Laugh Boston
Okay, so Laugh Boston may be smack in the middle of no man’s land (has anyone ever actually been to the convention center?), but we promise it’s worth the trek—and so do plenty of big-ticket comedians. Jimmy O. Yang, Leslie Jones, and Dulcé Sloan have all hit this Seaport-ish establishment, as has cult-favorite storytelling series “The Moth.” So grab some pals and an Uber—a belly-laughing night awaits. 425 Summer St., Boston, MA laughboston.com.
Flair Boston
You’ve chosen your leading ladies, now let Flair Boston handle the rest. Trust these pros to select the trendiest bridesmaid attire, including floral gowns by Alfred Sung and shimmering jumpsuits by Dessy. Do your gals live across the country? No problem. Have a procrastinator in the bunch? Totally fine. The boutique offers hundreds of dresses online and can “super rush” orders so you can rest assured that your ’maids will be dressed to impress. 140 Newbury St., Boston, Massachusetts 02116, flairboston.bridesmaid.com.
Figment Boston
Other festivals may showcase art, but they probably don’t turn you into the one making it. Come July, the local edition of this global arts event lets you sculpt, jam, act, and more. boston.figmentproject.org.
Boston Shaker
It’s the little details that make Zoom happy hours seem like the real thing. (Kind of.) Beyond its quirky collection of tiki mugs—because a daiquiri always tastes better in a porcelain seahorse—this Somerville shop stocks glasses for drinks big and small, from highballs and juleps to martinis. And because no mint shall go unmuddled, lemon unpeeled, or olive unpicked on the Shaker’s watch, you’ll also find all of the tools to go with them. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144, thebostonshaker.com.
The Boston Shaker
Those hoping to impress long-awaited houseguests with perfectly stirred martinis or mai-tai-filled ceramic tiki mugs need only visit this cozy boutique. With inventory ranging from highball glasses and stainless steel bar spoons to absinthe fountains and jugs shaped like shark heads, the shop’s whimsical wares are perfect for getting the party started — no matter your tastes or how many people you’re hosting. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144, thebostonshaker.com.
“Boston Strog”
It was meant to revive the slogan that got us through another difficult time, the marathon bombings. What it became was viral gold, and a goodhearted laugh when we all needed it most. Instead of running the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day as she’d planned, MGH nurse Lindsay Devers set out to spell “Boston Strong” on her phone’s GPS app by zigzagging through the Back Bay along her own 26.2-mile route. But in her sweaty haste, she left out the “n,” leading to one of the funniest typos in memory: “Boston Strog.” Though the moment spread far and wide on the Internet, in a rare bit of mercy, commenters gave her an out: Maybe the missing “n,” they offered, stood for “nurse.”
Boston Hairnista
Healthy hair is owner and lead stylist Andrea Sealey’s main goal—and it shows in every masterful style she creates inside her chic Dot. Ave. salon. Sealey’s recently expanded list of services makes the space a one-stop shop for everything from kinky twists and micro-link extensions to always-silky silk presses. Her braids, meanwhile, are true works of art—no surprise given the Roxbury native has been at it since she was 10 years old. 1690 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, bostonhairnista.com.
Boston Chops
This venture from Deuxave's Chris Coombs and Brian Piccini is billed as an "urban steak bistro"—shorthand for "not your grandparents' steakhouse." Start with daring small plates like oxtail croquets with red pepper mostarda, then tuck into an order of steak frites, which combines your favorite cut with a house-made sauce and heaping piles of greens, as well as fries served tableside from large copper bowls. 1375 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118, bostonchops.com.
Boston Shawarma
Boston Shawarma's storefront may be nondescript and its interior dated, but the Lebanese brand of Middle Eastern fare served at this spot near Northeastern University is as good as it gets. The restaurant's specialty, as the sign would indicate, is shawarma—zesty, slow-roasted meats served in a soft, warm pita sandwich. But the proof of its greatness lies in the moist and tangy grape leaves stuffed with rice and seasoned beef—an afterthought at other places—and the often-overlooked desserts like burma, a nutty shredded wheat cake. 315 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2115, .
Freedberg of Boston
It's open only on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. You have to shop for winter in August and summer in February, But there's no better source for well-cut suits and pants in top-shelf wools, cottons, and linens. 112 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA .
Boston Bowl
Forty-four lanes. Metal bumpers. Affordable prices. A kingpin's dream—and now a bowling reality. The pro shop (yes, this bowling alley has a pro shop) stocks enough balls, bags, and shoes to satisfy amateurs and experts alike. The sprawling entertainment complex also has 12 pool tables, a video-game arcade, and a full service bar, and is open 24/7 (save for Christmas Eve). 820 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA bostonbowl.com.
Boston by Foot
Let's face it, Boston's a walking town; buy into a pricey gimmick tour, and you'll spend half the time stuck in traffic. At Boston By Foot, though, the guides are volunteers; you pick your thematic pleasure (seven tours cover everything from the Freedom Trail to Victorian Back Bay, Beacon Hill, or the popular "Boston Underground," about the engineering of the subway and the Big Dig); and of all you avoid congestion, get exercise, and learn about Boston all at once. 77 N. Washington St., Boston, MA .
<em>Boston Globe</em>
A month after chief book critic Gail Caldwell won a Pulitzer, the Globe reduced the size of its book section.
Boston Chicken
Even if you don't have a cold, a bowl of this stuff will make you feel better. Only the Boylston Street location is tops. The rest don't measure up. 745 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Tatsukichi-Boston
The sushi-bar revolution on the West Coast hasn't struck here yet, but when it does we suspect that Tatsukichi will handle the competition. 189 State St., Boston, MA .