Chez Freddy's
From seven until two each evening, Beverly Siscoe soothes the world's wounds with a song. Bromfield St. near Jordan's, Boston, MA .
Bunch of Grapes
The wine-bar phenomenon has barely caught on here, and this is the best of the bunch. So to speak. Landmark Inn, North Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Jugos
One of the first juiceries to open before Boston reached peak saturation, Jugos endures thanks to its immense selection of made-to-order juices, boosts, smoothies, acai bowls, and very tasty chia pudding. The Xochitl (“so-chill”)—a brew of kale, banana, dates, strawberries, and cashew milk—is one of the best green smoothies we’ve ever had. The lines confirm that we’re not the only ones who think so. 145 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, visitjugos.com.
Shepard
A stock of syrups, infusions, and other mixology gimmicks is unnecessary when your way with the classics is so sound. Such is the case at Shepard, where bar manager Nic Mansur mixes one mean Manhattan, among other elegant, restrained cocktails. Factor in the Francophile wine list and eclectic array of apéritifs, and you’ll want to spend the entire evening at the bar, away from the dining room din. One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA 02138, shepardcooks.com.
Hong Kong Boston
After a few beers and Talking Heads covers, nothing’s quite as satisfying as scoring a $1 chicken teriyaki skewer. Dance your heart out at the club upstairs, or just huddle around a scorpion bowl with your pals while some State Street suit croons “Friends in Low Places.” 65 Chatham St., Boston, MA 02109, hongkongboston.com.
Noir
For years, this Charles Hotel lair was home to the most dedicated Mad Men fans in New England, thanks to its debonair screening parties. The show may be over, but the hangout’s sexy, mysterious vibe—and the top-notch scotch flights—live on. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 02138, noir-bar.com.
Ames Street Deli
Editor's Note, July 13, 1 p.m.: Ames Street—which merged with its neighbor Study for a combined concept called "Study at Ames" in late June, after press time for our Best of Boston issue—closed July 12.
After creating a top-tier nightlife enclave at Somerville’s Backbar, Sam Treadway and team are now schooling the country’s smartest city in cocktail-making. Here, they offer an ever-changing matrix organized by liquor, breaking down off-center sips (purple-cabbage gin, anyone?) to make even foreign flavors feel approachable. 73 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, amesstreetdeli.com.
Tavern Road
This bartenders’ bar takes its craft cocktails seriously. If there’s a better way to spend a Saturday than watching these mixologists work their magic, we haven’t found it yet. Plus, where else can you get rabbit-foie-gras empanadas after midnight? 343 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, tavernroad.com.
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.
Ecco Boston
The lengthy list of craft beers is appreciated, but it's the potent cocktails, featuring house-made bitters and infused spirits, that stand out here. With a late-night menu including double-fried chicken fingers and pulled short-rib arepitas, Ecco takes bar fare to the next level. 107 Porter St., Boston, MA 02128, eccoboston.com.
The Chicken Box
Every beach town should have a Chicken Box, locally known simply as “the Box” and loved for its late-night, live-music schedule and wannabe-roadhouse vibes. Sure, there are the occasional big names to grace the stage come summer (Shakey Graves or Blues Traveler, anyone?), but the strength of this bar is in its ability to unite everyone on Nantucket who gathers here after, say, 10 p.m. for the exact same reasons: to sip a vodka soda from a plastic tumbler; talk to friends both new and old; and dance, dance, dance. 16 Dave St., Nantucket, MA 02554, thechickenbox.com.
Hecate
The rare spirits and ambitious beverages conjured at this chic cocktail den, named for the Greek goddess of sorcery, are like nowhere else in Boston — then again, neither is the candlelit, cave-like space (max capacity: 24) secreted a stair’s-flight below a dark Back Bay alley. Inside, the leather-bound Book of Hecate spells out intricate, folklore-inspired potions garnished with feathers, smudge sticks, or — as with the savory “Feast of Gévaudan,” saffron-spiked luxury gin with French apple brandy, Hungarian paprika, horseradish, and housemade mustard cordial — bite-sized charcuterie. This is high (witch)craft. Public Alley 443, Boston, MA 02115, hecatebar.com.
GlenPharmer Distillery
It’s the place Franklin never knew it needed, but now can’t live without: an artisanal distillery with its own bustling tasting room and full-service restaurant. Here, friends, neighbors, and couples alike clink glasses of the award-winning vodkas — offered as flights with other spirits or in a variety of creative cocktails — at high-tops inside a former covered bridge and at the cozy, stone-walled bar. Looking to make a day of it? Book a tour of the former mill building turned distillery and get a look at how the spirits in your glass were born. 860 W. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038, glenpharmer.com.
Dante
Don't be misled by the hotel setting: Dante de Magistris is no banquet chef. Since opening his eponymous restaurant at the Royal Sonesta two years ago, de Magistris has found his voice (part Italian homeboy, part fancypants chef) and now fully expresses it in imaginative dishes like duck ragu accented with sour cherries, and striped bass with fava beans and Meyer lemon. Formal European training gave him discipline and technique, which means the pasta and fish are perfectly cooked and every sauce is fresh. Oh, and the view, across the Charles to downtown Boston, is priceless. 40 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 2141, restaurantdante.com.
Kings
Bowling alleys don't traditionally offer Veuve Clicquot. But then, Kings is not your traditional bowling alley. It's part lounge, part pool hall, and all fun. Dimly lit nooks, red fluorescent running lights, and upbeat dance tunes pumping through the cavernous one-time movie theater help make Kings the hippest place we've ever bowled (tenpin of course—none of that candlepin stuff). While away the wait (it can take upwards of two hours on the weekends to snag one of the 16 lanes) chowing down at Jasper White's Summer Shack or de Ville Lounge, both right on the premises. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA kingsbowlamerica.com/boston.