, JP’s saintless James has warmed the hearts and bellies of devoted patrons with its handsome fireplace and satisfying food since 1997. Built of stone, stucco and slate to resemble the brewery, it features rotating displays by local artists. Keep comfortable with the varied wine and beer list (stouts and ales from $5), which offers intriguing selections throughout the year.

  5 McBride St., Jamaica Plain » 617-983-2000 » jamessgate.com

• Neighborhoods: Newton

  Paddy’s Pub

  With its white walls, support beams and hanging plants, the Paddy’s exterior has a traditional look. Inside, a leather-and-wood design backs up the claim, but bartenders make leaps from the expected with concoctions like pomegranate lemonade and Highlands Sangria. With plenty of personality, Paddy’s is a great suburban alternative to more crowded and expensive metropolitan pubs.

  95 Elm St., West Newton » 617-965-6444 » paddys.us

• Neighborhoods: North End

  Ducali Pizzeria & Bar

  Here’s a young-adult haven that’s more Garden-oriented than traditional–North End, with corresponding crowds during pre-game. There are craft brews on tap, sports on the TV, trivia on Mondays and celeb tags on the wall. (Tim Pawlenty stopped by?) Beer flights are a fun touch. So, too, are the specialty cocktails, priced nicely at $6 and up. Ducali scores points for food, drink, value and an atmosphere the neighborhood needs.

  289 Causeway St., Boston » 617-742-4144 » ducalipizza.com

• Neighborhoods: Somerville

  Highland Kitchen

  Each year, this gastropub continues to expand its fan base. Attractions are the bountiful bar (50 beers, well-priced wine) and craft cocktails (try the Mark ’n’ Stormy, made with Maker’s Mark and chili-infused ginger beer). The quirky, quality dishes with a Southern tinge (blackened catfish po’boys, spicy jambalaya), live music on Sundays and the presence of Joe McGuirk behind the sticks amplify the down-home feel.

  150 Highland Ave., Somerville » 617-625-1131 » highlandkitchen.com

• Neighborhoods: South Boston

  The Playwright Restaurant & Bar

  A perennial favorite with Southie’s yuppie denizens and natives alike, this is the definition of a reliable, somewhat polished neighborhood pub. The menu sports solid bar fare like quesadillas and steak tips, as well as more refined dishes like oven-roasted halibut. Weekend brunch pulls in the crowds, as do games on the big TVs and an enviable menu of draft beers.

   

  658 East Broadway, South Boston » 617-269-2537 » theplaywrightbar.com
• 

  Neighborhoods: South End

  The Gallows

  In stark contrast to its name, the Gallows brings lightheartedness to a section of town that sometimes takes itself too seriously. Chef Seth Morrison shows a deft touch with steak and salmon, but also puckish creativity with a changing lineup of burgers and poutine. Displaying the same mischievous spirit, bartenders crack open bottles of Boone’s Farm and cans of Natural Light while turning out wild cocktails like the Grave Robber, made with vodka, jasmine tea, Lillet and lavender. The establishment is named for its location on the Neck, where Boston’s stocks stood in the 1700s. But the vibe couldn’t be livelier.

  Credit: Katie Noble

  1395 Washington St., Boston » 617-425-0200 » thegallowsboston.com

• Neighborhoods: West Roxbury

  West on Centre

  Owner Michael Conlon Jr., a second-generation Boston bar owner, has a track record of reviving threadbare neighborhood spots (think the Paramount and the 21st Amendment in Beacon Hill or Dorchester’s Blarney Stone). Now celebrating its seventh year, West on Centre combines a lustrous, affable look with an untucked personality—the type of place where a half-price pizza can be paired with a $75 cabernet. And Tuesdays present a rare city treat: a chance to play sommelier, as the bar lets you BYOB.

  1732 Centre St., West Roxbury » 617-323-4199 » westoncentreboston.com

• Place to (Re-)Capture Youth

  Daisy Buchanan’s

  As the convertibles hit Newbury and the hems of summer dresses elevate a few more inches, a certain kind of romance hangs in the air. Silver foxes and their arm candy make this Back Bay stalwart their natural habitat, while the patio is a great place to take in the street scene. Important to know: Daisy’s is cash-only. For half the guests, that shouldn’t be a concern.

  240 Newbury St., Boston » 617-247-8516 » daisybuchanansboston.com
• 

  Place to Drink Like a Chef

  Tasty Burger

  After a long, hot night in the kitchen, many local chefs reach for a tall cold one. For Coppa’s Jamie Bissonnette, Budweiser does the trick. Will Gilson, formerly of Garden at the Cellar, opts for a ’Gansett. High Life–living Chris Coombs of Deuxave is another regular. On late weekend nights when Coombs “can’t stand the crowd in Chinatown,” Tasty Burger plates up his bacon cheeseburger with mushrooms and chipotle aioli even as the clock nears 2 am. Think of it as a hipper “Nighthawks,” with chili dogs.

  Credit: Katie Noble

  1301 Boylston St., Boston » 617-425-4444 » tastyburger.com
• 

  Place to Rock Out

  Great Scott

  With ticket prices mostly ranging from $15 to free and PBR at three bills, Great Scott is kind to a small budget. And with a wide selection of live indie and underground rock shows, there’s ample opportunity to take advantage. Acts range from Echo and the Bunnymen to Mean Creek. Add the Pill dance night on Fridays, and an evening spent here guarantees serious bang for your buck.

  Credit: Alyssa Greenberg

  1222 Comm. Ave., Allston » 617-566-9014 » greatscottboston.com
• 

  Post-Fenway

  Hong Kong Cafe

  It’s not about the sauce on the General Gau’s or the variety of the pupu platter. It’s not even about the potency of the scorpion bowls. What makes this the best place to hang out post-Fenway is the assurance of enough personal space to breathe while savoring a win or bemoaning a loss. A favorite of hungry Fenway staff and vendors, the Hong Kong serves food late (until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays) and is conveniently hidden inside HoJo’s. Plus, the price is right. A $6 Scotch tastes a lot better than a $9 beer.

  Credit: Katie Noble

  Howard Johnson Hotel » 1271 Boylston St., Boston » 617-437-8889

• Post–TD Garden

  The Greatest Bar

  If it’s too early to head home, what are your West End options? A pub to toast the victory? A dance floor to work off the nachos? Or a sports bar to catch the replay of the game you’ve just attended? Leaping to clear the (extremely high) bar its name sets, the Greatest Bar delivers all three scenarios on four levels, right across the street from the TD Garden. Should a floor not meet your criteria for fun, just keep walking up the stairs.

  262 Friend St., Boston » 617-367-0544 » thegreatestbar.com

• Pre-Fenway

  Bleacher Bar

  True to its name, the Bleacher Bar sits under the center-field bleachers, affording an enviable view of the field. Once the game begins, the one-way window goes down (so you can see the players but they can’t see you, or your heckling). Best to arrive early on game days to secure a front-row seat, and don’t forget to ask for the fried pickles.

  82A Lansdowne St., Boston » 617-262-2424 » bleacherbarboston.com

• Pre–TD Garden

  Halftime Pizza

  Feeling peckish before the big game? Fortify yourself with a waxed-paper cup of beer and a cheap slice. Unsurprisingly, this family business is always packed at peak times, but service is fast. If you want to skip the pie, chow down on aptly named sandwiches (Slap Shot, Penalty Box), and check out the nine wide-screens to feed your team spirit.

  115 Causeway St., Boston » 617-720-4578 » halftimekingofpizza.com

• Sports Bar

  Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill

  As a second baseman, Jerry Remy didn’t earn too many accolades. As a brand, the Rem Dawg is surging. In addition to commentator and pitchman, he’s added sports bar czar to his resume, with three locations, including this spot around the corner from Fenway. Food is pub fare (wings, wraps, a burger sandwiched between fried dough). Rooftop seating is on the way. But the biggest draw (besides the man himself, available for photo ops, of course) is the 32 TVs and two truly mammoth screens, prompting long lines on game nights.

  1265 Boylston St., Boston » 617-236-7369 » jerryremys.com
• 

  Summer Scene

  The Whiskey Priest

  Fried oysters and anything Irish sizzle in the Seaport District, which welcomed this gastropub last spring. Like its namesake, the stereotypically besotted-yet-soulful cleric (think Friar Tuck), the Whiskey Priest is bawdy but entertaining. Dance to DJs, stomp to Irish music, lounge on the patio for Sunday brunch and, yes, take a crack at more than 100 varieties of whiskey.

  Credit: Dan Watkins

  150 Northern Ave., Boston » 617-426-8111 » thewhiskeypriestpub.com

• Upgrade

  The Patio at Dillon’s

  Newly raised to street level, the Dillon’s patio now matches the interior expanse and carries the distinction of being the biggest in the Back Bay. Replete with flowers, lanterns and umbrellas, the 85-seat oasis is a draw in summer weather (and fully equipped with outdoor heaters for colder nights). Humming when the Sox are in town and offering al fresco dining until the stroke of midnight, it’s an ideal open-air option for before, during or after the game.

  955 Boylston St., Boston » 617-421-1818 » dillonsboston.com

• Watering Hole for the Well-Heeled

  Bristol Lounge

  Tom and Giselle, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Daltrey, Conan O’Brien and Mark Wahlberg have all dropped in recently for a nip and a taste of one of the finest bar menus in town (the famous burger, truffle pizza). The elegant but accessible environs are a comfy setting for a swank night out, or just for an unhurried cocktail like the popular Mule in Paris, made with thyme-infused vodka, lime, cassis and ginger beer.

  200 Boylston St., Boston » 617-351-2037 » fourseasons.com/boston

• Worst Trend

  Aged Cocktails

  The idea of barrel-aging booze to produce richer flavors works wonders for certain spirits. But cocktails stored for weeks taste lifeless, and a vigorous quake in a shaker fails to resuscitate the flavors. The fad began with mixologists in London and New York, and is practiced locally at reliable watering holes like Drink. Former Temple Bar bar manager Hugh Reynolds says the process makes one mean Negroni. Maybe. To keep the smiles on our faces, though, we’ll stick to the fresh hard stuff.