Take a weekend trip to Boston – a city that has more to do in it than you can imagine – and it’s hard to leave and feel like you’ve enjoyed everything that the city has to offer. Over the course of several stays in Boston, I’ve compiled a list of must-hit bars and restaurants that are bound to give you a full and interesting weekend in one of the greatest cities in the world.
The Pourhouse:
The owner of nine best bar awards from seven different sources (including the New York Times, Boston Herald, and MSN), the Pourhouse is one of Boston greatest taverns. Heralded for their great prices on beer and food, this joint is the best way to enjoy any sporting event. During every Red Sox game, major sporting event, and all day Saturday, they serve ice cold 22 ounce mugs filled with the beer of your choosing. Their bar staff is by far the most friendly and personable I’ve encountered in my trips to Boston. They usually have four barkeeps staffing their long, crowded bar top and, if you’re friendly back, you are usually pleasantly surprised to find your bill a bit lighter than you thought it’d be.
I can’t, in good conscience, mention the Pourhouse and not talk about their nachos. A great appetizer to split between you and your ten best friends, their mountains of nachos, stacked about eight inches high, topped with jalapenos, black beans, chili, sour cream, and cheese are a must order in you even find yourself sitting at one of their barstools.
Mother Anna’s:
Located in Boston’s North end, you won’t find a better menu full of Italian cuisine in Boston’s city limits. In the two times I’ve visited this fine establishment, I’ve had the best Chicken Marsala and Veal Parmesan I’ve ever eaten. The menu has three sections; Al Mare (the sea), veal specialties, and chicken specialties, and, trust me when I say, you’re safe to pick any option at random without having to worry about the quality of the meal you’re about to ingest. I’ve never had a member of the party I was with have anything but extremely positive things to say about their dish.
The dining room itself is quaint and small, only fitting about 30 people at a time, but if you make reservations, you’ll have no problem getting a table. You also have the option of, weather permitting, sitting outside on their small outdoor patio and taking in the beautiful sight of the financial district while you enjoy your meal.
Harpoon Brewery:
Do you love beer? Yeah? Me too! Do you love good beer? You’re right, who doesn’t? Ok, last one. Do you love good, free beer? Then take a break from all the bars and restaurants you’re sure to be visiting and travel down to the industrial district and stop into Harpoon for their free brewery “tour”. I put tour in quotations because you’re not actually touring the brewery as much as you’re touring the twelve selections that they have on tap at the time.
After a quick ten minute introduction to their selection, your tour guides for that afternoon become your friendly tap minders for the next fifty minutes. For this almost hour long period you are able to try any and all of their beers in as high a quantity as you’d like. After tasting what is some of the best beer you’re sure to have, I can guarantee you’ll start paying them back on your way out by purchasing a six pack or growler of your favorite ale that you sampled that afternoon.
The Parish Café:
As a sandwich connoisseur, I can safely say that this establishment belongs in the hall of fame. The perfect spot to grab a quick bite to eat (it’s located on Boylston, the heart of downtown) before you wander around the city. The sandwiches here are not traditional in any sense. Every item on the menu is an original concoction designed by their own cooks, and fellow’s chefs around Boston.
My personal favorite is “Rowdy’s Famous Chicken Sandwich”, but other selections, like “Sean’s Meatloaf Club”, are sure to make this one of your go to spots when you’re in Beantown.
Also impressive is their extensive beer list. They have a wide selection of imported and domestic beers both on tap and bottled for you to enjoy while you eat one of their excellent sammiches.
Doyle’s Irish Pub/ Samuel Adams Brewery:
Though you can hit either one of these destinations on its own, I suggest making the trip to both. If you’re a fellow beer aficionado, then you are sure to enjoy the insight you’ll get from the Sam Adams tour, along with the samples you will be tasting. After this quick tour, hop on their shuttle over to Doyle’s , where you’ll receive your complimentary Sam Adams Boston Lager original glass, and gobble down the best Rueben that Boston has to offer. These two destinations combined are a great reason to hop on the T and travel down to Jamaica Plains any time you’re in the city.
Lucky’s Lounge:
Taking the stairway down to this joint located on Congress St., you’ll think you just stepped through a wormhole and it was the 1960s all over again, during the height of the Rat Pack’s reign. This corner tavern is home to some of the best cocktails, classic and original, that Boston has to offer. With a menu that changes depending on the time of day, you can come here for lunch, dinner, and even brunch if you’re so inclined. For the late night crowd, they often have Frank, Sammy, Dean, Pete and Joey impersonators serenading the crowd.
Abe and Louie’s:
While this locale is heralded as a great steakhouse, its real showcase is the brunch menu. Stop in before 2pm on Sunday and grab a Bloody Mary or Mimosa at the bar, and wait to be seated for what will be the defining brunch experience of your life. Whether you’re looking for Eggs Benedict or a burger, Abe and Louie’s has it all. Just tasting the muffins and Danishes they put on the table before your meal will make you glad you spent the money and stopped in to this great joint.
Clery’s:
This is one of the Boston University hangouts. They have a quiet bar on the ground floor, for those who would like to enjoy a few drinks and conversation amongst friends. For the late night crowd, they’ve designated the basement as a club like setting for the single, dancing crowd. Whichever you’re looking for, this establishment is sure to prove a wise choice for an evening out.
LIR:
Another two-tiered bar/restaurant, LIR sports a base level bar area, equipped with a rectangular bar staffed with bartenders ready and willing to serve the huge crowd that masses their most nights. The upper level, which has a spiral staircase leading up to it, is for the dinner crowd and transforms in to another bar to support the late night crowd once the dinner rush is over.
Honorable Mentions:
Victoria’s Diner: Home to the best breakfast in Boston. Located in the heart of South Boston, you’d be hard pressed to find a better omelet or plate of pancakes in the entire city.
Anna’s Taqueria: Stop here for a San Francisco style mission burrito that is sure to make you forget about Moe’s and Qdoba as soon as you take your first bite.
Mike’s Pastry Shop: Venture down to Mike’s after you’ve enjoyed any of the great restaurants in the Northend. Just the smell of the delicious baked goods and gelato will make you forget you just ate and ready to devour a fantastic cannoli.
Faneuil Hall: Come here for the history, the fantastic street performances, and, most importantly, the best bread bowl of clam chowder you’re bound to find in the entire city.
Though it seems like a daunting task, you can fit all of these joints in to a single weekend in Boston, if you’re up to the challenge. Following this list is a sure fire way to help guide you through your trip to Beantown, and define the further trips you’ll take with venues that you’re sure to want to stop in again and again. – Adam Clouden
While relatively new to the scene, Special Contributor Adam Clouden knows a great joint and has chosen a review of Boston establishments for his first contribution to www.greatjoints.com.