Boston's Best First Date Spot 2008

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

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

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 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

The famous and trendy may eat here, but well-executed dishes go beyond fashionable fare.

Reviews:

• “Rude clientele but great menu in a nice space”
• “Great lunch and dinner”
• “Excellent!”
• “Great place”
• “Hottest Scene in the city”

Tips: Weekend nights are extremely busy: Make reservations or expect to wait. Or enjoy the same menu and environment on weeknights, which are less crowded year-round.

Sonsie

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

Massive margaritas and affordable Tex-Mex fare combine to yield one of Harvard Square’s most popular restaurants.

Reviews:

• “The most disorganized and lying management ever!”
• “Easy, cheap and fast!”
• “Do not go there as the folks running the place are extremely rude!”
• “HORRIBLE service (especially manager)”
• “Good food, horrific attitude”

Tips: Vegetarians take heart: The restaurant offers a full page of meatless menu options.

Border Cafe

An interracial, inter-galactic music club and bowling lounge.

Reviews:

• “ferguddabout the pizza, eat like a grown up!”
• “Let’s not confuse “trendy” with good. "
• “Maybe it might be different on another night.”
• “Sooooo Groooovy”
• ""

Tips: Make a date of it and grab dinner upstairs at Bella Luna.

Milky Way Lounge and Lanes

Moroccan restaurant and lounge provides Charlestown residents with a most atmospheric destination.

Reviews:

• “Great time!”
• “Amazing”
• “Lost our reservation – made us wait for over an hour”
• “Tangierino Rocks!”
• “Excellent Food, Great Service, Very Nice People”

Tips: The restaurant’s Casbah Lounge is one of the area’s few indoor places where patrons can smoke. Ornate hookahs, cigars and international cigarettes are available.

Tangierino