Fourth Fridays at the Milky Way
Once a month, the girls here get the place all to themselves—and is it ever worth the wait. A scorching mix of beats keeps the dance floor jammed, but the real action takes place on the periphery, packed with those who want to lounge, gawk, or straight-up flirt. By the way, promoter DykeNight gives a portion of the door fee to local nonprofits. 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, dykenight.com.
Sully's Billiards
Cheap canned beer, microwave pizza, and straight cues—this 7-table pool hall is the real thing. Go Monday through Thursday for the special ($6 a head for five hours of play between 3 and 8 p.m.). It's $10 an hour at other times. Sully's is also a bona fide male zone—women should move in groups. 445 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA .
Detente
You can't see the ocean from Detente, but once you taste the food here, you won't care about the landlocked location. Don't miss the "boarchetta," a creative take on porchetta that involves boar belly and sweet cherries. Also unforgettable: locally caught tautog with cavatelli, crab, and a light cod bisque. 15 Winter St., Edgartown, MA detentemv.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
You could spend the week at Winnetu and never once leave. Rooms range from new studios with kitchenettes and porches to private multiroom cottages with patios and grills. Drop the kids at the day-camp program while you play tennis, take a yoga class on the lawn, or walk to South Beach right out back. Wind down in the evening at Lure, the resort's upscale restaurant. 31 Dunes Rd., Edgartown, MA winnetu.com.
B.B. Wolf's
The succulent beef doesn't just fall off the bone here, it leaps. Cooked in a smoker built in Texas, the beef short ribs served at this joint near Fenway Park are a combination of Memphis and Kansas City styles. They're dry-rubbed with herbs and spices and then smothered in sauce while they simmer. The accompanying fire-roasted veggies are great, and the sturdy molasses-baked cornbread stands up to the sauce. Pool tables are covered in aged red felt in tune with a decor that can only be described as "nouveau barn". 109 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA .
Cremaldi's
Food so good you won't want to go out for dinner. Although the containers should feed two or three people, don't underestimate the hog factor once you dig in. It's a toss-up which lasagna is the best, meatless traditional or chicken and spinach, but the veal parmesan is hands-down better than any other in town. There's even Thai chicken for those who (strangely) don't want to eat Italian. 31 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, MA .
A Ruby
Quincy-based designer Avra Myers, a former Club Monaco and Ralph Lauren exec, has a simple goal for her latest line: make getting dressed as easy as it is enjoyable. Shimmy into A Ruby's moto leggings, cozy fleece wraps, and so-sharp-you'd-wear-'em-in-public sweatpants, and you'll see she's done her job. Find her designs online, or at pop-up shops in Hingham's Derby Street Shoppes and the South End's Michelle Willey boutique. aruby.net.
Secret Physique
It’s no secret: The South Shore’s toned set heads to this cluster of studios in Hingham, Quincy, Pembroke, and Plymouth for an unusual roster that goes above and beyond simple barre. There’s Bardio (cardio plus barre), Pound (a crushing workout wherein clients can pretend to drum in a rock band), and Hollywood burlesque. The workout spaces are also welcoming to parents, with prenatal specials and pristine on-site childcare areas. 35 Pond Park Rd., Hingham; and other locations. 35 Pond Park Rd., Hingham, MA 02043, secretphysique.com.
Ace Wheelworks
Sure, you can buy a decent bike anywhere, but the friendly folks at Wheelworks make the hunt stress-free. Once you've made your pick—be it a fixed-up second-hander or a brand-new designer bike—cycle easy knowing that anytime you need expert servicing, the team will take care of it. On warmer days, staffers line up the refurbished rides outside the store for easy browsing. 145 Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144, wheelworks.com.
Dream Spa Medical
With age comes wisdom — and, for better or worse, wrinkles, sunspots, hair loss, cellulite… the list goes on. The good news is none of those conditions is a match for the skilled practitioners at Dream Spa Medical, where the variety of laser treatments and injectables offer real results. And with a new location at Patriot Place slated to open this summer, it’ll soon be easier than ever to look and feel your best every day. Brookline and Canton, MA dreamspamedical.com.
Pleasure Bay Loop to Castle Island
There’s something for every kid on this flat 2-mile stroll: a beach walk, some exciting maritime hiking on a narrow jetty where waves crash along the rocks, and a real pre–Civil War fort. If that’s not enough to get the little explorers motivated, how about the promise of a cool dip in the bay or an even cooler raspberry-lime rickey from Sullivan’s when the hike is done? South Boston, MA 02127,
Green Line Extension
Given the T’s well-documented struggles, it’s nice to see the beleaguered agency get a win for once, even if it is after a decadeslong financial and logistical boondoggle. When the Green Line finally arrived in Union Square, Somerville celebrated with a brass band and, naturally, a Union Square Donuts giveaway — a welcome change of pace in an area that loves to hate on its commute.
Lash L'Amour
Beauty trends ebb and flow, but will full lashes ever really go out of style? Judging by the undying popularity of this local salon, probably not. Lauded by thousands of social media followers and repeat clients, Lash L’Amour’s services are second to none, with options ranging from lowkey classic extensions (ideal for adding length) to ultra-impactful “mega” extensions that pump the volume up to 100. Multiple locations, lashlamour.com.
Museum of Fine Arts
All of our local museums have responded to 2020’s challenges with aplomb, working hard to launch online programs that keep the public connected. But the MFA has gone above and beyond with offerings as labyrinthine as its physical complex on Huntington Ave. In addition to a deep dive into the landmark Basquiat exhibit, the museum also uploaded artist interviews and art classes for kids on its website and YouTube channel—to say nothing of its immaculately produced collection tours on Google Arts & Culture. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, mfa.org.
China King
Back in the Pre-Pandemic Era, the Chinatown stalwart’s stunning three-course Peking-duck feast required preordering 48 hours in advance. Now you can phone it in by 3:30 the day before. The epic spread includes hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with the shredded meat, a bone-broth soup, and, of course, house-made pancakes for making hoisin-moistened wraps with the (ahem) quack-ling crisp skin. 60 Beach St., Boston, MA 02111, chinakingboston.com.