Saturday Nights, BUZZ-Boston
The good news: Only gorgeous men seem to be allowed in Buzz on Saturdays. The bad news: Only gorgeous men seem to be allowed in Buzz on Saturdays. Sure, it's shallow, but it makes for superb cavorting (and, for straight women, spectating). For everyone, though, there's terrific dancing on two floors and prime real estate at a bar tended by scantily clad Adonises. 67 Stuart St., Boston, MA .
Epic Entertainment Boston
One thing’s for sure: These DJs know how to keep the party going. Owner and disc jockey Sheldon Gentles, or DJ Shelly Shell, and his Canton-based team bring undeniable energy and upbeat jams to weddings big and small. But they don’t need gimmicks or hype tricks to get people on the dance floor. Full of hip-hop, pop, and throwbacks, their action-packed playlists — built from special requests and good ol’ fashioned crowd reading — do that all on their own. epicentertainmentboston.com.
Landry & Arcari
When we rang Landry & Arcari to ask about a gorgeous salmon Oriental rug we spotted on the company’s website, a staffer patiently tracked it down, offered to ship it to the closest showroom (there are several), and secured a private appointment for us to peep the weave in person. It’s this personal attention that floors us, to say nothing of extra perks such as rug rentals for parties, custom designs, and even restoration services for well-trod pieces. Multiple locations, landryandarcari.com.
Lego Discovery Center
The best way to keep the words “I’m bored” at bay on gloomy days? Buying a day pass to Assembly Row’s freshly renovated Lego wonderland. Kids can get moving in the Hero Zone, which features a laser maze and climbing wall; rescue a princess on the Kingdom Quest ride; and build, build, build to their heart’s content — without scattering tiny pieces all over your living room floor. 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145, legodiscoverycenter.com/boston.
Crystal Ballroom
To understand the century-old history of this intimate venue, just look up at the twinkling chandeliers that grace the hallowed hall’s ceiling. Once a ballroom overlooking Davis Square, the second-floor space above the Somerville Theatre was recently renovated with new bars and a state-of-the-art sound system and now hosts indie performers, comedians, and dance nights during the week and on weekends. You can even rent the space for receptions, presumably when it’s a nice day for a white wedding. 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144, crystalballroomboston.com.
A Few Good Girls
Kids have so few good role models in the entertainment industry today. A Few Good Girls, a four-woman hip-hop dance group from Boston and Newton, is dedicated to dancing—and to promoting positive image.
Boston Bowl
Fifty glistening lanes which resound with pin thunder twenty-four hours a day. Donny Graham, the sports editor of the Washington Post has been known to make mid-night excursions to this candlepin paradise. 820 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA .
Harbor Lounge
This P-town bar has become the de facto cocktail klatch for the pre-cabaret and post-disco crowds, practically guaranteeing you’ll run into familiar faces from the South End gay scene. But the waterfront lounge attracts more than strictly LGBTQ vacationers thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the waves, as well as a pier where revelers rest stiff cocktails on rails and shoot the always-delightful breeze while the tide rolls in. 359 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657, theharborlounge.com.
Hotel Commonwealth
With floor-to-ceiling windows and a string-lit terrace showcasing Green Monster vistas, Hotel Commonwealth’s new event space hits it out of the park. Part of the hotel’s recent $50 million makeover, the just-built wing is now the perfect spot for both Sox fans and culinary-minded couples to celebrate their love: The catering menu features dishes inspired by on-site hot spots Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar. 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA hotelcommonwealth.com.
Hangar B Eatery
A top-notch brunch spot—on a tarmac? It's long been a reality in Cape Cod, where chef Brian Erskine turns out fluffy lemon-ricotta pancakes and hearty red-flannel hash from a kitchen at the Chatham Municipal Airport. Summer weekends find the place jam-packed, but you can pass the wait time on the second-floor deck watching the biplanes coming and going. 240 George Ryder Rd., Chatham, MA 2633, hangarbcapecod.com.
Flair Brides Maids
Christine Walber Colon knows bridesmaids play no minor role in pulling off a wedding, so she outfits them accordingly. Her third-floor suite carries the bright hues, comfortable fabrics, and flattering cuts of designers such as Charsa, Lynn Lugo, and Jenny Yoo. There are no wear-it-once sateen selections here—just gracious service and moderate prices. Finally, someone who gives the supporting cast its due. 10 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Marathon Sports
Get personalized attention every step of the way at Marathon, where sharp-eyed employees will diagnose your stride on the sales floor and then bring out model after model in search of the right fit. (Customers are encouraged to take a test jog outdoors, too.) Be it Mizuno, Saucony, or other elite running shoe, your purchase is guaranteed to be ready for action—from a 5K to a stroll at the dog park—right out of the box. 671 Boylston St., Brookline, MA 2445, marathonsports.com.
Men's Suit Sale, Filene's Basement
Every fall and spring, rack after rack of Ermenegildo Zegna, Calvin Klein, Joseph Abboud, and other highbrow treasures are wheeled out onto the Basement's packed Downtown Crossing floor. They're the overstock and still-beautiful seasonal leftovers from upscale behemoths such as Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York. And at prices that dip down to 70 percent off, you can snag two suits—plus tailoring—for the cost of one of their full-priced cousins. 426 Washington St., Boston, MA filenesbasement.com.
The Field
In Ireland, a pub is just a simple bar, not a junkyard of faux-Irish flourishes like County Cork mile markers or an imported floor. Behind the quaint red exterior of this Central Square spot is an unpretentious watering hole filled with friendly folks from students to punk rockers. Music from the corners, a ratty pool table, and comfy benches make it a great nightcap or Saturday afternoon haven. As for the most authentic measure of any Irish pub: The Guinness is positively soulful. 20 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA thefieldpub.com.
Woodward at the Ames
When you're looking for someone to pick up what you're puttin' down, try the Ames hotel's saloon, where a glass-topped bar and stainless steel accents lend an upscale gloss to the robust singles scene. If you're not ready to chat up a Financial District suit, head for the dance floor—or plot your next move while nursing a motivationally named cocktail, such as the "Skip and Go Naked." 1 Court St., Boston, MA 2108, ameshotel.com.