Where to Eat on Marathon Monday

10 spots around town offering the most alluring specials, the best libations, and most tantalizing patios for watching all the action this Patriot's Day.

select oyster

Select Oyster Bar’s seared hamachi with whipped avocado. Photo by James Rose.

The Beehive

In celebration of the Boston Marathon, The Beehive will host their second annual benefit in support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund. From 10 to 1 a.m., all profits will be donated towards the organization’s mission to fuel clinical programs in trauma healing and limb reconstruction. So come help support a tremendous cause and enjoy specials like chef Marc Orfaly’s Szechuan-style beef brisket with Kung Pao vegetables, The Beehive Prime Burger with frites and slaw, or his cauliflower parmesan in pomodoro sauce.

541 Tremont St., Boston; 617-423-0069 or beehiveboston.com

Eastern Standard

Perhaps the most enthralling place to watch the Marathon with bartenders racing up and down its marble bar, the Red Sox pre-game crowd downing burgers and beer, and festive Marathon spectators crowding into its wall of coveted burgundy banquettes. It’s a scene you have to experience at least once in your life, if not once a year. Stop by for a a platter of oysters, a grilled cheese on house-baked rye bread, or even just a well-made Whiskey Smash.

528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; 617-532-9100 or easternstandardboston.com.

Fairsted Kitchen

Fairsted Kitchen has one of the most underrated patios in the city, so make a point of stopping by this Washington Square standout, which opens early at 10:30 a.m. The Brookline restaurant will be serving punch, tiki cocktails, and an array canned beers, to go along with a special “supper” menu inside.

1704 Beacon St., Brookline; 617-396-8752 or fairstedkitchen.com

Grill 23 & Bar 

Grill 23 & Bar will be opening early at 2 p.m. with a special bar menu available at both the downstairs bar and the upstairs bar overlooking Boylston. The bar menu includes a lobster roll on potato bun, steak frites, a fusilli bolognese, and Grill 23’s burger with horseradish cheddar and tobacco onions.

161 Berkeley St., Boston; 617-542-2255 or grill23.com

Kirkland Tap & Trotter

Runners eat for free at Tony Maws’ casual Somerville spot by showing their runner’s passport or bib. And for spectators? A special house-made pasta entree of farro macaroni with a choice of lamb ragu with spring peas, black olives, and pecorino or a vegetarian alternative with smoked mushrooms.

425 Washington St, Somerville; 857-259-6585 or kirklandtapandtrotter.com

Loretta’s Last Call

Fenway’s new honky tonk will be throwing open its patio doors and serving a special menu with chicken fried steak, a fried baloney sandwich, a hot brown biscuit, and even a classic southern fish fry platter.

1 Lansdowne St., Boston; 617-421-9595 or lorettaslastcall.com.

Lower Depths

One of Boston’s biggest craft beer purveyors will be slinging pints from Jack’s Abby, Notch, and Idle Hands from 9 a.m. until the wee hours of the morning. Buoy your boozing with the subterranean bar’s menu of cheese-slathered tots, B.Y.O.B burgers, and foot-long frankfurters covered in “pimp” toppings like mac and cheese,  beer cheese, and gravy.

476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston; 617-266-6662 or thelowerdepths.com.

The Publick House 

Quite simply, the perfect pub for the bon vivant in your Marathon viewing entourage. The Brookline spot will be opening before noon to offer its selection of craft beer rarities from Maine Beer Co., Trillium, Pretty Things, and Allagash. Pair up your pint of choice with Publick House’s hand-cut, double-fried frites, its sriracha Buffalo wings, or the five-cheese mac ‘n’ cheese, which Food & Wine deemed the best in the country.

1648 Beacon St., Brookline; 617-277-2880 or thepublickhousebeerbar.com

Select Oyster Bar

Michael Serpa’s highly anticipated seafood destination is now open in Back Bay, with a lunch menu flaunting some of the coast’s best fruits de mer, not to mention a stunning selection of wines by the glass. For $50, indulge in all-you-can-eat oysters, crudos, and passed apps this Patriot’s Day. Pro tip: request a seat on Select’s newly-finished patio, with its heated floor and hanging herb garden.

50 Gloucester St., Boston; 857-239-8064 or selectoyster.com.

Viale

Greg Reeves is hosting the Cambridge restaurant’s first ever “Sandy and Shandy” service with beers and shandies provided by Narragansett, as well as a special deli menu. Between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., choose from Reeves’ house-brined ham on sourdough, house-cured pastrami on rye, and an Italian hoagie stuffed with all manner of pork-laden provisions.

502 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 617-576-1900 or vialecamridge.com