Boston's Best Bartenders

A lively bar scene and extensive, inviting menu of comforting faves make for an ideal all-purpose hangout on Beacon Hill.

Reviews:

• “Worst Brunch Experience”
• “Great Food, Nice Bar Scene”
• “ridiculously HOT waitstaff & bartenders”
• “Solid comfort food”
• “obsessed…”

Tips: With its location across the street from MGH, the bar enjoys one of the highest ratios of doctors and nurses of any establishment in the city.

Harvard Gardens or email Harvard Gardens

A decor as stylish as the well-dressed clientele meshes with an eclectic, international menu of contemporary cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Don’t know about Mondays”
• “Nice venue, menu was limited, subpar service”
• “Not good at all.”
• “nice decor, no service”
• “GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!”

Tips: While the dining area maintains a business-casual vibe, you’ll want to dust off your most stylish duds when visiting the lounge.

33 Restaurant and Lounge or email 33 Restaurant and Lounge

The Four Seasons Hotel’s lounge is an ideal destination for an upscale date spot.

Reviews:

• “Favorite place!”
• “Great food. Great service. Great environment/ambiance. Expensive.”
• “Disappointing”
• “Expensive”
• “power lunch”

Tips: Hotel guests take a break from the hotel’s formal dining room, Aujourd’hui, to try the lounge’s burgers.

Bristol Lounge

Fiery Mexican grub and an even hotter bar scene heat up the Back Bay’s answer to Southwestern chic.

Reviews:

• “Wish there was one close to home :(”
• “GO HERE!”
• “A+ MARGARITAS”
• “Great Food & Great Drinks”
• “nice decor; average food”

Tips: Show up early to beat the after-work crowd and enjoy half-price appetizers from 4pm to 7pm (Mondays through Thursdays).

Cactus Club or email Cactus Club

Upscale restaurant and lounge sits across the street from Faneuil Hall.

Reviews:

• “LUV it!!!”
• “Best Place in the City!!!”
• “Best Vibe Around”
• “Awful Service/Rude Bartender!!!!”
• “Great any night! Food Until 1:oo AM!”

Tips: Mondays are industry night, while Wednesdays feature a Sinatra impersonator from 7pm-10pm. A late night tapas menu is served until 1am nightly.

Red Sky Restaurant and Lounge

One of Boston’s true destination restaurants continues to impress with an outstanding take on modern French cuisine.

Reviews:

• “WTF!!! Bad Review. Radius is awesome!”
• “I almost didn’t go out…”
• “Great spot for business dinners and lunches”
• “Outstanding.”
• “Huge dis-aapontment”

Tips: Bar patrons: Don’t skip the divine apple martini (made with hand-pressed Granny Smith apple juice) or a tasty, Southern-style mint julep.

Radius or email Radius

Sports fans of all stripes head to Fenway Park to cheer on their teams at the city’s largest sports cafe.

Reviews:

• “the place to be during the red sox season!”
• “Great service and fun atmosphere!”
• “GAME ON! is #1”
• “Best event space!!!”
• “A great night out at the game”

Tips: Those who can’t score tickets to the Sox game can stop in for a meal and enter for a chance to enter the park in the second inning.

Game On!

The South End’s most stylish all-purpose destination thrills area 30-somethings.

Reviews:

• “Great Vibe”
• “UNPROFESSIONAL manager and doorstaff – as ALL the legitimate reviews state”
• “Never Again…. Terrible Service… uncomfortable in every way”
• “Total letdown”
• “Staff needs to learn about service, food horrible, cool ambiance”

Tips: Befitting its artsy vibe, the Beehive serves its drinks in offbeat holders (wine’s served in brandy snifters, beer in mugs with handles).

The Beehive

There’s no spicy jambalaya at this relaxed Davis Square hangout, just high-quality, upscale comfort cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Awful service, awful times, over priced.”
• “Maybe good for regulars not expecting much”
• “Orleans is not NEW Orleans!”
• “A place with something for everyone”
• “Not what I expected”

Tips: The bar offers half-price appetizers from 4pm-7pm weekdays.

Orleans Restaurant and Bar or email Orleans Restaurant and Bar

The Leather District’s fashionable pool hall and lounge draws mix-and-mingle scenesters.

Reviews:

• “Horrible Horrible horrible.”
• “The Best time ever.”
• “Worst Place in Boston”
• “Lousy experience ringing in 2008”
• “great night club”

Tips: True Music Thursdays feature national and local bands. Therapy Fridays and Social Club Saturdays both start at 10pm and are held in the fourth floor’s “4th Level” club, featuring top DJs.

Felt Boston or email Felt Boston