New Bars, House Music, and More Weekend Fun in Boston This April
Fun things to do in Boston this weekend (and every weekend of the month).
It’s a day that ends in Y, so, it begs the question: are you locked in? If you live in or love all things Boston, your feeds are likely peppered with the oddly euphoric finance-bro joy of Davis Clarke—equal parts do-gooder, hype-man, and lover of all things 9 to 5. He’s captivated Bostonians with his locked-in catchphrase and unbridled enthusiasm for everything from punching the proverbial clock to early morning runs and late-night collabs with EDM artists.
But for the rest of us looking to avoid anything 9-to-5 related, we’ve got your ultimate April itinerary. From new secret bars and Marathon Day happenings to house music and 4/20 soirees, here’s everything to do in Boston this month. And for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse, here are the best East Coast viewing spots, stargazing near Boston, and a guide to totality in Burlington, Vermont.
Drinking events in Boston
April 6, 3:30 pm
West End, Free entry
Two of Boston's favorite things come together for a banger of a spring day when Night Shift Brewing's Lovejoy Wharf Restaurant hosts a patio party just steps away from TD Garden, where the Bruins take on the Florida Panthers. Celebrate the annual opening of the patio with sweeping views of the city, including the Garden and the Zakim, while keeping tabs on the game, which starts at 3:30 pm. Get in on the limited new releases of Rickey Sour and its hint of raspberry-lime and Unicorn Tears—a sports-drink style Gose in honor of the Boston Marathon.
Total Solar Eclipse Parties
April 7–8
Various Locations
Dabble in cosmic wonder as Boston experiences a 93% solar eclipse on April 8. Get into the spirit on Sunday, April 7, at Alamo Drafthouse's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Movie Party. Guests sip Twilight-themed cocktails, chat about werewolves and full moons, then hunker down in the cinema. Once Eclipse Day arrives, head up to the rooftop at Deck 12 for the big show. Get half-priced apps with any cocktail purchase and free eclipse sunglasses.
Red Sox Watch Parties
Ongoing
Citywide, Prices vary
Fenway—and the city as a whole—reverberates with a proprietary Boston blend of excitement and angst as the new season gets underway. If you don't have opening day tickets for April 9, head over to Blue Ribbon Brasserie, where you can debate our likelihood of making it to the World Series while enjoying a Double Diamond Smashburger and a pint of Jack's Abby Lager for $20. Those confident about the odds can watch from WynnBET Sports Book at Encore Boston Harbor, boasting 60 televisions, a mammoth immersive video wall, a full-service bar, and sports betting windows.
April 12
Everett, Free entry
If you watched Uncharted, starring Tom Holland and thought, "I could totally do that, but I'd rather drink cocktails," there's a new secret bar for you. Old Wives' Tale, opening April 12, is hidden inside Encore Boston Harbor's restaurant, Seamark. The menu and cocktails are an ode to the globe's many ports of call, but as for the speakeasy's hidden location, you'll get just one clue: the map is the key to the door.
Marathon Day Cocktail Specials
April 15
Various Locations
One of Boston's favorite holidays—Patriots' Day—brings an extra day off and our beloved Boston Marathon. Beginning April 4, Bully Boy Distillers has a marathon-themed cocktail—think bourbon, coconut water, and huckleberry—to benefit Boston Children's Hospital. Then, on the big day, Little Whale Oyster Bar on Newbury Street is serving up $20 Rosé & Sammy Specials with a choice of short rib, tuna, fish, or crispy chicken burgers. Running the marathon? Carb load at Civility Social House with Rigatoni Bolognese and mocktails like the cranberry-rosemary Mutual Misunderstanding.
Ongoing
Chestnut Hill, Free entry
A Hot Date is guaranteed at XOXO Sushi Bar; you just need to order it up. Granted, this version is a fabulous $18 tequila cocktail imbued with lavender and date syrup, but pair it with sashimi, and it's a perfect night. XOXO takes presentation to heart, adding precision and drama to its Japanese-centric dishes. Everything channels elegance, and the cocktail menu is deep with Japanese whiskeys, sake, and plenty of celebratory bubbles and sips.
Music events in Boston
April 13–15
Cambridge, $15 and up
Thanks to Beyoncé, we’re in the mood for some fiddle and banjo sets. Passim also gets it, and they're hosting the 12th annual Down Home Up Here Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, featuring plenty of bluegrass music and old-time-adjacent genres. From concerts to workshops and jam sessions, the weekend-long festival welcomes musicians such as Ella Jordan, All She Wrote, and Old Hat String Band. It starts with Sunday's no-cover, live music brunch.
April 20, 11:30 am
Dorchester, Free entry
Yup, 4/20 lands on a Saturday, and Dorchester Brewing Co. happens to be hosting a spring-themed reggae party. In honor of the not-really-a-holiday holiday, they're releasing a super-limited Terpene Pale Ale with aromatic cannabis notes. Jah-N-I Roots Movement performs in the Hopservatory by day, and John DeBellis later on. Pop-ups include Donut King and Healthy Harvest, and you can expect tree-sapling giveaways. Make the most of the day by stopping at Dorchester's High Profile dispensary and grabbing some Massachusetts-made Joyible Joybomb THC candies—in fruits or sours.
April 20, 9:30 pm
West End, $34.55
Pure energy times two (million). That’s the late-night agenda at Big Night Live on April 20 when Benny Benassi and DJ Susan team for a legendary DJ set. Known for his house music and iconic hit, Satisfaction, Benassi also just dropped Feel the Vibe in January. And, sure, DJ Susan is juggling his Hood Politics Records, but he takes in stride while intuitively knowing when to usher in the drop that’ll have us twirly-eyed through our late-night pancake sesh.
April 26, 8 pm
Fenway, $62.50 and up
Eli Sones and Matthew Halper understand that sometimes what the people want—what the people need—is just an hour-long Big Bootie mix. Whether you snag a ticket for the mashups and collabs or their original creations, hurry. Two Friends tickets won't last long. Keep your fingers crossed for More Than Yesterday and those sweet, sweet Russell Dickerson vocals, which feel like pure sunshine mixed with good vibes and soaring emotions.
Cultural events in Boston
April 5
Seaport, $30
Calling all mermaids, mermen, and lobster cosplay superfans. Make a splash at ICA/Boston's First Friday, Under the Sea-themed party. Expect an evening of creative costumes, fabulous art, music, and a la carte food and cocktails. Be among the first to experience the newly opened Firelei Báez exhibition, exploring the intersection of colonial narratives and African diaspora in the Caribbean. The collection includes sculptures and bright, complex paintings, frequently set over top colonial maps. Navigate through the galleries (open until 9 pm), then back to the waterfront for karaoke in partnership with Boston While Black and the Teachers' Lounge.
April 7, 1:00 pm
Back Bay, Free
It's time for the 28th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston, and it's kind of a big deal. The parade—celebrating Greece's independence from Ottoman Rule—kicks off from Boylston & Exeter Street at 1:00 pm, ending at Boylston & Charles Streets. Afterward, Boston Common will channel Athens' central square vibes for a traditional Greek shindig, complete with Greek dance performances (and lessons!), vendors, and gyros and souvlaki from Greek street trucks.
Starting April 13
Fenway, $27
Style, politics, and personality are just a few of the many elements that come into play in fashion. The MFA's Dress Up Exhibition presents over 100 examples of fashion-as-voice, from clothing and jewelry to illustrations and photography. This is one of those rare exhibits that is equal parts provoking and visually immersive—the colors, textures, design, and driving force behind each piece are enough to get you thinking and shake off that end-of-winter funk.
Ongoing
Science Park, $10
Both proud New Englanders Mindy Kaling and Uzo Aduba narrate The Heart of New England, made specifically for the IMAX® Dome screen at The Museum of Science's Mugar Omni Theater. Prepare yourself for a bit of guilt as you leave the theater, though. Paying just $10 for this wildly gorgeous experience seems bonkers, mainly because even the most devout New Englanders will walk away with countless trivia nuggets. Equal parts documentary and romance, the film channels a deep love for this region while honoring its rugged determination—from Indigenous resilience to wild landscapes and (of course) Boston Marathon runners.
Sports events in Boston
Ongoing
Seaport, Prices vary
If you missed Harpoon's Pickleball Leagues when they first launched last year, now's your time to shine. Gather your pick-peeps and sign up for a league before they're full up. Options range from mornings to Friday Night Flights, a social mixer-style vibe. You can also rent a pickleball court, including early-morning slots (7 am–10 am) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During typical business hours, order some beers—like the hazy Rec League—and take advantage of the free cornhole and shuffleboard.
April 22
Seaport, Free entry
The Seaport is one of Boston's buzziest hotspots, so it's no surprise that Formula 1, F1 Arcade's first US location, launches there on April 22. If you feel the need, the need for speed, then slap down your $20 and get revved up for three simulator racing experiences. The rate bumps to $25 during peak times—Thursday and Friday from 5 pm to close and Saturday from 2 pm to close. If you're expecting basic pub fare, think again. Order a foraged mushroom and truffle flatbread, upscale tacos, or even caviar service, and wash it down with dramatic cocktails.