People's Republik
An establishment must meet certain criteria before it can rightfully call itself a dive. It must be dark. It must be cheap. It must have spartan decor. Most critically, it must not attract tourists. By all these standards, the People's Republik earns the label. We love the surly waitstaff (expect a scowl if you waffle over an order) and the availability of both darts and hot dogs, which effectively cancel out the one potential dive-bar disqualifier: Ben Affleck is said to drink here sometimes when he's in town. 876 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
E6 Apothecary
Makeup maniacs need go no further than E6. The store has most of the buzz-worthy lines in stock, including Shu Uemura, Molton Brown, Tarte, Watosa, Biotherm, and Three Custom Color Specialists. What's more, the intimate, refreshingly low-pressure atmosphere allows you to sample the products without being attacked by overzealous salespeople—a welcome alternative to more traditional makeup counters. 167 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
City Sports
We're all for supporting the little guys, but we have yet to find a neighborhood shop that can offer even half of City Sports' selection. With one swift stop, you can score the newest super-shock-absorbing running shoe, dart tips for your aging set, and CamelBak water packs for long hikes. Then there's the clothing for indoor and outdoor sports, equipment, and shoes to go with it. 480 Boylston St., Boston, MA citysports.com.
Newbury Comics
Great variety (imports, independents, jazz, classical, rock, soundtracks) isn't enough. Low prices (new discs as low as $9.99) aren't enough. Even a knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful staff isn't enough. Because every devotee of Newbury Comics knows that, on top of all of the above, it's the store's own distinct culture—a loud, high-energy setting in which you never quite know whom you're going to meet—that makes it more than the sum of its parts. Harvard Square, 36 JFK St., Cambridge, MA newburycomics.com.
Bukowski Tavern
A great pub is measured not only by its pints, but also by the quality of the food it offers to absorb all that booze. Bukowksi's, for its part, offers plenty of delicious ways to fortify yourself for the myriad varieties of stellar frosty brews it pours. The burgers are large and messy, just as they should be. And the array of "barfly food"—the White-Trash Cheese Dip, a rib-sticking plate of barbecued chicken tenders—is sure to sate late-night appetites. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Shubie's
Shubie's gets the nod this year for upping the ante in the cheese department, where scores of familiar and rarely seen varieties pack the cases: Cowgirl Creamery's Mount Tam, Jasper Hill's Constant Bliss, and more. The selection changes frequently, depending on what cheese expert Doug Shube discovers, which means even those who stop by to raid the store's mouthwatering takeout section or shelves of expertly chosen wines inevitably drift back to the cheese counter to see what's new. 16 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, MA 1945, .
Big City Margarita, Sunset Cantina
This potent champion is a mix of Cuervo Gold, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier. Too potent? No problem. Try any of the other combinations at this sister saloon to the famous Sunset Grill & Tap, including the refreshingly tart Cantina Classic. With a choice of 65 tequilas and tangy flavors from lime to banana, the Sunset Cantina had the competition beat before you even walked in. 916 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA allstonsfinest.com/welcome.
Ecoluxe
At long last, a dry cleaner that cares about you and your clothes. Ecoluxe has banished the chemicals commonly found in garden-variety dry cleaning (linked with a handful of harmful effects), as well as a pile of other dirty laundry: nonchalant service, for example, and depressing surroundings. Owner Shelly Mars has instead created attractive, environmentally friendly storefronts with remarkable personal service and excellent cleaning and pressing. For those too harried to make the trek to Brookline, Mars offers delivery to Newton, Wellesley, Milton, Cambridge, and parts of Boston. 1018 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Maude Mango
If all the apocalyptic angst surrounding last New Year's Eve proved anything it's that the past is not such a bad place to be. Dress the part, why don't you: Maureen Dahill does, and she makes a living selling cast-offs from as far back as the '20s. In her cutely named emporium, duds hounds can also find shirts from the '70s, Pucci imitations from the '60s, and June Cleaveresque '50s shirtwaist dresses. 507 East Broadway, Boston, MA .
The Rita Moreno, Gargoyles on the Square
A string of too many unfortunately flavored concoctions had put us off anything other than the classics...and then we met the Rita Moreno. A sexy southwestern cousin of the cosmo, it combines vodka, Rose's lime juice, and fresh lemon with sriracha and cilantro. The resulting creation strikes a perfect tart-sweet balance, then takes the experience to the next level with a spicy kick. 219 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, .
Spice
Pittsfield, once derided as the underarm of the Berkshires, has made a turnaround in recent years, thanks in part to its revitalized North Street. The hippest on the block is the much-hyped contemporary American eatery Spice. The place is at its liveliest after the dinner rush, when the band packs up and an energetic young crowd assembles in the roomy backlit bar for sipping and mingling. 297 North St., Pittsfield, MA .
Sconset Café
Hidden away on the eastern end of the island, the Sconset Café isn't fancy and serves no alcohol (has a BYOB setup), but it's got one of the best little menus around. Entrées change often, and depending on the season might include salmon in saffron-tomato fish broth with ;ciabatta or grilled chicken with garlic and scallion mashed potatoes. If you're fortunate, the knockout lemon tart with homemade lime cream will be available. You'd be wise to order it, even if you think you're stuffed. Post Office Sq., Siasconset, MA 2564, sconsetcafe.com.
Figs
Part of the original English (as in Todd English) restaurant empire, Figs in Charlestown still serves delicious thin-crusted pies with simple toppings, innovative salads laced with blue cheese and toasted walnuts, and rich and warming plates of handmade pastas to the upwardly mobile. Rarely can you get such homecooked flavor or feeling in a restaurant. And with such earthly prices, the question really becomes, Why not eat here every night? 67 Main St., Charlestown, MA cheftoddenglish.com.
Winston Flowers & Garden
Winston's Newton store feels more like a mom-and-pop shop than the Boston area florist's biggest location. The mind-boggling array of blooms on offer includes roses, hydrangeas, peonies, calla lilies, and arty, twisted sea grass. And the resourceful, creative staffers will be eager to help you, once you're done staring slack-jawed at the symphony of colors. 11 Florence St., Newton, MA winstonflowers.com.
Bergamot
This warm, elegant Somerville bistro was cleverly designed to suit both neighborhood residents and those who travel for a celebratory meal—a nice balance that can be attributed in part to wine director Kai Gagnon's skill in choosing wines for both crowds. His bottle list is lengthy and varied—a veritable tour through Europe—but there are also nearly two-dozen by-the-glass options for those with commitment issues. Most important? The knowledgeable servers to guide you to the perfect selection. 118 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 2143, bergamotrestaurant.com.