Boston Nightlife

Sitting at the zinc bar and swirling a glass of deep red Burgundy while you gaze out at pretty Boston Common, you’d almost think you were in a Parisian arrondissement rather than Boston. There’s an excellent selection of French, Italian and American wines by the glass after which you can migrate to elegantly appointed French restaurant upstairs.

This dark and sexy subterranean space has earned a national reputation for its personal approach to mixology. Don’t rock-up to the bar expecting a menu full of predictable martinis, instead the bartender will discuss your flavour profile preferences and then whip up a bespoke cocktail from a selection of premium spirits and artisanal mixers.

If you can't resist the Irish legacy of Boston, there is a huge choice, often with live music. Try The Black Rose: voted one of America's top 10 Irish establishments, it's located in the historic Faneuil Hall-Quincy market area of Boston and is known for its friendly atmosphere, good hearty food and live Irish entertainment seven days a week.

This pub provides a no frills, down to earth experience with cheap beer and enough room for all your friends. You don’t even have to leave if you get hungry, since The Corner Pub offers a selection of snacks to tickle your taste buds, everything from their famous eggrolls to delicious burgers and hotdogs.

Fashionable Middlesex with its award-winning burgers, hand-crafted cocktails and national and international DJs draws the crowds across the bridge to Cambridge. Inside, modish modular furniture makes for a comfortable early-evening lounge. Then, after 9pm, it is pushed aside to make way for the dancing crowd who come for trendsetting hip hop and electronica DJ sets.

Royale, in the Theater District, is done out as a huge ballroom but has all kinds of theme nights plus dance and music from salsa to chart and even has magic shows. There are VIP balconies, secluded nooks and even a festive light show, and the music is diverse, ranging from house and dance to indie, mainstream rock, pop and hip-hop.

With a historied past – the legendary Storyville jazz club occupied this same spot in the 1940s – this modern speakeasy pulls the punters with its louche New Orleanian décor and potent cocktails. The venue is split into two rooms, one a dedicated drinking den and the other which morphs from a lounge-like atmosphere to a full-on dance hall once the music gets going. On Wednesday night there’s also live music.

This swanky venue boasts a bar within a library, a range of delectable cocktails and high-tech laser lights, making it the ideal place for an exclusive boogie. The luxurious décor and sultry red lighting provide a relaxing and glamorous atmosphere, while the spacious dance floors provide ample room for you to show off your dancing skills.

Experience state-of-the-art lighting, sound and tasty Cajun-style cuisine at this live jazz music venue, where national acts play if they want something more intimate. Instead of fighting in the crowds on the mezzanine level, opt for the balcony seating which offers great views of the stage.

Some of Boston's best jazz, blues, Latin and funk are featured at Les Zygomates, a Parisian-style bistro with a difference. Situated in the Theater District, it attracts a sophisticated clientele and serves up some excellent French cuisine along with wine tastings sessions and pre- and post-theater cocktails.

If you want to get a glimpse of emerging stars and up-and-coming talent check out the line up at the Red Room, which is booked by Berklee students who work alongside industry professionals. The 200-capacity venue is also pretty special with a state-of-the-art sound system which wonderfully showcases the range of rock, hip hop, jazz, folk, avant garde and world music that is performed here.