Flair Boston
You found it. The dress. Now it’s your bridesmaids’ turn. Choose a frock they’ll want to wear again (really) at Flair, where owner Stacey Kraft helps bridal parties sift through rack upon colorful rack of shifts, one-shoulders, and A-lines from top designers such as Jenny Yoo, Anna Elyse, and the Dessy Group. Beloved by wedding pros, the airy studio offers top-notch service and refreshingly honest advice. 140 Newbury St., Boston, MA flairbridesmaid.com.
Hermes
Last August, Hermès unveiled a new and improved Back Bay showroom, nearly doubling its fashionable footprint with more than 8,700 square feet over two stories. That’s given the très chic Parisian design house plenty of room to display its most covetable accessories: handbags and silk scarves, naturally, but also home décor, fragrances, and even the lusted-after equestrian line. 50 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, hermes.com.
Pawsh Dog Boutique & Salon
Cue the puparazzi! The expert groomers at this newly expanded Back Bay salon have styled Tom and Gisele’s furry family members, among other celeb canines, and they’ll clean and clip your pooch with the same level of care and attention to detail. Want to make Fido feel even more special? Pick up a few organic treats and toys in the on-site boutique while he gets spruced up. 31 Gloucester St., Boston, 02115, pawshboston.com.
Sonsie
We know what you’re thinking: With all the seafood joints in Boston, you landed on Sonsie? Stifle your preconceptions for a moment, because when it comes to the classics, it’s all about execution. And that’s where this al fresco hot spot outdoes its competition: with a just-viscous-enough lunch-menu chowder showcasing plump clams and tender Yukon Gold cubes. And, yeah, the people-watching is pretty great. 327 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, sonsieboston.com.
The Banshee
Make sure someone on your quiz team checks Twitter before the games begin: Host Mark Daly always provides a few hints for social-media-savvy smarties. His questions run the cultural gamut, from celebrities to geography, sports to current events, and even music, with an audio round worth double points. A monthly tournament offers higher-stakes prizes, while every Wednesday night offers a new chance to win generous gift cards. 934 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA bansheeboston.com.
Danger Booth
When it comes to giving your guests custom photo keepsakes, it's best to think outside the box—or, in this case, the booth. Danger's open-air, freestanding unit (complete with a touchscreen, flash, and printer) can be as civilized or as crazy as you desire, with photo-fun experts on hand to hem a themed fabric backdrop, print out a step-and-repeat, or even hook you up with a designer for one-of-a-kind scenery. Move over, Instagram. thedangerbooth.com.
Station Eight
A place where you can linger over a cocktail and a steak on date night, and sate the kids with flatbreads and burgers on a busy weeknight: Marshfield's new hot spot is exactly what this end of the South Shore has been missing. Co-owned by four local couples, it offers live music Wednesday through Sunday, local beer on draft, and a cozy, welcoming vibe. 1899 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, stationeight-marshfield.com.
Long’s Jewelers
For high-end bling you won’t find anywhere—or on anyone—else, look to Long’s treasure trove of vintage and estate baubles. The venerable jeweler has been collecting unique necklaces, earrings, pins, and more for 135-plus years, with new pieces continually added to its diverse catalog. And if you decide later that you’re more art deco than art nouveau, it even offers a 30-day grace period for your purchase. Multiple locations. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 02110, longsjewelers.com.
Le Labo
With signature fragrances hand-blended and packaged right before your eyes, it's clear why this parfumerie's name translates to "the lab." The simply appointed Back Bay store's distressed apothecary cabinets and metal lamps make it easy to focus exclusively on the olfactory, and focus you should: The Audrey Hepburn-inspired "Iris 39" will transport you to a forest footpath dotted with violets, the "Bergamote 22" to a citrus grove planted in musky soil. 129 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, lelabofragrances.com.
Bricco Panetteria
This basement-level bakery is part of Frank DePasquale's North End culinary empire, and yet somehow everything about it screams old-world charm. From the tiny space, bakers churn out umami-rich olive-studded loaves and prosciutto-stuffed baguettes that are served at DePasquale's restaurants and, if you're lucky, with your next plate of home-cooked pasta. 241 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, briccopanetteria.com.
Chilacates
For his tacos, tortas, and tostadas, owner Socrates Abreu fills house-made corn tortillas and telera bread with ingredients so fresh he didn't even bother to install a freezer in either of his two locations. An array of protein options—from tangy pineapple-marinated al pastor to chipotle-flecked chicken tinga—keep us, and seemingly all of J.P., digging in on the reg. 658 Centre St., Jamaica Plain; 224 Amory St., Jamaica Plain; 617-522-6000, chilacates.mx. 658 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, chilacates.mx.
Waypoint
It takes bold, nuanced drinks to stand up to bold, nuanced food. And at Waypoint, bar manager Seth Freidus's complex cocktails are a pitch-perfect match for chef Michael Scelfo's lush, coastal cuisine. While the 18-bottle-deep absinthe program is the bar's signature, there's innovation throughout, from nori-infused tequila to the house-made Swedish punsch mixed with squid-ink mezcal in "The Kraken" cocktail. 1030 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, waypointharvard.com.
SRV
In the sea of noteworthy Italian restaurants that have opened recently (Benedetto, Bar Mezzana, Mida), small-plates-focused SRV edges out the competition with its umami-rich one-bite cicchetti and bold pasta dishes made with house-milled flour, from garganelli with 'nduja-carrot sugo to strozzapreti with sausage and salsa verde. And thanks to the upgraded dessert program created by new pastry chef Meghan Thompson, the South End hot spot has only gotten better since it clinched this title last year. 569 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118, srvboston.com.
Foundation Lounge
"Pickup bar" may evoke images of oily, used-car guys with thatches of chest hair bursting from half-buttoned shirts, but you won't find much of that here. With its mood lighting, sleek furniture, and slinky hip-house music, this Kenmore Square spot promises a sophisticated setting for meeting new people and sharing a drink (or whatever else you might manage to broker). Hotel Commonwealth, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Bella Bridesmaid
Say so long to tired taffeta and stale silk — all the gowns at this airy boutique are fresh, modern, and completely customizable. Look for styles from LulaKate, Monique Lhuillier, and Lela Rose, plus all the accessories you need to enhance them (Nelle clutches, Kendra Scott jewelry). With eager-to-please staffers happy to help with measurements and color, length, and fabric specifications, you (and your girls) will be ready to make a commitment in no time. 85 Newbury St., Suite B, Boston, MA bellabridesmaid.com.