The best of Boston; An Insider's Guide to Beantown

Boston Nightlife

"I love Boston for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere… I was once one of those new artists in Boston and I was heavily influenced by the constant flow of music and creativity around me…"

Songwriter Makeba Riddick. Read more at Black Boston http://aboutblackboston.wordpress.com/

The bustling city of Boston offers a unique blend of culture and cuisine matched only by its diverse hot spots and an exciting nightlife. On the weekends, college crowds pack into the local watering holes and sports bars of Brighton and Allston. The city also has a great assortment of trendy lounges, which cater to a more grown-up crowd. For gay and lesbian men and women, nightlife is alive and well in Boston; the hottest bars and clubs are scattered across the city.

If you're looking for cheap drafts in bars that have a lot of character, check out these hot spots in that cater to college crowds:

Once nominated by Sports Illustrated as No. 4 on a list of 100 Things to Do Before You Graduate, Mary Ann's is located on Beacon Street, and it's fondly called "Scary Ann's" by regular patrons. The bar is known for its sticky floors, mens bathroom without doors, $1.75 drafts and loud music; in other words, this place is not for the faint of heart. Locals love it, though; it's located a stone's throw away from Boston College and it offers a lot of history and character.
Roggies - http://www.roggies.com/ - is a bar that offers 25-cent wings, $1.50 drafts, 18+ flat screen TVs and a menu of 50+ assorted beers and cocktails. The bar also offers trivia and open-mic nights. A popular destination for twenty-somethings, Roggies is a staple of Boston.
Featuring 24 award-winning beers on draft, The Tap (http://www.thetapbarboston.com/) is a sports bar that offers 25-cent wings, 112 taps, 380 microbrews and 63 styles of beer. The bar is located on Brighton Avenue in the neighborhood of Allston, and it's commonly frequented by college students and twenty-somethings from the Boston area.

Mature crowds in search of an atmosphere with sophistication and style should check out these upscale lounges in Boston:

A lounge that caters to an older demographic, Red Sky (http://www.redskyboston.com/) is located on North Street, in the heart of downtown Boston. The lounge offers the only patio in the blackstone neighborhood, award-winning food, and an atmosphere that's been described by Rachel Ray as "upscale and hip without the attitude."
District Lounge (http://www.districtboston.com/) offers an edgy yet inviting atmosphere; the lounge is located on Lincoln Street, in South Boston. District draws in the most crowds on Wednesday and Saturday nights (call ahead of time to put your name on the guest list), so you should expect to get there early, as you'll most likely wait in line to enter the door. The lounge caters to men and woman in their late twenties and early thirties, and usually accepts patrons without a cover charge.

"What I thought was going to be a typical Boston weekend turned out to be one for the ages."

Gareth, Boston Beer Bars (http://bostonbeerbars.blogspot.com/)

Edge (http://www.edgeboston.com/) is a the leading resource for Boston's gay and lesbian community. It regularly features reviews and updates on art, live entertainment, parties, and activities that cater to GLBT people. However, gay and lesbian men and women in search of the most popular bars and clubs should look no further than these venues:

Located on Columbus Avenue, Club Cafe (http://www.clubcafe.com/) has been entertaining Bostonians and tourists for more than 25 years. The club features a restaurant, cabaret and dance club, and it offers a unique theme and genre of music each might. Club Cafe won first place as the best gay and lesbian bar in the "Boston A-List" contest.
Fritz Bar (http://www.fritzboston.com/)is a gay sports bar located in the heart of the South End. The bar's Chandler Street location makes it an easy-to-find spot, as this area is frequented by many travelers and tourists. Best described as a low-key bar, Fritz attracts an older clientele; in fact, it's been affectionately called the "Gay Cheers." You won't find dancing or loud club music here, but you will find the best Bloody Marys, friendly patrons and multiple large-screen TVs.
The Chandler Street Block Party (http://www.bostongayrightsfund.org/) is a gay pride festival that draws in over 5,000 people each year. The block party offers dancing, games and music, and all proceeds go to the members of the amateur GLBT sports organizations and AIDS Action Committee. The festival takes place in the South End of Boston.

To find out more about Boston's GLBT community, there are a number of bloggers currently active (all safe for work but some of the site ads can be a bit risqué):

Out in Boston http://www.outinboston.com/ - Community site with national and local gay news, columns and contests.
Boston City Links http://www.bostoncitylinks.com/gay.html - the site's dedicated gay portal, which is well worth checking out if you're stuck for something to do.
Boston Pride http://www.bostonpride.org/ - The official guide and blog of the 2011 Boston Pride.
Pink Pages http://www.linkpink.com/boston.index.html - Like the Yellow Pages, but… y'know.
Bay Windows http://www.baywindows.com/ - The largest GLBT newspaper in New England. The online version is a treat to browse and well-laid out.

The Music (and Dance) Scene

With its renowned orchestra, ballet and opera and the birthplace of hardcore punk and ska, Boston is home to some world-class music. For up-to-date listings, reviews and the chance to discover something a little different, we heartily recommend:

Boston Radio Blog http://bostonradio.blogspot.com/ - As with any city this large and diversified, Boston has a wide range of stations just waiting for you to tune in. Get the low down and make sure you don't miss the top picks with the Boston Radio Blog
Band in Boston http://www.bandinbostonpodcast.com/ - Three superb podcasts for the price of one (and that price is free). Covers some of Boston's finest musical offerings.
Boston Jazz Scene http://bostonjazzscene.blogspot.com/ - We wouldn't be doing our job properly without touching upon its jazz scene, and this blog does it better than anyone else currently writing.
Sooz.com http://www.sooz.com/ - A definitive guide to musical goings on around the city.
Boston Survival Guide http://www.bostonsurvivalguide.net/wordpress/ - The first port of call for anyone who wants to know where the cool kids are hanging out on any given evening…
Boston Swing Central http://bostonswingcentral.org/ - What's music without a bit of dance? Swing is a great discipline for people of any swing level - if you want to try something new, build on an existing skill set or just want to hang out, do check out the great guys at the volunteer-run Boston Swing Central.
Playground Boston http://playgroundboston.com/ - News, reviews and interviews galore. Few music blogs cover their local scenes with this much zest.

Related Articles:

Read more on Boston's underground scene
Read the BostonSmarts' Best Places to Visit While in Boston
Read aboutBoston Gay Life - Boston's Gay and LGBTQ Scene