Democracy Brewing
Several employees here seemed giddy when we ordered birria tacos; they’re a staff favorite, with good reason. As we wiped the savory broth off our hands and perused the style-hopping beer list — Sours! Radlers! Double IPAs! — we remembered why this worker-owned brewpub is such a fantastic neighborhood spot. The food and beer are great, the vibe is family-friendly and welcoming, but most of all, everyone just seems happy. 35 Temple Pl., Downtown, MA 02111, democracybrewing.com.
Museum of Fine Arts
We love underdogs, but lately the MFA has reminded us why it’s the establishment. It has earned its bona fides with shows of trippy hippie fashion, action-packed samurai armor, John Singer Sargent watercolors, and a thematic exploration of the color pink. Its of-the-moment survey of photographs taken by women from Iran and the rest of the Arab world was proof that the august institution does new well, too. After eye-popping 19th-century quilts and a sampler of that sensitive Baroque scoundrel Caravaggio this spring, the Magna Carta, which paved the way for modern democracy, arrived on July 2. The underdogs might wanna get a move on. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2115, mfa.org.