Best of Boston

Much as we enjoy fighting for a bar stool with sunburned tourists and libidinous and over-lubricated college students, we do sometimes crave a slightly more civilized scene. 21 Federal, inside a classic Nantucket 1847 Greek Revival building, features a sophisticated downstairs bar and another cozy one upstairs. In-the-know Nantucketers congregate here for masterfully poured drinks; an award-winning wine list; good-looking, genial bartenders; and a crowd that knows how to have a stylish sort of fun.