Boston
3. Dorchester Brewing Company
Dorchester
$$$$

Boston’s largest neighborhood is home to top-tier Vietnamese cuisine, a whole host of divey Irish pubs, and some stellar craft beer courtesy of Dorchester Brewing Company. Founded in 2016, this multi-story operation doubles as one of the city’s hottest hangout spots, equipped with a game room and year-round rooftop greenhouse. Brews around here range from the hearty Baker’s Dozen wheat lager or Beantown coffee stout to the tried-and-true Forever OFD DIPA—and to sweeten the deal, M&M BBQ is located right inside the brewery, slinging up Pulled Pork Sammies, Dumpster Fries, and a whole mess of classic barbecue sides to pair with your favorite beer.
How to book: Walk in

4. Audubon
Fenway
$$$$

Sox season will be here before you know it, and if you’re on the hunt for the perfect pre-game drinks destination, it’s tough to find a better spot than Audubon. This venue sports ales from some of the Bay State’s most beloved breweries—Exhibit ‘A’, Night Shift, and Jack’s Abby, to name a few—while cocktails range from the fiery Anchorita to the Kick Flip, a seamless blend of montenegro, cream sherry, egg, and nutmeg. The Potstickers, Grilled Wings, and Veggie Burger are all certified home runs for hungry patrons, but if you’re craving crispy chorizo and San Diego-inspired seafood, be sure to swing by for Audubon’s weekly Taco Tuesday.
How to book: Walk in

5. Brassica Kitchen & Cafe
Jamaica Plain
$$$$

Brassica may be particularly pint-sized, but what this Forest Hills venue lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in stiff drinks and vibrant small plates. A certifiable JP chameleon, the spot slings handmade pastries and sandwiches during daylight hours as Brassica Cafe, then emerges during the evening as Brassica Kitchen, a polished bistro that’s mastered the art of fermentation-forward dining. While the Fried Sweet Rice and B.K. Fried Chicken are both particularly pleasing to the palate, be sure to check out the top-tier cocktail list, a sizable selection of beverages that spans from housemade amaro to the mezcal and elderflower-loaded Gray Gardens.

6. Banyan Bar & Refuge
South End
$$$$

In need of a stiff drink that will transport you across the globe with a single sip? Make that dream a reality with Banyan Bar, a South End staple for colorful cocktails and flavorful fusion cuisine. Although Asian-inspired favorites like Crab Rangoon Dip, Cauliflower Okonomiyaki, and Lobster Roll Bao all grace the menu, the star attraction here is the cocktail list, offering heavy hitters like the fiery Thai chili vodka-forward Supreme Leader and the Wildfire, a classic blend of pineapple tequila, mezcal, ango, and salty simple syrup.

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