Blade Barbershop
Embracing the mononymy of Cher, Prince, and Christo before him, Bridaa delivers an expert cut for $25—or about a quarter of what you'd pay at many a chichi salon. Soft-spoken and affable, the Moroccan-born barber creates an oasis of calm in a South End shop better known for its laugh-a-minute frenzy. He forgoes pleasantries in favor of genuine, unforced conversation. Or, if you prefer, he'll just shut up and give you a great cut for the price of an hour of downtown parking. 603 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, bladebabershop.com.
Spascape Day Spa
The waves that lap practically at the doorstep of this harborside spa can take decades to turn a shard of glass into a smooth, luminous thing of beauty. Good thing SpaScape's pros work faster. Armed with bespoke scrubs of sea salt and fine oils, seaweed wraps, and Maine mud treatments, they polish clients from head to toe in an hour or two, as the tranquil ocean vibe smooths out any rough-edged psyches. 3 Mill Wharf Plz., Scituate, MA 2066, spascapedayspa.com.
Kenneth Wildes Salon
These days, salons need more than Kérastase products, a funky soundtrack, and an edgy interior to stand out. Kenneth Wildes sets itself apart with highly trained stylists who spend a full hour on each cut and know how to properly frame a face or fix flyaway layers. Owner Wildes specializes in razored short cuts so distinctive, regulars swear they can spot a 'Kenny' a block away. 9 Beacon Pl., Newton, MA 2459, kwsalons.com.
Petrushka at ArtsEmerson
Master puppeteer Basil Twist's adaptation of Stravinsky's ballet about a tragic love triangle among a clown, a ballerina, and a Moor managed to convey humanity and grace in the movement of Japanese-style marionettes. One compact hour long, it begged for repeat viewings from both kids and adults. Unique productions like this during ArtsEmerson's inaugural season have proven that this organization should be central to Boston arts for years to come. 559 Washington St., Boston, MA 2139, artsemerson.org.
Pine Cobble Trail
If Williamstown is the pro-totype for a picture-perfect country hamlet, its Pine Cobble Trail is the picture-perfect country hike. The wooded 4-mile ramble tops out at 2,100 feet and offers uninterrupted views of Williamstown, North Adams, and the taller and more touristy Mount Greylock. The moderate climb, steep at times, can be completed in two hours, but why rush? Come in September, and the surrounding hills will be ablaze with orange and gold foliage. Pine Cobble Road, Williamstown. Pine Cobble Road, Williamstown, MA 2167, .
Penang
This refreshing addition to Chinatown has lots of blond wood, modern lighting, and great food. Start with the Penang Poh Piah (steamed spring roll) or Crispy Pork Intestines (you might enjoy this one more if you order in Malaysian). Vegetarian entrees—especially the bean curd—are terrific, as are the varied seafood selections. Late hours are a plus. 685-691 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Sal's Place
It's three hours from Boston, but it also has the lasagna this side of Naples. Sal, formerly of Sal & Ciro's in Provincetown, uses homemade noodles, sausage, and hard-boiled eggs in his recipe; since he serves lasagna on Sunday nights only, until he closes for the winter at the end of September, you'll have plenty of time to budget calories in advance. 99 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA .
Phoenix Landing
This Central Square pub's many TVs play the Sox, the Bruins, and NFL games, depending on the time of year. But its true draw is football—the non-American kind, that is. Soccer fans crowd the Phoenix Landing's tiny space to watch Premier League matches during the weekend's earliest hours—especially those who favor Liverpool FC—thrilling in each goal while tucking into Jameson pancakes with a side of cider. 512 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, phoenixlandingbar.com.
Brant Point Grill
We firmly believe that enjoying oysters and clams on the half shell from this elaborate buffet at the White Elephant resort is the only good way to spend a Sunday on island. Decadent desserts (served in miniature sizes for plentiful sampling, natch) and a hefty quarter-pound-lobster-laden bloody mary keep even the busiest of gogetters anchored to their chair for hours to enjoy that one-of-a-kind view of sailboats bobbing on their moorings and ferries gliding in and out of the harbor. White Elephant Hotel, 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining/brant-point-grill.
Tile Showcase
Planning a back splash in your kitchen? A mosaic in your bathroom? Tiling your entryway or looking for flagstones for your patio? The selection might be overwhelming, but the consultants are adept at navigating you through the many lines such as Country Floors, Grazia, Emil Ceramica, and Tagina. They'll also help answer any design questions. 1 Design Center Place, Boston, MA .
Sacco's Bowl Haven
With Instagram-friendly candlepin lanes and lively, unfakeable old-school charm, the nearly 80-year-old Sacco's holds its own as the area's best. It's more than worth the hours'-long wait to play, especially if you come hungry (and thirsty): Flatbread Company mans two huge pizza ovens off to the side, complemented by an equally impressive beer selection. The crowds should thin—at least a little bit—when the pizza/bowling concept expands its good-time vibes to another location in Brighton this year. 45 Day St., Somerville, MA 02144, flatbreadcompany.com/sacco.
Lone Star Taco Bar
Despite draconian MBTA policy, the party continues until (or past) the witching hour at Lone Star, where chef Rian Wyllie slings tostadas and tacos until 1:30 a.m. Not only are his two taquerias the only places to catch a spaghetti western with a basket of freshly made chips and choriqueso, his grilled street corn—topped with cotija, cilantro, and chili-lime aioli—is also a surprisingly sound buffer for all the hooch that led you there in the first place. 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 857-285-6179; 479 Cambridge St, Allston, 617-782-8226. 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, lonestar-boston.com.
Boston Sports Club
You might want to join this club for the parking alone. Where else can you pay $1 during peak hours for an indoor spot? New owners have done a complete rehab on the old Allston-Brighton Squash Club, which now pulls its weight with the other big-name clubs in town. To wit: acres of cardio machines, including the hot new elliptical walkers; brand new Cybex; free weights of every description; six squash courts; a huge aerobics studio (that doubles as a gym); and a dedicated spinning room with enough colored lights on the ceiling for a Broadway show. 15 Gorham St., Boston, MA .
Vivant Vintage
Have you ever entered a store and immediately felt like you could spend hours perusing the racks? Well, that’s what it’s like to step into Vivant Vintage, where every item inspires a memory as well as a vision for how you might wear it. The Allston clothier has been around since 2011, when founder Justin Pomerleau started selling his collection from a homemade tricycle cart called “Le Pants King.” Fast-forward a decade, and the shop is a bona fide destination for everything from old-school Champion sweatshirts to Gucci scarves, sold both in-store and online. 318 Lincoln St., Allston, MA 02134, vivantvintage.com.
Ronnie Sullivan
Anyone who's been over-processed to a disastrous shade of orange can appreciate Sullivan's careful approach. He'll be honest if your chosen color won't suit you or your hair, and he'll guide you through highlights, lowlights, and permanent color to find your hair solution. Besides perfecting your shade, his treatments enhance the shape, texture, and condition of your 'do.