Boston

The 10 Best Speakeasies in Boston

Boston's best speakeasies hide behind unmarked doors and ask you to whisper passwords. The speakeasies on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.

  1. 01

    Alden & Harlow Boston

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Alden & Harlow is the Harvard Square restaurant-bar from chef Michael Scelfo — a celebrated New American kitchen with a tight cocktail programme that punches ab. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  2. 02

    Armsby Abbey (Worcester)

    WORCESTER · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Armsby Abbey (Worcester) draws a steady local crowd in Worcester. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  3. 03

    Backbar

    SIMPLICITY AND GRACE—A PERFECT APERITIF THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE BAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF DOING LESS · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Promote your venue to cocktail enthusiasts, craft beer lovers, and night owls across 60 global cities. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  4. 04

    Bell in Hand Tavern

    FANEUIL HALL · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Bell in Hand Tavern draws a steady local crowd in Faneuil Hall. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  5. 05

    Drink

    FORT POINT · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Drink draws a steady local crowd in Fort Point. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  6. 06

    Cheers Beacon Hill

    BEACON HILL · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Cheers Beacon Hill draws a steady local crowd in Beacon Hill. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  7. 07

    Citizen Public House

    FENWAY · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Citizen Public House draws a steady local crowd in Fenway. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  8. 08

    Club Passim

    CAMBRIDGE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Club Passim draws a steady local crowd in Cambridge. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  9. 09

    Comet Ping Pong / Comet Bar

    BROOKLINE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Comet Ping Pong / Comet Bar draws a steady local crowd in Brookline. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  10. 10

    Committee Boston

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Committee is the Seaport District Greek meze-and-cocktail room from the Aegean group — a serious Greek-spirit cocktail programme paired with one of Boston's mos. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Use this guide either as a single curated route through Boston or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten speakeasies that any serious drinker in Boston would tell you to put on the list.

Alden & Harlow is the Harvard Square restaurant-bar from chef Michael Scelfo — a celebrated New American kitchen with a tight cocktail programme that punches ab. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Armsby Abbey (Worcester) draws a steady local crowd in Worcester. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

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