The Jeanie Johnston Pub and Grill
This character-filled institution checks all the dive-bar boxes, from trivia nights to live music to legendary karaoke. 144 South St., Jamaica Plain, MA jeaniejohnstonpub.com.
Deep Ellum
At 10 years old, this Allston watering hole still fits the niche Max Toste and Aaron Sanders first set out to fill: a spot to crush mug after mug of sessionable, European-style beers—from dry-hopped farmhouse saisons and low-octane porters to Guineu Riner, a 3 percent Spanish import you don't often see at other beer bars. 477 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 02134, deepellum-boston.com.
The Hawthorne
For years now the Hawthorne, nestled inside the Hotel Commonwealth, has set the agenda when it comes to cocktails and ambiance. From the long main bar to the elegant, residence-style setting in back, it's the rare hotel bar you wish you could spend the night in. 500A Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, thehawthornebar.com.
Straight Law
Generally, a top-notch cocktail bar attempts to cover all the angles in the wider spirits world. But there's something to be said for homing in on a smaller niche and perfecting it, and that's the case at Straight Law, the year-old offshoot of longstanding Spanish restaurant Taberna de Haro. Here, bar manager Sean Sullivan focuses on sherry and gin—appropriate, considering those are the sole ingredients of the refined, elegant cocktail from which Straight Law takes its name. 999 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446, tabernaboston.com.
Publick House
Several craft-beer haunts opened this year, but our hops-loving hearts still belong to the Publick House. Draft selections in the triple digits and a phone-book-thick menu don't always make a great beer bar, so we especially appreciate its carefully curated draft and bottle list. The amiable staff of beer experts, excellent food, and dark, oaky ambiance seal the deal. 1648 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02445, thepublickhousebeerbar.com.
Deep Ellum
Crowds head to Deep Ellum for its excellent craft-beer selection and numerous whiskeys, bourbons, and ryes, best imbibed on the back deck come summertime. 477 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02134, deepellum-boston.com.
Canary Square
The pub grub here is good, but the specialty craft beers on tap and the inventive—and inventively named—cocktails ("99 Problems but My Drink Ain't One") served from the 65-foot wooden bar are reason enough to visit. 435 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130, canarysquare.com.
Club Cafe
Careening among all those fluorescent tank tops and gyrating bodies, you’ll find twinks, drag queens, even a jilted ex-lover or two—a testament to Boston’s small gay scene. Strong drinks served with a smile pair well with music that skews heavy toward Bieber pop. Unless, of course, it’s karaoke night. Then all bets are off. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116, clubcafe.com.
Kelley Square Pub
It’s easy to see what drew Vinny Paz and Tommy Lee Jones to this watering hole: Here, conversation flows and the beverage selection is ample (including the most affordable pour of Woodford Reserve we’ve ever seen). 84 Bennington St., Boston, MA 02128, kelleyssquarepub.com.
River Gods
Editor's Note, July 11, 5 p.m.: River Gods has announced that they are permanently closed. It’s not the fine pour of Guinness or the cocktail list. It’s not the wooden thrones or the whimsical décor. It’s the music. Rather than crank out an iPhone playlist determined by algorithm, River Gods hosts DJs who spin soundtracks worth drinking to. 125 River St., Cambridge, MA 02139, rivergodsonline.com.
Fairsted Kitchen
Drinking at this newcomer is like throwing one back in your grandmother’s foyer—if she served cocktails on draft and used vintage cordial glasses for shots, that is. 1704 Beacon St., Washington Square, MA 2445, fairstedkitchen.com.
Backbar
Squid-ink-and-scotch cocktails. Seasonal milk punches. Bar manager and co-owner Sam Treadway mixes up uncannily creative—and delicious—libations. 7 Sanborn Ct., Union Square, MA 2143, backbarunion.com.
Spoke
Fledgling wine aficionados, take heed: Laid-back Davis Square newcomer Spoke gamely removes the terror from the terroir, with servers who gently hold your hand through the ordering process. Of course, a glass of Ligurian pigato is only as good as the fregola risotto or fried quail and waffles it's paired with, which, thanks to chef (and No. 9 Park alum) John daSilva, are pretty darned terrific. 89 Holland St., Somerville, MA 2144, spokewinebar.com.
Parlor Sports
This Somerville mainstay feels as much like a clubhouse as a bar: Everyone knows everyone else, and regulars are quick to welcome newcomers into the fold. Weekly NBA Nerd Nights and Monday Night Football brewery tap takeovers keep the routine fresh, and we can't think of a better battery of flat-screens for watching the Yankees blow a save. One Beacon St., Somerville, MA 2143, parlorsportsbar.com.
The Eagle
Were it possible to manufacture the ideal dive bar, you'd first need to reverse-engineer a comfy, lived-in space complete with quirkly local characters, no-nonsense bartenders, a pool table, and cheap, stiff drinks. The result would end up looking a lot like The Eagle, the long-standing South End gay bar that, sadly, is one of the few remaining dives in the area. 520 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2116, .