It’s Unofficially Spring: These Restaurant Patios Are Open
From outdoor beers to complimentary custard, soak in the sun today.
Now, Boston. It’s still February. But we, like you, are so excited to see record-setting spring-like temperatures—even if just for a day. Take advantage of the warmth today and have a drink, a bite to eat, and maybe even a complimentary Shake Shack custard outside.
It’s not quite patio season, when Boston transforms into a beautiful landscape of al fresco dining options. But there are certain signs: Sullivan’s at Castle Island officially opens this Saturday, Feb. 24. And in celebration of the 72-degree high predicted for Wednesday, Feb. 21, the following restaurants and bars will dust off the patio furniture (…in some cases) for snacks and drinks on their decks. Soak it in, while you can.
Atwood’s Tavern
A Cambridge classic. Open outside beginning at lunchtime today, “and all future days weather permits until full on patio season arrives!”
877 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-864-2792, atwoodstavern.com.
Audubon
Try the seasonal Apres Ski Daiquiri to keep the Winter Olympics vibes going. It has aged rum, lime, vanilla, Montenegro, and Angostura bitters.
838 Beacon St., Boston, 617-421-1910, audubonboston.com.
The Barking Crab photo provided
The Barking Crab
Pretend it’s really summer with fried clams, a lobster roll, and Harbor views.
88 Sleeper St., Boston, 617-426-2722, barkingcrab.com.
Brewer’s Fork
This could be you.
7 Moulton St., Charlestown, 617-337-5703, brewersfork.com.
Cambridge Brewing Company patio photo by Jennifer Trebino
Cambridge Brewing Co.
Only eight tables are out there so far, but this One Kendall Square hideaway is indeed open today.
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-494-1994, cambridgebrewingcompany.com.
City Tap House
If patio beers and fire pits are what you need today, you’ll find them both in spades here.
10 Boston Wharf Rd., Boston, 617-904-2748, boston.citytap.com.
Coppersmith
The roof deck is open tonight from 4-10 p.m., with games, drinks, and free nachos rolling in on red Radio Flyer wagons.
40 W 3rd St., South Boston, 617-658-3452, coppersmithboston.com
Dorchester Brewing Co.
This Mass. Ave. spot knows what to do: “That time the weather forecast said 70 degrees in February and then rain/snow the next day. Aaaaand, commence outdoor drinking on the patio. Like stat.”
1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.
Stay cool with a koozie on Hojoko’s front porch. / Photo provided
Hojoko
Sun is streaming into the front porch today at the Verb Hotel bar and restaurant.
1271 Boylston St., Boston, 617-670-0507, hojokoboston.com.
Idle Hands
Opening the patio is just another added bonus up in Malden today: Both the crushable zwickelbier Emelyn, and Galaxy Four Seam IPA are being released in cans at 3 p.m., then Melt Food Truck rolls in beginning at 5 p.m. with cheesy sandwiches and poutine.
89 Commercial St., Malden, 781-333-6070, idlehandscraftales.com.
The patio at Kings in Dedham is open today. / Photo provided
Kings Dining and Entertainment
Home with the kids this week? All Kings locations are having a “pool party” today—everyone can play free pool, and kids bowl free, if you mention “heatwave” at the desk. Plus, the patios at the suburban locations in Dedham, Burlington, and Lynnfield are all open today.
52 Second Ave., Burlington, 781-238-4400, 600 Legacy Place, Dedham, 781-329-6000, 510 Market St., Lynnfield, 781-334-4400, and other locations, kings-de.com.
KO Pies at the Shipyard
It’s another stunner of a day. Pretend you’re actually Down Under with a savory pie or two, wedges, and a porch pint.
Boston Harbor Shipyard, 256 Marginal St., Bldg. 16, East Boston, 617-418-5234, kocateringandpies.com.
Loyal Nine
Start with coffee and pastries, play a couple rounds of corn hole, stick around for a carafe of natural wine and littlenecks on the half-shell.
660 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 617-945-2576, loyalninecambridge.com.
MET Back Bay
Take a long lunch in Copley Square. The patio is open all day and night.
279 Dartmouth St., Boston, 617-267-0451, metbackbay.com.
Naco Taco
Furniture and umbrellas are asking for a bit much at this present juncture, but there’s free corn hole and ample margaritas to order.
297 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-1548, nacocentral.com.
Porto
After work, engage in some prime Back Bay people-watching and cocktail-drinking. The deck opens at 4 p.m. today.
Ring Rd., Boston, 617-536-1234, porto-boston.com.
Publico
The year-round atrium is, in fact, an apres-ski chalet every weekend this winter. But in celebration of tonight’s balmy temps, the roof is rolled back and it’s a welcoming garden in South Boston.
11 Dorchester St., Boston, 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com.
Russell House
This Harvard Square spot—and its across-the-street sister spot, Park—has fresh air to go around.
14 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, 617-500-3055, russellhousecambridge.com
Frozen custard photo provided of Shake Shack
Shake Shack at the Street
Here’s hoping you work near Chestnut Hill, because you have afternoon plans. Shake Shack at the Street is giving away complimentary scoops of frozen custard today from 3-4 p.m., just to celebrate the thermometers reaching 70 degrees.
The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, Facebook.
Tapestry patio photo provided
Tapestry
No Red Sox to pre-game tonight, but the patio at this Fenway neighborhood spot is open tonight for dinner from 5:30-10 p.m. You’ll find the pizza-focused Expo Kitchen menu, and heat lamps just in case temps dip.
69 Kilmarnock St., Fenway/Kenmore, 617-421-4470, tapestry.restaurant.
Yotel Boston Sky Lounge
The 12-story-tall, indoor/outdoor rooftop bar is open tonight from 5 p.m.-midnight. It remains open as an Olympics village this weekend, as well.
65 Seaport Blvd., Boston, 617-377-4747, yotel.com.
