Boston Restaurant Talk: cocktail lounges

Showing posts with label cocktail lounges. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

The Down Low Opens in Woburn

A new underground cocktail club has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, The Down Low is now open in Woburn, moving into a space below The Brickyard on Main Street in the downtown area. Veteran hospitality professional and bartender Curtis McMillan (Tiki Rock) is the Creative Director behind the place, which has seating for 80 and which offers craft cocktails and food items such as Detroit-style pizza and smash burgers, while live music is also featured as well.

The address for The Down Low is 371 Main Street, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at https://www.downlowbar.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Birds of Paradise in Brighton Is Closing

A cocktail lounge that has a well-known local mixologist and restaurateur behind it is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Birds of Paradise at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton is closing its doors, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

We'd like to thank the Brighton community for the last couple years at the Speedway @charlesriverspeedway. To all of the staff, past and present, thank you for taking part in our journey around the world. Our last three services will be: - Wednesday 10/29 - Thursday 10/30 - Friday 10/31 Come and take one or two final flights with us

Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are behind Birds of Paradise, which its Instagram page says is "inspired by the golden age of travel."

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Avenue #12, Brighton MA, 02135. Its website can be found at https://www.birdsofparadisebar.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Headroom Opens within Trillium in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

A brand new "hi-fi lounge" and cocktail bar has come to a space near the Boston waterfront, and the people behind a local brewery are running the place.

According to a press release, Headroom is now open in the city's Fort Point neighborhood, moving into the second-floor space above Trillium on Thomson Place. The new spot includes "thousands" of vinyl LPs featuring a variety of genres, which patrons can listen to over cocktails (including non-alcoholic versions) and Trillium beers, along with such food items as deviled eggs, parsnip latkes, spring lamb, a cherry sorbet bowl, chocolate cake, and more.

In addition to Trillium's Fort Point location, the beermaker also has locations in the Fenway and in Canton, along with a seasonal beer garden on the Greenway in downtown Boston.

The address for Headroom (and Trillium Fort Point) is 50 Thomson Place, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at https://headroomhifi.com/

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, November 20, 2023

The Hidden Door Opens in Marblehead

A new cocktail lounge has come to the North Shore.

According to a source, The Hidden Door is now open in Marblehead, confirming what another source told us earlier, that the place would be opening on Washington Street in the center of town. We have been told that the new spot--which is run by Todd and Victoria Horvath--is located next door to The Barrelman restaurant, and it is a speakeasy-style lounge where people enter through a secret door hidden in a bookcase.

The address for The Hidden Door is 259 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/thehiddendoormhd

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

View Boston After Dark to Debut at the Top of the Prudential Tower in Boston's Back Bay

A new option for nightlife is getting ready to debut high above the city.

According to a press release, View Boston After Dark is opening on Friday, September 8 within Stratus rooftop bar and lounge at the top of the Prudential Tower in the Back Bay, offering music, cocktails, and lawn games from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Thursday through Saturday at least through September. Tickets for the nightlife spot are $19.99 (which only allows access to the Stratus, though it also allows patrons to not have to purchase tickets to the entire observatory).

The top of the Prudential Tower, which had previously been home to Top of the Hub restaurant, now includes a restaurant called The Beacon on the 50th floor, Stratus on the 51st floor, and an observatory on the 52nd floor.

The web page for View Boston After Dark is at https://viewboston.com/after-dark/

[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Friday, February 03, 2023

Evergreen Room Opens in Hudson

A combination tea room/botanical bar has debuted west of Boston.

According to a source (Lindsay Tierney), Evergreen Room is now open in Hudson, moving into a space on Main Street that is adjacent to Crose Nest Apothecary (both of which are owned by Kinsey Rosene). The new spot is both a tea room and cocktail lounge that offers such foods as crisps, salads, sourdough bread, pickles, cheeses, chicken pozole, tarts, panna cotta, and more, based on what is shown on its Instagram page; it appears that a website for a place is on its way soon, though it is not up and running as of yet.

Crose Nest Apothecary is known in part for its herbs, spices, teas, soaps, oils, and candles.

The address for Evergreen Room is 12 Main Street, Hudson, MA, 01749. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/evergreenroomhudson/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Monday, January 16, 2023

Birds of Paradise Opens at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton

A new cocktail lounge has debuted in Brighton, opening within a marketplace across from the Charles River.

According to a post from Eater Boston and an earlier article from The Boston Globe, Birds of Paradise is now open at the Charles River Speedway, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are behind the spot. As also mentioned earlier, the new place has a "Pan Am vacation vibe" in which its drinks menu includes options that are based on global pairings (for instance, from Jamaica to Italy), and its food menu is a bit more limited that Duan's other spots because of kitchen restrictions, but offers such items as seared scallops and sushi.

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Ave, Brighton MA, 02135. Its website is at https://www.birdsofparadisebar.com/

[Earlier Article]
Birds of Paradise Plans to Open in Brighton

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Zestfriendz in Swampscott Has Closed

A North Shore bakery and cocktail bar has shut down after being in business for a bit more than a year.

According to a source, Zestfriendz in Swampscott is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the Humphrey Street spot saying that "Sadly we have decided not to re-open after the holidays and will be permanently closing as of Friday December 23rd." Zestfriendz first opened in November of 2021, being a bakery by day and a small plates bar by night, with the place offering such items as muffins, scones, and oatmeal in the morning, soups, salads, sandwiches, and quiche at lunchtime, and chicken satay, polenta fries, sliders, and flatbreads in the evening.

The address for the now-closed Zestfriendz was 286 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA, 01907.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Borrachito and The Garret Bar to Open at The Superette in Boston's Seaport District

Last winter, it was reported that a restaurant group based in Manhattan would be expanding to the Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that they will be opening another location of a combination taqueria/cocktail bar there.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Den Hospitality plans to open Borrachito and The Garret Bar at The Superette, a retail, dining, and entertainment center in the Seaport District that is currently under development. The bostonseaport.xyz site mentions that The Garret Bar will be hidden behind Borrachito, with its entrance being through a walk-in freezer door and that it will feature a full bar, while Borrachito will likely offer tacos and possibly burritos, based on its East Village location (which it shares with a location of The Garret Bar). Den Hospitality also operates another location of The Garret Bar in the West Village along with Bandits which is also in the West Village, and The Garret Cocteleria in NoLita.

The hearing notice indicates that Borrachito and The Garret Bar hope to get their liquor license from B.K.'s Pub, a dive bar in Roslindale; it is not yet known what that means for the future of that watering hole--as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

The website for Den Hospitality can be found at http://www.denhospitality.com/

[March 24, 2023 update: According to a press release, Borrachito has its official opening on April 17.]

[Earlier Article]
The Superette Is Planning to Open in Boston's Seaport District

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Apex Bar and Lounge to Open in Boston's Financial District

It looks like a new cocktail bar and lounge is on its way to downtown Boston, and it will apparently be part of a multi-concept cannabis dispensary with a former mayoral candidate behind it.

According to a licensing board page within the city's website, Apex Bar and Lounge is planning to open in the Financial District, taking over at least part of the space on State Street that had been home to Little Rose Taco Bar, and before that, Kamakura. An earlier Dig Boston article mentioned that Tito Jackson is behind the place, which, according to a media statement, is called Apex Noire and will be "part cannabis dispensary and wholly an experience," including a dispensary space, an art/music gallery, and the cocktail bar itself, and based on the hearing notice, it appears that Apex Bar and Lounge plans to be on the 6th and 7th floor of the building, with the top floor being a roof deck.

Tito Jackson ran for mayor in 2017 and he has also been a city council member.

The address for the upcoming Apex Bar and Lounge is 150 State Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for Apex Noire will be at https://apexnoire.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Birds of Paradise Is Opening in Brighton

One of the region's best-known mixologists will be opening a cocktail lounge at a new open-air marketplace in Brighton.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are planning to open Birds of Paradise at the Charles River Speedway, with the upcoming spot having a "Pan Am vacation vibe" in which its drinks menu will be based on plane tickets between two locations (for instance, from Brazil to Japan). The place will have seating for 45 inside and another 12-15 on an outdoor patio (pending final construction), and it will be located in the old MDC police jail in the basement while the patio will be on the lower level.

If all goes as planned, Birds of Paradise could open sometime this summer.

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Ave, Brighton MA, 02135. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/birds.of.paradise.bar/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Farmacia Is Opening within Ciao Roma in Boston's North End

A brand new cocktail bar is on its way to the North End, opening within an existing restaurant.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, Farmacia is planning to open in a part of the Ciao Roma space at 5 North Square, with a bostonchefs.com article saying that it will be an "apothecary-inspired cocktail bar" with nine seats. The post goes on to say that creator Phillip Rolfe (Parla, Wink & Nod) will offer drink flights on the menu while patrons can also go"off-book" with drinks, while food offerings will include options such as house-made pickles, dips, roasted nuts, and gelato. If all goes as planned, Farmacia will open on April 22.

Ciao Roma is part of the All Day Hospitality Group, which also operates Bodega Canal, Tony & Elaine's and Ward 8.

The website for Farmacia can be found at https://www.farmacianorthend.com/

[April 26 update: Boston Magazine states that Farmacia is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, January 20, 2022

The Village Social Club Opens in the Former Ellis Room Space in Brookline Village

A brand new bar in Brookline that is underneath a new restaurant is now open, replacing another basement drinking spot that closed about a year and a half ago.

Based on its Twitter page and website, the Village Social Club is now open below the Garrison House in Brookline Village, with the website for the place indicating that it is a cocktail and music lounge that is currently open on weekend nights for food and drink. The new spot replaces The Ellis Room, which was affiliated with the now-closed Magnolia Smokehouse above it (the Garrison House opened in its space late last year).

The food menu for the Village Social Club includes such items as poutine, wings, pretzel bites, meatloaf meatballs, burgers, nachos, and BLTs, while cocktails include margaritas, old fashioneds, and daiquiris.

The address for the Village Social Club (and the Garrison House) is 6 Harvard Square, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for the bar is at https://www.villagesocialclub.com/ while the Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/VSCbrookline

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Marcelino's Boutique Bar in Providence Plans to Expand to the Former Daily Catch Space in Boston's Seaport District

It looks like a cocktail lounge in Providence is expanding to the Boston waterfront.

According to a tweet from @FortPointer, Marcelino's Boutique Bar is planning to open a new location in the city's Seaport District, taking over the space in the Moakley Courthouse that had been home to a location of The Daily Catch. Based on the original location on W Exchange Street in Providence, expect the upcoming outlet to feature craft cocktails along with lighter fare that has Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. If all goes as planned, the new location of Marcelino's could be opening early next summer.

The Seaport District outlet of The Daily Catch closed down in the fall of 2018; currently, four locations of the seafood restaurant can be found in the North End (two), Brookline, and Woodstock, VT.

The address for the upcoming location of Marcelino's in the Seaport District is 2 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the Providence location is at https://www.marcelinosboutiquebar.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Trifecta Opens at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston

A new cocktail lounge has come to Boston, opening inside a hotel in the Back Bay.

According to a Facebook post from Christopher Haynes, Trifecta is now open on the lobby level of Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, with a press release from the hotel saying that the lounge features cocktails while also offering beer, wine, champagne, and light appetizers. The press release also mentions that Trifecta will have afternoon tea on weekends, and that customers will be able to order scones, sandwiches, and sweets with their tea.

Trifecta (and Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street) is located at the corner of Dalton Street and Belvidere Street across from the western end of the Prudential Center.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, April 26, 2021

Harbor Lounge Replaces Sinatra at Encore Boston Harbor

A new cocktail spot has come to a resort and casino near the Boston line, and it replaces a high-end Italian restaurant that is no longer in business.

According to a source, Harbor Lounge is now open within Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, with a Facebook post indicating that the new place has moved into the space where Sinatra had been. The post shows that the menu includes small bites, cocktails, and mocktails, with food offerings including cheese and charcuterie boards, spring pea hummus, and serrano ham panini, with cocktails having Boston-themed names to them. (Harbor Lounge also has live entertainment, including piano music.)

Sinatra was an upscale eatery that was known in part for its classic Italian and Italian-American dishes along with its wines, cocktails, and spirits.

The web page for Harbor Lounge can be found at https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/dining-and-nightlife/dining/harbor-lounge

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

Offsuit to Open in Boston's Leather District

It looks like a new dining and drinking spot is on its way to the southern edge of downtown Boston, and its address indicates that it would be taking over part of the space currently occupied by an upscale restaurant with French influences.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Offsuit is looking to open in the city's Leather District, with the post saying that it will be "an intimate cocktail bar." The South Street address shown in the listing is the same address as that of Troquet on South; we reached out to that restaurant earlier this week and are waiting to confirm that this is a new bar residing within the existing restaurant, which is what we have been hearing. (As soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.)

Troquet on South first opened in the former Bel Ari space in March of 2017, having moved from Boylston Street (by Boston Common) where it was simply called "Troquet." The restaurant closed around the time of the coronavirus outbreak in March but reopened for indoor and outdoor dining in June.

The address for the upcoming Offsuit (and Troquet on South) is 107 South Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

[November 10 update: According to a press release, Offsuit debuts tomorrow (Wednesday, November 11) and it will be a cocktail bar and "underground restaurant" that will reside in a former private dining space attached to the rear of Troquet on South. The new 20-seat spot will offer globally-inspired fare along with craft cocktails while also having access to Troquet's wine cellar. The website for Offsuit can be found at http://offsuitboston.com/]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, June 19, 2020

Winnisimmet Lounge in Chelsea Is Up for Sale

A cocktail lounge that opened last year--and that was run by the people behind a highly-rated pizzeria nearby--is on the market.

According to a source, the Winnisimmet Lounge in Chelsea is up for sale, with an Instagram post from the Winnisimmet Street spot saying the following:

At this time, and with the overwhelming challenges posed to us all by the Covid-19 virus pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to list The Winissimmet Lounge for sale. In the short time we were part of the Chelsea community with this concept, we were grateful for the support we received and for the friendships we gained over that time. We wish you all health and happiness as we continue to navigate this difficult time in our hard-hit city.

The Winnisimmet Lounge, which first opened in the Parrotta's Alpine Lodge space in the spring of 2019, has been known in part for its small plates and craft cocktails; the owners of Ciao! Pizza & Pasta and Ciao! on Williams Street in Chelsea were behind the place.

The address for Winnisimmet Lounge is 73 Winnisimmet Street, Chelsea, MA, 02150.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Monday, May 18, 2020

Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge Has Closed

A quirky Cambridge restaurant and lounge that was known for its globally-inspired fare and classic cocktails is the latest big name in the Boston area to shut down for good.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe is reporting that Cuchi Cuchi between Kendall and Central squares has closed permanently, with a Facebook post from the Main Street spot saying that "Watching a horror movie is more soothing than having to announce that Cuchi Cuchi will no longer exist. The fundamental purpose of socializing w/food/wine/good company has been obliterated overnight by an unlucky fluke of nature which gives new meaning to 'survival of the fittest.'" The dining and drinking spot, which first opened 19 years ago, is one of several well-known restaurants and bars to close of late in the local area, including two others in Cambridge--Restaurant Dante and The Automatic.

The address for Cuchi Cuchi was 795 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Mariel Underground Opens in Downtown Boston

A couple of months ago, a high-end Cuban restaurant opened up in downtown Boston, and now we have learned that it has been joined by a bar underneath the place.

According to an article from boston.com, Mariel Underground has opened below Mariel in Post Office Square, with the place being a separate cocktail spot that serves both food and drink (the post mentions "happy hour bites" on the food end). As of now, it looks like the bar is open for food and drink Tuesday through Friday starting at 5:00 PM and it opens for drinks on Saturdays starting at 9:00 PM.

COJE Management Group opened Mariel in September, joining Lolita, Ruka, and Yvonne's, all of which are run by the Boston-based hospitality group.

The Instagram page for Mariel Underground can be found at https://www.instagram.com/marielunderground/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]