Where to Eat Barbecue, Pie, and More This Fourth of July Weekend
![Strawberry rhubarb pie from Rosebud. / Photo provided.](https://cdn10.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/rosebud-pie-lede.jpg)
Strawberry rhubarb pie from Rosebud. / Photo provided.
America’s birthday lands on a Monday this year, so an extra day off is just another reason to get out and celebrate all weekend long. If you’re hoping to claim independence from a mundane backyard party, check out these 13 restaurants with Fourth of July specials:
ArtBar
The riverside restaurant debuted fire pits on its expansive patio, and a festive “fire pit” menu to go along with them, including a s’mores skillet with a salted bourbon-and-caramel drizzle, pulled duck confit chilaquiles, and loaded fries. On the Fourth, there will be live music from 6-10 p.m. outside, right before the fireworks pop off down the river.
ArtBar, Monday, July 4, 40 Edwin Land Blvd., Cambridge, 617-806-4122, artbarcambridge.com.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Barcelona Wine Bar has your brunch needs covered this Fourth of July, with a late-morning tapas menu of pork belly hash, fried chicken, and more, as well as day drinking-friendly cocktails like sangria and a white Negroni. Independence Day brunch is on at both of the wine bar’s Massachusetts locations.
Monday, July 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Barcelona Wine Bar, 1700 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-264-8900, 525 Tremont St., South End, 617-266-2600, barcelonawinebar.com.
Bergamot
The Somerville restaurant is hosting a barbecue on Sunday, July 3, with dishes like collard greens, Texas-style smoked brisket, chopped pork, and corn bread with miso-maple butter. The feast is ticketed, so be sure to snag a reservation.
BBQ at Bergamot, Saturday, July 3, $35, seatings at 4, 5:30 & 7 p.m., 118 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-576-7700, Eventbrite.
Bukowski Tavern
Rather than flying flags and shooting off fireworks, the Cambridge tavern is hosting a “Fourth of JuLuau.” Expect plenty of patriots dressed in grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts, along with one-day specials from chef Brian Poe, like the Luau burger with spicy cabbage and guava barbecue sauce. Buks will also tap an exclusive cask of Blue Point’s Hoptical Illusion IPA infused with grapefruit peel.
Fourth of JuLuau, Monday, July 4, 4 p.m., Bukowski Tavern, 1281 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-497-7077, bukowskitavern.net.
Canary Square
The JP spot is screening “Independence Day” in all its late-90s glory on Sunday, July 3. There will be free popcorn and themed cocktails to snack on, as well as seasonal specials like Korean barbecue wings and coconut cod with cauliflower.
Canary Square, Sunday, July 3, 10 p.m., 435 S Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-2500, canarysquare.com.
Commonwealth
Celebrate America a little early this year with barbecue specials on July 2 and 3. Chefs Steve “Nookie” Postal and Ellie Campbell are breaking out the Lang smoker for baby back ribs, brown sugar-brined turkey breast, short ribs, and more, and there’s peach cobbler for dessert. Grab some food for takeout (with 48 hours notice), or enjoy your feast out on the restaurant’s newly expanded patio space.
Commonwealth Weekend Barbecue Blowout, Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 11 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, 617-945-7030, commonwealthcambridge.com.
![Coppersmith](https://cdn10.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Coppersmith-Rachel-Gianatasio.jpg)
Coppersmith. / Photo by Rachel Gianatasio
Coppersmith
This Southie spot is also barbecuing on Sunday, July 3, in celebration of America’s birthday, with pulled pork, char-grilled oysters, Corona-battered hush puppies, and more. On top of live country music throughout the day, the restaurant is hosting a raffle, there’s a mechanical bull to ride, if you’re into that, and kids under 12 eat free. Chef Jason Heard will also be smoking alligator for the occasion (really), so grab a spot on their rooftop patio and enjoy some early Fourth festivities.
Coppersmith CountryFest, Sunday, July 3, noon-1 a.m., 40 W 3rd St., South Boston, 617-658-3452, coppersmithboston.com.
Hopsters
To celebrate the Fourth of July, the Newton brewpub is boiling lobsters in brew kettles full of its Newtonian IPA on Sunday, July 3. Tickets to the lobster boil also come with a clam bake and a special beer brewed just for the event.
Hopsters Weekend Lobster Beer Fest, Sunday, July 3, 6-11:30 p.m., 292 Centre St., Newton, 617-916-0752, hopstersbrew.com.
![Independence Day cocktails at River Bar. / Photo provided.](https://cdn10.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/River-Bar-lede.jpg)
Independence Day cocktails at River Bar. / Photo provided.
River Bar
If you missed it on Sunday (or if you want to enjoy it all over again), you can catch Will Smith battling some aliens in the original “Independence Day” on Independence Day, at Assembly Row all day long. River Bar will also have three Independence Day-themed cocktails to sip while you watch, including Welcome to Earth, with gin, lemon, and egg white; and Resurgence (the name of the movie’s new sequel), a mezcal drink with lime and ginger liqueur.
River Bar, Monday, July 4, 11:30-1 a.m., 661 Assembly Row, Somerville, 617-616-5561, river-bar.com.
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
Nothing says patriotism quite like pie does, so stop by Rosebud in Davis Square for slices like peanut butter fudge, strawberry rhubarb, and chocolate cream through July 3. If you’d like to show up to your Fourth of July barbecue bearing an incomparable tart, act soon: Rosebud is only taking to-go orders through June 30, for pick-up on July 3.
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar, 381 Summer St., Somerville, 617-629-9500, rosebudkitchen.com.
![Bacon CheddarShack from Shake Shack. / Photo by Liz Clayman.](https://cdn10.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bacon-CheddarShack-Liz-Clayman.jpg)
Bacon CheddarShack from Shake Shack. / Photo by Liz Clayman.
Shake Shack
Your favorite local burger joint is whipping up a few special concretes at all of its Massachusetts locations this weekend. The Blueberry Pie Oh My mixes the namesake pie with frozen vanilla custard, and it’s available until the Fourth, when Caramelized Peach Custard takes over through July 10. There’s also a cheddar bacon burger special for the holiday weekend.
Shake Shack, 234 Newbury St., Back Bay, 617-933-5050, and other locations, shakeshack.com.
Wahlburgers
Blueberry cheesecake cupcakes, anyone? Wahlburgers will have batches of these sweets on site, courtesy of Cupcake Mojo, complete with an edible flag on top. Because America.
Wahlburgers, 132 Brookline Ave., Fenway/Kenmore, 617-927-6810, and other locations, wahlburgersrestaurant.com.
Warren Tavern
This historic Charlestown bar is serving up all-American specials like steamed clams, stuffed lobster, and a Pearl hot dog with potato salad alongside its regular menu from Friday, July 1 through the Fourth.
Warren Tavern, 2 Pleasant St., Charlestown, 617-241-8142, warrentavern.com.